Camila Mendes Beauty Interview
Camila Mendes on the One Beauty Move She Uses to Feel Empowered
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Camila Mendes and her Riverdale character Veronica Lodge have a lot in common. Both are Latinx, and though Mendes doesn't spend her time solving mysteries or running an underground casino, she tackles real-life endeavors — namely, representing the Latinx community on the small screen — with the same confidence and vigor.
"Every day, I'm becoming more inspired to take that into my own hands and contribute in a real way," the Brazilian-American actress and Secret brand ambassador said. "It's one thing to be cast in a role that's [Latina], but how can I actually continue to fight for representation in a tangible way? I'm starting to pair with people I look up to and think about projects I want to produce one day or create from the ground up that will give people in the Latinx community those opportunities that are still lacking in the industry."
We sat down with the star to talk about the beauty rituals that make her feel most empowered (hint: it has to do with why she partnered with the deodorant brand in the first place) and what her fans should expect from the show's newest season. Read on to learn more.
Camila Mendes on Products That Make Her Feel Empowered
Mendes considers three beauty products to be particularly empowering: a brow brush, a concealer stick, and deodorant. "If I have those, I'm good to go anywhere," she said. More on that ahead.
Camila Mendes's Secret to Staying Fresh
It's not just that Mendes wanted to partner with a brand known for lifting women up (although Secret's donation to the women's soccer team earlier this year definitely played a part), she also said the act of using deodorant — like the Secret Invisible Solid with Essential Oils ($12) — can be an empowering experience itself. "We don't really appreciate how helpful it can be in terms of making us feel confident," she said. "It's one of those things I put on once in the morning, and I'm good to go."
Camila Mendes's Go-To Product For Her Brows
The actress explained that she usually brings a brow brush (similar to the one in the Tweezerman Brow Shaping Scissors and Brush ($11) set) with her wherever she goes, keeping it in her pocket or her bag. Her go-to look is fluffed and brushed out, and she only uses eyebrow makeup while on set or when she is already wearing a full face of makeup. "My brows are pretty dark as it is," she said. "They're black. There's a lot of hair in there, so I'm OK with just using my brow brush. I don't really need to fill them in, but I do if I'm going for a bolder makeup look."
How Camila Mendes Fakes That Wide-Awake Look
Mendes uses the Flesh Firm Flesh Thickstick Foundation ($18) as a concealer. "I pat it on my undereyes if I'm looking a little tired [and use it] to cover a blemish here and there," she said.
Camila Mendes on the Riverdale Character With a Beauty Routine Most Like Her Own
Mendes said that her daily makeup routine is most like that of Betty, her onscreen best friend, calling their approaches "very simple and natural." She added, "Being an actress, I love to try everything and play different roles. In terms of how [actors] do our hair and our makeup, we are chameleons, but I know that I feel most myself when I'm adhering to a simple beauty and makeup routine. Veronica does the whole winged liner thing every day. I have no patience for that."
Camila Mendes on Her Iconic Riverdale Beauty Look Making a Comeback
Veronica's beauty look hasn't changed tremendously since the series premiere of Riverdale. Mendes pointed out that this is key to maintaining the comic book vibe of the show. "At a baseline, it's always the same look," she said. "That's what keeps the characters iconic and consistent."
She did, however, tell us you can anticipate the return of her dark red lipstick and pearls from the first two seasons. "I was probably sick of the dark lips by season three, so I wanted a break from that, but now I miss it. I miss the pearls, too, so I'm bringing all of that back this season."
