At 38, Lauren London has learned to prioritize what keeps her grounded. Tried-and-true strategies include reading, writing, meditating, and listening to ’90s R&B, and slow jams from the likes of Lalah Hathaway and Anita Baker. “You know, things that just kind of bring down my nervous system because I’m naturally very anxious,” admits the actor who stars in the romantic comedy You People alongside Jonah Hill and Nia Long. “People always ask me how I manage being a working mom; honestly, my kids come first,” she says, emphasizing the importance of her children’s well-being. That said, the mom of two has learned to be more intentional about her self-care practices, including her skin-care and makeup regimen, which she walks Vogue through today.
With her hair slicked back by a thick fabric headband, London first reaches for Undefined Beauty’s cleanser; she gravitates toward sensitive skin-friendly formulas and BIPOC-owned brands. “Growing up, I don’t remember any Black-owned skin products around our household, and I feel like now it’s more available,” she says. “[They’re] products that actually understand what’s going on with my skin.” As she pats on True Botanicals’s plumping toner, she takes a few deep breaths before a calming serum and rejuvenating red light therapy treatment courtesy of TheraBody’s recently-launched TheraFace Pro. She then layers Crème de la Mer on the face and neck, Farsali’s turmeric-infused cream on the under-eyes for brightening, and Tatcha’s lip mask on her pout for plumping.
With her skin-care routine complete, London turns to makeup. To conceal dark circles, London first adds a light veil of Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer before going in with a Tom Ford color-correcting pen and Giorgio Armani concealer. After blurring her complexion with powder, she awakens the skin with a touch of cream bronzer, powder blush, and liquid highlighter. “When I get makeup done professionally, I don’t let anyone do my eyebrows; they can do anything else—my brows are mine,” says London, who relies exclusively on Anastasia Beverly Hills’s acclaimed pomade. Finally, a coat of mascara, a swipe of clear Fenty Beauty gloss, and a generous spritz of face mist provide the finishing touches.
Below, shop Lauren London’s beauty secrets.
