Gugu Mbatha-Raw On Having Lipsticks For Days And Why Audrey Hepburn Is Her Forever Icon (2025)

Gugu Mbatha-Raw On Having Lipsticks For Days And Why Audrey Hepburn Is Her Forever Icon (1)

Gugu wears jewellery by Cartier, dress and gloves by Gucci

'Being told you should conform to one type of beauty is so outdated,' declares Gugu Mbatha-Raw down the phone to ELLE UK. 'But, I think we're getting better at celebrating individuality,' the actor concludes. It's Sunday morning and we're catching up with the Loki star, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, and presenter of one of tonight's BAFTA 2023 awards to talk all things beauty. Despite spending what could have been a well-earned weekend lie in being interviewed by us, Mbatha-Raw is what can only be described as a delight. Gracious, chatty and hyper intelligent, with a sprightly laugh that bubbles over every other sentence, we'd happily call her every Sunday morning. If she'd let us.

The British actor's pre-11am optimism is infectious; whether she's speaking on limited beauty standards or championing a wider pool of talent in the film industry, her enthusiasm never wavers. 'I'm so excited to see my friend Gina Prince-Bythewood nominated for Best Director - as a woman, as a woman of colour, and as someone I've worked with, it's been amazing to see her go from strength to strength. Heroing female directors is definitely an area of the industry that has a way to go.'

Ahead of the evening’s festivities,
we chatted joyful beauty, lipstick stashes and why Audrey Hepburn is her forever beauty icon...

Gugu Mbatha-Raw On Having Lipsticks For Days And Why Audrey Hepburn Is Her Forever Icon (2)

What does beauty mean to you?

'I try to think about beauty being something you can express that comes from a place of joy and lets you be your best self.

'I definitely feel more comfortable with beauty now than when I was younger, maybe because I feel more confident in myself and more established in my career. As an actor I think beauty can be a bit of a double edged sword; I want to be able to play characters that are flawed and messy and human, you have to be unafraid to be not beautiful, you have to be bold enough to be real as well, and I think there's beauty in that authenticity. But, I also work in an industry that celebrates beauty and is, by its nature, a visual medium.'

Who do you look to as beauty icons?

'My mum was my first beauty icon. I remember as a little girl watching her put on mascara and thinking it was magical. She's always been a lipstick wearer - she's one of those people who won't leave the house without make-up on, so I grew up with that sense of how make-up can help to transform your confidence and your sense of self.

'Beyond that, I've always looked up to Audrey Hepburn - she's someone who had just such a classic sense of elegance and poise and intelligence and something that was very fresh and unique to her. Also, my middle name is actually Sophia, after Sophia Loren - my mum was a huge fan of her. She's one of those beauty icons from another era that I always look to for inspiration. Sophie means "wisdom" in Greek and I think she's always had a real strength and power in her.'

Gugu Mbatha-Raw On Having Lipsticks For Days And Why Audrey Hepburn Is Her Forever Icon (3)

What's the best beauty advice you've ever been given?

'I know it's such a cliché but I definitely do believe that beauty comes from within. If you're happy, you're rested and you're content and confident in yourself, it definitely shines through, no matter what you look like or what the cultural beauty standards are.

'From a more practical standpoint, always taking off your make-up is my number one rule, as well as drinking lots of water. The real basics of getting a good night's sleep, looking after your skin and drinking lots of water are important.'

What does your own beauty stash look like?

'I have to say I'm not an especially neat person... But, I do believe in quality over quantity when it comes to products. I've never used thousands of things; I will experiment, but when you're working on camera it's good to know which products work for you and aren't going to be too risky or reactive for your skin so I try to be quite streamlined with my skincare. But, I definitely have a make-up stash - I love having multiple brightly coloured lipsticks on the go. I've got lipstick for days!'

What does your pre-awards beauty prep look like?

'I'm relatively low-key when I'm prepping for an awards show or a big event. But, I do love a deep tissue massage, especially when I'm jet lagged. It makes me feel really relaxed and grounded, it's great for my immune system and just helps me feel centred and confident. I'll have one a couple of days before an event, if I do it on the actual day I'm totally knocked out!'

Gugu Mbatha-Raw On Having Lipsticks For Days And Why Audrey Hepburn Is Her Forever Icon (4)

Talk us through your look for this year's BAFTAs...

'I've been working with my stylist Leith Clark for a few years now and we always just have so much fun putting a look together. Tonight I'm wearing a Gucci gown which I adore. When I put it on I just sort of gasped because it's unlike anything I've worn on the red carpet before. It's slinky and nude and sparkly and overlaid with lace - it's very original. Also I'm wearing gloves! Which I've never done before and these are so special - shimmery and ethereal. I love the way I feel when I'm wearing it altogether.

As an actor I think beauty can be a bit of a double edged sword; I want to be able to play characters that are flawed and messy and human.

'For hair I think I'm going to go for something a bit more sleek as the dress has a lot of detail and with the gloves as well there's a lot going on. Then for make-up I'm thinking just fresh, fresh skin and nudey tones that complement the dress.'

You're wearing a blue UNHCR ribbon on the red carpet, what's the significance of this for you?

'I'm a really proud Goodwill Ambassador for the UNHCR, which is The UN Refugee Agency, and I'm wearing the ribbon tonight as a show of solidarity with refugees. Especially now in light of the recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria it's sort of like a crisis on top of a crisis. We're also coming up to a year since the start of the war in Ukraine and all of the displaced people that's caused.

'Wearing the ribbon on the red carpet is a moment to show, not only solidarity, but also raise awareness on the wider public stage for something that's affecting all of us. It's a proud moment for me to be able to use my platform to celebrate beauty and the film and TV industry, but also to create a conversation around refugees and uniting with them.'

Get Gugu's Classic Hollywood Beauty Look

Gugu Mbatha-Raw On Having Lipsticks For Days And Why Audrey Hepburn Is Her Forever Icon (5)

'We went big on the eyes by winging out the eyeliner. The inspiration for this look was Aubrey Hepburn's character in Breakfast At Tiffany's, Holly Golightly,' make-up artist Vincent Oquendo told ELLE UK.

Read on for Vincent's beauty essentials for achieving Gugu's classic Hollywood BAFTA beauty look...

Shop Gugu's BAFTA Beauty Look

Gugu Mbatha-Raw On Having Lipsticks For Days And Why Audrey Hepburn Is Her Forever Icon (6)

Lancôme Lash Idôle Mascara

Gugu Mbatha-Raw On Having Lipsticks For Days And Why Audrey Hepburn Is Her Forever Icon (7)

Lancôme Hypnôse Palette in 01 French Nude

Gugu Mbatha-Raw On Having Lipsticks For Days And Why Audrey Hepburn Is Her Forever Icon (8)

Lancôme Lash Idôle Eye Liner

Gugu Mbatha-Raw On Having Lipsticks For Days And Why Audrey Hepburn Is Her Forever Icon (9)

Lancôme Teint Idôle Ultra Wear Highlighter Stick

Check out all of ELLE UK's BAFTA's 2023 coverage here.

Lancôme is the official beauty sponsor of the BAFTAs 2023

Gugu Mbatha-Raw On Having Lipsticks For Days And Why Audrey Hepburn Is Her Forever Icon (2025)

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