Camila Mendes's Must-Have Beauty Products
Camila Mendes's Must Haves: From $25 Undereye Masks to Her Favorite Prada Bag
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Camila Mendes has come a long way since her days on "Riverdale," but positive and accurate representation has always been important to her. The 30-year-old actress has said that while she's not looking to only play Latina characters, she tries to incorporate Latinidad into her roles.
"I think it's important for me to infuse my characters with Latinidad, even if it's just a subtle nod, because it's important to me that people feel seen by the characters that I play," Mendes says.
In "Do Revenge" and "Upgraded," the only sign of her characters' Latina identity was their Spanish names — something Mendes fought to change. "Sometimes the most minute forms of representation can be the most powerful because then you're not reducing an entire character to their ethnic background," she says.
In the rom-com "Música," she played Isabella, a Brazilian from Newark, NJ, and had the opportunity to speak Portuguese. Now, almost a year since the release of that film, Mendes is filming "Masters of the Universe," a superhero film that has involved so much training she's had to pause on getting regular manicures — something she's been doing for so long it's become like second nature for her.
"I actually kind of love it," she says. "I feel like I can do anything with my hands. I'm very physical right now. I'm in my training phase, so it's nice to not have nails getting in the way of when you're lifting weights or when you're boxing." At the same time, "it's a very Brazilian thing [to get your nails done regularly]. Whenever I go to Brazil, my aunts and my mom are always going to the salon down the block, and they have to go every week, and it's not really a pressure. It's like an act of self-care. It's a place where they go to bond and connect."
These days, self-care for Mendes looks like dedicating time to her nutrition and fitness, which consists of everything from boxing to running. That's why her recent partnership with Adidas couldn't have come at a better time. She's officially joined the three stripes to launch new colorways of the Adidas Supernova Rise 2, a comfort-first sneaker that the brand designed to "elevate the everyday running experience."
We had the opportunity to chat with Mendes about why these sneakers have become one of her must haves, along with some of her other favorite products. From an affordable undereye mask that keeps her looking rested to the luxury designer purse that's become her everyday bag, keep reading to shop Mendes's favorite products.
Johanna Ferreira is the content director for PS Juntos. With more than 10 years of experience, Johanna focuses on how intersectional identities are a central part of Latine culture. Previously, she spent close to three years as the deputy editor at HipLatina, and she has freelanced for numerous outlets including Refinery29, Oprah magazine, Allure, InStyle, and Well+Good. She has also moderated and spoken on numerous panels on Latine identity.
Camila Mendes's Fitness Must Have
While Mendes has always been physically active, she admits that running only recently became a part of her workout routine while training for her latest movie role. She says the Adidas Supernova Rise 2 ($140) has made it possible for her to pick up and run regardless of her packed schedule.
"I travel a lot, and I usually don't have room to pack that many pairs of shoes, but these will always make it in the suitcase," she says. "Because I feel like no matter where I go, I always can rely on the fact that I can go on a run."
Pro Tip: Its lightweight super foam provides comfort while a mesh upper and premium heel construction support breathability. Did we mention that this sneaker is recognized by the American Podiatric Medical Association for promoting good foot health?
Camila Mendes's Affordable Must Have
The actor depends on Loops Beauty Under Eye Masks ($25) on her busiest and most sleep-deprived weeks.
"I'll pop 'em on first thing in the morning, in the car, or on the way to set, and I feel like they don't just make my eyes brighter, but I feel like the act of putting them on in itself makes me feel awake and energized because they're so cool and refreshing," she says.
Pro Tip: Formulated with niacinamide, vitamin B3, and retinol (a form of vitamin A), these undereye masks do everything from encouraging ceramide synthesis to increasing cell turnover to leave your eye area looking bright and radiant.
Camila Mendes's Investment Must Have
While Mendes shares she's not one to splurge on luxury items, she says she absolutely can't live without the Prada Cleo leather shoulder bag ($3,250).
"I was filming 'Riverdale' in Vancouver, and I was looking for a simple everyday black bag with silver hardware specifically, and I needed it to be big enough that it could fit a good amount of stuff but also not too big that it can't be worn at night as an evening look, but I wasn't finding anything that I liked online," she says. "There was a Prada store a few blocks away from where I lived in Vancouver, and honestly, that was the first designer purchase I made that truly felt worth it . . . this bag has lasted me so long and I wear it every day — all the time."
Mendes adds that she "actively [has] to work hard to not wear it" — that's how much she loves it.
Pro Tip: The brushed leather, a distinctive material in a lot of Prada collections, is likely why Mendes can get away with using this bag day in and day out without the wear and tear that most bags experience over time. We're also loving the iconic '90s hobo bag style.
Camila Mendes's Morning-Routine Must Have
Mendes says that she can't go about her day without first having her AG1 ($79), a super-greens powder supplement.
"It's the first thing I drink every morning," she says. Mendes explains that her approach to wellness and beauty is intertwined. "I think the Brazilian women in my family have had a huge impact on my relationship with beauty. They believe in beauty as a product of health and well-being, and I think because of that, my relationship with beauty has always been centered around nutrition, fitness, and wellness. I think true beauty starts from the inside and works its way out."
Pro Tip: One scoop of AG1 is packed with vitamin C, vitamin B complex, probiotics, and essentially all the vitamins you'd normally find in a multivitamin.
Camila Mendes's Body Care Must Have
Being the Brazilian American beauty that she is, Mendes's favorite body cream is, of course, the ever-so-popular Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream ($48), which is known for leaving skin as smooth and soft as butter while also visibly firming it.
Pro Tip: The iconic body cream is formulated with Brazilian ingredients like caffeine-rich guarana, which helps tighten; cupuaçu butter, which provides lasting hydration; and coconut oil, which conditions skin.
Camila Mendes's Travel Must Have
The actor swears by the KD Wipe Away the Day Acne Treatment Pads ($32) when it comes to removing makeup and keeping her skin clean and clear. "When I'm filming, I'm wearing heavy makeup for long days on set — hours and hours of just more makeup getting caked on," she says. "These exfoliating wipes take off that added layer of residue that's left that even washing your face doesn't quite get rid of sometimes."
Pro Tip: While these easy-to-use pads are formulated to work on all skin types, they can lead to excessive drying of the skin, so make sure to start only using one application daily before gradually increasing to more if needed.
