How to Nail 3 Holiday Beauty Looks Thanks to Gugu Mbatha-Raw’s Makeup Artist Nick Barose
(Photo: Getty Images)
Gugu Mbatha-Raw’s makeup is truly the gift that keeps on giving. When the actress glowed on the Met Gala red carpet in May, the look rose to the top of our list of wedding makeup goals. And just in time for office holiday party season, the Miss Sloane star has stepped out again not once, or twice, but three times in a series of merry and bright beauty looks courtesy of her makeup artist Nick Barose.
“Holiday makeup doesn’t have to look like a Christmas tree with sparkles everywhere! All it takes is one or two fun elements to jazz up your look just enough for all your parties,” says the pro, who adds that the best part about these festive looks is you can create them in a flash.
Golden Eye
To complement Mbatha-Raw’s delicate gold dress (above), Barose swept a similar hue on her lids. The secret to pulling off a matchy-matchy look is subtlety, he says. “Pick a gold tone that’s slightly different that your clothing.” Then, stick to a sheer wash of color so as not to go into gold overload.
Next, Barose chose an unexpected red to complete the look. “This russet Burberry shade which is red with brown in it, is earthy and warm — and will always look gorgeous, not gaudy, when paired with your sparkly holiday outfits, accessories or other makeup.” To ensure your lip look has staying power, prep them with a non-greasy balm, Barose advises. His fave: Kiehl’s Facial Fuel lip balm, which he says hydrates lips without leaving any greasiness, which could alter your formula.
Silver Belle
A swipe of silver on the eye is the quickest way to shine this season, says Barose. “I love it’s versatility. You can add the tone to your smoky eye, accent the inner corners of your eyes or just create a metallic line along your top or bottom lash line” for a festive vibe.
Barose took this metallic look (for which he used a new Nars palette) a step further by adding a trendy touch: blue. “I applied a soft blue NARS eye shadow pencil before I put on the silver shadow. It was quirky, but beautiful!” He used a peachy-pink, semi-matte liquid lipstick to finish the look.
Red Hot
If classic rouge feels like a snooze, try a bullet with a bit of a berry tint and hint of shimmer. It’s still attention-grabbing, but less audacious. Barose’s tip for applying vibrant shades like the Shiseido option he used on Mbatha-Raw: Start from center of your cupid’s bow and swipe outward toward the one outer corner, then repeat this going in the opposite direction. Then apply the color on your bottom lip.
“Long, flirty lashes kept the look girly without having to apply too much eye makeup,” says Barose, who used two coats of Lancôme’s Hypnôse mascara. To create a false lash look sans strips, he held the brush vertical for the first coat to use the tip to push her lashes up and out.
“Just because it’s the holidays, that doesn’t mean you have to overdo your makeup with a drastic make over,” Barose says. “Gugu is naturally gorgeous so while I want to add drama, I still want it to be understated and wearable so that her natural beauty truly shines through.”
Which look can you not wait to try? Share below!
