Lupita Nyong'o Lancome - P 2014
Alexi Lubomirski for LancômeIt was only a matter of time before Twelve Years a Slave actress Lupita Nyong’o had a beauty contract. Beauty bloggers had been tweeting, vlogging and writing about the inevitability after the Yale Drama School graduate hit the 2014 award show circuit looking flawless at each turn. The Mexican-born Kenyan beauty joins the current roster of Lancome faces: Julia Roberts, Kate Winslet and Penelope Cruz (all three of whom are also Oscar winners — clearly Lancome gravitates to statue-bearing beauties), as well as recently added face, Lily Collins.
PHOTOS: Lupita Nyong’o: The Making of a Style Star
In a statement released by the L’Oreal-owned subsidiary, 31-year-old Nyong’o said she is honored to join Lancome, a brand “I have always loved.” Makeup artist Nick Barose, who has been working with Nyong’o since the New York premiere of World War Z in August 2013, told Pret-a-Reporter that Nyong’o likes to collaborate on her makeup looks. “She loves colors and is not afraid to wear them,” he says. “She’s always open-minded and willing to try different things so that makes it fresh and exciting for me to do makeup on her.”
Xavier Vey, president of Lancome USA, says the star represents today’s modern woman. “Having Lupita as a Lancome ambassadress will help support our mission in the U.S. market, which is to speak to all women,” says Vey.
VIDEO: Michelle Dockery Introduced Lupita Nyong’o to Her Stylist
There’s no word yet on what category — makeup, skincare or fragrance — Nyong’o will front for the brand, which will debut her ad campaign this summer. But all of those anxious for the star to have a contract can rejoice that not only is Nyong’o’s star again on the rise, so is her bankroll. (L’Oreal is mum on what they pay spokespeople, but has been reported to pay in the seven-figure range for its most high-profile faces, such as Jennifer Lopez.)
