Go Behind the Scenes of the Vogue Adria Cover Shoot with Makeup Artist Holly Silius

On the cover of Vogue Adria’s May issue, Italian supermodel Bianca Balti stuns with a luminous, cinematic glow and an ethereal sense of romance. That radiant look was no accident. The artist behind it, Holly Silius, found her inspiration in Bianca herself—and in the golden, almost theatrical light that covers Los Angeles.

“I wanted to capture that essence: her natural beauty, the way the light sculpted her face,” Holly shares with a smile. She recalled an Instagram photo Bianca had once posted where she looked “incredibly golden and glowing—it was so simple, yet so striking.” Light, in fact, became a key part of the look. “ I used highlights and shadows to enhance that sculptural quality and let the light do the work,” Holly explains.

What struck me most was how the makeup conveyed softness and delicacy, but also the vulnerability and quiet strength Bianca naturally exudes. The final look mirrored her energy perfectly. “To me, makeup is about responding to a person’s energy,” Holly adds. “Bianca has this calm, fairy-like presence—very soft, feminine, youthful. The golden light, soft browns, nudes, and gloss felt like the right match.”

But she emphasizes that it all starts with connection. “Matt Easton, the photographer, is a friend and a true artist. I love his sense of light, his use of space, and how he builds a visual environment. We discussed some initial ideas, but I also waited to see how Bianca felt that day—how she moved, how she looked in the clothes.,” she says, describing her process.

“To me, makeup is about responding to a person’s energy”

To achieve that luminous, soft-focus finish, Holly puts skin prep first. “My main tip is: start with makeup that looks like it’s already melted in. What I mean is, prep the skin thoroughly—massage it, use products that impart a natural glow. I’m not talking about shimmer, but juicy, hydrating textures. Ingredients like squalene help keep the skin looking fresh and dewy.” She adds that matte foundations aren’t ideal: “If you start off matte, the skin’s natural oils will eventually fight through, and that’s when makeup breaks down.”

How to Get the Vogue Cover Look

Holly Silius’s Step-by-Step Guide

1. Facial Massage First: I always begin with a face massage. I used Retrouvé’s Chamomile Cleansing Lotion to cleanse the skin, followed by Tata Harper’s Retinoic Nutrient Face Oil to stimulate circulation and release tension with my hands. Next, I used the LYMA Laser in sweeping motions, spending a few minutes on each area, then followed with their oxygen mist.
2. Radiance-Boosting Prep: For skincare prep, I layered the ADC Beauty 01 High Performance Moisturizer, Retrouvé Nutrient Face Serum, Retrouvé Revitalizing Eye Concentrate, and a touch of Retrouvé’s Baume Ultime Body Oil.
3. Lightweight, Hydrating Base: For coverage, I kept it minimal—just a light touch of Dior Forever Skin Foundation around the nose. I swept Chanel’s Bronze Universel around the face and across the nose using a large brush. Then I applied NOTO Botanics’ Hydra Highlighter on the cheekbones and the bridge of the nose, tapping with the inside length of my middle finger to avoid leaving finger marks.
4. Soft, Defined Eyes: For soft definition around the eyes, I used MAC’s Stone pencil and blended it to lift the outer corners. I locked it in with Charlotte Tilbury’s Luxury Palette in The Sophisticate. Then I finished the eyes with a light sweep of Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara for clean, separated lashes. I also defined the brows lightly using Hourglass Arch Brow Micro Sculpting Pencil in Ash.
5. Naturally Nude Lips: On the lips, I used Charlotte Tilbury’s Iconic Nude pencil and Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream for a hydrated, natural finish.

Given Holly’s love for surrealism, I was curious to see what version of beauty she would bring out in Bianca. What emerged most clearly was her fascination with fluidity, glow, and reflection—elements she often weaves into her makeup looks. While Holly finds transformation through makeup—helping someone step into a new energy—the most exciting part of her work, she offers one crucial piece of advice for young makeup artists: learn to listen. “Read the room, take in the location, talk to the hair stylist, the photographer, the fashion team. You’re creating an image together—not just your own masterpiece. Always research. Pull from history, from art, from old references. That’s where the depth comes from”.

In the end, the radiant skin, the golden glow of Los Angeles, and the subtle strength of the look came from more than technique—they were the result of connection. Between skin and product. Between artist and muse. Between light and feeling. Because makeup shouldn’t hide—it can help to reveal ones true self.