Yonce’ just served us a fashion/beauty filled visual feast in her new music visual for “Spirit” embodying her new role as Nala in Disney’s nostalgic, live-action recreation of The Lion King in virtual reality. She calls her Lion King inspired album ‘The Lion King: The Gift’ a “Love Letter to Africa.” Knowles Carter said, “it’s the beauty of melanin, the beauty of tradition.”
The stunning visuals feature expansive landscapes and fashion looks ranging from Valentino’s spring 2019 couture collection to up-and-coming international brands, including Canadian designer Mark Fast and Brazilian brand Maison Alexandrine, mixing custom and couture garments. The looks were styled by Zerina Akers. Hair was styled by Kim Kimble who also created hairstyles for the culture, and when it comes to beauty, GOAT MUA Sir John knows less is more and is just as stunning. Let’s dig into these looks…
“EVERYTHING YOU SEE EXIST TOGETHER IN A DELICATE BALANCE.”
– MUFASA
The visual begins with Beyonce’ in a 2- piece lilac and clay colored couture piece from Valentino’s SS19 collection and raspberry-hued wavy hair and deep middle part. The hair color is inspired by Yemoja, a major water deity from the Yoruba religion in South Africa. She is the mother of all orishas (hence, Blue Ivy’s appearance) and is often depicted as a mermaid (Hint, Hint).
The makeup is minimal with neutral shadows featuring red undertones and black pencil eyeliner to create a feline effect. Loving the nude lip with a touch of gold highlighter. You’ll see this look repeated with other garments.. Here are some of my favorite products to help you recreate this look: LimeLife by Alcome Claim to Frame Brow Pencil , LL Clear Strike Rich Brow Gel , Perfect Matte Eyeshadow Palette by Danessa Myricks, LimeLife by Alcone “Humble” Lipgloss , and LimeLife by Alcone’s “Slam” blush from the Danessa Myricks Collection.
Blue Ivy’s cameo in a beautiful Valentino couture piece and raspberry hued hair
Next, she appears in a bright yellow Norma Kamali dress from the designer’s resort 2020 collection and Lynn Ban jewelry, joining a group of dancers wearing the same dress in a darker, chartreuse color. The dancers were also seen wearing the Nina Berenato face masks. Kim Kimble now has her hair styled in a traditional style of braiding that comes from South Africa.
There are slight changes in her makeup look. Sir John creates a softer look by using a more neutral brown shadow for the eyes, using the eyeliner more sparingly and with a glossy lip. Here’s a look at the Sir John x Luminess Cosmetics collection used for the look.
This beauty look appeared again with a slight change on the lips. This time she is wearing a more matte lipstick from The Lion King Collection (BE BRAVE Matte Lipstick Pounce). Let’s take a moment of silence for this Circle of Life Highlighter… It is everything! In this scene Yemoja is referenced again, but this time associated with water, and you’ll see it again in another scene. Beyonce’ wore a custom Mark Fast look.
Custom Laurel DeWitt fringe jumpsuit styled by Zerina Akers. Yemoja associated with the moon.
In the Tree of Life scene, the queen appears in a cowrie shell dress from Brazilian brand Maison Alexandrine . This scene is a reference to Yemoja, a protector of women and feminine mysteries, as well as a symbol of wealth.
Notice her makeup look is a little bolder with black liner and a deep brown lip with a plum undertone. LimeLife by Alcone’s Chocolate Ganache Enduring Lip Color from the Dynamic by Danessa Myricks Collection is a perfect dupe and paired with LimeLife’s Perfect Lipgloss from their spring collection in the shade “Spirit”.
Shahar Avnet styled by Zerina Akers
Custom Tongoro Studio
In some scenes she was in a custom, printed suit and matching durag by Senegal-based brand, Tongoro. Beyoncé’s stylist paired the look with a bespoke, handmade face mask designed by Austin, Tex.-based jeweler Nina Berenato.