A few things are sure to make you gasp during your first time watching A Simple Favor: Stephanie Ward's (played by Anna Kendrick) relentless drive to uncover Emily Nelson's (played by Blake Lively secret, Lively's sudden disappearance mid-film — maybe even the first time you see Henry Golding's (gorgeous) face when his character, Sean Townsend, first appears on screen. Between all of those moments and a surprise twist at the end, you'll want to head back to the theater and experience the movie again. But what truly made Allure editors want to press rewind were the many beauty looks spotted throughout the film.
A Simple Favor is a beauty goldmine — just look take a look at the movie poster (below), which only scratches the surface of the dynamic nature of Lively's character. We spoke to the masterminds behind the hair and makeup for the movie, including Cliona Furey, the head hairstylist for A Simple Favor, and Vivian Baker, personal makeup artist to Lively, to learn just how to get the looks.
A Simple Favor Movie Poster
The Makeup
Lively and Baker wanted the makeup to be true to Emily Nelson's character when she was on screen. "Blake and I wanted her look to be flawless but effortless," says Baker. "[That meant] creamy skin looks with sexy minimal eyes."
To prep the skin, Baker used Dior Prestige La Lotion Essence de Rose and Sonia Roselli Water Balm Skin Prep. "Skin care is always a big part of Blake's makeup," she said. "[I used] the Sonia Roselli Water Balm Skin Prep, which is like a drink of serum-infused water that is the perfect primer for makeup."
For Lively's complexion, Baker used Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Youth Boosting Skin Foundation in No. 5 as the base, then used Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Contour Wand and Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Light Wand to sculpt her face.
She added a flush of color to Lively's cheeks with Lilah B. Divine Duo Lip & Cheek in B.Lovely, as well as sheer boost of radiance using By Terry Cellularose Brightening CC Lumi-Serum in Sunny Flash.
On Lively’s eyes was a subtle, natural look created by light neutrals (pinks and beiges) of a powdery texture from Dior 5 Couleurs Eyeshadow in 537. Then, Baker carefully lined the eyes with Charlotte Tilbury Rock N' Kohl Eyeliner Pencil in Barbarella Brown.
Baker used M.A.C. Lip Pencil in Subculture (a peach-pink shade) around Lively's lips throughout the film, pairing it with lip crayons by Kristofer Buckle and lipsticks by Charlotte Tilbury.
"[Lively's character] is comfortable with herself and any looks she wants to wear," says Baker. "Her confidence was [in] how she wore her beauty."
Pulled Back, Wavy Hair
It was all about keeping it simple for this hair look. "Since [Lively's] hair is striking on its own, as it was coupled with designer tuxedos and stilettos on her model-esque body, I was careful not to overdo it," said Furey, who had used Oribe Grandiose Hair Plumping Mousse on Lively's damp hair and tied it in a bun.
She then used a Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer to diffuse heat through hair, and ironed as necessary before pulling the hair back in a knot. She finished with Christophe Robin Volumizing Mist with Rosewater at the roots.
For Furey, the less product, the better. "We were shooting long days in the humidity," she said, "and too much product can weight it down with [her hair] length."
Low Chignon
This low, textured chignon was way easier to style than it looks. Furey simply gathered Lively's hair into a hold before knotting it. She added two hairpins to secure it in place.
Loosened Pin Curls
This vintage look was for fun, said Furey, who added a small amount of Oribe Grandiose Hair Plumping Mousse to Lively's hair while it was damp, then set it in pin curls. Lively then slept in the pinned curls overnight under a cap. The next morning, Furey brushed the curls out into soft waves with a Mason Pearson brush, and pinned up the hanging length to make Lively's long, cascading hair look shorter. The sides were also pinned with bobby pins.
A Simple Favor is in theaters now.
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