before and after

Keri Russell’s Anti–Jane Austen Beauty Routine

Photo: Tina Turnbow

The actress formerly known as Felicity stars in a Julie & Julia–esque romantic comedy, Austenland, which opens today. In the film, she plays Jane Hayes, a modern-day girl (the Julie) who is infatuated with the world of Jane Austen (the Julia). So she does what any good obsessive fan would do and spends her life savings on a week at a theme park devoted to all things Jane Austen, essentially becoming the author. Russell spends much of the movie with her hair up in plain-Jane, forehead-framing curls and minimal makeup. But in real life, the actress prefers the occasional brightening facial from Arcona in L.A. and clearly knows her way around a Sephora.

Makeup artist Tina Turnbow was on hand during the actress’s press tour and took some time to grill Russell about her daily beauty routine. Read on to see what the actress likes to put on her face during the day and how she’ll transition her appearance for evening — in this case, the New York premiere of Austenland.

Before.

7:00 a.m.  I usually wake up around 6:45–7 a.m. My skin is super dry so I try to use rich moisturizing products. I cleanse my face with Eve Lom Cream Cleanser. It just melts everything off, yet leaves my skin fresh and moist.

7:03 a.m. I’ve also recently used the Josie Maran Argan Balm to remove stubborn makeup. It’s really great and hydrating. I always use my Shiseido Benefiance eye cream, and I switch between La Mer Crème and a cream by Astara, which is all natural and very rich. I always have the lip balm stick by Dr. Hauschka on hand; it’s my favorite because it’s not too glossy or slick, so I can dab it on top of lip color and it won’t make it bleed.

7:07 a.m. I always put on a little makeup during the day, because just a touch can really make a difference and lift my spirits. I use a bit of concealer under the eyes — I like the Lorac yellow one. It cancels out any redness or shadows. I like to even my skin tone a bit with the Luminous Foundation by Stila; it has nice coverage and it’s moisturizing. A touch of blush adds life to the face. Recently, I’ve been loving Butter London’s cream blush in Abbey Rose. Sometimes mascara gets smeary on me so I use Diorshow waterproof. Lately, for my lips, I’ve been into Palm Beach lipstick by Laura Mercier. It’s a sunny, pretty coral.

7:12 a.m. For my naturally curly hair, I’ve been blowing it out to get a straighter texture and I don’t shampoo it often, maybe every four days.

After.

6:00 p.m.  Makeup artist Tina Turnbow and hairdresser Brian Magallones arrive to do my hair and makeup for the premiere. The outfit my stylist Frank Fleming picked out was a Stella McCartney black jumpsuit and Saint Laurent T-strap studded black heels. We decided on going for a mix of Lauren Bacall–inspired fifties glamour mixed with a touch of hot-pink early-eighties vibrancy.

Tina: I prepped Keri’s skin with Jurlique Moisture Replenishing Day Crème and Korres Wild Rose Instant Brightening Eye Treatment (it has a dewy effect on the orbital bone, which I like). I then applied Make Up Forever HD foundation to further perfect her skin, spot concealed with Mineral Fusion concealer, and warmed it up with Tarte’s Amazonian Clay Mineral Bronzer. I used Nars Brow Perfector pencil to shape and fill in Keri’s brows, then brushed up with a bit of gel. Then I curled her lashes and applied lots of “They’re Real” mascara by Benefit on the top and bottom lashes. I wanted the color on her lips to be the star attraction! I lined and filled in with Nars Satin Lip Pencil in Yu, and then topped with glossy “Boom Boom” lip vinyl by Marc Jacobs Beauty.

Brian: To give Keri’s hair the lovely wave I used a one-and-a-quarter-inch curling iron and wrapped two-inch sections around the barrel. I then used a flat iron to straighten the bottom three inches of her hair to keep it new and edgy. I smoothed out her hair line’s flyaways with Rene Furterer Molding Paste. To give the style lasting hold, I used Rene Ferterer Vegetal Hairspray. I topped with a misting of Rene Furterer Glossing Spray, which made the waves and highlights in Keri’s hair pop.

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Keri Russell’s Anti–Jane Austen Beauty Routine