Lucy Hale Has Some Big-Deal Health and Beauty Advice

POPSUGAR: Who was your beauty inspiration growing up and who is it now?

Lucy Hale: Aw, this is probably cliché, but it's my grandmother. I would sit and watch her pluck her eyebrows and put on her red lips. I would just look at her with so much admiration while she put her foam curlers in. Now, classic beauty to me is someone like Julianne Moore. I love women who embrace getting older and just own it. I think she’s absolutely stunning.

PS: So what beauty trend was popular when you were a teen that you want to bring back?

LH: None of them [laughs]. Well, this trend has kind of already come back — do you remember when people used to straighten their hair until you thought it all was gonna burn off? I’m kind of into that sleek, straight hair.

PS: What beauty advice would you give teens today?

LH: Everyone’s idea of beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but for me, it’s so sad to see girls not embracing what makes them different. When I was younger, I didn’t like my bold brows. I get my thick hair and my eyebrows from my dad and I just didn’t like it because my brows made me different. I say, just find what makes you uniquely you — that's beauty to me, embracing the flaws.

PS: Are you into creating DIY beauty treatments?

LH: I always get scared that I’m gonna do something very wrong. I’ve got really sensitive skin, so I'm worried I'll break out in hives or something. But sometimes on vacation I'll put lemon in my hair. It’s like DIY Sun-In. That works, a little too well. You get some seeds here and there, but I just go with it.

PS: You're known for changing up your hair. What style or color are you dying to try next? Aria pink?

LH: Chopping it off was sort of a big step for me, so maybe I'll chill it out in the hair department for a little while. But I’m impulsive, so I wouldn't put pink past me.

PS: What are some of your Summer beauty essentials?

LH: In the Summer, I don’t want to have to worry about my hair, so I just spray this product ($14) and go. It’s like a texturizing spray.

LH: When you put this on ($11), you don’t have to worry about it the rest of the day.

PS: What mascara can you not live without?

LH: OK. I've tried every mascara under the sun and I always come back to L'Oréal Voluminous. Have you tried this? It’s the best. It's the cheapest of the cheap and it's amazing.

If you're unfamiliar with meningitis, the disease's symptoms manifest like those you'd experience with the flu. Those infected can experience fever, nausea, stiff neck, and a headache — but unlike the flu, meningitis can kill you in just 24 hours. All it takes to prevent it is the vaccine. According to Sally Schoessler, a member of the National Association of School Nurses, only 30 percent of teens are getting the second shot. "Thirty percent is so low," said Lucy. "Our whole goal is to help save someone and use [Pretty Little Liars] to help."

Jamie Schanbaum, a survivor of the disease, worked to pass a mandatory vaccination requirement for college students in her home state of Texas. "When you get meningitis, you're not learning about it in a doctor's office . . . you're in the hospital wondering if you're going to survive." Jamie was in the hospital for seven months and lost both of her legs below the knees as well as her fingers. College students are at the highest risk because normal teen behavior is how you can get infected: sharing drinks, smoking, kissing, and just living in a dorm can expose you to the disease. Learn more about prevention from Voices of Meningitis.