Nicole Kidman's MUA has been working with the star for 20 years: 'She truly does look the same as when I first met her'

Having always worked in beauty, I am more aware than most of the pressure on women to stay young.

At a mere 36 years old, I frequently find myself in working environments where I have 10 years on everyone else in the room. Add to that, many of the beauty brands that used to resonate with me are now fixated on pushing their anti-aging formulas onto baby-faced Gen-Z. It's all very bizarre.

With that in mind, I can't tell you how liberating it was to see three glamorous generations of Owens women in Practical Magic 2, with the leads ranging from 27-year-old Joey King to 82-year-old Stockard Channing.

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 In the much-anticipated sequel to the witchy cult classic of the 90s, Gillian and Sally Owens (played by Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock) return to the house where their aunts raised them, attempting to break the family curse once and for all with Sally's younger daughters.

As someone who has seen the original countless times, I was beside myself to get the chance to talk to Angela Levin, the makeup artist behind Kidman's looks in the film, having worked with her for over two decades.

Nicole Kidman's skin in Practical Magic 2

"I wanted to maintain Kidman looking as close as she did to the original film, and it was surprisingly easy because she truly does look almost the same as when I first met her!" Angela told me. "I wanted to refresh her original makeup just a little to make it more modern."

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On her fresh approach to Nicole's skin, Angela divulged: "In the 90s, everything was so matte. If you saw shiny skin on screen, the director would ask you to take it down. But today we love radiant-looking skin, so I added more glow to her look. Seeing as we were filming in England, I really wanted to champion English makeup artists."

With this in mind, Angela relied on Lisa Eldridge's Skin Tint, £39, in shade T4. As always, preparation is key. "Underneath, to prepare her skin, I used a lot of Cle de Peau skincare. Kidman was travelling back and forth to London for filming, and when you travel, you need to replenish hydration more than normal.

"I would use their micellar water to prep her skin and then leave on a rich moisturiser of theirs for five to 10 minutes as a mask while I did other things to get her ready."

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Proving that Hailey Bieber's viral Gen Z-skewed brand Rhode Beauty works for more mature skin, too, Angela revealed: "There's a fabulous product by Rhode called the Glazing Milk, £32. It's wonderful because it brightens up the areas where you apply it. If you use it all over when filming, it can be a little too much, so instead I'd just tap a little across her cheekbones, temples, and across the décolletage. I always tell my makeup team that the face starts here," she showed me, gesturing to her neck.

The bewitching Practical Magic 2 eye makeup

"As far as the eyeshadows, there was no 'black and white' that you might associate with witches," Angela says.

"I used pastels to create a softer look. Nothing had specific edges to it; it all blended and bounced the light. I love the Chanel waterproof mascara, £37, but I don't pay too much attention to specific eye makeup colours because so often brands discontinue them.

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"On Kidman, I used a palette of lavender shades from Lisa Eldridge (the Betty palette, which, sure enough, is sold out) and a quad of soft shimmers from Pat McGrath. Not just for this movie, but in my red-carpet makeup looks, I always use a lot of Pat McGrath."

 Given that Levin counts Kidman, Sandra Bullock and Jennifer Aniston as some of her regular red- carpet clients, we're taking notes on that one.

As for Nicole's lips in the film? "I often used either a moisturising Chanel lip stain or a more pigmented Hermes lipstick for Kidman's lips. If there was a scene when she was running through the forest, for example, I'd use the Chanel because it would make no sense for her to have full lipstick on. I really appreciate the translucent quality of their lipsticks and they’re so moisturising.

"When Gillian and Sally throw a birthday party for Aunt Jet, on the other hand, her makeup could afford to be more polished, so I used Hermes lipstick."

The aunt's makeup in Practical Magic 2

Speaking of Aunt Jet, played by 78-year-old Dianne Wiest, and Stockard Channing's Aunt Franny, I was pleased to find that there's no modernising of their looks - no heavy contours or trend-led makeup.

Both Franny and Jet have returned as the same aunts we've always known and loved, embracing their signature hair and makeup styles almost 30 years later.

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When you come to love a character, you don't want them to change, and no one understands that more than the film's makeup designer, Graham Johnston.

With a rich legacy of films behind him (including all four Bridget Jones films), Johnston has taken many a character on a journey through their lifetime, for example, supporting Renee Zellweger throughout the years as Bridget. For Johnston, the beauty of Practical Magic 2 was that Owens women of all ages were championed.

A journey through the generations

"I loved how the script took us on a journey of the three generations of women," Johnston says. "The aunts were just delightful, and both had their own ideas of what they wanted when I designed their makeup looks.

"Wiest wanted a softer, not necessarily natural, but a softer, prettier look. Channing wanted a bolder look because Franny is a slightly more dramatic character. With the aunts, we wanted to bring to life the makeup that they had worn for years and years."

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Johnston was kind enough to remind me that we mustn't be too quick to compare ourselves to the movie stars we see in films because they have lots of additional support beyond their makeup. "Lighting is always important to help people to look their best, but the basic canvas when it comes to looking great is always a foundation that suits your skin type. If someone is too heavily made up, you'll start to see it." 

One major element that remains constant, says Johnston, is the desire for healthy-looking skin on film.

"On set, to reduce shine, each artist will have their own favourite compact powder. I like the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Compact, £40; I've always found that very good. Then, to add glow, I always carry a small atomiser. Sometimes a little spray just freshens up the makeup a little. I also love the Evian Thermal Water."

So, what can you expect when you head to the cinema and watch the film this weekend? Johnston summarised it perfectly. "Everyone has some magic in their life, and this shows the magic of our truest relationships."

As someone who loves the original story and has a lifelong affinity with witches, I was so excited for this sequel and felt it was made very tenderly. Be warned that it won't be an easy ride (I was crying a few short scenes into the story), but above all, you are returning to the home of the Owens women, and it feels just as inviting as it always has done.

Practical Magic 2 was extra special for reminding women everywhere that they are enough, just as they are, and no amount of trends, Botox, or new innovation will ever outshine your classic, signature self.