Insane video captures Cynthia Erivo’s dramatic transformation into Elphaba using power of makeup

Wicked has shared a time-lapse video of its leading star Cynthia Erivo transforming into her character Elphaba, with viewers getting a behind-the-scenes look at the process of adding layer upon layer of custom-made green paint.

Wicked has taken the world by storm, accumulating impressive reviews and calls for the leading stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Ervio to receive Oscar nominations. But if you thought Elphaba’s iconic green skin was CGI, you’d be dead wrong.

Cynthia Erivo’s morning makes your routine look minimal

Cynthia Erivo transforming into Elphaba for ‘WICKED’ 💚 pic.twitter.com/mvzT0LyObG

— The Hollywood Handle (@HollywoodHandle) November 26, 2024

Many of us wake up in the morning and do some kind of skincare, whether that be a dedicated 5-step routine or a five-in-one body wash – I’m looking at you, lads. But for Cynthia Erivo, that task is a lot longer and very, very green.

In a clip initially shared with PEOPLE, Cynthia admitted to refusing the help of CGI in a bid to pose a real and raw character to viewers who had waited their whole lives to see Elphaba on the big screen.

“I had the choice of whether to be green or to have it CGI and I wanted it to be practical. I wanted people to see Elphaba as more than just the green girl. I wanted to look back at her reflection and see a green woman in front of me,” she said in the video.

The makeup itself took up to four hours and entailed designer Frances Hanno creating a custom green shade using a discontinued eyeshadow.

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“I really wanted for her skin to feel textured. When you look at it, there’s freckles, and there’s tone, shade, just like skin would be,” she explained. “She has these green eyes that come from the genetic makeup of who she is and it isn’t just on her, it’s in her — part of the essence of who she is.”

The routine itself started with a green primer, followed by the custom-made green foundation, temporary tattoo eyebrows, and airbrushed freckles. In another video shared by the official Wicked Instagram, Cynthia even got her hands dirty, putting on dark green eyeliner and patting more colour onto her lips.

Cynthia’s Nails became a big part of her character

Cynthia Erivo is known for a number of things, though arguably none are as instantly noticeable as her long nails. They’ve become a major cultural talking point, so much so that her nails were worked into Elphaba’s costume.

“I was doing the research for this character, and I noticed that the original Wicked Witch had nails,” she told PEOPLE. “I wanted a progression. How she grows as a witch and a woman. Some people wear makeup, I always have my nails done. It’s like another extended way of expressing myself.”

Viewers have loved the up close and personal video, with one writing in the comments: “A true theatre queen, doing her own makeup.”

“Painting her head and seeing the skin through the lace is sooo genius I’m obsessed,” another pointed out.

Someone else wrote: “Good god every choice these people made. Just perfect.”

Featured Image credit: Instagram/Wicked & Universal Pictures