Lupita Nyong’o for Glamour US March 2014
On movies that shaped her childhood: "The Color Purple was one of the first films I saw that had people who looked like me. Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah were big influences. And the relationship with the sisters—I have sisters—just pulled at my heartstrings. Another film is Eve’s Bayou. I can’t watch that movie enough."
On getting into character for her role in 12 Years a Slave: “I remember in my very first fitting, [costume designer Patricia Norris] gave me a garment with these intricate stitches—stitches over stitches, because it had been repaired so many times. Once I put it on, she told me that it belonged to an actual slave woman. My heart just stopped. Each one of the stitches had a story, you know. Just recognizing this period I was going to be dancing with was a “come to Jesus” moment.”
On her go-to red carpet look: "I love color. I’m enjoying trying all different shades. Makeup isn’t something I’ve worn a lot of in my life. So it’s good to work with someone like [makeup artist] Nick Barose, who is inspired by my complexion and knows how to work with it."
On her skincare secrets: “I love using natural oils. I use avocado oil and Hawaiian Kukui Oil on my face. I like to keep things natural, simple, and straightforward.”
On getting into character for her role in 12 Years a Slave: “I remember in my very first fitting, [costume designer Patricia Norris] gave me a garment with these intricate stitches—stitches over stitches, because it had been repaired so many times. Once I put it on, she told me that it belonged to an actual slave woman. My heart just stopped. Each one of the stitches had a story, you know. Just recognizing this period I was going to be dancing with was a “come to Jesus” moment.”
On her go-to red carpet look: "I love color. I’m enjoying trying all different shades. Makeup isn’t something I’ve worn a lot of in my life. So it’s good to work with someone like [makeup artist] Nick Barose, who is inspired by my complexion and knows how to work with it."
On her skincare secrets: “I love using natural oils. I use avocado oil and Hawaiian Kukui Oil on my face. I like to keep things natural, simple, and straightforward.”
