ICYMI, our glamorous April cover consisted of not one, not two, but three ultra-sensational talents spanning the fashion, acting, and music industries. As part of our first-ever Now Playing Issue, Zaya Wade, Chase Sui Wonders, and Laufey lent their unique personalities to each of their shoots, and, unsurprisingly, the stars’ makeup aesthetics were just as customized. For Wade, ethereal, starlit skin; for Sui Wonders, a collision of whimsy and drama; and for Laufey, a ’90s grunge–inspired palette of molten chocolate and effortless neutrals. Each beauty look is a feast for the eyes, and ahead, we’re diving headfirst into every last detail and product ID.
Most of the time, the beauty inspiration for a shoot comes from some type of external influence. But according to makeup artist Tasha Reiko Brown, for this shoot, Zaya Wade was the inspiration. “I wanted her youthfulness and playful nature to really shine,” she tells me. “Zaya is very comfortable in her own skin, and I did not want to bury her under layers of makeup or push the makeup into a space that looked too editorial.” So, what was Reiko Brown’s strategy? To accentuate Wade’s beautiful skin. “Her skin has such a rich hue, and the texture is dynamic. I always love to play up her warmth, while keeping coverage whisper-light and intentional.”
Skin prep is crucial, regardless of how much makeup will be applied, so Reiko Brown started the process off with Chanel’s La Solution 10 De Chanel ($87) to add a light dose of hydration to Wade’s face. For some extra warmth and a touch of coverage, Reiko Brown opted for Chanel’s Les Beiges Water-Fresh Complexion Touch ($70), followed by Chanel N°1 De Chanel Lip and Cheek Balm in Ardent Brick ($50) to perk up Wade’s natural flush. “This shade is very warm, and instead of providing a false-looking flush, it played perfectly into Zaya’s warm undertone. It provided the ultimate sun-drenched, burnished glow to both the cheeks and lips.”
For Wade’s brows, Reiko Brown strategically used two different pencil shades to create the most natural, hair-like look. “I alternated between Chanel’s Stylo Sourcils Haute Précision Microfine Defining Eyebrow Pencil ($43) in Brun Noir and Brun Profond, followed by a light swipe of the Le Gel Sourcils Longwear Eyebrow Gel ($40) to lock everything in place.”
To thicken and deepen Wade’s lashes, Reiko Brown applied Chanel’s Inimitable Extrême Volume Length Curl Separation Mascara in Noir Pur ($40), followed by a slide of Chanel’s cult-loved Baume Essentiel Multi-Use Glow Stick ($48) in Transparent and Solar Glow across Wade’s eyelids, cheekbones, chin, and Cupid’s bow. The result was an all-over burst of light to the model’s face.
For Chase Sui Wonders’ stunning makeup look, makeup artist Kara Yoshimoto Bua was inspired by the breakout actress’s charming personality, the Santa Monica Pier location, and the photo shoot’s chic Chanel wardrobe. Bua chose fun colors with a flair of drama for a whimsical yet edgy vibe. “I created a balance between that fresh feeling of spring and a slight nod of edginess,” she tells me. “I enhanced Chase’s freckles, accented her flushed, rosy cheeks, and gave her a lightly defined lash line extended with a wispy flick.” According to Bua, finishing touches of brown lip liner paired with a glossy, sparkly mauve lip provided the perfect amount of oomph.
To sculpt and lightly even out Sui Wonders’ complexion, Bua blended Chanel’s Les Beiges Water Fresh Tint ($70) with a touch of the brand’s Vitalumière Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Sunscreen Makeup ($57), concentrating the latter on the actress’s T-zone. To “pop out” the cheeks, she reached for Chanel’s Joues Contraste Intense Cream-to-Powder Blush in Rose Ardent ($55), blending from the apples up toward the temples.
Chanel’s Le Volume de Chanel Mascara ($40) was used to lift and separate Sui Wonders’ lashes, followed by the brand’s Stylo Sourcils Waterproof Defining Longwear Eyebrow Pencil in Brun Clair ($43) to define the brows and freckles. Last but not least were the lips. “I used Chanel’s Le Crayon Lèvres Longwear Lip Pencil in Nude Brun ($35) to define the edges of Chase’s lips, followed by the brand’s Rouge Coco Gloss Moisturizing Glossimer in Bourgeoisie ($42) for some added impact,” Bua concludes.
“Laufey has such a unique beauty,” makeup artist Kate Lee tells me right off the bat. “Her skin is beautiful, so I didn’t use much foundation, and I prefer to use cream to powder formulations—I think they lean into her soft, luminous beauty.” According to Lee, the goal was to make everything feel gentle and fluid à la ’90s grunge. “Think soft contours and natural shades of makeup.”
With an emphasis on Chanel’s spring/summer 2025 makeup collection, Lee began by prepping Laufey’s skin with Chanel’s Nº1 De Chanel Revitalizing Essence Lotion ($125), followed by the Nº1 De Chanel Revitalizing Serum ($220) and Nº1 De Chanel Revitalizing Eye Serum ($100). Finally, she used the Nº1 De Chanel Revitalizing Serum-in-Mist ($100) to seal in hydration and provide a great base for the makeup.
To perfect and make Laufey’s complexion appear more uniform, Lee used a nylon brush to apply Chanel’s Les Beiges Water-Fresh Complexion Touch ($70) before blending it out even more with a sponge. For the highest point of Laufey’s cheekbones, Lee swirled a fluffy brush through all of the colors in Chanel’s Jeux De Lumières Multi-Use Eyeshadow and Highlighter Palette ($90) before adding a pop of color to the apples of the cheeks via the brand’s Joues Contraste Intense Cream-to-Powder Blush in Beige Éclatante ($55).
The musician’s brows were groomed and set in place using Chanel’s Le Gel Sourcils Longwear Eyebrow Gel in Transparent ($40), and to elongate her eyes, Lee opted for the brand’s Stylo Ombré et Contour in Contour Clair ($40) followed by the Ombré Essentielle Multi-Use Longwearing Eyeshadow in Latte Frappé ($40), which was applied with a fluffy eye shadow brush.
“The final stage was to tap a little of Chanel’s Baume Essentiel Multi-Use Glow Stick ($48) to the center of the lids and the inner corners of the eyes,” Lee shares. “We curled the lashes, but ultimately, we went mascara-free to really enhance the soft, molten makeup look we were going for.” To finish, Lee applied Chanel’s Rouge Coco Baume Shine in Honey Bliss ($48) to Laufey’s lips.