Lupita Nyong'o's Makeup Artist Takes Us Behind the Scenes of The Odyssey's London, Paris, and NYC Premieres
Our take
The resurgence of thematic press tours has quietly become one of the most compelling trends in modern celebrity culture, and *The Odyssey*’s premiere circuit is proving to be a particularly rich case study. It’s more than just coordinated outfits; it’s a carefully constructed narrative brought to life through fashion, beauty, and overall aesthetic. The dedication to a single, overarching concept – in this instance, ancient Grecian mythology – elevates the red carpet beyond a series of individual appearances, transforming it into a living, breathing art installation. We’ve seen the power of this approach before, notably with Zendaya’s Athena-esque looks, a testament to the creative potential when a project’s vision is extended beyond the screen I’m Going to Lollapalooza for the First Time—These 20 Items Are Already Packed. The commitment to detail, from gown silhouettes to the placement of a single highlight, speaks volumes about the meticulous planning and the desire to create a truly immersive experience for audiences. It’s a move away from the often-fragmented and reactive nature of celebrity styling, towards a more intentional and collaborative approach.
What's particularly fascinating about Nick Barose’s behind-the-scenes account is the spotlight it places on the artistry of makeup. Often relegated to a supporting role, makeup artistry is now demonstrably integral to shaping the overarching narrative. Barose’s work with Lupita Nyong’o, as Helen of Troy, isn't merely about enhancing her features; it’s about embodying a mythic archetype. The glowing skin, the subtle bronzing, the considered use of shimmer - each element contributes to a visual language that communicates power, beauty, and the weight of history. This focus on the process and the artistry is refreshing, particularly in a culture that often prioritizes the finished product. It reminds us that beauty is not simply about appearance, but about storytelling and the skillful application of craft. And it’s coinciding with a broader cultural shift where consumers are increasingly interested in the ‘how’ and ‘why’ behind their beauty routines, as evidenced by the continued interest in insider tips and deals 10 Ridiculously Good Beauty Deals I’m Buying from the 2026 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.
The *Odyssey*’s press tour also signals a potential evolution in the celebrity-brand relationship. Rather than relying on traditional endorsements, stars are becoming active participants in shaping the visual identity of their projects, and, by extension, their own image. This fosters a more authentic and meaningful connection with fans, who are drawn to the narrative and the artistry rather than just the celebrity’s face. It’s about curating a world, a feeling, an atmosphere, and inviting the audience to step inside. The success of this approach hinges on the collaboration between stylists, makeup artists, and the celebrities themselves, all working in harmony to create a cohesive and compelling vision. We’ve seen this kind of intentional styling before, but rarely with such a clear and consistent thematic thread. Charli XCX's recent wedding guest style demonstrates the power of calculated personal fashion choices in creating a specific ambiance Charli XCX Delivers a Masterclass in How to Style a Little Black Wedding Guest Dress, proving that even seemingly smaller moments can contribute to a larger narrative.
Ultimately, *The Odyssey*’s premiere tour represents a significant moment for the intersection of entertainment, fashion, and beauty. It highlights the power of intentionality and the importance of visual storytelling in shaping cultural narratives. As press tours continue to evolve, will we see more projects embracing this thematic approach, and will we see an even greater blurring of the lines between celebrity, character, and carefully curated aesthetic? The rise of the “press tour aesthetic” suggests a future where red carpets become immersive art experiences, and where the artistry behind the glamour is finally given its due.
The Odyssey is 2026's answer to a thematic press-tour aesthetic. Think Grecian-inspired gowns, sunlit jewelry, and glowing skin. (We're still not over Zendaya's Athena-esque inner-corner highlight.) Lupita Nyong'o is no exception. Her character, Helen of Troy, is the crux of the ancient epic, so it's no surprise she's been showing up and showing out on the red carpet.
The Oscar-winning actress attended the London, Paris, and New York premieres with unforgettable hair and makeup looks, courtesy of her long-time hairstylist Vernon François and makeup artist Nick Barose. Ahead, we're breaking down all three of the timeless premiere looks with Barose's help. Allow us to take you inside the press tour with expert info and an exclusive behind-the-scenes photo diary.
Skin Prep
"This kind of press tour for a gigantic blockbuster film like this can be quite a beast, [with] traveling international, time differences, etc.," Barose says, which is why skin prep is paramount. He relies on a few essentials to prep Nyong'o's complexion before applying makeup.
"I always start by misting her face with the [Skwálwen Botanicals] Kalkáy (Wild Rose) Refreshing Toner ($65), an Indigenous brand that Lily Gladstone turned me on to during her Oscars season," he says. "It's now my and my clients' favorite. Its gentle, refreshing wild rose scent is so relaxing, and [it's] the best way to wake up all the senses before I start makeup."
Next, he uses the Ziip Halo Microcurrent Device ($400). "I love using this, especially before big red carpet events, like The Odyssey premiere in London, Paris, and NYC. You really do see the difference right away. It's the perfect prep for the complexion so your glow really looks like it's coming from within. The four-minute facial feature gave such amazing effects and only took four minutes, so the hairdresser, manicurist, and stylist don't get mad at me for eating into their glam time," he says.
As an exfoliating step, he uses Lisa Eldridge's Luxuriously Gentle Cleansing and Exfoliating Cloth ($16). "I often soak this in warm water, then squeeze until it's damp and scrub the face, neck, and lips in circular motions to polish and get rid of any possible dry patches before makeup," he explains.
Lastly, he uses Chanel's Sublimage Le Sérum($560), La Crème ($505), La Crème Yeux ($320), and Lip Oil ($365) to prep Nyong'o's skin. Then, it's on to makeup.
