Kate Winslet Talks Beauty Secrets, Her Best Hair Color And The Hair Tool She Never Uses

For actress Kate Winslet, a typical day consists of the same things it does for most women—that is when she’s not filming of course. The Mare of Easttown star and new global ambassador of L’Oréal Paris might have a team of makeup artists, hairstylists and other glam professionals to cater to her on days when she’s on set or attending a special occasion, but she keeps it pretty simple otherwise. Mornings are spent making breakfast for her family, taking her children to school, walking her dog, and exercising. Like most of us, she feels like there are never enough hours in the day. Also like many of us, she says she feels confident when her skin looks clear and rested without makeup. But when it comes to her beauty routines, there are a few products that the Academy Award-winner swears by and some amazing beauty tips she’s picked up over the years. Keep reading to learn more about Winslet’s beauty secrets, skin care routines, must-haves and the hair color that makes her feel the most like herself.  

What is your earliest memory of experimenting with beauty products?

I remember vividly experimenting with my mum’s one and only lipstick. It was a sort of burnt orange color. I think I applied it to my eyelids as well as my lips!

Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

In the morning I always wash my face with cold water and a washcloth. Then I moisturize. If it’s sunny out, I use SPF 30. I don’t use a lot of makeup for everyday life. Maybe a small amount of cream concealer on any redness or darker eye bags. I do curl my eyelashes and if I’m wearing mascara, I go for [L’Oréal Paris] Voluminous Million Lashes. It’s fab! [At night] I always, always take off my makeup with some kind of wipes or cream cleanser, and plenty of cold water washing. I use very hydrating moisturizer on my face and neck. I like L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Night Cream, plus Midnight Serum which makes everything dewy and delicious the next morning.

What are your favorite L’Oréal products?

Elnett! I have used [the hairspray] for years. In fact, my kids say that whenever they smell it, wherever they are, it makes them think of me. I even remember my own mother using it, so it’s a product that is filled with nostalgia for us. And Preference [hair color]. It’s brilliant if you are in need of a quick hair fix; particularly helpful in lockdown!

Have you ever experimented with your own hair color?

I’ve been lucky that my hair has been colored for some of the roles I’ve played and so I’ve had the perfect excuse to try out hair colors and to experience how different a change in hair color can make you feel. My most wild experience was being blue for parts of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. That hair color just made me feel wild and reckless and crazy. It almost gave me permission to dress differently and to be much more experimental with clothes and accessories.

What color hair makes you feel the most “you”?

When it’s about a month after having my blonde redone and [the color’s] had time to settle and become my own again. I love it like that—-wash and go. I rarely dry my hair with a hairdryer, as I never seem to have time.

What is your favorite iconic beauty trend in cinema?

I love the 40’s and 50’s. The makeup from that era was minimal but sharp and clean—a good eyeliner and a great lipstick, pale, even skin—just simple but classic. I also love when you can see a person’s skin on camera. Freckles and beautiful, as are fine lines and the back of the hands. I love seeing translucency of a person’s skin on camera because it makes me feel like I can truly see the faces and the soul. 

What are some of your beauty secrets you can share that you’ve learned over the years?

No major secrets really, just common sense stuff. As I get older I simply can’t get away with eating badly or having too much wine. When I was younger I could get away with a lot more. But these days I try my best to feed my skin from the inside out—good food. I don’t eat meat any more. I drink plenty of water every day, take my supplements (when I remember). Cold water swimming is great for circulation and skin, so I do a little of that here and there. All these things help to keep my skin clear. 

What has helped shape your own sense of worth?

Life experience has shaped who I am, and time has been a great friend to my sense of worth. I have learned to accept my flaws, and not to be so hard on myself. I have learned that my toughest moments have made me who I am, and I no longer try to achieve unstable physical ideals that I perhaps had in my 20’s when I was much more vulnerable and naive. 

Photo Courtesy of L’Oréal Paris

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