Zendaya makes every red carpet appearance a fashion moment, and while the dramatic Schiaparelli couture gown she wore at the London premiere of Christopher Nolan's “The Odyssey,” deserves a standing ovation, her luminous complexion, softly sculpted eyes, and one unexpected but smart makeup detail are what’s giving beauty lovers life today.
The actor wore bright white inner-corner eyeshadow, which helped her lean into the mythology-inspired theme. Zendaya embodied a modern Greek goddess in a sculptural ivory gown with cascading beaded fringe, while her radiant makeup delivered an ethereal finish that felt polished without overpowering the couture.
© WireImageZendaya's white inner corner eyeshadow changed the entire look
While glowing skin and glossy nude lips completed the look, it was the striking white inner corner eyeshadow that elevated Zendaya's makeup from beautiful to unforgettable.
Instead of relying on a traditional champagne shimmer, celebrity makeup artist Ernesto Casillas opted for a soft matte-looking ivory highlight that extended from the inner corner toward the center of the lid.
© Mike Marsland/WireImageThe effect instantly brightened Zendaya's brown eyes, making them appear larger, fresher, and almost porcelain-like against her bronzed complexion. The subtle contrast created an angelic, almost marble-inspired finish that perfectly complemented the Grecian aesthetic of her gown.
Beauty enthusiasts on Reddit quickly zeroed in on the detail, with many trying to identify exactly what Casillas used. Makeup fans across social media praised the inner corner technique as the standout feature of the entire glam, with many calling it one of Zendaya's most memorable beauty looks to date. “I think what makes this stand out is highlighting the inner corner with a matte white rather than the shimmery / pearly highlight we are all used to seeing. He also did an excellent job at blending, probably used a variety of clean fluffy blushes to blend the edges smoothly,” a person wrote, referring to Casillas.
© Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images“I've been mesmerized by this since yesterday. It is truly stellar in its perceived simplicity. The highlighting really makes her look like she's glowing,” another fan added.
Ernesto Casillas reveals the inspiration
Casillas revealed that his vision centered on creating an illuminated complexion inspired by Greek mythology. "I wanted to give Zendaya a bronzed, sun-kissed and radiant complexion worthy of a glowing Greek Goddess. For the eyes, I created light, mesmerizing eyes to echo the ethereal elegance of the dress," Casillas said as reported by PureWow.
The result was makeup that looked almost weightless while still delivering enough definition for the red carpet.
© Gareth Cattermole/Getty ImagesThe products behind Zendaya's makeup
Casillas relied almost exclusively on Charlotte Tilbury products to achieve the look. According to product breakdowns shared after the premiere, he used Charlotte Tilbury's Exagger-Eyes Waterproof Eyeshadow Sticks in Satin Diamonds, Nude Sculpt, and Minx Sculpt to build the soft neutral eye.
Although fans have speculated there may have been an additional matte ivory product used to perfect the bright inner corner, the officially credited eye products remain those three shades.
© WireImageHer radiant complexion also featured the Unreal Highlighter Fresh Healthy Glow Stick alongside Beautiful Skin Sun-Kissed Glow Bronzer, Airbrush Flawless Blur Concealer, and Beauty Light Wand for a naturally lit-from-within finish.
How Inner Corner Eyeshadow Impacts the Eyes and Face
Inner corner eyeshadow may seem like a small detail, but it can completely change how the eyes and face appear. Makeup artists often use a light, reflective shade in the inner corners because that area naturally sits in shadow due to the bridge of the nose. Adding brightness creates the illusion of more light hitting the face.
Here are the biggest effects:
- Makes the eyes look bigger. According to L'Oreal Paris experts, pearl, ivory, champagne, or white shadow opens up the eye area, making the eyes appear larger and more awake.
- Brightens the entire face. Since the inner corners are among the darkest areas around the eyes, highlighting them instantly reduces the appearance of shadows and makes the complexion look fresher, as reported by Allure.
- Creates a lifted, youthful look. Reflecting light toward the center of the face softens tired-looking eyes and gives a more energized appearance.
- Enhances eye color. White or pearly shadows make brown, hazel, green, and blue eyes appear brighter by creating contrast against the iris. Metallic finishes amplify this effect.
- Adds dimension. Even with minimal makeup, a bright inner corner creates depth by balancing darker shades placed on the outer corners or crease.
© Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
© Mike Marsland/WireImage
© WireImageIn Zendaya's case, Ernesto Casillas didn't want her to look dramatic; the technique made her eyes appear luminous, fresh, and softly sculpted while drawing attention to the center of her face. It's a subtle trick, but it played a major role in making the overall beauty look radiant and unforgettable.
