I have the same insecurities and fears as everyone else. But I’ve always been quite determined and sure of what I wanted to do. I think that came from having a love of acting and storytelling from such a young age. My mum also taught me to be led by my moral compass. If you are led by that, hopefully you can’t steer yourself too far wrong.
You feel the most beautiful when someone you love tells you that you’re beautiful. There’s nothing that can match that.
Work-wise I’m filming Bridgerton at the minute. We’re towards the end of season four. Then I’ll have a summer break, which is not normal for me. And it’s been fun working on my new partnership with Olaplex, because it’s a brand I’ve used for years and years. Also to do it with Halley Brisker, who’s done my hair for years too. We got to go out to LA and shoot the commercial together.
Zendaya is my beauty icon. I love how she can wear all these different looks, yet she still looks like herself. I don’t like it when people look like they are wearing a costume, and she bridges that gap so well. I really respect her, because in her roles, she’s not that glam, either. She’s not wearing make-up. She’s not got her hair done. She has the balance right.
I love the ritual of removing my make-up. Getting a wig cap off, all of that stuff — the feeling of everything being gone. I want no clips in my hair, I want no false lashes, I want nothing… I want the contrast of being at work and being at home. I’m a big time cosy girl. I really respect people who wear jeans in the house. That could never be me. But I respect it.
I have had so many hair disasters. When I was about 17 it was cut into a trendy mullet and I hated it so much. I remember crying over that haircut. And then on the Derry Girls set, I had to dye my hair a lot because of continuity. That’s when I was first introduced to Olaplex.
I get my hair done at Josh Wood in Holland Park. They’ve seen me through so many different styles. When I chopped my hair into a bob after Covid, that was scary — it was inches and inches going. Then I wanted to go ginger for the Barbie premiere. Then I wanted to grow it long. Jason Hogan, who does my colour, is a really good friend. (joshwoodcolour.com)
I’m a wash and go girl. Working with talented hair and make-up artists you become so lazy at doing your own hair because you realise they’re so good at it! On the days I have off — like this morning — I will wear Olaplex No 3 Hair Perfector (£28, uk.olaplex.com). I always think with hair and make-up that if the foundation is good, you do what you want.
Jasmine Vico, in Fitzrovia, is an amazing facialist. I have been seeing her for years. I first went in 2018 or something. Her stories! You’re never bored. She’s so knowledgeable and passionate and I love that she looks at you and she knows what she’s going to do. (vicoskin.com)
I go to Guendolina The Skin Sculpter in Notting Hill. I have a lot of jaw tension and grind my teeth at night. I saw someone getting her buccal massage and though it looked amazing. She’s got totally magic hands to release that tension. (guendolinatheskinsculpter.com)
I’ve never been one for 25-step beauty. I like things that are efficacy-based; there’s no point using a product that doesn’t do what you need it to. I love Neutrogena Hydro Boost hyaluronic acid concentrated serum (£19.99, boots.com) and I have the really snazzy red light therapy Dermalux Flex (£1,999.99, currentbody.com). And a simple facial roller is great for getting rid of puffiness before a shoot or event.
Le Labo Bergamote 22 (£150, cultbeauty.co.uk); P F Candle Co Bergamot Shiso Candle, £26 at libertylondon.com; Neutrogena Hydro Boost hyaluronic acid concentrated serum (£19.99, boots.com) ; Dermalux Flex (£1,999.99, currentbody.com); Olaplex No.4 & 5 Fine Bond Maintenance Shampoo & Conditioner, £28 each (uk.olaplex.com); Skin Gym Face Sculptor, £53 (skingymco.com)
It’s very chic when someone has a signature scent. I like associating a person with a smell, I find it very comforting. Mine is Le Labo Bergamote 22 (£150, cultbeauty.co.uk). One big luxury I have is that I’ll buy a bougie candle every week. P F Candle Co (pfcandleco.com) does small batches, and I love the scents.
I worry — maybe because I’m of a different generation — about the level of injectables that have become the norm. I sit at a crossroads thinking, “Do what you want to do to make you feel better,” but I recently watched Charlie’s Angels, the 2000 movie, and it gave me such joy to see how distinct the faces of the three women were. They were asymmetrical, and they had lines around their eyes. And I thought, “My god, they’re so astonishingly beautiful.” I don’t want young women, especially, to feel they need to look a certain way in this identikit face.
I’m bad with my phone in terms of screen time. I’ve tried to start looking at social media less and instead I spend a lot of time doing The New York Times games before bed. It helps wind me down and makes me feel good.
My happy place? I love where I live, here in London, but going back to Galway and being with my family, that’s a very happy place for me. The air is so clean. You literally feel it clear out your lungs, and it’s so green! If the people I love are there, then I’ll be happy.
