For Ernesto Casillas, everything is looking bright.

      Ernesto Casillas has just surfaced for a breather. The renowned makeup artist appears on my computer screen from his L.A. home during a rare moment of leisure—a "mini staycation," as he describes it, before his busy schedule ramps up again for fashion week. Besides a few select jobs and interviews (including this one), he's booked with little more than daily workouts and refreshing facial treatments. "Pardon the redness," he says, leaning closer to the camera. This time off is well-earned. For the previous ten weeks, Casillas has been traveling the globe with Zendaya, managing an intense series of press events. It began with the Odyssey premiere in London, where the actress showcased "light, mesmerizing eyes" in a Schiaparelli gown fresh off the haute couture runway. Then came Paris, with a milkmaid braid, rosy cheeks, and frosted blue eye shadow, followed by New York, where Zendaya's windswept complexion and natural lashes ignited a no-mascara trend. He then flew to Mexico City and back to London to promote Spider-Man: Brand New Day with romantic, rosy looks, before returning to L.A. just a week later to execute a sultry smoky eye. Our chat takes place shortly after Zendaya's rumored wedding celebration at the Beaverbrook estate, leading me to wonder if he made an unannounced stop in Surrey. (Casillas doesn’t bring it up, and I refrain from asking directly, but it’s hard to believe he wasn’t involved in some way given their long-standing collaboration.) "I've loved watching people recreate the looks online," he tells me. "I was surprised by how much the actual makeup looks went viral, and the attention I received from that. It was a very pleasant surprise."

      Of all the viral looks, none has resonated quite like the aforementioned no-mascara style from the Odyssey New York premiere. Casillas is too modest to say it, so I’ll point it out: he knew he had achieved something spectacular. "Once we finished with the hair and makeup, we all looked around and thought, 'Honestly? Yes,'" he reveals. Fans responded with equal enthusiasm; currently, there are over 13.7 million TikTok videos tagged "Zendaya Odyssey Makeup." Naturally, Casillas's behind-the-scenes photos sparked a frenzy on Instagram, drawing an endless stream of admiration from industry peers and celebrities alike. Even Donni Davy, who has worked with Zendaya for years as the head makeup artist on Euphoria, contributed to the conversation, saying the look "made [her] totally emotional." "That sentiment from Donni was incredibly touching," Casillas tells me, "especially since she knows Zendaya's character as Rue. The show's conclusion with her death was devastating. Witnessing her as this beautiful glowing angel… seeing her appear ethereal affects people deeply."

      Despite the buzz, Casillas mentions that the London Odyssey glam was the most challenging to perfect due to all the intricate details—delicate lashes (achieved with individual Lashify clusters), radiant inner eye corners, and a naturally lifted contour. "I really took my time with the lashes," he says. "It required patience to sculpt the face and ensure everything appeared pretty, blended, and seamless. … It’s all those subtle details that you don’t notice immediately but accumulate to create the final effect."

      But that is exactly Casillas's expertise: meticulous tweaks that result in a cohesive masterpiece. Much like observing a Georges Seurat painting, you step back and appreciate how it all comes together. "I might not be executing an incredibly creative eyeshadow look every time, but I ensure the lashes and brows stand out," he adds. Midway through the Odyssey press tour, he switched Zendaya's brow pencil to a slightly warmer brown to soften the contrast and help her eyes pop—a tiny alteration that he claims made a significant difference in the final look.

      "You’ll notice beautiful skin, and then you'll see the features," he explains about his technique. "I want you to see the woman before the makeup." A glowing baked powder (he readily recommends Hourglass and Kosas) works wonders to blur any harsh lines, making the bronzer and highlight indistinguishable. "After I've finished the face, highlight, and blush, I grab a large fluffy brush, load it with that powder, and blend everything together. Then I set it with some [setting] spray." It’s simple but makes a big difference on camera. "I studied photography and art in college. I think that helped me become a better makeup artist. You know, color theory, lighting, and photography," he shares.

      However, don’t mistake him—Casillas loves a bold, striking look. An L.A. native with "Hollywood in [his] backyard," he naturally infuses dramatic, pop star-inspired glamour into his work. "I had a mentor who advised me to look up the artists behind the