Cannes is a whirlwind—spotlights, premieres, endless flashes of cameras—and for model Barbara Palvin, it’s also a reunion with one of her closest collaborators. Makeup artist Tobi Henney, who has worked with Barbara for over seven years, flew in to join her for a week of events. Their goal? A red carpet look built around one unforgettable statement: a vampy, ombré lip so glossy it nearly stole the show.

Here, Tobi shares how the look came together, from skincare prep to the final swipe of lipstick.

Skin First: The Power of Prep

“Before I even think about makeup, I always start with the skin,” Tobi explains. For Barbara, that meant a lifting face massage to define her cheekbones and jawline, followed by a chilled face roller that had been resting in an ice bucket brought up by the hotel. “It’s my secret weapon for sculpting and de-puffing,” she adds.

Next came hydration. Tobi leaned on two Futurewise favorites—the Slug Boost Hydrating Mist and the Slug Cream—which plump the skin and create the perfect slip for massage tools. After a few minutes of settling, the canvas was ready.

The Glow Within

Barbara’s skin already has a natural radiance, but Tobi layered on glowing primers to elevate it for the red carpet. Saie’s Glow Super Gel in Starglow was buffed onto the high points of her face, paired with Westman Atelier’s Liquid Super Loaded Illuminator in Peau de Rosé and Chanel’s Glow Stick in Sculpting. A touch of Chanel’s cult bronzing cream added warmth without heaviness.

For foundation, Tobi reached for a tried-and-true staple: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk in shade 4.5. “I’ve used it for years—it photographs beautifully and lasts through long nights,” she says. Dior Forever Concealer brightened under the eyes, while a whisper of Pat McGrath’s under-eye powder set everything into place.

Subtle Structure

Tobi sculpted Barbara’s features with Westman Atelier’s Face Trace contour stick in Biscuit, layering on a cool-toned powder from Anastasia Beverly Hills to lock it in. Charlotte Tilbury’s Filmstar Bronze & Glow—an enduring favorite—added just the right amount of radiance. A dab of Chanel’s lip and cheek balm in Healthy Pink, pressed high onto the cheekbones, gave a natural flush.

Brows, Eyes, and Lashes

Barbara’s brows need little work. A quick sweep of Hourglass pencil and clear MAC gel was all it took to polish them.

For eyes, Tobi used the Westman Atelier contour stick once more, this time to sketch out the shape of the lid. She followed with soft neutrals from Anastasia Beverly Hills’ mini Sultry palette and layered on Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill mascara. To intensify the lash line, she drew in MAC’s Fluidline gel eyeliner before applying Dark Swan of Denmark’s Secret 03 Feather lashes—her go-to for a seamless extension effect.

The Star of the Show: The Ombré Lip

While the skin was glowing and the eyes softly defined, the lip was always destined to be the centerpiece. “Barbara had seen a photo of this vampy, ombré, high-gloss lip, and we knew instantly we had to recreate it,” Tobi says.

She began by lining with Anastasia Beverly Hills’ Malt lip liner, a deep chocolate brown. Then came the trio of lipsticks—Sugar Plum as the base, Royal Red at the center, and American Doll at the innermost part of the lips. Layering them created depth and dimension. To finish, Tobi slicked on Tom Ford’s Gloss Luxe in Phantôme. The result was glossy, bold, and impossible to ignore.

Beyond the Makeup

Though the lips were undeniably the highlight, every detail contributed to the overall effect. Hair stylist Owen Gould created soft waves with a Hot Tools iron and extensions, finishing with a touch of LolaVie products. Stylist Marc Eram completed the look with an elegant gown that let the beauty moments shine.

And while Barbara skipped body makeup for the premiere, Tobi couldn’t resist a quick mention of her secret weapon: The Eleffect Tint. “We used it the night before for a Cavalli event. It gave her the most gorgeous golden tone in just one sitting. It’s like coming back from holiday overnight.”

The Magic of Collaboration

Seven years into their partnership, Tobi and Barbara share more than just a routine—they share trust. That bond shows up in every detail, whether it’s keeping skin fresh under the Riviera sun or layering three lipsticks for a bold red carpet statement.

For Tobi, it’s always about enhancing what’s already there. “Barbara looks incredible with nothing on her face,” she says. “My role is just to bring out the features she already has and add a little drama where it counts.”

At Cannes this year, drama came in the form of a lip so glossy it caught the light from every camera flash—and a look that felt as timeless as it did modern.