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Izabella Scorupco: 'Reign of Fire'

Scorupco looks au natural in "Reign of Fire."

(InStyle) -- Polish beauty Izabella Scorupco describes Alex, the helicopter-flying dragon biologist she plays in Reign of Fire, as "tough, without losing her femininity." No damsel in distress, Alex fights alongside hotshot warrior Van Zan (Matthew McConaughey) and reserved fire chief Quinn (Christian Bale) in an epic battle to annihilate dragons and save mankind.

Alex is the voice of reason behind the archangels -- a ragtag squadron of dragon slayers in post-apocalyptic London. (The film takes place in the year 2020, after the marauding monsters have all but scorched the earth.) As one of the last remaining human survivors, Scorupco's look is decidedly au natural. Still, according to makeup artist, Ailbhe Lemass: "We had a hard time making her not look so good."

Hair

Scorupco's shaggy blond mane is naturally curly, and colored, so hairstylist Dee Corcoran had her hands full trying to tame the serious frizz that came with piloting past flame-spewing dragons. Each morning Scorupco's hair was treated with conditioner for colored hair and straightened using Kérastase Nutritive Nutri-Body mousse for dry hair. After a blowout, Corcoran used a straightening iron from Babyliss. For a finishing touch, Kérastase Oléo-Relax serum was applied to ends. After tying back Scorupco's hair in a ponytail, Corcoran would pull down a few face-framing pieces to give her the tousled look of a beauty determined to destroy the beast.

Eyes

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Since the action takes place in a future landscape ravaged by dragons, "there wouldn't be many makeup counters around," says Lemass. To highlight and add definition to Scorupco's light eyes, makeup artist Lynn Johnston, who worked exclusively with the actress, applied Clinique Eye-Shading pencil in Charcoal Brown to top and bottom lash lines. Mascara was nixed in favor of more realistic-looking lashes -- Scorupco's were made a few shades darker with professional eyelash tint (available at most major beauty supply stores).

Face

Believe it or not, Lemass's team applied "three stages of dirt: light, medium and heavy," to the actors. Movie formula "dirt powder" and MAC shadow in Carbon was blended with moisturizer and spread over the skin with a large brush to simulate the ash and grime resulting from frequent dragon attacks. In more serene moments, Johnston combined MAC Face and Body foundation in C5 and C6 to lend a natural balance to Scorupco's skin. To reflect her high energy and to add a hint of color to her cheeks, Johnston used Bobbi Brown blush in Sand Pink. In keeping with the minimalist look, Scorupco's full lips were enhanced only by lip balm and the occasional swipe of Clinique Moisture Surge lipstick in Sweetness.

Clothes

Designer Joan Bergin's approach to costumes for this film was that they be suited for survival in the smoldering environment in which they're worn. Maintaining a certain "modernity" that could function in 2020, this style is a new twist on "boho chic," incorporating found objects and bits and pieces of vintage clothing with contemporary combat gear. For most of the movie, Alex sports a close-fitting blue flying suit ("It's a heavenly shade," Bergin points out). In later scenes, her look is softer, as demonstrated by the use of fine silks and vibrant color, including a green vintage sweater that Bergin adorned with old leather and antique lace from renowned Irish knitwear designer Lainey Keogh. Bergin likens the film's fashions to the early designs of Jean Paul Gaultier: "By deconstructing you create something very beautiful and original." Yet, even in her more romantic scenes, Alex remains firmly rooted in reality. She always wears the trousers of her flying suit underneath her clothes.