Zendaya’s Minimal Makeup at ‘The Odyssey’ Premiere Goes Viral for Simple Reasons
Zendaya has been transforming red carpets into immersive experiences, using her fashion, hair, and makeup to narrate a cohesive story linked to her film promotions. Her press tour for ‘The Odyssey’ has followed suit, with each appearance offering a unique take on her character, Athena.
The New York premiere took this concept to new heights, but not in the traditional bold glam style. Instead, Zendaya and her longtime makeup artist opted for a minimalist approach, resulting in one of the most buzzed-about beauty moments of the entire tour.
At the premiere, Zendaya dazzled in a sculptural winged gown, complemented by what her team called one of the most understated beauty looks of the press tour. Her eyes were nearly bare, featuring no mascara or visible eyeshadow, just naturally fluffed brows and what Casillas termed as ghost lashes.
Makeup artist Ernesto Casillas shared the rationale behind the minimalist look. “For the premiere, we aimed for fresh, luminous skin that appears naturally sun-kissed,” Casillas noted in an Instagram post, emphasizing that the look was intentionally understated, with glowing skin as the focal point.
This sun-kissed effect was meticulously crafted. Casillas concentrated on warming specific areas of the face where the sun would naturally hit, including the temples, cheeks, nose, and chin, using layered blush shades to create dimension without overwhelming the look.
The products used for this look were predominantly from Prada Beauty. Casillas prepared Zendaya’s skin with the brand’s Augmented Skin Cream and Eye Cream, then mixed the Augmented Skin Essence into the Reveal Skin Optimizing Foundation, resulting in a lightweight, glowing base rather than a heavy full-coverage finish.
For color, he applied two shades of the brand’s Touch Blush: a warm mocha brown named Caffe and a true red called Cherry, brushing them across the cheeks, forehead, and chin to replicate natural sun exposure. A soft pink lip gloss completed the look, adding just enough vibrancy to the lips without diverting attention from the skin.
This beauty moment aligns with a broader theme throughout Zendaya’s ‘Odyssey’ press tour. Styled by her longtime collaborator Law Roach, she has consistently used fashion and makeup to reference her role as the goddess Athena, with each city providing a fresh perspective on that mythological inspiration.
This minimalistic approach marks a clear shift from some of her earlier tour appearances, which featured bolder eye looks and more dramatic styling. By opting for bare skin and soft warmth, the New York premiere exuded a distinctly different, almost ethereal vibe compared to previous stops.
Fans and beauty writers have responded positively to this change, noting that skin prep and subtle application can create a striking red carpet moment just as effectively as bold colors or dramatic techniques. The no-mascara look, in particular, has ignited discussions about whether this trend could gain wider acceptance.
With ‘The Odyssey’ now in theaters and the press tour nearing its conclusion, this New York look has already established itself as one of the standout beauty moments of the entire campaign. Between the thoughtful styling choices and Casillas’s deliberate product placements, it serves as a reminder that sometimes the most memorable looks are those that embrace simplicity.
Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!