“It’s always a really nice relaxed environment,” says Cho, describing the day’s prep at Garner’s home, complete with a spread of crudités and snacks. “She made homemade chicken tenders!” When brainstorming the beauty look, the team aligned on a relaxed, modern version of Hollywood glamour. “We hit the sweet spot where it’s not too done and not too undone,” Cho says. Yoshimoto Bua agrees, citing a shared aesthetic for classicism with an edge. It’s this bond and appreciation for Garner as a person that fuels their creative mindmeld. “We just wanted to bring out her natural beauty,” says Yoshimoto Bua of collaborating to hit the right tone.
Hairstylist Jenny Cho applied a hint of Virtue’s hair oil to the ends for featherweight shine.
By Victoria Stevens.For the hair, Cho used Garner’s “already gorgeous features” as a starting point for face-framing waves that showcased the actor’s cheekbones. On towel-dried hair, Cho began by layering a trio of Virtue products (Garner serves as ambassador to both Virtue and Neutrogena). First, she spritzed Create Volumizing Primer from root to tip, followed by Volumizing Mousse “all over,” and then Correct The Polish Un-Frizz Cream mid-shaft to the ends for softness. “Foundation is super important,” Cho explains of the need for a strong base to provide lift and movement. After blow-drying and twirling lengths into soda can-sized velcro rollers, Cho let it all cool for 15 minutes before unspooling. And, after seasons of center hair partings, the bombshell side part has returned. “We were like, ‘We should just make Jen look hot,’” says Cho with a laugh, describing Garner’s babely “old Hollywood classic meets ’90s” side-swept waves. After brushing through the curls, she applied a bit of Virtue’s Healing Oil to the ends for a low-maintenance finish. “I didn’t want her to think too much about just her hair,” says Cho. “I said, ‘If this moves, it’s perfect.’”
Garner in a final portrait before hitting the red carpet.
By Victoria Stevens.