Famed makeup artist Nick Barose, the man responsible for enhancing the already stunningly beautiful Lupita Nyong'o. He sat down with Essence and explained what he keeps in his makeup bag to give his clients the looks that everyone is clamoring for. But more importantly the various looks of Lupita Nyong'o. Nick Barose is a master in his field and I'm so glad that he has given Essence a peek into makeup bag and some small techniques that can be used by an everyday woman.
Women of color have issues with makeup that can enhance our beauty properly. So when Lupita Nyong'o came along it was an awesome feat for a woman of color to see her beautiful makeup flawlessly done in various colors and different techniques. Her features aren't hidden with compounds of makeup contouring and highlighting. She is exactly what she is supposed to be. And that is AWESOME!!!!! Lupita is a hero for her fearless attitude when it comes to her look. There are many dark chocolate and brown skinned women who have been looking for someone who could represent them in Hollywood. Well ladies you've got your wish in Lupita Nyong'o.
Below are all the products listed by Nick Barose via Essence Magazine. You will read my experience (and non experience) with some of them and you will also see the price and where to find them.
MAC Matchmaster Foundation
I've actually never used MAC foundation but it seems to be quite popular. When I visited the site they had colors for the typical skin tones: Light, Medium, Dark (or rather their version). They don't very in terms of shade but mixing foundations is encouraged. The foundation is pretty pricey at $32 a bottle but for MAC you pay for quality. Its always top shelf and I can pay for quality, at least its worth the price. Here's what the makeup artist Nick Barose had to say via Essence.
"This foundation looks like skin, and you can layer it. To find your perfect shade, test foundation on the jawline. When applying, I use two shades, the lightest in the center to brighten up the face. I think that's key to getting seamless application.” —Nick Barose
IMAN Perfect Response Oil Blotting Pressed Powder
I've used IMAN before and found it to be a good product for women of color. But when I used it IMAN didn't have enough color range for me. The colors were either very orange/red or way too light or yellow/olive and way too dark. However that was several years ago and I haven't used or tried any of the newest colors that have been added to IMAN line. The coverage is great, the face primer is absolutely AWESOME and it's a definite must try on the list of foundations/pressed powders for women of color.
The IMAN Perfect Response Oil Blotting Pressed Powder works to absorb oil and leave the face with a matte finish. IMAN can be purchased at your local drugstore (RiteAid, Drugstore.com, Soap.com, Walgreens, CVS, etc). It's pretty inexpensive at $16. I know thats double what Revlon, L'Oreal, Covergirl and Maybelline are charging but look at it this way in terms of drugstore makeup brands they have the widest array of color and they offer the best coverage. Again you're paying for quality so be mindful of that. Its about half of what MAC's foundation costs. Which is a pretty good deal if you ask me.
This is a finishing powder that works to minimize pores and leave a flat, matte finish. Finishing powder is an essential tool in makeup application. It provides the user with a finish that keeps makeup fresh and lasts longer. I use finishing powder from various companies E.L.F., IMAN, Covergirl, etc. They all work and do their jobs tremendously. I've never used Mally Beauty's Finishing Powder but that doesn't mean you should try it!
Its a little pricey for finishing powder at $40 a compact. But worth a try if you need a good solid finishing powder (and you have that kind of money).
This is a beautiful lip stain. A really pretty fuchsia color. But its a stain so its not heavy on coverage as far as providing a lot of a solid color. It is made to color the lips that all. I personally don't like lip stains. They don't work well on me and it always looks like my makeup is unfinished or I just rubbed it off by wiping my lipstick or kissing ;) LOL.
This lip stain is very expensive. We're talking $32! Its too much for one tube of lip stain. If you would like something cheaper then try Maybelline, Revlon, Covergirl, and L'Oreal they all have great lip stains if that's your thing. They also have similar colors to the one Lupita wore.
