Beauty Stories: Elizabeth Gillies Dishes on Sex, Drugs, and Beauty
The last time Elizabeth Gillies was on screen, she played the prickly Jade on Nickelodeon’s Victorious but on July 16, but she’ll return to television on the new FX show Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll. The show stars Denis Leary as a washed up, aging rocker taking one more stab at success while trying to reunite with his estranged daughter (Gillies) who is also pursuing a music career. As for Gilllies herself, she’s no stranger to success. She starred in her first commercial at age 12 and debuted on Broadway at age 15 in the musical 13, along with Ariana Grande. Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll also gives Gillies a chance to showcase her considerable vocal chops in case you haven’t seen her covers on her YouTube channel. She recently spoke to Yahoo Beauty about her new role and all things beauty related.
Yahoo Beauty: It must have been a huge leap going from a Nickelodeon show to Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll.
Elizabeth Gillies: It was! There is a lot more f-bombing on this set.
You’re also singing on Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll…
It’s amazing. I never thought I’d find a show that combines all of my passions. We also got to sing live which was incredible and really challenging, and there was a lot of improvisation.
What was it like to work with Denis Leary?
It was wonderful. He’s very funny and our banter was great. He’s such a ball buster and our minds work in a similar way. Coming to work felt like hanging out with family.
Your character, Gigi, has very cool style, any similarities her style and your own?
Gigi’s style evolves during the show and she develops a bad-ass rocker style. I love her clothes and started to dress like her, with crop tops and sexy rocker jewelry.
How would you describe your personal beauty style?
I never leave the house without a winged eye. I’ve been doing that forever. I love makeup and trying new products. It’s fun to make yourself look more enhanced. I usually do a winged eye, a little lip liner and eye liner.
What are some of your favorite products?
I love Laura Mercier foundation as well as foundations from Bobbi Brown and Armani. There’s a mud mask from Eve Lom that I love, the Rescue Mud Mask.
What makeup tips have you learned from the pros?
Less is more. When you’re sitting across from someone, you want to see them, and not their makeup. You want to let your skin shine through and don’t try to hide things like freckles if you have them. I actually do my own makeup a lot.
Would you do your own makeup even for a red carpet event? Talk me through your routine.
Absolutely. I do my own makeup because I know exactly what I want and how to do it so why torture someone else with the whole process? When I’m doing makeup for the red carpet, I just wear more makeup. I don’t do a whole routine of pampering myself. I’m all about getting it done. I’ll do a smoky eye and contouring.
Have you had any epic makeup fails?
Yeah, like when you go to a big event and you hug a guy and your face ends up on his beautiful, expensive suit. I hate it when that happens. When it does, I just slowly walk away…
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