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London
"The silver Christian Cowan dress is very vampy and fierce," Barose says. "I drew inspiration from Hollywood's very first vamp screen persona, Theda Bara in 1917, as well as the later photographs of Marilyn Monroe dressed up as Theda Bara by photographer Richard Avedon from 1958." Barose created "sultry, dark, vampy" eyes and lips with razor-sharp cheekbones. He kept the color palette quite muted and created defined eyes and lips with fresh, glowing skin as a backdrop.
The look's standout products came courtesy of Lisa Eldridge Beauty, starting with the Elevated Glow Balm in High Key Light ($38). "I applied the golden-tone highlighter on the top of cheeks and brow bones as well as the shoulders. It illuminated the skin, adding that candlelit glow," he says.
Next were two black cherry products. First, he used the Velatura Balm in Hellebore Heaven ($36). "The black cherry balm adds a hint of colour and shine on cheeks and lips," he explains. He added the Rouge Experience Refillable Lipstick in 190 Bohemian Cherry ($59) "for a seductive, vampy pout." He finished off the look with the brand's Liquid Lurex Eyeshadow in Liza ($30), a chic metallic pewter.
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Paris
"Fun fact: Eartha Kitt also played Helen of Troy onstage in Paris for the legendary director Orson Welles in 1950. [Nyong'o's] flaming-red Chanel see-through dress is giving a bit of Eartha Kitt, so I wanted the makeup to be a nod to Eartha Kitt with her famous Catwoman feline eyes," he says. He paired the eye makeup with deep-red lipstick and gold sparkles on the skin for "extra drama and theatrics."
He started with Chanel's Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint ($72) in Deep Plus and Sublimage L'Essence de Teint Longwear Foundation ($180) in BR152 "for the perfect amount of glow and radiance." Next, he used Chanel's Joues Contrast Cream to Powder Blush in Grenat Profond ($56). "This fresh berry tone adds a hint of flush on the apples of the cheeks," he adds.
Then, he lined Nyong'o's eyes with Chanel's Le Crayon Yeux in 01 Noir Black ($36), added full and fluttery lashes with the Inimitable Mascara Intense ($40), and applied a rich lipstick, the 31 Le Rouge in 11 Rouge Coromandel ($198). "This looks plummy in the tube, but on deep skin, it adds the perfect amount of rich red that complements her fire-engine red Chanel dress without being matchy-matchy or competing with it," he says.
Last but not least, he used Chanel's Les Beiges Sheer Healthy Glow Highlighting Fluid ($56), Hume's Dry Body Oil Mist ($25) (which Nyong'o actually turned him on to), and a little sparkle—Ben Nye Sparklers Glitter in LD-3 Gold, to be exact. He says, "The perfect sparkles! I sprinkled them on top of her cheekbones and body while Vernon dusted it in her hair too."
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New York City
"The regal gold lace Nicholas Oakwood Couture paired with the Sabyasachi necklace harked back to those glamorous femme fatales from iconic sword-and-sandal films of the '50s, '60s. Think Anne Baxter from The Ten Commandments, Donyale Luna in Fellini's Satyricon, and, of course, Liz Taylor in Cleopatra," he says. Barose created a '60s-inspired look with winged liner, a defined crease, and gold details that were paired with long, feathery lashes and angular, arched brows for an "Old Hollywood screen goddess" effect.
Barose used T-beauty eyeliners from his home country of Thailand, as well as Danessa Myricks Colorfix Pigment ($22) in Goldmine. "I painted this on the inner corners of eyes, center of lids, and a bit on the brow bones," he says. "The gold details added highlight to the eyes and tied in with her gold gown."
Then, he used the I-Envy Classic Timeless Wispy False Lashes. "I love the long, feathery lashes that have spaces in between. They add drama but not density, so the gold on the lids still shows through without being overwhelmed by the length of the lashes. I then glued two of the 12-millimeter clusters from the Cluster Palette ($15) on the outer corners for extra lifts and a feline effect using I-Envy Super Strong Waterproof Glue ($5), which is a must, especially for this sweaty NYC heat wave," he says.
A major part of the look was defined, sculpted cheekbones. For that, Barose turned to a product from a fellow celebrity makeup artist, the Tansculpt Bronzing Contour Balm ($34) by Hung Vanngo. "I was on the Odyssey press tour from London to Paris and NYC with Hung, who's glamming Anne Hathaway," he says. "He turned me on to this [product]. It's so dark and delicious—perfect for sculpting, contouring cheekbones for deep skin tones."
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Heat-Wave Makeup-Setting Essentials
It's no secret that The Odyssey's premieres have been happening in the midst of a summer heat wave. Barose says doing full glam in these conditions is every "makeup artist's worst nightmare," as high heat can affect the aesthetic and wear of makeup. Luckily, he has some makeup-setting and shine-controlling staples.
First, he recommends Mehron's TouchUp Anti-Shine ($12). He uses the shade Dark on Nyong'o. "This theater/cinema backstage brand is my go-to for shine control," he says. "A little bit goes a long way."
He also uses a setting spray, but not just any setting spray. It's Mistine's Matte Setting Spray ($13), another Thai beauty brand he swears by. "A little bit of this helps lock it all in," he says. "I focused more on the T-zone, so it's matte and polished while the rest of the face remains glowy in all the right places."
Last but not least, he uses Payot's Absorbing Blotting Sheets ($13) before any necessary touch-ups. "This heat required more touch-ups, which can turn makeup cakey real fast," he says. "I always blot with blotting paper first before each touch-up to keep skin fresh looking in this heat wave."
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