Natalie Morales has always carried a quiet boldness. The daughter of Cuban refugees, she grew up in Miami surrounded by people who looked like her, which meant she never questioned whether her heritage could limit her ambitions. Still, when she told people she wanted to act, it felt as outlandish as saying she wanted to be president.
Her earliest role models on screen? Desi Arnaz in I Love Lucy—and that was it. “It didn’t seem possible,” she admits. That changed in high school when, by a twist of fate, she ended up in a drama class and discovered she could make people laugh—intentionally. That spark pushed her west to Los Angeles with a best friend at the age of 20. Her timeline for fame was wildly optimistic—an agent in one month, a TV show in two, stardom in three—but persistence eventually paid off. Roles in Parks and Recreation, Santa Clarita Diet, Grey’s Anatomy, and films like No Hard Feelings put her firmly on the map. She even stepped behind the camera to direct Plan B and Language Lessons.
Her latest project, My Dead Friend Zoe, casts her in the role of Zoe—a friend who has already passed away. Based on filmmaker Kyle Hausmann-Stokes’ own experiences with loss, the film is less about grief and more about the way people show up for each other. For Morales, that theme was a pull she couldn’t resist: “It’s really about helping people,” she says simply.
Beauty, Beginnings, and Blue Eyeshadow
Acting gave Morales her first taste of beauty’s transformative power. In drama class, she learned how makeup could shift a character—or enhance her own features. She remembers being 15 and realizing blue eyeshadow made brown and green eyes stand out. That thrill of discovery never left her. Years later, she even handled special effects makeup herself for Language Lessons.
Skincare came later, with some trial and error along the way. Like many teens, she battled acne with salicylic acid gels before graduating to gentler routines. These days, she swears by Eminence’s probiotic cleanser, a product she loves for leaving her skin fresh without that dreaded tight feeling. Add in their hydrating serums and mist, and her skin has found a happy balance—essential when hours of on-set makeup are part of the job.
And when the occasional breakout sneaks in? Pimple patches are always within reach.
From Facials to French Pharmacies
Though her routine leans practical, Morales indulges in the occasional beauty luxury. Joanna Vargas’ exfoliating mask is a shower staple she describes as “an actually-good-for-you version of the old St. Ives scrub.” She treats herself to facials a few times a year and still raves about a treatment she had in South Florida that left her skin glowing.
Travel brings its own beauty rituals, too. In Paris, she tried to live the fantasy of a chic French pharmacy shopper, though in reality she admits she was overwhelmed. Still, she emerged with Nuxe’s oil balm and dry oil, products she now treasures for their scent and versatility. “It smelled like jasmine and lychee,” she says, laughing at how instinctive her purchase was.
Makeup That Works as Hard as She Does
Morales’ work requires flexibility. On some days, she wears little more than a tinted SPF and a dab of blush. On set, though, she leans on foundations that flatter on camera without feeling heavy. Haus Labs’ Triclone Foundation has become a go-to for every project, while Glossier’s Stretch Concealer fills in as her off-duty staple.
When she wants a punch of color, Rare Beauty’s Lip Soufflé in Inspire—a perfect balance of orange and blue-red—never fails her. For eyes, she rotates between Armani’s matte shadow tint, Physicians Formula liner, and Nudestix’s kohl pencil for lasting definition. Brows, she admits, are a project in themselves. “If I don’t use anything, I look like Walter Cronkite,” she jokes, swearing by Nudestix’s brow gel to keep them polished but natural.
The Liberation of the Bob
If there’s one beauty decision that has reshaped Morales’ day-to-day life, it’s her haircut. After a year of being contractually obligated to keep her hair untouched, she ran to longtime stylist Jenelle Oldham and requested a dramatic chop.
The result: a messy, choppy bob inspired by Naomi Watts in Mulholland Drive. “I didn’t want a fussy bob—I wanted something raw, almost unhinged,” Morales says with a grin. The effect was exactly what she hoped for: freeing, easy, and more in tune with who she is now. “It takes me five minutes to do my hair, and I’m out the door.”
Little Luxuries
For Morales, beauty isn’t just about performance—it’s about small pleasures. Zoya’s Naked Pink nail polish gives her that “your nails but better” look without the hassle of gels. Coriander by D.S. & Durga has become her signature scent, soft enough to wear daily yet distinct enough to feel special. And the Solawave device, once a skeptical purchase, is now a tool she swears makes her face look more awake and lifted.
The Confidence to Keep Going
What emerges from Morales’ story isn’t just a roster of products or red-carpet looks. It’s a portrait of someone who balances ambition with grounded rituals, who knows the importance of both resilience and play. She may joke about having “the confidence of a mediocre white man,” but her path shows that her confidence is anything but ordinary.
And whether she’s on set, behind the camera, or at home with a mask and mist, Morales carries the same energy she had as a teenager discovering the magic of blue eyeshadow: curiosity, creativity, and the simple joy of transformation.
