Keira Knightley is Pretty in Pink at ‘Imitation Game’ premiere
Last night I was fortunate enough to rub elbows with New York’s elite at the premiere of “The Imitation Game”—hello Anna Wintour, Mario Testino, and Steven Klein—but all eyes were on Keira Knightley. Benedict Cumberbatch’s stunning female co-star in this World War II-era film (go see it on November 28!) hit the red carpet at the Ziegfeld Theater with the most flattering and unexpected blue-toned shade of pink lipstick. I had to find out exactly what it was, and how to recreate this look perfectly.
Celebrity makeup artist Kara Yoshimoto Bua says she used all Chanel cosmetics for the feminine look. (Perhaps no surprise since Knightley is the face of Coco Mademoiselle perfume.) As a girl who never tires of pink, I loved how the actress matched her lipstick to the the same hue of her Dolce & Gabbana dress. “Since the dress was on the romantic side, we agreed to create a graphic, exaggerated cat-eye which would complement her overall look and give it some edge,” says Bua.
Related: The Prettiest Pink Lipstick Ever
First she prepped her skin with Heritage Store Rosewater & Glycerin ($9) and Chanel Sublimage La Crème ($200) around her eyes. Next, she used Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet Smooth-Effect Makeup in 30 Beige ($45) to create the base. Bua applied Les Beiges Healthy Glow Multi-Color in No. 01 on top. That pretty flush? It’s the brand’s Jous Contraste Powder Blush ($45) in the limited edition, pinky-purple Vivacite shade, applied just on the apples of her cheeks.
Knightley’s subtle cat-eye required a freshly sharpened pencil, and Bua used Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner in Noir Intense ($32) to rim the lids. “This cat-eye is thinner towards the nose and thicker as you pencil outward,” she says. “On the outer eye I drew a wedge, slowly building it up to create the shape on the outside corner of the eyes.” Since even the most accomplished artists aren’t perfect, she put some makeup remover on a cotton swab to clean up and define the edges. “Once I was happy with the shape, I blended the edges on the inner part of the wedge towards the center of the eye to create a softness.” Using Chanel Quadra Eyeshadow in Tisse Camelia ($61), she set the liner, layering over it with the brownish burgundy shade from the quad. Then she used a flat fluffy brush the shimmery greige shadow from the quad in the contour of the crease, the inner corner, and the lower lash line, blending and diffusing the pigment. After curling Knightley’s lashes, she applied Inimitable Intense Mascara in Noir ($30), using a tweezers to bunch a few lashes together for a fuller look.
The smoky cat eye may be a bit complex, but thankfully the lips are the easiest part! The enviable shade is Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Lip Colour in La Diva ($35). It’s the perfect head-turning color that some might reserve for spring but deserves to brighten your face all year round.
Related: Lupita Nyong’o Goes for Gold at Glamour Women of the Year Awards
