The premiere of book-to-blockbuster Fifty Shades of Grey may have passed, but we’re still musing about the gorgeous cast, especially Canadian beauty Rachel Skarsten who plays Andrea, the pulled-together secretary to that sizzling suited specimen Christian Grey. There must be a secret to staying (or at least looking) sharp, and not a single hair out of place when you have a hunk for a boss. We chatted with the Toronto-born actress about her top beauty products, makeup muses and get-ready routines. Hint: Her secrets start with the basics and good skincare.
theFashionSpot: What is your favorite skincare product of the moment that’s giving you great results? We need the secret to sexy, secretary skin, please!
Rachel Skarsten: I love using Face It Hydrating Face Oil by Aromacentric. It’s amazing. My skin is oily, but also dry and products I used either didn’t hydrate my skin enough or were too heavy. I was so skeptical when I first started using this product because I thought putting oil on my face would make me break out, but it’s the best product I’ve found. I’m hooked.
tFS: Beauty item you won’t leave the house without?
RS: Rosebud lip salve — forever.
Clockwise from top left: Smith’s Rosebud Salve, Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel, Ralph Lauren Romance, Cinema Secrets Kit #5 and Aromacentric Face It Hydrating Face Oil
tFS: How about a beauty feat you impressed yourself with lately?
RS: I haven’t dyed my hair for over a year. I really wanted to go back to my natural color (dark blonde). I never thought I’d stop dying my hair, so that was a feat. It’s very freeing not to need to go to a salon every four weeks.
tFS: Who is your beauty crush of late?
RS: All-around crush? Marion Cotillard. She’s the woman you know comes out of the shower looking beautiful. Blogger Josefin Dahlberg is my hair crush. Makeup? I love Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s looks. She is able to achieve different looks, while still knowing what works for her face.
tFS: Your character’s beauty look in Fifty Shades of Grey was conservative: Andrea’s pulled-back bun was truly chic. Do you wear this look very often in real life? What’s your signature beauty look?
RS: My publicist teases me that I always have my hair in a ballet bun, which is true. Growing up I practiced ballet, so my hair was always in a bun. I think I just got used to it.
tFS: If you had only five minutes to get ready, what would your routine be?
RS: Wash my face (Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel), brush my teeth, a little concealer under my eyes (Cinema Secrets Kit #5) and sometimes a little foundation from Make Up For Ever. Then I’d swipe some mascara and Rosebud Salve on my lips. Oh, and a spritz of Ralph Lauren Romance on my neck. I’ve worn it for years, my friends all say when they smell, it smells like my own signature scent. To be honest, most days this is my routine. So much of my job is spending hours getting ready, when I’m not working, I’d rather spend the time doing other things.
