Lisa Folawiyo’s Marie Claire Nigeria cover shoot is a beauty masterclass, blending elegance, power and glowing skin in every frame.
Lisa Folawiyo’s approach to beauty mirrors her style philosophy—intentional and effortlessly refined. For her Marie Claire Nigeria cover shoot, makeup artist Uchechukwu Solanke created two distinct looks that reflected the moodboard capturing Lisa’s essence: soft yet commanding, minimal yet magnetic. Every detail was intentional, from her radiant skin to her elegant signature braids. This was more than a beauty look, it was a masterclass in timeless beauty.
First look: Nude and natural glam
The vision for the first look was to reflect Lisa’s timeless beauty through a polished soft glam look, featuring bronzed, glowing skin complemented by a light glossy nude lip. A subtle beauty look is powerful. For the first look featuring Lisa Folawiyo’s tri-colour embellished dress, Uche kept the makeup soft and glowing to complement the style identity we envisioned. To prep her skin, Uche focused on hydration and a flawless base, allowing Lisa’s natural radiance to shine through. The foundation enhanced her inner glow, creating a base that let her skin breathe naturally. Subtle contouring followed; , carefully blended to define her features without overwhelming them.
For the eyes, Uche chose a soft light brown smokey shadow that elevated her eyelids, complemented by lashes that framed her face gently. Uche also softly groomed her brows, adding structure while maintaining a natural look. With these, Lisa’s skin looked natural and radiant.
For her lips, a soft nude topped with gloss finished the understated elegant makeup. Subtle enough for Sunday brunch in Ikoyi, and polished enough for a business pitch in London.
This was a refined, wearable and aspirational beauty look. A soft glam moment that proves less isn’t basic, it’s just expertly edited.
Second look: Striking glam and timeless beauty
The first look whispered, but this one spoke volumes. For this second look of the shoot, the vision was simple: an elegant, bold look, featuring natural makeup complemented by statement lips. Uche leaned fully into power mode, embracing a bold, high-impact beauty look. Rich pigments, striking contrasts, timeless beauty that embodied a full power look.
The eyes took centre stage with a smokey blend of deep browns and jet black, creating a sultry gaze that was intentionally sculpted. It’s the kind of eye makeup that’s perfect for a gallery opening or high-profile dinner where presence matters.
The true focal point of this look was Lisa’s lips. Painted in a deep, vivid red, the contrast against a soft base instantly elevated the entire look. It was a classic, timeless, and powerful statement.
This was not a “safe” look; it was bold, grown, and utterly stunning. It’s the kind of makeup the Nigerian woman wears in her full, confident, and unshakeable glory. Whether she’s hosting a brand launch or stepping into a room like she owns it, this is the kind of timeless beauty that leaves a mark.
Get the look — Shop the products now
NARS Light Reflecting Foundation
₦117,000
Too Faced Born This Way Concealer
₦75,000
ONE/SIZE Blurring Powder
₦74,800
Dior Backstage Highlighter
₦103,000
MAC Lipstick (Mac Red)
₦26,000
MAC Lipgloss
₦38,500
Mid-length braids — because what’s a Lisa Folawiyo look without her signature look?
Lisa Folawiyo’s look is truly incomplete without her signature braids, and for her Marie Claire Nigeria cover shoot, they showed up elegantly. Styled in the ever-elegant feather pick and drop style, the braids flowed gracefully down to her mid-back.
Made in a natural black colour, and draped forward with a centre-part, the hair struck the perfect balance between classic and contemporary. They effortlessly framed her face beautifully, complementing the makeup with added sophistication. Simple, striking and unmistakably Lisa, we see why this is her signature look.
Lisa Folawiyo’s beauty edit for Marie Claire Nigeria is a masterclass in timeless beauty–every detail spoke volumes. The perfect balance of understated elegance and bold confidence. From glowing skin to statement lips, each look precisely enhanced her natural features and confidence. Beauty doesn’t need excess to make a statement—just the perfect blend of simplicity, power, and personal style.
