It Took ‘Get Out’ Star Daniel Kaluuya 30 Minutes to Get Ready for the 2018 Oscars: Exclusive

First-time best actor in a leading role Oscar nominee Daniel Kaluuya, 29, is leading the stylish pack of actors on the 2018 Academy Awards red carpet in a sharp mustard velvet evening jacket with black trim, complete with a black bow tie, black slacks and tonal patent leather dress shoes.

While his role as Chris Washington in satirical horror movie Get Out  has earned plenty accolades — the film and writer-director Jordan Peele are up for three nominations Sunday night (March 4) — the actor’s dapper full look is in part a result of collaborating with stylist Mercedes Natalia and makeup artist/groomer Amber Amos.

“The most important part is skin prep and making sure his skin is very hydrated because realistically most guys aren’t prepping their skin and they don’t really have a routine,” says Amos, who has worked with the critically acclaimed actor since October 2017. “Daniel is so low-key, every time the goal is to perfect the skin and make him look less tired than he is because he’s doing a lot.” 

To help achieve this no-fuss yet naturally glowing look, Amos first applies a hydrating Lip & Body Treatment Balm from Paula’s Choice, then cleanses and refreshes his skin with their go-to product, Kiehl’s Oil-Free Toner, and then she lightly exfoliates Kaluuya’s complexion with Kate Sommerville’s Clinic to Go Resurfacing Peel Pads. 

After applying Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Eye De-Puffer, to help tighten the under eye area and get rid of any potential puffiness, Amos uses Kate Somerville’s DermalQuench Liquid Lift, which is similar to a mini oxygen facial, to push both oxygen and hyaluronic acids into his skin. “It gives a nice boost, and makes sure the skin is plump yet firm and helps lighten dryness from the California air,” she adds.

Next up is more hydration in the form of Kiehl’s Men’s Oil Eliminator 24 Hour Anti-Shine Moisturizer, followed up by a quick sweep of Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation (a mix of the shades 480 and 490) using Stila’s One Step Complexion brush #33. Topping off his shine-free look is a mist of Kiehl’s Men’s Oil Eliminator Refreshing Shine Control Spray Toner, followed up with Beautyblender’s blotterazzi reusable shine-eliminating sponge.

Before he headed out for the 90th Academy Awards, she reapplied the hydrating lip balm and brushed his eyebrows in an upward motion with Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel because “a down shaped eyebrow makes you look weird and angry. The gel makes it stay in place, and that is it,” says Amos of the 30-minute routine.

“We’ve done a great job of making sure he has glowing, beautiful skin. It’s so easy for someone of his skin tone to show up ashy or grey on a red carpet because of flash or a flashback from a product. That’s the most important thing; I want him to go out there and be golden, I want him to glow.” She adds that “I think [this grooming look] is the perfect fit for the Oscars because he’s just going to look regal and effortless like I think someone should look at the Oscars. It’s such a grand night, and such an amazing honor to be nominated; he won’t look like it’s his first time, he’s going to look like he belongs here.”