Phoebe Tonkin’s Guide to Heatless Curls and Day-to-Night Red Lipstick

Phoebe Tonkin’s beauty routine is rooted in intention from the moment she wakes up—even when she’s multitasking. So while the Australian actor practices a 10-minute meditation or manifestation, she utilizes the glow-inducing powers of an LED light therapy mask. “When I was growing up in Australia, I got tan quite easily,” explains the 33-year-old. “I got sun spots and things, and I find that [this mask] just evens out my skin tone.” Then comes another supercharged beauty tool, the NuFace. “It’s sort of like a workout for your skin,” she says of the powerhouse microcurrent device. “I do try to do it four, maybe five times per week because, just like exercising, the more you do it, the more your body responds to it.” An oil-based cleanser and lip plumper follow these treatments before she pauses to prep her hair look. Instead of the curling iron or hot tool you might expect, she relies on a sock, carefully twisting her hair around it. “When you pull the socks out, you have this beautiful sort of blow-out look without having to put any heat on your hair,” she says. Then, back to skin care, she layers on hydrating, restorative serums from SkinCeuticals and Chanel, followed by moisturizer and face oil. The most important step of all? A veil of protection via Beauty of Joseon sunscreen. 

As for Tonkin’s makeup regimen, it’s equally thoughtful, centering around a less-is-more philosophy even when the occasion calls for a bold red lip. “I do like to see a bit of my skin underneath,” she continues while blending a featherlight veil of foundation. “It was, like, 10 years ago that I started embracing my dark circles—they’re just part of my face, and so I don’t try too hard to cover them up,” she explains. Furthering the more natural effect, she taps a barely-there touch of concealer on the under-eyes and rounds out her complexion with a NARS blush, powder, and highlighter. Onto lips, her daytime crimson is achieved with a combination of Benefit Cosmetics Benetint and Clarins lip oil. At night, she kicks things up a notch with the addition of red Charlotte Tilbury liner and bold Chanel lipstick, which she also taps onto her cheeks. A coat of mascara and a spritz of setting spray provides the finishing touches to her day-to-night glam, meaning she’s finally ready to let down her hair and reveal her effortless waves. Lastly, with strategically placed perfume oil and a spray of jasmine face mist, she’s on her way.