Lily Gladstone Wears a Petal-Inspired Lip at the “Killers of the Flower Moon” Premiere in Cannes

Sometimes, crucial elements of a red carpet moment come about organically. Such was the case at Saturday’s much-anticipated premiere of Killers of the Flower Moon in Cannes, for which Indigenous actor Lily Gladstone, who is receiving critical acclaim for her performance, turned to the film’s title in dress and beauty look alike. To accompany a floral Valentino dress, makeup artist Nick Barose drew inspiration from flower petals to create a lip color at once gentle and bold. 

“Her aesthetic is very natural and fresh, but for Cannes we wanted to be a little bit more dramatic and fun,” says Barose. “I wanted to make the lips look soft with a pop of color, kind of like the way the color would look on a flower petal—it’s bright, but still translucent and sheer.” Barose eschewed sticks and glosses in favor of Eisenberg Paris’s Fusion Balm in Nacarat, the subtle coral tint a perfect (and perfectly unplanned) pairing to Gladstone’s earrings from Native American designer Jamie Okuma.

That want of freshness was furthered by Gladstone’s complexion—put on full display with the help of a slicked-back bun—which Barose prepped with Le Domaine’s La Créme Fluide, a face roller, and a dab of Byroe’s Truffle Eye Serum before applying Armani Beauty’s Luminous Silk Foundation. A slight deepening of the brow, a quick slick of black liner and mascara, and swirls of peach across cheeks finished the look, which communicated the kind of relaxed glamour ideal for seasonal soirees.  

For Barose, though, the balm factor is key—an alternative for those who crave a bold lip minus the drama. “I feel like for spring, and with summer coming up, lip balm is an alternative for someone who has a natural aesthetic, like Lily, and who wants to wear color without it being overwhelming,” says Barose. “It’s not too serious—easier, more relaxed.”