Welcome to The Glowdown, the series where we dive into the beauty secrets of our favourite celebrities as they get real about their routines and non-negotiables exclusively with us. Join them as they sit in our beauty hot seat and we fire off a round of quick questions, giving you never-before-shared insight into the products they can’t live without, their secrets to getting red carpet–ready, beauty pet peeves, and the genius tips they’ve picked up along the way. This is no-holds-barred beauty at its finest.
This month, we sat down with Gracie Abrams. The 25-year-old Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter was recently announced as Hourglass Cosmetics’ global brand partner, and we were lucky enough to sit down with the star and ask her all about her go-to makeup products, her best beauty advice and even her signature fragrance…
1. Which beauty product gives you the biggest mood boost?
I would say the Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint. That’s the last step of my skincare routine and makes me feel a little bit more even as an acne-prone girl.
2. You’ve got a spot. Are you team pop it or team leave it alone?
I pick at my face, which is one of the reasons I’m so grateful to work with a brand that makes the greatest complexion products. I know in my heart I shouldn’t touch my face. I’m trying to grow up!
3. You only have one product to use for the rest of your life. What is it?
For me, it’s blusher. It makes me feel awake. Whether I’m onstage or offstage, it has that same effect.
4. What’s the best piece of beauty advice you have ever received?
Less is more. I think that’s just generally true for me. I like to feel as in my skin as possible. [Also] remembering that everybody’s face is shaped differently. There’s not a one-size-fits-all in terms of how you go about applying [makeup]. With the ridiculous amount of content that exists out there, it’s important to remember to listen to your body.
5. Are you team dewy or matte?
Dewy. I don’t mind looking sweaty sometimes. That doesn’t bother me, so I would say dewy.
6. You’re having your nails done. What’s your go-to colour?
These days, silver. I had silver on my nails recently, and I liked that, but I rarely ever have anything because of the guitar. That’s my boring answer!
7. What’s your beauty philosophy in a sentence?
Just do what makes you feel like yourself. I’ve had experiences where there’s been [lots of] glam, and I’m like, “Who is that person?” I always appreciate when things feel as bare as possible.
8. What’s your favourite lipstick colour?
The Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm. I love this product because lipstick in general can feel chalky, and I’m a big texture freak. This is just so hydrating and amazing. The shade Impulse is like a brick red and makes me feel like I’m awake and alive.
9. What’s your biggest beauty no-no?
I’m not a huge powder person. I don’t like being so matte, so I would say that. I’m kind of like, “Do whatever makes you feel good.” That’s the whole point of leaning into products—getting you feeling closer to yourself.
10. Name one beauty product that is always in your handbag.
The mini Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer. It’s like a third of the size of the big one. If I pick up a coat and put my hand in the pocket, I will find two of them in there and in my bag or backpack. That and a good brow gel are my two staples.
11. What’s your signature fragrance?
Another 13 by Le Labo.
12. What’s the greatest drugstore product for under £10?
Aquaphor. It’s my favourite. I have used it since before I can remember.
13. Describe your brows in one word.
Quite straight these days. I’ve never had anyone touch them, and I wish I had because sometimes it’s like you black out when you touch your eyebrows, and then you come to, and I’m like, “Where did the tails go?” But I’m just going to let it rock for now.
14. Your worst hairstyle (or hair moment) ever…
Ugh, there was a time in high school when I cut my hair really awful, and I also recently saw pictures of when I had really long hair, but I wasn’t taking care of it, and the ends were so gnarly. [My bob] feels good to me now; anything other than this at the moment doesn’t feel right.
15. Makeup primer: Love it or hate it?
I love it for the stage. I think it’s super useful. I know in the back of my mind that I’ve gone the extra step to try to keep [my makeup] from sliding off. However, I think the way that I like to apply my makeup is quite sparse, so I don’t lean in for a primer all the time.
16. Confession time—how often do you clean your makeup brushes?
I don’t clean them as much as I should. I use my fingers for so much, and I wash my hands all the time, especially being on tour. I am hand-sanitising every five seconds! I use the same big [makeup brush] for everything, so I don’t think I’m a great example of what to do in that department.
(Image credit: Courtesy of Hourglass)
17. Which celebrity’s hair would you love to steal?
I was so jealous watching Charli XCX [at Glastonbury] because she’s just got the best hair. It’s so hot and wild and fierce, and it’s so black, and there’s just something so attractive about that. It makes me miss having something to whip around.
18. Which era of beauty inspires you most?
Oh my god, sometimes it would be a time that predates any product at all. I love bare faces so much. I think I appreciate what’s happening right now. There’s access to so much. We’re all so inspired by the beauty that we are lucky enough to absorb, but also, [there are] people who opt out entirely, and I think that’s equally exciting and gorgeous.
19. Best beauty hack?
This is a Katie Jane Hughes classic: priming your blush with your complexion products so that you’re not applying so much directly on your skin. It makes you feel like you are using 80% less product, which is great for getting as much out of your product and using it for as long as you can but also not having it be so cakey.
20. What do you do in your downtime to relax and reset?
I try to spend as much time outdoors as possible, which I think is a direct result of being in a bus or a dark venue most of the time. I miss the sun. Long walks, long days in the park and trying to get in the sea whenever possible.
Shop Gracie Abrams’s Favourite Beauty Products
Hourglass
Veil Hydrating Skin Tint
Le Labo
Another 13 Eau de Parfum
Hourglass
Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm
Eucerin
Aquaphor Soothing Skin Balm
Hourglass
Vanish Airbrush Concealer Travel Size
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