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We have so much to be thankful to the Republic of Ireland for: Paul Mescal (particularly his Gladiator 2-era biceps and gold chain from Normal People), Simone Rocha, but most importantly, Cillian Murphy’s cheekbones.
The latter recently came to prominence in the eyes of netizens after Oppenheimer’s blockbuster success.
The collective fixation with “Barbenheimer” meant you couldn’t escape the Irish actor’s chiselled complexion; a gaunt appearance emphasised by a rigid diet to emulate the “almost emancipated” theoretical physicist.
But even before Murphy took on his most provocative role, the reticent 47-year-old was making us brim with envy over his naturally sculpted visage and piercingly iridescent blue eyes.
Similar to how Matthew Macfadyen has mastered the art of ‘hand acting’, Murphy has perfected cheekbone acting, with his protruding high cheeks even spawning think pieces ranking his performances from most to least cheekbone-y.
All this to say that Murphy’s razor-sharp cheekbones are the subject of our desire, but as it turns out his deliciously taut appearance is not all genetics. Rather, part DNA, part cult-favourite bronzer.
Indeed, Murphy’s signature feature is easily replicable after all, with all that’s required a swipe along the hollows of your cheeks with Tom Ford’s beauty editor-approved Soleil Glow Bronzer.
As celebrity hairstyles and groomer Gareth Bromell—who was responsible for Murphy’s extra high and tight complexion during the Oppenheimer press tour—revealed, Murphy’s expertly accentuated cheekbones were enhanced with this lauded contouring powder.
In a new interview, Bromell described the means to achieving Murphy’s red carpet “sunkissed” soft glow. “The powder doesn’t have any glitter or shimmer, or anything like that, which I think is very important for male clients,” he explained, referring to Tom Ford’s silkily buildable powdered bronzer.
“I work[ed] it into the left and right of the forehead, the points that are a bit more raised on the face shape, and the centre of the nose, a bit on the chin, the ears, and a little on the neck—but a very light dusting.”
Of course, for anyone, like Murphy, who is already blessed with resplendently articulated cheekbones, perhaps leave the bronzer hoarding for those amongst us who need a little assistance in that department.
Tom Ford Soleil Glow Bronzer, $115. Shop Now.
