Lupita Nyong'o not onlytook home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 12 Years a Slave, but her flawless style has alsotopped every best-dressed and beauty list alike. On Saturday, as she promoted her new filmsStar Wars: The Force Awakens and the live-action version of The Jungle Book at the Disney D23 Expo, the 32-year-old star, whose short natural hair has been her trademark, surprised fans with an equally chic longer hairstyle. And HELLO! has the scoop from her hairstylist Larry Sims, who helped create it.
"Lupita shows girls with natural hair that there's tons of versatility with such a style," says her hairstylist Larry Sims Photo: Instagram/@lupitanyongo
"Lupita loves to change up herlooks," Larry tells us. "She is a risk taker and trendsetter. She shows girls with natural hairthat there is tons of versatility with such a style. She really inspires womenacross the world to embrace the natural texture."
The actress debuted her new coif at theAnaheim conventioncenter, and posted several snaps on Instagram of hernew hairdo. While Lupita didn't comment on the style directly, Larry tells us thedecision for the change came from both of them. "Thisidea was a collaboration between Lupita and me," he adds. "She tookmy vision and we bounced ideas off of each other to get the perfect look."
Larry has worked with a host of stars – including Tracee Ellis Ross and Kerry Washington – to carefully craft their coifs Photo: Instagram/@larryjarahsims
So, howdid he Larry exactly go about getting this fun new hairstyle? "Lupitais growing out her natural hair so we wanted to showcase the growth andwave," he notes. "We used the Smooth ‘N Shine Bodifying Mousse todefine the curl and to create a combination of texture and definition. Then, ofcourse, we cut it into its flattering shape."
Larry used mousse to define the curl and create texture and definition Photo: Getty Images
And the starlet's new hair wasn't the only thing that made a big splash thatday. Lupita, along with her new 'do, headed over to Splash Mountain after the expoto take a spin on the Wet and Wild ride. "Well, this is clearly what courage lookslike. #Disneyland with #TeamLN #d23expo," she captioned the picture ofherself screaming.