Katherine Langford Shares Her Beauty Secrets

Katherine Langford is quickly climbing the ranks as one of the young starlets taking over Hollywood. The 26-year-old Australian-born actress got her big break starring as Hannah Baker in the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, since then she’s captured our hearts and built up a loyal 30 million followers on Instagram, where she interchanges pictures of her latest haircut alongside voicing her activism and sharing mental health awareness resources. 

Since becoming a L’Oreal Paris spokesperson, Katherine hasn’t shied away from celebrating women’s empowerment in any way she can. She sat down with me backstage at the L’Oreal Paris Le Défilé Show this past weekend, while getting glammed in the heart of the City Of Lights. Sporting a punchy red lip and her natural wavy, shag-cut, she looked every bit the modern star. And you can feel it in her attitude, too.

As I compliment her hair, she confesses that she cut it herself in the bathroom sink. She also speaks candidly about her sporty nature as a swimmer (you can take the girl out of Oz but you can’t take the Aussie out of the girl). Since becoming a Hollywood actress, she’s kept up her low-key beauty routine, which she admits is part genes, part drinking water, and part eating donuts, which she credits as the real secret to her dewy, glazed donut skin. Even though she jokes, she’s clearly our kind of girl.

Here’s what Katherine Langford had to say when we drilled her for makeup hacks, wellness rituals, and the secret to self-care…

Can we talk about your skin? Run us through your beauty routine from top to bottom.

“It's definitely evolved over the years. It’s always been very minimal. I was an athlete growing up – a swimmer – so it was very bare, usually just sunscreen. But I feel like now I'm very much into hydration, especially when I'm traveling, or when I'm spending time in the UK. I feel like my skin can get really dry in the winter. I love a hyaluronic acid serum, L’Oreal Paris does a really good one –  the Revitalift Filler – and then I usually have a vitamin C and a moisturiser over the top. Then, still sunscreen, of course. I'd say that that's my go-to. And it will change and evolve depending on what I feel like that day.”

What does ‘Walk Your Worth’ mean to you?

“I mean, every year at Le Défilé it's such an empowering event – this is my second. This year's theme of Walk Your Worth is very much about celebrating femininity and the power in being feminine. The location for this year’s show – I think it's called Ecola Military – is a military school that's traditionally very male-dominated. And in the past few years, they've had more and more female students, so it's really interesting to be having this powerful celebration of equality and femininity in a very masculine setting.”

What do you want people to walk away with after watching the Le Défilé L’Oréal Paris Show?

“For this year's Walk Your Worth, I personally feel very inspired. I feel like it's a really empowering day, so I just hope that people can take away the celebration of sisterhood and just enjoy the day, enjoy the event, and feel really empowered in themselves.”

What self-care advice do you wish you could give to your younger self?

“I think it's important just to have that reassurance, and know that whatever you wanna do – and whatever you wanna be – you can do it. You can be it and it's okay.” 

How do you manage your mental health when you’re having a bad day? 

“I mean, I think the answer is obviously gonna be different for everyone. For me, it's important to be around good people or people that make you feel really positive – and environments that make you feel positive. But also, find what works for you. I have a lot of friends who love yoga practices and they love meditation. Sometimes it can just be as simple as reading a good book or having some good food.”

What is your lazy hairstyle like and what styling product do you live for? 

“I have lazy hair every day, haha. But, I did musical theatre growing up and, along with my job, I love glam and exploring different looks. In my day-to-day life though, I like something that's really easy and natural. I've always used a hair oil and there's a really great Extraordinary Oil from L'Oreal that I love putting on the tips of my hair. I've also just given myself a shaggy haircut. I've been trimming it myself. I literally cut it three days ago with nail scissors in the sink at the hotel. But I would say that my go-to style would be natural. My hair dries with a nice, curlier texture – I got it from my mama. But then I add a little bit of oil to give it some shine and a bit of nourishment. So you walk out and it's messy, but it's still like you've done something to it.” 

What is the best hair or makeup tip or skin that you've picked up over the years from the experts?

“One thing I just personally think is really cool is using the same colour – kind of mimicking the colours in your face. Everyone has a natural pigment for their lips, their eyelids, their cheeks, and if you want to have a bit of a natural look, but emphasise that no-makeup makeup look just look at your face and try to mimic what you've been given. It all literally comes from you. That's a really nice and easy way, I think, to pair products. I'll grab a lipstick and I'll use it as a blush and as a nice shadow as well as pop it on my lips.”

What is the real secret to your amazing, beautiful donut skin? 

“I was actually gonna say my real secret to donut skin is real donuts! Haha. I mean it's not really a secret, but I’d say real donuts-slash-my mom’s genes-slash-great skincare. Whenever my friends say ‘your skin looks good’, it’s just hyaluronic acid, a good moisturiser, and sunscreen and I feel like that gives you that glow.  I also love to walk so I feel like I arrive everywhere kind of out of breath and maybe the sweat gives a bit of a glisten. So sweat too...haha”

For more from Glamour UK Beauty Writer Shei Mamona, follow her on Instagram @sheimamona

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