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From boho chic to British \u201ccool girl,\u201d Sienna Miller has been a beauty and fashion muse for more than two decades\u2014and her latest role gives fans a new look to study and steal. In HBO\u2019s new legal drama War<\/em>, Miller plays Carla Duval, a movie star navigating a highly public and increasingly contentious divorce from British tech entrepreneur Morgan Henderson (Dominic West). Carla\u2019s life may be unraveling, but her look never does. Even in her most vulnerable moments, she maintains luminous skin, polished blonde hair, discreet eye definition and a neutral lip.<\/p>\n The look was designed by the show\u2019s hair and makeup designer, Tara McDonald, who describes it as \u201ca kind of understated elegance that feels innate\u201d rather than constructed. \u201cEven in her lowest moments there is still a sense of control in how she presents herself,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Ahead, McDonald shares the products, on-set tricks and simple steps behind Miller\u2019s look\u2014including an overnight shortcut to her soft waves.<\/p>\n Carla\u2019s soft, polished waves don\u2019t always require a lot of work. \u201cTo achieve Carla\u2019s waves, try sleeping with a loose plait in your hair, as this way you may get away with not having to use a hot tool,\u201d McDonald says. \u201cSienna did that from time to time!\u201d<\/p>\n The other key to the look is healthy hair to begin with. \u201cFocus on condition by having lots of treatments, and get a great colorist!\u201d she says. On set, McDonald used Oribe and Shu Uemura on Miller\u2019s hair.<\/p>\n McDonald started with skin prep. \u201cI focused on luminous and beautifully hydrated skin,\u201d she explains. \u201cFor makeup, we settled on subtle definition around the eyes and a neutral lip that enhances rather than transforms her natural features. Nothing feels overly done, but every detail is considered.\u201d<\/p>\n The hair follows the same philosophy. \u201cPolished but never rigid, soft natural movement and a healthy sheen,\u201d McDonald says. \u201cIt was important that she looked like someone for whom elegance is second nature, even when things are falling apart beneath the surface.\u201d<\/p>\n McDonald created two distinct looks for the character\u2014a polished \u201con-duty\u201d look for court and a softer at-home version. \u201cThe contrast was to show the difference between the person Carla presents to the world and who she is when nobody is watching,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n Both looks began with Miller\u2019s own signature makeup. \u201cFor the court look, I elevated it, keeping the skin fresh and luminous but adding more definition around her eyes and more color on her lips and cheeks,\u201d McDonald explains. \u201cIt was important that she looked confident, composed and in control without the makeup ever feeling too done.\u201d<\/p>\n At home, the approach was simpler. \u201cI would strip everything back. The skin feels more real, the eyes are less defined and there\u2019s a more relaxed, lived-in quality to the makeup. A bare elegance,\u201d she says. \u201cThe idea was to make subtle changes to her signature makeup that could reflect where Carla was emotionally.\u201d<\/p>\n On Miller, McDonald used Chantecaille, Haus Labs and MAC makeup, along with Charlotte Tilbury lip liners and lipsticks. <\/p>\n \u201cI have been working in film and television for many years now. I\u2019ve developed an instinctive understanding of which products perform beautifully on camera and withstand the demands of a long filming day,\u201d she says. \u201cFor War<\/em> my choices were highly considered. I wanted the makeup to feel natural, authentic and effortless\u2014it\u2019s quiet luxury!\u201d<\/p>\n According to McDonald, the key is restraint. \u201cDon\u2019t overdo it. Spend time on skin prep,\u201d she says. \u201cUse lightweight products that allow the skin to breathe and only use foundation where required. It is not necessary to completely paint your whole face.\u201d<\/p>\n Her step-by-step:<\/p>\n \u201cDefine the eyes using a soft pencil (my favorite is the Victoria Beckham Kajal liner) and then blend the line with a soft brush.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBrush your brows and fill them in, but naturally.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cChoose a lip pencil close to your own tone and try it with a hydrating balm.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPop a cream- or gel-based blush high up on the cheeks and across the bridge of your nose.\u201d<\/p>\n For the male cast, the goal was makeup the viewer would never notice. \u201cMy approach to male grooming is to always keep the skin looking as natural and believable as possible. It should be almost invisible,\u201d McDonald says. \u201cI\u2019d hate for the audience to spot makeup on the men!\u201d<\/p>\n Her go-to: Chantecaille\u2019s Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer ($72). \u201cIt gives a beautiful, lightweight finish that subtly evens out the complexion without looking like foundation,\u201d she explains. \u201cIt allows the natural texture of the skin to show through, which is important when filming in high definition. I work with very sheer layers, only adding coverage where it\u2019s needed rather than covering the entire face.\u201d<\/p>\n For Dominic West\u2019s Morgan Henderson, McDonald used a mix of shades darker than his natural skin tone. \u201cI wanted him to have an effortless patrician glow,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n Ultimately, McDonald says, the overall approach comes down to one idea: \u201cIt\u2019s about looking impeccably put together, but without looking like you\u2019ve tried too hard.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\nThe Overnight Hair Trick<\/h2>\n
Building the Look<\/h2>\n
Two Sides of Carla<\/h2>\n
The Products<\/h2>\n
How to Get Carla\u2019s Look<\/h2>\n
Eyes<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Brows<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Lips<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Cheeks<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Grooming the Men<\/h2>\n