Cynthia Erivo was all in during the filming of Wicked: Part 1!
Not only did she fully embrace everything about being Elphaba, but she also got her hands dirty behind the scenes. She’d de-rig her own wig and prosthetic ears, give airbrushing her green makeup on her hands a try, and even had a go with the camera!
Cynthia wasn’t just playing the part—she was involved in every aspect, making sure Elphaba came to life in every way she could. 💚💚💚
Personal Makeup: @alice_hmua
Personal Hair: Myself
Personal Prosthetics: @oliviajerrard_fx
Personal Nail Tech: @shadesotshea_
Lens Tech: @sinead_eye_girl_
Personal Costume: @carmen.magic03
Trainee: @jleigh.01
Prosthetic Ears: @mcoulier
Wig Maker: @samuel_james_wigs_
Braiders: @lorraine_dublin@tiffannew@kathand7@brendafordhair@iamcloe_xo
Green Base: Dave Stoneman
H/MU Designer: @frances_hannon_official
Costume Design: @paultazewell
Elphaba’s hair in Dr. Dillamond’s classroom was designed to reflect her transformation after being “Galindafied.” We chose a sleek, asymmetrical style with the hair flowing down the back like a waterfall. By this point, her baby hairs were a lot softer, symbolizing Elphaba letting her guard down and beginning to find her true identity. Cynthia showed me the shape she envisioned, and I worked to finesse it to ensure it would look stunning on camera.
Elphaba is a character who has always been treated differently her whole life. Her strong sense of fairness and justice, and her desire to protect those who cannot defend themselves, were key inspirations for this look. The hair had a strong structure, showing off Elphaba’s incredible cheekbones, while loose ends represented how she was starting to soften.
Every wig used on @cynthiaerivo was styled and applied by me, and I had the privilege of working alongside an incredible team to bring this vision to life:
Director: @jonmchu
DOP: @alicebrooks
Hair/Makeup/Prosthetics Designer: @frances_hannon_official
Costume Designer: @paultazewell
Makeup: @alice_hmua
Hair: Myself
Prosthetics: @oliviajerrard_fx
Nail Tech: @shadesofshea_
Lens Tech: @sinead_eye_girl_
Costume: @carmen.magic03
Trainee: @jleigh.01
Prosthetic Ears: @mcoulier
Wig Maker: @samuel_james_wigs_
Braiders: @joseesprobraidingstudio@lorraine_dublin@tiffannew@kathand7@brendafordhair@iamcloe_xo
Green Base: Dave Stoneman
Every detail, every hand involved, helped create the magic. 🌿
The GSG QodpaQ Black – Designed to be Worn Your Way 🔵🟠🟢
Original by design, built for pro HMUA’s. Part of our Unique ‘QodpaQ’ range, The QodpaQ Black is the ultimate modular set bag, giving you instant access to your kit, and has four ways to wear — backpack, shoulder, waist, or front-facing.
Its unique, smart design means every pocket has function:
– A sealed top tissue pocket with spacious inner cavity
– Large clear compartments on each side with extra zipped fronts
– Dual clear pockets at the front for grab-and-go essentials
– A back panel with three adjustable straps + a full-width pocket
Reinforced D-rings and two extra-long straps let you customise, connect, and carry your way.
GSG - Original by Design 🔵🟠🟢
#westendwiggies #gsgblog #gsgbaginaction #gsgisppeforyourkit #gsgkitbag setbag onsetbag locationbag makeupbag gsgpockets gsgqodpaqblack qodpaqblack setbags getsetgobags kitbag muakitbag muakit muakitessentials supportsmallbusiness suppportlocalbusiness wearityourway coastfibertekstealdesigns ukhmua ukmuah ukmakeupartist ukmuah muah makeupandmuas makeupandhair wigshairandmakeupartist
The GSG QodpaQ Black – Designed to be Worn Your Way 🔵🟠🟢
Original by design, built for pro HMUA’s. Part of our Unique ‘QodpaQ’ range, The QodpaQ Black is the ultimate modular set bag, giving you instant access to your kit, and has four ways to wear — backpack, shoulder, waist, or front-facing.
Its unique, smart design means every pocket has function:
– A sealed top tissue pocket with spacious inner cavity
– Large clear compartments on each side with extra zipped fronts
– Dual clear pockets at the front for grab-and-go essentials
– A back panel with three adjustable straps + a full-width pocket
Reinforced D-rings and two extra-long straps let you customise, connect, and carry your way.
GSG - Original by Design 🔵🟠🟢
#westendwiggies #gsgblog #gsgbaginaction #gsgisppeforyourkit #gsgkitbag setbag onsetbag locationbag makeupbag gsgpockets gsgqodpaqblack qodpaqblack setbags getsetgobags kitbag muakitbag muakit muakitessentials supportsmallbusiness suppportlocalbusiness wearityourway coastfibertekstealdesigns ukhmua ukmuah ukmakeupartist ukmuah muah makeupandmuas makeupandhair wigshairandmakeupartist
Run, do not walk. Go and see Cynthia Erivo in Dracula at the Noël Coward Theatre in London. Cynthia performs all 23 characters and it is a full cinematic, on stage screen experience directed and adapted by Kip Williams. 
