Bright and fearless, Oscar winning actor Lupita Nyong'o's rules to live by is all the inspiration you need

Excitement's at its peak as we're just a few days away from the much-awaited release of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. And there's absolutely no prizes for guessing that the actor that everyone has their eyes on in the upcoming flick is Lupita Nyong'o. Having established herself as a trendsetter, she is a force to be reckoned with having learned to be proud of her origins, and dark skin. With her confidence now sky-high, the actor talks about being her carefree self.

ENJOY YOUR WORK 

I have a soft spot for my Black Panther character, Nakia. She feels familiar, and Wakanda feels like home. Black Panther was the first movie where I really got to get dolled up. It felt great—all the clothing and makeup looks. I had a purple lip look I loved.

CELEBRATE YOURSELF 

To instill a sense of self-love early bears fruit later. I wish I’d had (my children’s book) Sulwe, when I was younger. I would’ve learned to see myself as valuable a lot sooner than I did.

ESTABLISH RITUALS 

I have beautiful nails—and I say that with humility. I find painting them therapeutic. Deborah Lippmann (manicurist) is a friend, and her products are amazing. A good base coat, like her All About That Base, is really underestimated.

GIVE BACK 

I come from very learned parents. My father is a professor and my mother has a communications degree, so learning and literacy were instilled in me early on. What I love about being involved in Write Her Future (a Lancôme scholarship initiative in partnership with the NAACP) is that it gives young women who are on the precipice of adulthood support as they seek further education.

DRESS JOYFULLY 

Wearing colorful clothing makes me feel alive. I currently have a few pieces from Farm Rio, which has the most psychedelic, effervescent prints.

MOVE YOUR BODY 

I take my workout equipment with me whenever I travel; exercise makes me feel grounded. I usually bring a lacrosse ball, my Theragun Mini to release muscle tightness, resistance bands, and a strap for stretching.

PLAY UP YOUR ASSETS 

I’m obsessed with eye makeup, and I became really good at applying false eyelashes while filming Black Panther. For a dramatic look, I use Lancôme Le 8 Hypnôse Mascara and Lancôme Hypnôse 5-Color Eyeshadow Palette in Reflet d’Améthyste 

GET CREATIVE

I love to cornrow. You can make mosaics on a person’s head. They are work, but I like the challenge. My stylist, Vernon François’s Mist Nourishing Water makes hair malleable for styling. 

This piece originally appeared in the print edition of Harper's Bazaar US.