Olivia Munn explains how being multicultural shaped her idea of beauty
Actress Olivia Munn is smart, talented, sexy, gorgeous, and a little nerdy, but the star didn’t always feel beautiful. Growing up with a multicultural upbringing, she felt like she didn’t fit into the American beauty standards of the time. In an interview with Byrdie, Olivia reveals,
Being multicultural has affected my definition of beauty, the way I see beauty, and how I feel beautiful tremendously. When I was a kid, I didn’t understand why my eyes were more almond-shaped, or why I didn’t have blond hair. I had to realize that there are certain things about myself that I can’t change, so learn to love it or learn to live in a state of always feeling inadequate. And obviously, the latter is not a very appealing life.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BNBPzncjlGF
Part of Olivia’s confidence that comes from finding a makeup artist who truly understands her biracial features. The actress breaks it down — a lot of MUAs will do the same techniques on women of color as white girls, and it doesn’t work. When she linked up with Asian-American makeup artist Patrick Ta (why are there so many awesome Asian MUAs named Patrick?) she realized the importance of working with someone who actually knows how to accentuate and transform her face.
When she’s not working with Patrick, Olivia does her own makeup to help her feel good.
“I love playing with makeup and wearing bright and fun colors, so I kind of do that all the time. When I get up in the morning, even if my boyfriend is gone all day long, I still do my hair and makeup. I do it even if I’m just going to the grocery store because I want to do it for me. It makes me feel good.
Her everyday makeup look is “a little concealer” (she likes YSL’s TOUCHE ÉCLAT) and “a little blush.” Eyebrows and Chapstick complete the low-maintenance but polished look. Obviously, good skin is the foundation (pun intended?) of her beauty.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BMXj1SMDbio
36-year-old Olivia shares the fairly involved beauty routine that keeps her looking 10 years younger. The self-described nerd actually researches the science and chemistry behind keeping skin looking healthy. She swears by regular facials and sheet masks before makeup application. She uses Proactiv wipes (kept by the bed so she always removes her makeup before bed), sunscreen, and dark spot corrector. (Though she doesn’t want to erase her trademark freckles.)
Her biggest beauty solution? You know you’ve heard this one before. Say it with us: WATER! She recently upped her intake and employs a complex cocktail of vitamins: hyaluronic acid vitamins, glucosamine, chondroitin, and more to deliver hydration to her skin and organs. Olivia shoots for three liters a day which she measures in six half-liter bottles.
Water, sleep, sunscreen. We knew those were the secrets but somehow Olivia makes it look effortless.
Needless to say, we’re big fans of the actress, whether she’s slaying as telekinetic badass Psylocke in X-Men: Apocalypse, honestly sharing wardrobe missteps, or confessing the awkwardness involved in filming sex scenes. Her latest red carpet looks for the Office Christmas Party premieres are next level. Check out the trailer to the film if you haven’t seen it yet:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_itBfEC_TI?feature=oembed