We love us some Carla Gugino, and when we found out the actress was nominated for a Critics Choice Award for her role in “The Fall of the House of Usher,” we knew we had to be there for the red-carpet prep.
“I have worked with both Ermahn, Enzo and my stylist Jessica for many years,” Gugino exclusively told us. “They are masters at what they do. It’s always a fun collaboration. I definitely feel prettier, taller and smarter when they’re done.”
First up: The florals, which our Brain Trust member and celeb makeup artist Ermahn Ospina said was the focus for the “relaxing vibe.”
“To create this look, I was inspired by the floral colors of her beautiful, romantic gown that she wore for this event,” Ospina shared. “I wanted to have a refreshed, rested, beautiful canvas to create a red-carpet look, that will make her feel and look beautiful.”
While it may seem counterintuitive for a big event, Ospina says the goal was to create a low-key experience, and that started with the skin-care steps.
“I used Crème Royale Beautè Sublime Mask, followed by the B21 Extraordinaire Youth Reset Serum, the Radiance Lift Firming Eye Contour and the Magnificent Lip Balm.”
For her makeup, Ospina wanted to “extend the radiant effects of the skin care,” and used the “All Over Highlighter Stick, Multi Soleil Pressed Powder, Orlane Lash Primer, followed by Curling Mascara Panoramic Effect, Absolute Eye Pencil in 01 on the top of her eyelids, and Lip Up lip gloss in 07 and 01 on top.”
While she’s a fan of 111SKIN masks—”especially when traveling”—and Valmont Renewing Pack when she’s “splurging,” as Gugino shared with us back in a 2021 cover shoot, makeup makes up the role when it comes to her professional life.
“I often discover key elements of the characters I play through makeup, hair and wardrobe fittings. I always ask myself, ‘Are they the kind of person who thinks about beauty or not?’ Most ‘real’ people have morning rituals, they repeat them every day and those rituals are important. So, I take some time to consider if this is the type of person who has a five-minute morning regime before walking out of the house—the woman who puts on her black eyeliner and some lip balm and that’s it.”
The 52-year-old year old also tends to keep stress to a minimum.
“Sweating the small stuff never benefits us, but the harm it does to our well-being becomes more apparent over time,” she shared. “I am much more interested in connecting with those I love and focusing on creating opportunities to do what I love more now than ever. I figure if I keep myself busy with that, there’s less time to worry!”
As for Gugino’s hair, that also started with some self-care.
“I started Carla’s hair-color session by fortifying her hair with an Olaplex Pro Stand-Alone Treatment,” says celeb colorist Chad Kenyon, who did the color before the big day. “Next, I mixed up a global gloss with R+Color Stellar demi-permanent color, creating a creamy-rich multidimensional brunette. I then gave her the Olaplex Pro 4-in-1 Moisture Mask which is like extremely refined skin care for the hair, packed with ceramides, amino acids and essential oils.”
Gugino’s day-of up-do was courtesy of celeb hairstylist Enzo Angileri. “The look I did for Carla was based on what is the number-one element—proportions,” he says. “The face, neck, cheekbones, purse and the dress. I simply blow-dried the hair after I applied a couple drops of Pure Diamond Crystals by Alfaparf for maximum shine and softness. I then pulled up her hair in a ponytail and I styled it, finishing with a very light spray of Rene Furterer Laque Vegetale Forte.”
Also on the skin-care menu: A little secret weapon. “We used Leonor Greyl Oil on the arms to give some extra glow,” Gugino shared.
