Zendaya and her hairstylist Coree Moreno are in the business of breaking boundaries when it comes premiere beauty.
The duo proved this to be true at the New York premiere of “The Odyssey” on Tuesday night, where the 29-year-old actress was photographed sporting a slept-in goddess braid and a makeup-free face.
Zendaya at “The Odyssey” New York Premiere held at AMC Lincoln Square on July 14, 2026 in New York, New York.
Gilbert Flores/Variety
“For a long time, red carpet hair has been associated with perfection — every strand in place, every curl untouched. Audiences 1784154399 are gravitating toward something more human,” Moreno told WWD. “This look celebrates texture, softness and individuality. It isn’t about looking overstyled; it’s about creating hair that feels alive.”
Crafted using an arsenal of Nexxus products, the tangled, Rapunzel-esque braid certainly added texture and weight to Zendaya’s feathered fashion from Matières Fécales. At its base, the braid was messily waved and loosely pulled, allowing small sections to naturally fall out of place. On top, the braid was flanked by frizzy layers and twisted embellishments that helped create the illusion of bedhead.
A full view of Zendaya’s goddess braid at “The Odyssey” New York premiere.
The inspiration for the unruly look was born out of Moreno’s belief that elegance doesn’t have to be rigid; it can be lived-in. He said: “Every stop on the press tour has told a different chapter of the story, and this look felt like the most romantic. Instead of relying on precision or glamour, we embraced imperfection. The texture is intentionally lived-in, the silhouette is softer and the finish feels almost weightless. It’s a look that invites movement and emotion, which made it feel especially fitting for this premiere.”
A front view of Zendaya at “The Odyssey” New York premiere.
Christopher Polk
The vision was further bolstered by Zendaya’s boldest makeup look yet. Crafted by visionary Ernesto Casillas, the “Euphoria” star’s glam offered an even more pared-back version of the already minimal no makeup-makeup trend. Where a subtle, smoky baby wing would typically sit, Casillas colored concealer and the faintest touch of bronzer. Meanwhile, her cheeks sported a natural, sun-kissed glow, with cherry-hued blush blended over the apples of her cheeks and the bridge of her nose. The rest of her face was sans product — no contour, no mascara, nothing.
“The makeup was intentionally very minimal, with fresh, glowing skin as the foundation of the look,” Casillas said in an official statement. “I layered Prada Beauty’s Touch Blush in Caffee and Cherry across the cheeks, nose, temples, forehead and chin, focusing on the areas where the sun would naturally hit. A touch of Prada Balm in Astral Pink brought a soft hint of life to the lips and completed the effortless, radiant finish.”
See here for a closer look at Zendaya’s premiere beauty, alongside cast members Anne Hathaway, Charlize Theron and more.
