Once again, Carla Gugino has us Netflix-binging with her latest role in The Fall of the House of User. The 52-year-old actress is never without a slam-dunk project and, as she told us two years back, beauty has a lot to do with getting into character.
“I often discover key elements of the characters I play through makeup, hair and wardrobe fittings,” Gugino shared for her Summer 2021 NewBeauty cover feature. “I always ask myself, ‘Are they the kind of person who thinks about beauty or not?’ Most ‘real’ people have morning rituals, they repeat them every day and those rituals are important. So, I take some time to consider if this is the type of person who has a five-minute morning regime before walking out of the house—the woman who puts on her black eyeliner and some lip balm and that’s it.”
She also proved she has a pretty good memory when it comes to the exact products she relied on for certain roles: “For JETT, my fantastic makeup artist, Julie Hewitt, and I wanted a strong, but not precious smoky eye. We used Guerlain’s Kohl Powder Liner. It was the ticket for Jett’s signature eye.
Another example that comes to mind is when I was playing Ingrid Cortez in Spy Kids. We felt her hair should be red since her son, Juni, had this vibrant red hair and it probably didn’t come from Antonio Banderas! So, my makeup artist, Ermahn Ospina, whom I have collaborated with on many projects, set out to create the perfect red for Ingrid. The second we found it, I felt like her.”
In her real life, Gugino is steadfast with her skin care—and sunscreen!—and has been loyal to some specific brands for years.
“I love Biologique Recherche products and have used them for years. Lait U cleanser and P50 V toner are my go-tos daily. I also love Joanna Vargas’ Daily Hydrating Cream. The smell is divine. For body lotion, Weleda’s Skin Food is a fave. I love Julie Hewitt’s lipsticks, too. They come in beautiful gold bullet-like containers and the pigments are fantastic. I’ve never found any blush that beats NARS Orgasm blush. Suntegrity Impeccable Skin Tinted Sunscreen Moisturizer is perfect for evening skin tone, protecting from the sun and moisturizing every day. If I’m going to splurge on the most decadent bath, I go for Nature of Things Restorative Floral Bath.”