I had the best time creating the wigs, hair, and makeup looks for every character you see across the screens. If you love Wicked, you will love this. Tickets are on sale now and the show is booking through the 30th of May 2026. 
Dracula. Noël Coward Theatre. London. Go. So so proud l love you Cynthia
Did you notice these changes and how they impacted each character? I spoke with award-winning HMU designer Frances Hannon on how the went about subtly aging Elphaba and Glinda in #WickedForGood. You can read all the details in my column, The Scenario, on Allure.
Hair and makeup designer: @frances_hannon_official
Wig designer: @samuel_james_wigs_
Cynthia’s hairstylist: @simcamps_pro
Bringing Elphaba full circle was one of the most creatively challenging and rewarding jobs of my career.
Nothing about this was standard. It required constant problem solving, fast decisions, open discussion, and the freedom to think beyond the obvious. Every choice had to serve the story, emotionally and visually.
Returning to her first hair language and reshaping it into something calmer, softer, and complete felt like the perfect close.
A special shout out to our trainee, J’Leigh O’Connor, who styled Elphaba’s final fishtail braid.
And a huge shout out to Samuel James, who made the wig and the additional hair for this look. His craftsmanship laid the foundation for everything you see here.
So proud of the collaboration, the growth within the team, and the trust it took to keep exploring until it felt right.
For Good.
H M U Designer @frances_hannon_official
Personal Makeup @alice_hmua
Personal Hair Sim Camps
Personal Prosthetics @oliviajerrard_fx x
Personal Nail Tech @shadesofshea_
Lens Tech @sinead_eye_girl
Personal Costume @carmen.magic03
Personal Trainee @jleigh.01
Prosthetic Ears Designer @mcoulier
Wig Maker @samuel_james_wigs_
Braiders @lorraine_dublin@tiffannew@kathand7@brendafordhair@cloenelson
Green Base Dave Stoneman
Costume Design @paultazewell
For this application, I worked with products from The Doux, Mousse Def, and Crazy Sexy Curl to bring control, structure, and definition to the style. I used Extreme Gel with my Spectrum brushes to create clean, sculpted edges, layering with Mousse Def for flexible hold. The finishing touch was the hairpiece created by the amazing Paul Tazewell whose craftsmanship is truly exceptional and whose work grounded the look in pure character for Wicked Part 1 and Part 2. Wigs styled and applied by Me. #wicked #forgood Cynthia Erivo @paultazewell
H MU Designer @frances_hannon_official
Personal Makeup @alice_hmua
Personal Hair Sim Camps
Personal Prosthetics @oliviajerrard_tx
Personal Nail Tech @shadesofshea_
Lens Tech @sinead_
_eye_girl
Personal Costume @carmen.magic03
Personal Trainee @jleigh.01
Prosthetic Ears Designer @mcoulier
Wig Maker @Samuel James Wigs
Braiders @lorraine_dublin@tiffannew@kathand7@brendafordhair@cloenelson
Green Base Dave Stoneman
Costume Design @paultazewell@ilovethedoux@kellyllchin
Elphaba: Part 2 - @wickedmovie For Good
Filmed simultaneously with the first film, two of the four wigs made for @cynthiaerivo featured looser, freer braids, reflecting Elphaba’s now-demonised status as the ‘Wicked Witch of the West’.
Separate nape pieces, created on the same tinted green lace, were designed to support Elphaba’s up-do styles - most notably the symbolic hair-swoop motif seen in both parts.
It was a thrill to work closely with @simcamps_pro , Cynthia’s personal hairstylist, who created and styled the individual looks. This was a wonderful collaborative effort, and we’re delighted to continue working with Cynthia and Sim on future, exciting projects.
A particular shoutout to the ever-wonderful Hair, Makeup, and Prosthetics Designer @frances_hannon_official for having us on board. And finally, thank you to the incredible in-house braiders who helped transform our wig: @lorraine_dublin , @brendafordhair , @kathand7 , @heidehawthorne_ , @hairbycloe_
Personal Makeup Artist: @alice_hmua
Personal Prosthetics Artist: @oliviajerrard_fx
Nails: @shadesofshea_
Lenses: @sinead__eye_girl_
Wig by: @samuel_james_wigs_
Knotted by: @sam.james.cox , @justinleejones90 & @charliewatson
#wicked #wickedmovie #elphaba #wickedwitchofthewest #wickedthemusical #wigmaking #wig #braids #braidedhairstyles #lacewig #wigs #hair #samueljameswigs #cynthiaerivo