"I used this shade on Lupita at the GQ Awards in Los Angeles." —Nick Barose
SuzieBeauty Lipstick in Zamba
This lipstick color is really pretty and dark. Its very complimentary of a woman of color with a darker skin tone. I really like this color. But for myself I'm very aware of frosted colors and how they look on me. When I look for lipsticks and glosses I stay away from frosted/bronzy/metallic colors. Only because they don't add anything to my look. They don't enhance at all. They simply put all the focus on my lips and I don't like that. I'm all over look kind of girl. The overall look has to have symmetry and for me making your lips the focal point with a strong piece like frost or glitter doesn't work on me. It may work on you but it doesn't work on me. Having said that the lipstick below has a very subtle bronzy color. Its a really pretty color and compliments any skin tone which is a big plus for a dark skinned woman.
Now right now the lipstick is not available for purchase everywhere. But a store called Creative eXessories will be selling the Kenyan based makeup brand very very soon! Check back to Beauty N Fashion's blog for more details on when the products will be available!
"Lupita turned me on to a Kenyan beauty brand called SuzieBeauty. The color Zamba is a bronzy berry that's perfect for dark skin. I used it on Lupita at Queen Latifah show." —Nick Barose
Lupita Nyong'o is one of the most sought after women in Hollywood. She dominated during awards season this year and picked up countless awards. But her biggest footprint in Hollywood has been her style, beauty, and grace. For many women of color the women that are considered a role model or an accurate depiction of an African American woman are usually very fair skinned women like Beyonce or Queen Latifah. Both are beautiful women and well respected in their relative careers. But for a woman of my skin tone it doesn't really help me in terms of makeup. Lupita Nyong'o is actually a few shades darker than me but her skin is flawless and I can relate to her and learn from her better than anyone else in Hollywood right now. And so can a lot of other African American women. I hope this blog helps all the women out there who kind of feel left out of the makeup game.
Try the products mentioned above or look for the cheaper version. Makeup is fun and creativity is key to creating looks that last a lifetime.
This lip stain is very expensive. We're talking $32! Its too much for one tube of lip stain. If you would like something cheaper then try Maybelline, Revlon, Covergirl, and L'Oreal they all have great lip stains if that's your thing. They also have similar colors to the one Lupita wore.
"I used this shade on Lupita at the GQ Awards in Los Angeles." —Nick Barose
SuzieBeauty Lipstick in Zamba
This lipstick color is really pretty and dark. Its very complimentary of a woman of color with a darker skin tone. I really like this color. But for myself I'm very aware of frosted colors and how they look on me. When I look for lipsticks and glosses I stay away from frosted/bronzy/metallic colors. Only because they don't add anything to my look. They don't enhance at all. They simply put all the focus on my lips and I don't like that. I'm all over look kind of girl. The overall look has to have symmetry and for me making your lips the focal point with a strong piece like frost or glitter doesn't work on me. It may work on you but it doesn't work on me. Having said that the lipstick below has a very subtle bronzy color. Its a really pretty color and compliments any skin tone which is a big plus for a dark skinned woman.
Now right now the lipstick is not available for purchase everywhere. But a store called Creative eXessories will be selling the Kenyan based makeup brand very very soon! Check back to Beauty N Fashion's blog for more details on when the products will be available!
"Lupita turned me on to a Kenyan beauty brand called SuzieBeauty. The color Zamba is a bronzy berry that's perfect for dark skin. I used it on Lupita at Queen Latifah show." —Nick Barose
Lupita Nyong'o is one of the most sought after women in Hollywood. She dominated during awards season this year and picked up countless awards. But her biggest footprint in Hollywood has been her style, beauty, and grace. For many women of color the women that are considered a role model or an accurate depiction of an African American woman are usually very fair skinned women like Beyonce or Queen Latifah. Both are beautiful women and well respected in their relative careers. But for a woman of my skin tone it doesn't really help me in terms of makeup. Lupita Nyong'o is actually a few shades darker than me but her skin is flawless and I can relate to her and learn from her better than anyone else in Hollywood right now. And so can a lot of other African American women. I hope this blog helps all the women out there who kind of feel left out of the makeup game.
Try the products mentioned above or look for the cheaper version. Makeup is fun and creativity is key to creating looks that last a lifetime.
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