Every Beauty Detail Behind Jodie Turner-Smith's Who What Wear Cover Shoot

Jodie Turner-Smith Who What Wear Beauty Cover September

published 10 September 2025

Swathed in scarlet Ferragamo fringe, peachy ruffles of gauzy Chloé, and cool-toned layers of Miu Miu, is actress and model Jodie Turner-Smith, our September Cover star. She's nothing short of gasp-worthy. (No, seriously—I gasped.) Turner-Smith stuns as the ultimate autumn muse, and, according to her makeup artist Joey Choy and hairstylist Marcia Lee, the glam had to have just as much It factor.

Turner-Smith's combination of sculpted locs and flushed, luminously ethereal skin is a true feast for the eyes, and, if you're beauty-obsessed like me, begs for a dedicated breakdown of details and product IDs. Below, find every last behind-the-scenes secret as told to me by Choy and Lee.

Jodie Turner-Smith Who What Wear September Beauty Cover

While the initial mood of the shoot flirted with the idea of Turner-Smith wearing her locs down, Lee had a gut feeling to go in a different direction after seeing the clothing the actress would be wearing. "I knew Jodie's hair needed to be sculpted to match the fashion—her loctitian, Yasmin Amira Davis, had freshly locked her hair the night before, so prioritizing nourishment was key." After prepping Turner-Smith's hair with As I Am's Rosemary Hair Water ($10) and the brand's Jamaican Black Castor Oil Water ($7), Lee used Geisha pins and sewing techniques to create Turner-Smith's gorgeous sculpted updos.

"Behind every stunning makeup look lies a well-prepared canvas, and skincare is truly one of the most crucial steps in the process," adds Choy. For maximum lift and sculpting magic, she began by using Ziip's cult-loved Halo Facial Toning Device ($400), which utilizes targeted nanocurrent and microcurrent technology to chisel and tighten key areas of the face, such as the cheekbones and jawline.

Next, Choy performed a gentle lymphatic drainage massage using one of her favorite moisturizers—Tatcha's Dewy Skin Cream ($72)—working it into Turner-Smith's skin with her fingers to ensure deep, long-lasting hydration. To finish, she applied a generous layer of Laneige's Lip Sleeping Mask ($24) for a soft, juicy pout. As for the makeup, Choy cites Turner-Smith's "striking" features as the ultimate inspiration for the looks she created on the day of the shoot. The goal: romantic, effortless, powerful, and elevated… with a modern twist.

Everyone who has been in close physical proximity to Jodie Turner-Smith agrees—the actress and model has an incredible presence—the essence of which inspired Lee's hairstyling strategy. "I took into account Alex de Mora's mood boards in addition to the clothes Jodie tried on during fitting and simply seeing her in the chair," explains Lee. This is what led her to create sculpted updos for the stronger outfits, softer bends in the hair for the purple hat moment, and a low braid so the feathered hat could create the illusion of a cropped style. Regardless of the look she's creating, Lee says she keeps a good hair oil, a serum, a nourishing cream or oil, a flexible-hold hairspray, a pomade, a gel, and a wax on hand at all times.

"Jodie's features are a dream for any makeup artist—each one offers endless possibilities to play with," Choy tells me. The key, she explains, lies in striking the right balance, such as highlighting one or two features while maintaining a harmonious overall look. "My signature approach is all about layering, whether it's building complexion products or pairing graphic eyeliner over blush flushing." According to Choy, it's the strategic layering of elements and textures that creates a seamless finish in front of the camera.

"Working on this cover was so collaborative," says Lee. Once Jodie's fitting was done, the team worked together to decide what vibe suited which look, making sure the hair, makeup, nails, and clothing were all in sync. "Our creative process was very organic," agrees Choy. "Having collaborated with Jodie and the team many times, there's a natural rhythm to how we contribute and build on each other's ideas in order to create a shared vision. When you have a great team, the process feels almost like dancing—it's just as rewarding as the final outcome."

"Jodie's outstanding presence, openness, and creativity really allow me to push boundaries," Lee adds. "For me, this shoot was about celebrating her locs as sculpture—hair as storytelling, identity, and empowerment."

Erin has been writing a mix of beauty and wellness content for Who What Wear for over five years. Prior to that, she spent two and half years writing for Byrdie. She now calls Santa Monica home but grew up in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and studied writing, rhetoric, and communication at University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. She studied abroad in Galway, Ireland, and spent a summer in L.A. interning with the Byrdie and Who What Wear family. After graduating from UW, she spent one year in San Francisco, where she worked as a writer for Pottery Barn Kids and PBteen before moving down to L.A. to begin her career as a beauty editor.