3 Inspirational Looks From Jessica Chastain

By: Anna Terrill

Searching for a fresh look for the summer that will help your red hair shine? Why not tear a page from the book of America’s new sweetheart, Jessica Chastain? I recently realized that most of my favorite actresses are either redheads or named Jessica, but only Jessica Chastain is both, so she holds a special place in my heart. Aside from the fact that she is a brilliant actress, J-Chas has this uniquely versatile beauty that steals the spotlight whether she’s on the red carpet or just snapping selfies for her Instagram page (@chastainiac).

Let’s explore three of these looks and learn how we can add them to our summer beauty repertoire:

1. Naturally Curly Waves:

I love seeing Jessica Chastain wear her natural unruly waves, because this is the hairstyle I most closely relate to.  If you’re also a naturally wavy redhead, you’ll love to learn that what we consider to be messy can actually be glamorous.  When I decide to go natural, I wash my hair the night before and sleep on it damp.  This allows my hair to dry naturally over night and produces the waves I want.  If I’m honest though, just because I decide the night before that I’m going to wear my hair naturally doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to happen; I have to wake up that morning, look in the mirror, and decide if I can salvage my waves.  When I can, I might need to tweak a few tendrils with a curling iron and then add a little product for texture.

So here’s a product tip I learned from Jessica Chastain herself; Oribe Hair Care Dry Texturizing Spray. She told InStyle Magazine, “This gives my hair texture and fullness on days when I’m not wearing it styled.”

Polish off this look with light bronze shadow and dark brown eyeliner and mascara. I love wearing browns instead of blacks to naturalize my look.  Try and Covergirl Lashblast Volume Mascara in Black-Brown.  If you want to spice up your natural look for a night out, dab on a deep red lipstick like Chastain did here.  I love MAC’s Studded Kiss shade.

2. Rock Navy Blue:

I adore this look on Jessica Chastain.  I love wearing navy– even in the summer–and these grey/blue lids Chastain is rocking look fantastic with her dress.  So let’s get this look without breaking the bank–starting with the makeup.  A light powder foundation is perfect for summer.

My favorite is Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Powder Foundation in Natural Ivory.  Then brush on a little pink/coral blush.  Try Maybelline Fit Me! Blush in Medium Pink.  To get Chastain’s eyes, check out Shiseido Shimmering Cream Eye Color in Tin and Nightfall.  These shades would be especially gorgeous on redheads with blue eyes.  Finish this look with a nude/light pink lip.  I like NYC’s Expert Last Lip Color in Creamy Mauve.

Now onto the hair.  This look is simple; all you really need is a curling iron with a big barrel.  I suggest at least 1.5 inches.  First, protect your hair by spraying on a heat protectant.  I use the Chi 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray. Then grab large sections of your hair, and curl them away from your face for 5-10 seconds, depending on how loose you want your waves. Then, if you live somewhere like I do with high humidity, Garnier Fructis Style Flexible Control Anti-Humidity hairspray works to keep this look from frizzing out of place.

3. Hollywood Glam:

My favorite red carpet look of Jessica’s is when she wears side-swept old Hollywood waves and a red lip.  This is such a classic look and is actually easier to accomplish than it looks.  Let’s start with the hair.  After spraying on a heat protectant, give yourself a dramatic side part to whichever side works best for you.  You can also use a volumizer or root booster to give your hair more body.  I suggest Moroccanoil Root Boost.  This product contains natural argan oil, and since Jessica Chastain prefers using natural beauty products, I’m sure she would approve.

Then, using a curling iron (the bigger the barrel, the looser the waves), wrap sections of your hair, curling for 5-10 seconds.  As you release your hair from the barrel, hold the curl in place.  The most important part of setting your hair is the cooling process, so you want to hold it in place as it cools. To get your bangs or the front part of your hair to wave the way you want it to, you’ll want to pin it back with a clip as it sets.  When you remove the clip, your wave should be set where you pinned it.  You can pin the back of your hair to one side by criss-crossing bobby pins at the nape of your neck, or just tuck it behind your ear, and let your waves hang.  Finish off with hairspray, and then you’re ready for your makeup.

For this look, Chastain kept the eyes simple, by brushing a gold shadow across the lids and underneath her eyes.  The Urban Decay Naked 2 palette has a beautiful selection of golds and bronze shadows that look great on redheads.  Finish the eyes with your favorite black liner and black mascara.  Complete the look with this gorgeous red-orange lip, which should be a go-to for redheads.  I suggest Maybelline’s ColorSensational lipstick in Neon Red.  I love wearing this shade, because redheads can pull it off when other hair colors usually can’t!  Dab it on, and you’ll be red carpet ready!  Also, don’t let anyone tell you redheads can’t wear yellow!  Jessica Chastain is the queen of wearing yellow on the red carpet, and she always looks divine.

Keep us posted on how these looks worked out for you, and let us know if there are any other redheaded celebrities we should be taking lessons from.  Thank you, Jessica Chastain, for always showing us how to #RockitlikeaRedhead!