Skin deep - A judicious beauty regimen for supreme results

When it comes to her career, actress Felicity Jones is game for taking on a range of roles, including the fierce Jyn Erso in “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” and Ruth Bader Ginsburg in “On the Basis of Sex,” the biopic on the Supreme Court justice that will be out Dec. 24.

Bee ShapiroThe New York Times
Published : 12 Dec 2018, 11:38 PM
Updated : 12 Dec 2018, 11:38 PM

In beauty matters, Jones, 35, is a bit less adventurous but still willing to switch up her regimen if it’s good for her sensitive skin. Raised in England, in the Bournville village of Birmingham, she now lives in London, where you may find her at her favourite yoga studio.

SKIN CARE

I get up and wash my face with water. Then I pull my hair back and run down to the gym. It’s the best way for waking up and putting yourself in a good mood.

When I come back, I exfoliate — I do that once or twice a week. I use a product by Caudalie that has a very fine grit. It’s not too abrasive. Or I use this cleanser by La Roche-Posay that’s amazing for sensitive skin. A lot of products do irritate my skin, so when I find something that works, I’m fairly loyal.

Then I moisturize. My skin-care game is about hydration, hydration, hydration. When you do a lot of traveling, you have to put a lot of care into your skin. Occasionally I like to have a facial because it’s incredibly relaxing, but I find it’s the day-to-day care that’s key, and that includes not too much caffeine, not too much alcohol, rest and water.

I’m an ambassador for Clé de Peau, and I use La Crème. It has a really fine texture, which I love. I use the eye cream as well. Then I do SPF — I have the one by La Roche-Posay. At night, I use the same products, but first I take off my makeup with Bioderma Sensibio micellar water. It’s fantastic — it doesn’t dry you out.

MAKEUP

I really enjoy makeup. I always have. When I was younger, I used to take art classes, so when I approach makeup, I love the artistry, and I love the colours. It can change a face, honestly.

For the Ruth Bader Ginsburg role, I had lots and lots of in-depth conversations on the details of Ruth’s face, down to the shape of her teeth. I was obsessed. I had my teeth capped so the shape would be the same. Eyebrows are hugely powerful — the way you shape them. I also contoured and wore blue-gray contact lenses.

Cosmetics and skin care accessories used by the actress Felicity Jones, in Los Angeles, Nov. 5, 2018. In beauty matters, Jones says she can be a bit unadventurous, but still willing to switch up her regimen. “My skin-care game is about hydration, hydration, hydration,” she said. “When you do a lot of traveling, you have to put a lot of care into your skin.” (Emily Berl/The New York Times)

When I’m off, I do brown mascara — I love one by Charlotte Tilbury — and brown Clé de Peau eyeliner. I like brown during the day because I like the effect to be a little bit softer. If I’m going out at night, then I’ll probably go for a black, something a bit more graphic.

I use a little blush. I like either a pinky blush with pink lips, or sometimes I go for an apricot blush for daytime. Those by Nars are great. Or I do Glossier Cloud Paint.

HAIR

I absolutely love wigs and hairpieces. Playing Ruth, her hair is pivotal. When she was younger, she followed the pressure of looking a certain way, from her clothes to her hair. But by the ‘70s, that dissipated, and she evolved to her one look: the low ponytail.

She loved the scrunchie and the hair scarf. For her, it was about being practical and saving time in the morning. She has kept that style for 30 years. It’s like Karl Lagerfeld or Anna Wintour. When you stick to one look, icon status is yours!

The actress Felicity Jones, in Los Angeles, Nov. 5, 2018. In beauty matters, Jones says she can be a bit unadventurous, but still willing to switch up her regimen. “My skin-care game is about hydration, hydration, hydration,” she said. “When you do a lot of travelling, you have to put a lot of care into your skin.” (Emily Berl/The New York Times)

For myself, I tend to do a natural-looking blow-dry. I like it with a little movement and not too done. My hair icons would be Kate Moss or Jane Birkin. Because I have naturally wavy hair, my main goal is to control the flyaways. I like the Davines Oi All in One Milk for that, and it keeps it glossy. I use a hair serum by Davines as well.

DIET AND FITNESS

If I’m in a hotel, I go to the gym and spend a long time on the step machine. It’s about trying to target and tone. I also work with Amy Rosoff Davis — she’s fantastic. She just gets my body and how to make it work. And she has a background in dance and Pilates and yoga, and all the movements are about building your core. It’s about making you strong and lean.

I also love restorative yoga — anything that calms the adrenal glands. I’m based in London, and I go to Triyoga. They have places all over the city.

I eat very healthily when I can, but I’m not too hard on myself. For me, it’s all about common sense, and I don’t like extremities in diet. Sometimes you need to treat yourself. Otherwise you become very boring.

© 2018 New York Times News Service