The Beauty File: Lily Collins

Lily Collins, the actress and Lancôme ambassadress, shares tips from the make-up chair for achieving a youthful glow.

Embrace the classics

“I love a classic cat eye and a bold lip, usually a brown or red. I think it’s extremely sexy and playful. But I really love seeing what new looks my make-up artists come up with every time I go to an event. They always have such innovative ideas, and I like to take risks and let them do their thing. I usually don’t even look in the mirror until they’re finished, and I can see the entire look put together.”

Make-up moves

” I have started playing with my make-up more. I have such a fun time switching up colours. Sometimes I wear less, and when I want to make more of a statement, I dress up and take more risks. I definitely feel like what I choose to wear reflects my mood. Although I love playing with my look on special occasions, I don’t tend to wear a full face of make-up in my day-to-day life and prefer staying natural.”

Protect yourself

“Living in LA, I deal with direct sunshine a lot, so it’s important for me to wear sunscreen every day. There’s also a lot of pollution, and my skin can dry out quickly, so I also make sure to keep it extra-hydrated.”

Get some moisture

“I drink plenty of water and exercise to give my skin a healthy glow. I also always make sure to clean my skin really well at night before going to bed and every morning when I wake up to maintain the healthy integrity of my skin. Hydrating my skin with cream and eating well are also essential.”

Start with the foundations

“I’ve always been a healthy eater because it makes me feel better. The same is applied to what products I use on my skin. In order to feel confident and comfortable in our skin, it’s importamt to treat it well. When you take care of your body, it performs to its fullest potential.”

The right notes

“I absolutely love perfumes and am constantly trying new ones, depending on how I feel. Some days I feel like wearing something earthier and others, more floral. But when I find one I love, I tend to use it a lot. Perfumes are extremely personal and evoke all kinds of memories. I have different scents for different moods.”

Attitude is key

“I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason, so whenever something gets me down, I think of that and remember that some things are just out of my control. It’s important to see the positive side of situations instead of focusing on the bad or disappointing. Because soon enough, something great will happen. I need to be thankful for what I do have and for the opportunity to be here. My friends and my mom are such strong support systems for me, and if I ever feel down, they help bring me back up. Being surrounded by them makes me so happy. They encourage and inspire me daily, and always make me laugh. Laughing is one of the most important things to me.”

Learning from life

“My role of Ellen in To the Bone was the most physically challenging I’ve played to date. It was also the most personal, as I suffered with eating disorders growing up. I had to dig really deep and revisit emotions and memories I had hidden away in order to re-enter the minset of the disease. I worked carefully with a nutritionist to safely lose weight and then to regain it once the film was done. I also met with healthcare professionals to do the appropriate research needed to better understand the facts of Ellen’s situation.”

Keep moving

“My work gives me unstoppable energy. I love what I do and how it makes me feel so much that I often find myself accomplishing more than I thought possible. Challenging myself makes me feel invigorated and alive. It keeps me motivated and constantly surprised.”

This article originally appeared in IMAGE Magazine. For more beauty features, check out the June issue, on shelves nationwide now.