Lately, I’ve been leaning into projects that prioritize joy. My newest film, Deep Cover, is a British comedy that follows improv actors who stumble into undercover work. The whole premise is built around improv’s golden rule—“Yes, and”—which means the characters keep saying yes to increasingly outrageous situations. I loved the process of making a film that’s playful at its core but also about being present and truly listening. In a world overloaded with stress, carving out time to laugh with others feels less like a luxury and more like a daily necessity.

Beauty Beginnings

My earliest memory of beauty dates back to when I was 11, in Japan, watching Nicole Kidman prepare for a press event for one of my dad’s movies. Nicole has always been someone I deeply admire, so when I saw a makeup artist lift an eyelash curler toward her, I panicked for a second. It looked terrifying—this metal contraption closing in on her perfect eye. But she remained calm, which made me calm too. That moment stuck with me, and it was the first time I understood beauty not just as appearance but as ritual, patience, and trust.

Skincare: Imperfect but Protected

I’ve been fortunate with my skin—aside from bouts of cystic acne in my teens and early twenties, it’s been fairly steady. That said, my approach is far from consistent. If anything, my “routine” is a patchwork of whatever works in the moment. The one rule I never break? Sunscreen.

It took me years to get there because I found most formulas unbearable—the textures gave me full-body shivers. Now I rely on EltaMD’s SPF 40, which doubles as a moisturizer, and Supergoop!’s Glow Stick for touch-ups during the day. It’s like applying highlighter, without messy hands.

At night, I double cleanse. I alternate between Benefit’s POREfessional foaming cleanser, cleansing oil, and occasionally micellar water when I’m wearing eye makeup. For mornings, a simple water-soaked towelette does the job. Moisture is my north star—Sonia Roselli’s Water Balm and Water Oil Skin Prep are always on hand, and I layer Weleda Skin Food so thickly it could double as a mask.

A few splurges have stuck with me too, like Retrouvé’s eye concentrate. I use the tiniest dot, which is lucky because it’s not cheap. I resisted eye cream for years, but once I tried this one, I was hooked. And then there’s my Ziip Halo, which I jokingly call “ironing my face.” I used it daily while filming Deep Cover and noticed a real difference in smoothness and tone.

Makeup on the Move

Most days, my makeup routine happens in two minutes—usually in the car or just before a Zoom call. I prefer to travel light, so discovering Subtl Beauty’s stackable system was a revelation. It’s compact, innovative, and covers almost everything I need, from foundation to brows.

When I want a little more polish, I mix Erborian’s CC Red Correct with RMS’s ReEvolve Foundation, following the “underpainting” method I learned from Sissy Spacek and Vivian. Bronzer, blush, and highlight all soften beautifully under that final foundation layer. My mascara of choice is Hourglass Unlocked.

For lips, I’ve fallen hard for Los Angeles–based Appledoll Beauty. Their Kiss lipstick is rich, moisturizing, and long-lasting without leaving that harsh outline. Their Nectar balm doubles as a cheek highlighter, and yes, I even use their mascara, hilariously named Tarantula.

Nails and Fragrance

As much as I love the look of manicured nails, I don’t always have the time to sit in a salon chair. Olive & June’s Poppy tool saved me—it makes painting with my non-dominant hand actually doable.

Fragrance is trickier. My mom has strong allergies, so I’ve gravitated toward more natural formulas. Esas Beauty’s perfumes and deo sprays are favorites; the Hamam spray smells like vanilla and doubles as deodorant. Still, Serge Lutens’ Fleurs d’Oranger remains my all-time classic. With notes of orange blossom, jasmine, and white rose, it feels like both memory and mood bottled up. Generally, I lean gourmand—vanilla, chocolate, anything edible—which cuts through my otherwise weak sense of smell.

Hair Made Simple

Despite having long hair, I don’t fuss with it much. Adir Abergel, a brilliant stylist, collaborated with Lelet on hair accessories, and his metallic O pin has become my go-to. With it, I can twist my hair up in seconds.

When I’m disciplined, I use Davines Alchemic shampoo for copper tones, and R+Co’s Badlands dry shampoo paste keeps things fresh. But my true MVP is the Sheila Stotts brush—it detangles effortlessly and tames frizz when paired with my Shark dryer. I actually got the dryer as a gift from a hairstylist in Toronto—yes, her name was Janet Jackson, and yes, she was amazing. The Shark is compact, powerful, and so good my daughter steals it constantly.

Staying Playful

Whether it’s a comedy about improv, a swipe of lipstick in the car, or a scent that lingers like a memory, my routines—both big and small—are about staying present. They remind me to laugh, to care for myself, and to keep a sense of play alive. Because at the end of the day, that’s what grounds me: joy found in the little rituals, the ones that make space for both beauty and humor.