If you are thinking of going bald-headed and also want to jazz it up, look no further than Lupita Nyong’o.
The Hollywood actress has found a way of making the boring bald head look interesting, leaving us to clamor for scissors. A few days after revealing her dramatic hair transformation, Lupita Nyongo’o has taken things up a notch by adorning her head with Henna at an Indian wedding.
The “12 Years a Slave” star showed up on Instagram on Monday with her newly decorated henna-tattooed head as she completely embraced her natural beauty. However, since the photos hit the internet, many have been dying to know what inspired Lupita’s bold move. Well, your curiosity can now be put to rest because Lupita has just revealed the “why” behind it, and we thought to let you know.
“When we are invited to an Indian wedding, we USE WHAT WE GOT to HONOR & CELEBRATE! #BaldieBrigade.” the 40-year-old actress wrote in an Instagram video in reference to her appearance at the St. Ann’s Warehouse in New York City, where Mira Nair’s stage adaptation of Monsoon Wedding, the musical made its grand debut.
In the post, she draped herself in a resplendent saree, which she further adorned with a pair of chandelier gold earrings and a vibrant blue manicure.
In another post, however, she gave full details about the inspiration behind her henna-designed bald head, which as per the star, it was done by henna artist Sabeen Marghoob
“THE STORY OF MY HEAD: I met @hennabysabeen last year at a wedding in Pakistan,” Nyong’o explained” She did the #HennaDesign for the bride, and I was ASTOUNDED by the INTRICACY and BEAUTY of her work. There was something unique about the way she expressed herself in henna art. And I promised myself, ‘One day I will have a reason to work with Sabeen.’”
Lupita further revealed that Sabeen Marghoob used a natural skin dye called Jagua, sourced from South America, to adorn her bald head. Unlike henna, which is derived from leaves, Jagua ink is obtained from the liquid of a fruit-bearing the same name.
Due to the shortness of the Instagram clip, appreciating the intricacy of Lupita’s henna tattoo proves a challenge. Nevertheless, one can discern a multitude of floral motifs adorning the circumference of her bald head. Specific areas of the pattern had been meticulously filled in with pigment, accentuating the design’s depth. Notably, Marghoob extended the composition into a graceful V-shape, draping across Nyong’o’s forehead. In the video, one can observe the inclusion of several leaves, as well as what appears to be a glittering strand of suspended beads or gems.
It’s hard to capture all the details of this henna tattoo from the short clip as seen on Lupita Nyong’o’s Instagram page, but you can see several different flowers drawn all around her head. Immaculately shaded segments of the design come alive, while Marghoob’s artistry extends it into a majestic V-shape cascading across Nyong’o’s forehead. Delicate leaves and what looks like a row of dangling beads or gems complete the enchanting tableau.
Upon receiving the invitation to attend her friend Mira Nair’s musical Monsoon Wedding, Lupita was left pondering what to wear on her head. Despite borrowing a saree and jewelry from the Pakistani bride, she still felt that something was missing.
“When I got the invitation to attend the opening night of my dear friend, Mira Nair’s I was scrambling at the last minute to find something to wear. I borrowed a sari and jewelry from the bride from Pakistan, but the look didn’t feel complete,” she added.”
“And then, in the middle of the night, an image shot into my mind of a henna design covering my bald head!!! I could do something special and different, to celebrate the culture using the canvas readily available to me! I was so excited by the idea that I could not go back to sleep,” Lupita enthusiastically elaborated.
With Sabeena’s henna expertise, they got to work. The end result was a bold reference to what owning your personal style should look like — beautiful and on-the-spot intriguing. They played a risk and it did pay off.
“It takes about 24 hours for the dye to really show up. And when it came in, in full contrast the next day, I was simply moved. It was beautiful. It was bold and elegant; it had a point of view. We had not played it safe, and it had paid off. And I had found a new way to express myself without hair!” she also said.
Despite the henna tattoo being the main focus of her ensemble, Lupita’s makeup was equally stunning. Makeup artist Nick Barose swept dark shadows onto her lids for a smoky eye and painted her lips a vibrant fuchsia with a shiny finish. Lupita further expressed her gratitude towards Sabeena for introducing her to the beauty of henna while encouraging her followers to explore new ways to highlight their beauty.
