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 Adwoa Aboah. The British actress and model is currently the global ambassador for Jo Malone London and the face of the brand’s English Pear & Freesia and Mother’s Day campaign. We were keen to ask Aboah all about her fragrance tips and tricks, her go-to beauty products and how she’ll be spending her first Mother’s Day as a new mum…
How are you planning on spending your first Mother’s Day as a new mum?
I think that I should be gifted lots of presents by my partner and anyone who’s interested in giving me things for this journey. … No, but on a real one, I will probably just do something special with Shy. It’s so funny. [In] these beginning months and years, only I will be aware of it. I think I’ll probably be back in L.A., and there’s this really good place where you can go and do low-res photos with your family. My boyfriend did them for me for Christmas, and Shy’s on this Greek plinth, and they’re so good. My boyfriend’s getting me a tattoo too, so I’m going to do that. I’m still figuring out what it’s going to be.
What is your favourite fragrance, and how do you like to wear it?
I love Jo Malone London English Pear & Freesia, and I really like Red Roses as well. I think scent pairing is amazing, and [I enjoy wearing] both at the same time. I’m just getting back into wearing scent. I haven’t been wearing it as of late because I had the most insane nausea during pregnancy, so I couldn’t handle any smells. I’m a big candle person, but I could not bear it. … When you have a baby, you’re so aware of the pure smell, and you kind of want to keep that. Plus, I’m breastfeeding, and I want to keep that quite sacred. My mum wears a lot of perfume—she’d come in, and Shy would be like, “Who the hell is this?” It’s a bit much for babies.
Which beauty product gives you the biggest mood boost?
I haven’t been wearing a lot of makeup recently, but I am loving Hailey Bieber’s Rhode [Pocket Blush] blushers. I’m lucky I still have a bit of that glow from all the [pregnancy] hormones, so that extra bit of colour is always really helpful. I wear the shade Toasted Teddy.
If you could steal someone else’s makeup bag, whose would it be?
That’s such a good question. Pat McGrath would be amazing. She’s not even got a makeup bag—she’s got a suitcase!
(Image credit: Courtesy of Jo Malone London)
What is your everyday skincare routine?
I have quite a strict one, but [it’s] very simple. I use a lot of SkinCeuticals. I use their Redness Neutralizer, which was actually sold out, so thank god it’s come back. I use their C E Ferulic Vitamin C Serum, too, and then a good SPF.
What’s the best piece of beauty advice you have ever received?
Well, my mum’s [advice] was always to take your makeup off before bed. In sobriety, out of sobriety, late nights, early nights, I’ve always stuck with that one. But I know people that wear their makeup to bed, and they look fantastic, so who knows if that one is true! Just don’t overcomplicate it. It’s so nice. We all get sent such amazing products, and it’s not to say that these products don’t work, but when you know what works, stick to that. I’m pretty ruthless and strict about what goes on my skin because I’ve suffered in the past with acne. Let’s be honest—it’s all about the SPF.
What’s your signature date-night fragrance?
Red Roses by Jo Malone London.
Strong lip or a strong eye?
Oh my god, that’s hard! I think maybe a strong eye. I don’t like smoky eyes, but [I do like] a graphic liner. Let’s go with strong eyes.
You’re having your nails done. What’s your go-to colour?
I’m doing a red right now. I’m a creature of habit, and I have this really good reddish-orange one that I use. Or I’ve been doing a clear.
Which era of beauty inspires you the most?
I think the ’90s is always good because it’s quite graphic and fun and a bit messy, which I like.
What’s your biggest beauty no-no?
I’m not going to cover up my freckles, so I’m not wearing full-coverage foundation. That’s a no-no for me. Even when I had bad skin, I just don’t like it. I appreciate contour, but for me, it doesn’t work. I think I look better with less makeup, to be honest.
Who has the best beauty routine of anyone you have ever met?
There are a few people. Emily Ratajkowski does her makeup herself, and her makeup routine is on point. I’m loving Kylie Jenner’s hair right now. That blowout!
Are you team dewy or matte?
Team dewy, for sure.
The greatest drugstore product for under £10?
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter to be quite honest—the big tub. I think that could be just under £10.
Candles, reed diffusers or nothing at all?
Candles. [My favourite is] Jo Malone London’s Glowing Embers, the ceramic one.
Confession time: How often do you clean your makeup brushes?
I will be honest. I don’t actually use them. But if I did, I probably would not have thought about cleaning them.
Eyelash curlers, love them or hate them?
Love them. I’m not really a mascara kind of gal, so eyelash curlers do the trick.
What do you do in your downtime to relax and reset?
I’m a TV watcher. I grew up with TV, and I’m English—I think we all grew up with TV. I sit in front of the TV and zone out. I’m watching Severance, and last night, I just turned [the TV] on, and University Challenge came on. The White Lotus [too]. I watched Wicked the other night. I’ve been keeping up with all the films [from award season].
Shop Adwoa Aboah’s Favourite Beauty Products
Jo Malone London
English Pear & Freesia Cologne
rhode
Pocket Blush in Toasted Teddy
Jo Malone London
Red Roses Cologne
Skinceuticals
C E Ferulic Vitamin C Serum
Jo Malone London
Glowing Embers Ceramic Candle
Palmer’s
Cocoa Butter Formula Original Solid Jar
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