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Sunday, 11 April was a tremendous, star-studded celebration for British film at the 2021 BAFTA Film Awards. The digital-first event showcased winning films from Judas and the Black Messiah to The Father, but the moment that stole the show was the EE Rising Star Award — awarded to Rocks actor, Bukky Bakray. Responding with surprise — as well as pure, infectious joy — to her win, Bakray was a vision of beauty in a custom mauve, duchess-satin Prada gown, matching heels, and Chopard diamonds (styled by Zadrian Smith). The finishing touches to her incredible look were coordinated with makeup artist Joy Adenuga and hairstylist Dionne Smith.
Makeup artist and brand founder Joy Adenuga shared the details of Bakray's makeup look with POPSUGAR. "It was all about accentuating [Bukky's] natural beauty and natural glow. I kept her makeup clean yet very elegant", she said. "I wanted her skin to look beautiful both in person and across the screen". To do that, Adenuga used the Lancôme Prep and Hydrate Primer (£30) before her foundation (also a red carpet favourite, Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation (£34.50)). Then she tapped the Lancôme Custom Drops Liquid Highlighter in Bronze Glow (£27) onto the highest points of the face. "When Bukky smiled, her skin just looked so radiant!" Adenuga said. "To finish off I went with a nude, peachy pink lip — Lancôme Absolu Rouge Intimatte in 274 Killing Me Softly (£27.50) mixed with Lancôme Absolu Lacquer in 308 Let Me Shine (£26) — which kept the drama on just her eyes."
Noting the focus for Bakray's eyes, Adenuga complemented the gorgeous colour of her Prada dress with warm, natural hues on the lids. "Bukky wanted smoky eyes that weren't too overwhelming. Working more with peach and dark-brown tones, I gently smoked this out for some drama before finishing off with By Joy Adenuga Eyelashes in Calla Lily (£15) trimmed to suit her eye shape." Adenuga explained. Altogether, Bakray's look oozed glamour and sophistication for her first big career win.
Bakray's hair — styled in a slick topknot — was also a highlight of the look. "Her hair was done using the Design Essentials Bamboo & Silk HCO Leave-In Conditioner (£10), and then I used my Signature Midi Hair Straightener & Curler (£80) to press her hair out, then swipe it up into a ponytail to create the top knot," hairstylist Dionne Smith said of how she created the style.
"The trick is to hold the hair up and then fold it back leaving some hair to wrap around the base," Smith explained of her trick for a flawless topknot. "I used Cantu's Edge Control (£7) on her edges and finished with Cantu Sheen Spray (£7) for a healthy and polished finish."
With a beautiful silhouette created by the Prada gown and an effortless beauty look that complemented her skin tone and personality, it all came together for Bukky Bakray; and with her speech thanking fellow nominees and predecessors, we can expect massive things from the 2021 BAFTA's Rising Star.