How to Create Beyoncé's Nala-Inspired Makeup Look—According to Her Makeup Artist
If you're like us, you've been counting down the days, minutes, and quite possibly seconds, until the release of Disney's brand-new rendition of The Lion King. And, the day is finally here! Of course, we can't wait to see—or rather hear—all of our favorite stars (Donald! Beyoncé!) and sing all of our favorite tunes, but we've also harbored deep-seated excitement for Beyonce's inevitably amazing beauty looks. Because you guys, there's nothing we love more than Beyoncé on a red carpet.
Since she's known and worshipped for her stunning hair, makeup, and fashion moments, we knew we'd be in for an assortment of glittering, lioness-inspired treats pre-release, and thus far, the actress and singer hasn't disappointed. Still reeling in the best way possible from the sleek gilded cat-eye she wore for the film's London debut, we received the full product and application scoop from her longtime makeup artist, Sir John.
"Attending the L.A. premiere and seeing the CGI for the first time was visually such a treat," Sir John shared in a press release earlier this week. "Nala’s eyes mesmerized me, and I thought, how can I translate this into wearable glam?! If you noticed, the London premiere was my attempt at harnessing the power and sultry essence of a lioness. Not literal in interpretation, however, there's an undeniable feline presence."
Inspired by the star's stunning marigold-hued gown, Sir John used a strategic array of products from his very own collab—Disney's The Lion King Limited Edition Collection by Sir John x Luminess.
Ahead, we're sharing the complete beauty break-down, products and tips included. Keep scrolling!
The Essential Products:
Eye Shadow
"I knew the gold shades Simba and Nala from the Can't Wait To Be Queen Eyeshadow Palette ($42) would be stellar choices," Sir John shared. "I love transforming my clients into golden girls. It’s kind of my thing."
As the above two shades were the key gilded power players for Beyoncé's shimmering lid, Sir John used the eye shadow shades King and Pride Rock to add more depth in her crease. To transition, he used the shade Safari Khaki to lend blendable softness.
Lips
For her glossed nude lip, he first layered the collection's Liquid Lipstick in Trouble (shown above) with Pounce (shown below) layered on top.
Contour
Not that she even needs it, but to give the singer and actress even more contour, Sir John used a variety of shades for this palette (they mix and meld so well!) to create some extra definition.
Allover Highlight
Getting ready for a red carpet (especially when lots of skin is exposed) doesn't just involve makeup being applied to the face. To gift Beyoncé with extra glow all over, Sir John used this beautiful highlighter atop her décolletage, arms, legs, and shoulders, or as he explains, anywhere that light would naturally reflect. Et voilà! Beyonce's lioness-inspired makeup look.
Oh, and if you're as obsessed with Sir John's collab with Luminess Cosmetics as we are, keep scrolling for more amazing beauty looks created with the products.
Up next: 3 Lip Colors Beyoncé's Makeup Artist Would Remove From Your Vanity This Summer
Erin has been writing a mix of beauty and wellness content for Who What Wear for over four years. Prior to that, she spent two and half years writing for Byrdie. She now calls Santa Monica home but grew up in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and studied writing, rhetoric, and communication at University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. She studied abroad in Galway, Ireland, and spent a summer in L.A. interning with the Byrdie and Who What Wear family. After graduating from UW, she spent one year in San Francisco, where she worked as a writer for Pottery Barn Kids and PBteen before moving down to L.A. to begin her career as a beauty editor. She considers her day-to-day beauty aesthetic very low-maintenance and relies on staples like clear brow serum (from Kimiko!), Lawless's Lip Plumping Mask in Cherry Vanilla, and an eyelash curler. For special occasions or days when she's taking more meetings or has an event, she'll wear anything and everything from Charlotte Tilbury (the foundations are game-changing), some shimmer on her lids (Stila and Róen do it best), and a few coats of the best mascara-type product on earth, Surratt's Noir Lash Tint.