Quick summary
- Nicole Kidman wore an off-white Chanel tulle dress to the LACMA Art+Film Gala in Los Angeles over the weekend.
- Makeup artist Gucci Westman built the look around a highlighter applied under foundation, according to NewBeauty.
- Hairstylist Adir Abergel swept her blonde hair into a high, soft ponytail, Harper’s Bazaar reports.
- Westman says the dress, inspired by Degas, set the palette: rosy cheeks and a soft pink mouth.
Nicole Kidman’s LACMA beauty look came down to one idea: let the dress choose the colours and keep the skin luminous. At the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s annual gala this weekend, the actress arrived in a Chanel tulle gown with a Degas-style ballerina feel, and the people behind her hair and makeup have now explained how it came together.
The dress that set the palette
Kidman was at the gala to give remarks in honour of filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, NewBeauty reports. She wore an off-white Chanel dress with tiered tulle skirting. Harper’s Bazaar says the evening, now in its 15th year, also honoured painter Vija Celmins, with Leonardo DiCaprio and Eva Chow as co-chairs.
Westman told NewBeauty that the Degas inspiration and the soft colour of the dress guided her choices, and that the tulle made her think of roses. That is why the cheeks and lips leaned pink rather than neutral. Grazia Daily quotes the brief as a luminous, museum-worthy look with effortless radiance.
The highlighter trick
The most talked-about detail is the order of application. Westman said she placed The Luminizing Face Enhancer in the shade Golden Galaxy just above the cheekbones before any foundation, then layered Clé de Peau Beauté’s Radiant Fluid Foundation Matte over it. Her reasoning, as quoted by NewBeauty, was to get radiance that appears to come from within rather than sitting on top of the skin.
Both pieces name the same brand. NewBeauty describes Kidman as a global brand ambassador for Clé de Peau Beauté, and Westman created the look exclusively with its products. Readers should keep that in mind: this is a partnership look, and the outlets are describing products the brand supplies.
Prices listed by NewBeauty give a sense of scale. The highlighter is $102 and the foundation $155, while the prep step uses an Eye Contour Cream Supreme at $298 and an Advanced Protective Day Cream at $200.
Rosy cheeks, soft eyes
The rest of the face stayed deliberately quiet, according to NewBeauty:
- Cheeks: Powder Blush Duo in Cherry Blossom, a two-tone pink.
- Lips: Lip Liner Pencil in Pink with Lipstick Matte in Pink Petunia.
- Eyes: metallic browns and creams from the Eye Color Quad in Beach Pebbles, plus Perfect Lash Mascara, to bring out her blue eyes.
Westman summed up the eyes as having no hard lines, just creamy and fresh. Grazia adds that the foundation has a velvety matte finish that is not flat, with an optical effect meant to soften the look of fine lines.
A different ponytail
Harper’s Bazaar notes that the hair marked a change from Kidman’s usual style. Her long blonde hair was swept high on the crown into what the magazine calls a cashmere-soft ponytail, with the fringe parted to the side. The height created a face-sculpting effect and matched the balletcore theme of the dress.
The stylist was Adir Abergel, who has worked with Kidman before. Harper’s Bazaar says he also did her hair for Chanel’s show in Sydney last week, for Victoria’s Secret’s October show and for much of the Practical Magic 2 press tour. For anyone copying the style, the magazine suggests pulling a few strands loose around the hairline and ears for a softer finish. Our earlier coverage looked at the Chanel tutu and her milky almond nails from the same night.
What happens next
No new appearance has been announced in the sources. Kidman’s recent run of public events has included the Chanel show in Sydney and the press tour for the Practical Magic sequel, so more red carpet looks are likely. We will follow them on our Nicole Kidman page and in Fashion.
Frequently asked questions
Who did Nicole Kidman’s makeup for the LACMA gala?
Gucci Westman created the look, using Clé de Peau Beauté products, according to NewBeauty and Grazia Daily.
What foundation did Nicole Kidman wear to the LACMA gala?
Westman used Clé de Peau Beauté’s Radiant Fluid Foundation Matte, applied over a highlighter placed above the cheekbones.
Who styled her hair?
Celebrity hairstylist Adir Abergel, per Harper’s Bazaar. He gave her a high, soft ponytail with a side-parted fringe.
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