Naomie Harris was barely 10 when she started appearing on camera, so it stands to reason that her impressive career has almost entirely shaped her approach to beauty.
"Without being in this profession, I probably would be that person that never wears make-up, never does anything with their hair," she tells Bazaar as she rifles through the contents of her beauty bag.
She recalls a time when she would forgo a glam team for the red carpet. "I look back at these pictures now and I am horrified people let me out of the house like that – to be photographed as well!" she says, with a laugh.
Now with an Oscar nomination under her belt and starring roles in films such as Moonlight, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and the newly released spy thriller, Black Bag – not to mention a memorable stint as Moneypenny in the Bond franchise – Harris' beauty routine remains true to her minimalist style, but with added extras to nourish and elevate.
A classic, polished look has become a signature for the British actress and she relies on useful under-the-radar essentials, plus an A-list approved skin tool to achieve it.
Perhaps unexpectedly, her first essential is often found in the kitchen pantry; Harris swears by arrowroot, which is often used for cooking. "I use it as a powder on my face," she shares. The white powder goes on completely clear, and helps to keep excess shine at bay for a refined finish.
To keep her hair health in check, she turns to Doctor Truth Batana Oil. "When you are working in film, TV, on the red carpets, your hair and make-up is being done constantly which is beautiful and such a gift. But honestly, getting your hair done, having that much heat on your edges every day, it ruins your hairline," Harris tells Bazaar. "At one point, I was losing my hairline, and then I discovered [Batana Oil] and honestly it works, it grew my hair back. I'm so grateful to this product."
Harris is also a big fan of the Lyma Laser, and notes that it delivers more than just skincare benefits. She uses hers to treat mosquito bites, burns and achey joints.
Considering her commitment to a healthy die and regular meditation, there's no doubt that Harris' covetable glow comes from within. But when she needs something a little extra, she books in a facial treatment with Keren Bartov or reaches for Makeup By Mario Master Secret Glow, a balmy highlighter. "When you're in the UK and it's so dry and dreary, it's just nice to have a bit of a sheen with this product," she says. For a similar effect on the body, she uses the Biotherm Oil Therapy Body Balm to "give a nice glow and sheen", especially before appearing on the red carpet.
In our video, Harris also candidly discusses her scoliosis and the surgery she underwent as a teenager, which resulted in a long period of hospitalisation. She explains that there is "a blessing in everything that's quite traumatic that happens in life".
"My blessing was that, as a result of that, I've always taken tremendous care of my health," she continues. "All of my self-care rituals are my way of really looking after myself and ensuring that, hopefully, I don't have to spend a month in hospital ever again."
Shop Harris' beauty favourites below.
Lyma Laser
