Let me be clear: I was NOT a fan of the Givenchy dress Zoe Saldana wore to the 82nd Annual Academy Awards, but her makeup was an entirely different subject matter. The Givenchy dress was all wrong for the ultra slender starlet, and the tiered lilac, violet and purple ruffles along the skirt seemed to overwhelm her dainty, ballerina frame. Plus, really, the gown's design befuddled me — a silver sequined bodice leading to a paper bag waistline, and a voluminous, flamenco style ruffled skirt in different shades of purple? Sensory overload! But there's one area where Saldana got it exactly right: her makeup.
The Dominican star's café con leche skin glistened throughout the evening, as did that beaming smile of hers. To create the look, makeup artist Vera Steimberg relied almost exclusively on NARS Cosmetics products. Steimberg started out by applying the NARS Orgasm Illuminator, which coats the skin with beautiful pink, peach, and gold speckles that reflect light, then used Enchanted Cream Blush (a new release for Summer 2010) and the Lamu Multiple (also new for Summer 2010) along the cheeks, trying to make the look as vertical as possible (in keeping with the updo Saldana wore).
On the eyes, Steimberg applied the NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base (new for Summer 2010) and then dipped into the Brousse Duo Eyeshadow, a sable brown and black violet combination, and lined the eyes with the Eyeliner Stylo in Nuits Blanches, a rich black hue. Next, she applied Shu Uemura False Eyelashes in Slant Black and curled the lashes using the Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler, finishing by applying NARS Larger Than Life Volumizing Mascara to give the lashes maximum dramatic flair.
Since the eye look created was intense, Steimberg kept the lips simple, giving Saldana a neutral pout with a glossy finish. She started out by applying NARS Love Devotion Lipstick (a new Summer 2010 shade) and then adding NARS Opelia Lip Gloss, a strawberry nectar shade.
The final result: dewy skin, feminine and sultry eyes, and natural lips.
