Tag Along with InStyle As We Help Quvenzhané Wallis Get Ready for the Annie Premiere

By Kelsey Glein
Updated Dec 08, 2014 @ 10:02 am
Theo Wargo/Getty

Could Quvenzhané Wallis be anymore adorable? If the young star isn't the picture of perfection, we don't know what is! InStyle Editor-at-Large Kahlana Barfield helped the young actress prep for the world premiere of her film Annie in New York City over the weekend, and we're taking you behind the scenes for an exclusive peek.

Like any big night look, the planning began with the dress. So to start things off, we tagged along with Wallis to her dress fitting at the Armani Junior Boutique on Madison Avenue last week. Once in the dress, Quvenzhané showed off her twirling skills in the shimmering pale pink creation that was enriched with rose crystals and designed just for the actress (above). "I love the sparkles, and pink is one of my favorite colors," Wallis tells InStyle. "I feel like a princess."

RELATED: See the Adorable Annie-Inspired Target Collection for Mini Fashionistas

Once we saw the soft, girly glamour of the dress, we knew exactly what direction to take with her beauty look. Off they headed for a day of pampering, where Barfield took the 11-year-old star to two of her favorite beauty spots in the Big Apple. The pair, along with Wallis's mom, Qulyndreia, were treated to manicures at Paintbox in SoHo (she chose a design called "Ice Queen") and then hairstyling by Ursula Stephen at Ursula Stephen The Salon in Brooklyn, where Barfield helped Wallis create the perfect fun-and-funky look for her big night. Their day of fun even ended in true Annie form, with a bit of singing—Quvenzhané broke out into "Fancy" by Drake featuring Swizz Beatz: "Hair done, nails done, everything did."

Last night, the actress hit the red carpet at the Ziegfeld Theater for the world premiere of Annie in her finished ensemble—and she looked more than pretty in pink! One thing's for sure: we love the star's cool leopard-print kicks and her dress is totally wow-worthy (below).

To see how the star's full look came together, check out her photo diary in the gallery now. And, be sure to catch Quvenzhané Wallis in Annie—which also stars Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, and Rose Byrne—when it hits theaters everywhere on Dec. 19.

PHOTOS: InStyle Helps Quvenzhané Wallis Get Ready For the Annie Premiere

—With reporting by Kahlana Barfield

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Quvenzhané Takes Her Armani Dress for a Spin

Credit: Courtney Dudley

The actress gives her dress a twirl during a fitting at the Armani Junior Boutique on Fifth Avenue with InStyle Editor-at-Large Kahlana Barfield. "I love the sparkles, and pink is one of my favorite colors," she says of the look. “I feel like a princess.”

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Her Premiere Look by Armani

Credit: Courtney Dudley

Here, Wallis gets a first look at her completed outfit, a shimmering pale pink creation enriched with rose crystals designed just for the actress. Quvenzhané became the face of Armani Junior in June, and will continue with the brand for their Spring/Summer 2015 advertising campaign.

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Wallis Tests Out Her Dress

Credit: Courtney Dudley

The 11-year-old tries her Armani ensemble on for the first time while Barfield helps get everything just right. After several more twirls, the actress showed off her dance moves and even taught Barfield a few ballet positions. "I had to take dance class to prep for Annie, but it’s something I’ve always done with my brother and sisters," Wallis shares.

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So Much Nail Art, So Little Time

Credit: Courtney Dudley

For the first stop on their day of pampering in New York City, Barfield and Wallis head to Paintbox in SoHo for manicures. When they arrived, the pair looked through their book of designs to figure out what would look best with Quevenzhane’s dress.

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Quvenzhané's Manicure Begins

Credit: Courtney Dudley

The star got serious as Paintbox got going on her nails.

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The Actress Was All Smiles

Credit: Courtney Dudley

Who doesn't enjoy a little beauty time? Clearly, Wallis was enjoying herself.

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A Wide Selection of Polishes

Credit: Courtney Dudley

With so many colors to choose from, what would Wallis pick for her big night?

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All That Glitters is Gold

Credit: Courtney Dudley

In the end, Wallis chose a look designed by Paintbox’s Creative Director, Julie Kandalec, that featured plenty of sparkle: Ice Queen. The design featured Essie’s soft polish in Spaghetti Strap as the base and Venique’s pink glitter nail lacquer in Ring Ting Tingling on the tips.

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Manicures Nearly Complete

Credit: Courtney Dudley

Barfield shares a laugh with Wallis as they finish up at Paintbox.

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Wallis Takes a Picture of Her Nails in Paintbox's Photo Booth

Credit: Courtney Dudley

"I love nail art. I go to this instagram page, @ohmygoshpolish, for ideas," the star says. "But I can’t wear nail art at my private school. We’re only allowed to do clear polish or French tip. We wear head-to-toe uniforms.”

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Premiere-Ready Nails Complete

Credit: Courtney Dudley

Voila! Barfield, along with Wallis and her mom, Qulyndreia, show off the finished product. Quvenzhane’s reaction to her nails? "I love them! This place is awesome! I might open a franchise," she joked.

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Time for a Quick Chat

Credit: Courtney Dudley

The rainy weather didn't get Quvenzhane down as the group made their way to the next stop of the day. She even read a book during the ride: “I’m currently reading Dork Diaries, but my favorite books are Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Judy Moody.”

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Wallis Takes a Turn in the Styling Chair

Credit: Courtney Dudley

Next up on the agenda was a stop at Ursula Stephen The Salon in Brooklyn to get an updo from Stephen herself.

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The Finished Product

Credit: Courtney Dudley

The actress shows off a world premiere-worthy hairdo that completely suited her style. “She has beautiful natural hair, so I wanted to keep her texture,” says Stephen. “I gave her an updo with a modern Mohawk-vibe. It’s funky and age-appropriate.”

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The Actress Checks Out Her 'Do

Credit: Courtney Dudley

Quvenzhane uses a mirror to view Stephen's work from all angles. “I really love this style. It’s a lot of fun," she says. "I’ve never worn it like this.”

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There's Always Time for a Selfie

Credit: Courtney Dudley

Barfield snaps a picture of her and Wallis as their day of pampering comes to a close, but not before a bit of singing. Quvenzhane broke out into “Fancy” by Drake featuring Swizz Beatz: “Hair done, nails done, everything did.”

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Back To Manhattan They Go

Credit: Courtney Dudley

Wallis and Barfield share one last moment together outside the salon.

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Time for the Annie World Premiere!

Credit: Theo Wargo/Getty

Wallis looked pretty in pink on the Annie red carpet at Ziegfeld Theater in her blush-hued Armani dress and cool leopard-print kicks.

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By Kelsey Glein