Sophie Turner's Hair Is Key to the "Subliminal Messages" on Game of Thrones

POPSUGAR: So I know between work and for fun, you're traveling a lot of the time; you're like a full-on globetrotter. I'm wondering how you care for your hair while you're on the road so much?

Sophie Turner: To protect it, I like to use the Oil Reflections Luminous Reboost Mask that Wella has, because when you're traveling so much since, you know, your hair can get really dry. It's one of those conditioning treatments that you don't even have to put on that often, maybe like once or twice a week, but it replenishes your hair and it's really awesome.

PS: Right, and that's probably really good for when you're switching colors for your role, too, from blonde to red, and keeping it really healthy.

ST: Yeah, exactly. It's one of the most important parts, because I'm constantly dyeing. Even if it's the same color, like on Game of Thrones I have to constantly dye my hair red every week, and it keeps it [my hair] really healthy and smooth and stops the dead ends. Especially when I dyed it blonde, you know, that's quite an extreme color to go from red and you have to put a lot of work into getting that color, so it's really important to have that mask.

PS: As a huge Game of Thrones fan, one of my favorite parts of the show has been watching Sansa's transformation and how her hairstyles have changed based on where she is in the world and what she's going through at that time. Do you think that your character's different hairstyles and changes in appearance are reflective of her own journey?

ST: Oh absolutely, yeah! It's really interesting, actually — it [Sansa's hair] plays sort of a big role, I think, in subliminal messages in her journey . . .

She's a very silent character, you know; you don't really know what she's thinking, or who is having influence over her. And that was one of the ways we showed — that and her costumes — was the only real way that we knew what she was taking in and learning from these people, because she would mirror Cersei's hairstyle or Margaery's hairstyle. When she went away with Littlefinger, she dyed her hair black for a second and that sort of mirrored him. And it's really interesting to see that sort of physical representation of her adapting to each situation; it was a really smart move.

PS: I've definitely noticed your hairstyles in the most recent season and in the promotional materials for season seven have been a lot more reflective of Catelyn; like Sansa's embracing her inner northern badass.

ST: Yeah, definitely. She's taking over that role of the Lady of Winterfell, and she feels like she's back home and she's gone back to those roots. Those roots that her mother had. It's really well done and really clever the way the hair team works on this.

PS: If Sansa were to go to Dorne, what do you think her hairstyle would look like there?

ST: If she was to go to Dorne . . . probably a lot more free-flowing.

PS: Embracing the weather!

ST: Right, embracing the weather. It would probably automatically turn a bit lighter because of the sun. I remember when Myrcella was in Dorne, I think she had flowers in her hair, so maybe something like that. But she's not really one for dressing up much at the moment. She doesn't have anyone to impress at the moment, to be honest.

PS: I feel like Sansa uses wardrobe and hairstyle to feel more confident. Do you have a go-to beauty move to feel more confident in your day-to-day life?

ST: It's interesting. I'm not particularly good at beauty. You know, comfort for me is confidence. So it's really weird, but track pants and sneakers generally are my go-to, and it makes me feel confident. And of course if you're going out in the evenings, maybe put on a pair of heels . . . I like to keep my hair loose because that's comfortable. Comfort is confidence!

PS: If you could give POPSUGAR readers one or two pieces of advice for embracing their own confidence and bringing out their own inner badass, like Sansa, what would they be?

ST: Whoa. In order to be confident, I really think do what makes you happy. Don't follow the trends if they don't feel like you. If you don't feel comfortable in what you're wearing, or how you do your hair, then that's not you. And you should find confidence in however the hell you want to dress or look. That's my kind of mantra. I'm done with following beauty trends and keeping up . . . partially because I actually can't do them, but you know.

PS: You said that you're not into crazy beauty trends or anything, but it does sound like you have specific staples that you love for your hair and routine when you're traveling. If you had to pick three "desert island" products — things that you would want if you were trapped on a desert island, that you would never want to live without — what would those be?

ST: OK, well . . . I would bring moisturizer. And hair-wise, let me think . . . if I could also bring a straightener, that would be amazing. And then I could use my Thermal Image, which is like a heat protection. And since I'm always straightening or curling my hair for something or other, I kind of can't live without it. It prevents me from getting split ends. So yeah, I'd go ahead and say: moisturizer, Eimi Thermal Image, and a straightener!

PS: For non-beauty picks, what would you want to bring with you?

ST: Oh OK, I would bring . . . well, I wouldn't bring my phone. I sound like such a grandma, but it's really grating on me when I see kids out for lunch and stuff, like teenagers, and they're not speaking to each other. I really dislike that, so I wouldn't bring my phone. I'd bring an iPod! Not like iPods really exist anymore because it's all on your phone, but I'd bring an iPod, a speaker (because I can't live without good music), and a friend. Can I bring a friend? Music and friendship, that's it.