When “Riverdale” first aired in 2017, Camila Mendes, who played Veronica Lodge during the show’s seven-season run, was just beginning her acting career. Now, seven years later, Mendes not only has several film credits to her name — including the recently released rom-com, “Música” — but a production company she’s been readying for a public launch. On top of her flourishing career in the entertainment space, the “Upgraded” star and executive producer has also been busy for the past two years as the partner and creative director for Loops, a skin care brand centered around hydrogel face masks. Included in the brand’s nine-product lineup are Weekly Reset — an award-winning, rejuvenating face mask — and Clean Slate, a detoxifying face mask formulated with volcanic ash.
Mendes singles out two of the brand’s latest launches — Dream Sleep and Fresh Peel — when asked what she’s most proud of accomplishing in her role so far. “We took two trending skin care practices — slugging and chemical peels — and provided consumers with an easy way to try them at home,” Mendes says. “Making beauty simple and accessible is very important to me, and I think these masks are two great examples of how we achieve that.”
The brand’s Fresh Peel masks have also become a go-to for Mendes, who has learned to “incorporate gentle exfoliation a few times a week” into her routine, as a result of spending countless hours on set in heavy makeup. The “Do Revenge” actress also likes to keep her beauty routine as “simple” as possible, so it’s no surprise that her other beauty favorites include products that do double duty like Renée Rouleau’s Weightless Protection SPF 30.
Below, Mendes shares ten of her tried-and-true beauty favorites, including her go-to hair mask, with CNN Underscored.
To slick down her strands, Mendes reaches for Olaplex’s $30 leave-in treatment. “My hair can get pretty frizzy, and this product does a great job at taming my flyaways,” the actress says. “It also keeps my hair feeling smooth and hydrated.” An expert-recommended product, the Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother boosts shine while fighting frizz.
“Exfoliation is probably the most crucial part of my routine,” Mendes says. That’s why this $35 set of face masks from Loops is a favorite. “Whenever my skin is looking uneven and dull, I’ll apply Fresh Peel for 10 minutes and immediately notice that my skin is brighter and smoother,” she says.
Among the actress’ essentials is this editor-loved lip mask from K-beauty brand Laneige. “I keep a Laneige Lip Mask on my bedside table and apply a little amount every night before bed,” she says. “It smells amazing and lasts a really long time.” Formulated with ingredients like murumuru seed and shea butter, this lip mask promises to nourish lips overnight. It’s also a favorite of celebrities like Demi Moore.
To depuff her face in the morning, Mendes reaches for her jade roller, which she likes to keep in the fridge. “It soothes my skin but also my mind, especially when I’m feeling particularly anxious,” she says. Designed with a smooth and textured end to target different facial areas, the roller can be used daily to massage the skin.
“Wearing sunscreen every day is important for many reasons. Anti-aging, protecting your skin against sun damage, preventing hyperpigmentation, etcetera,” Mendes says. “I love Renée Rouleau’s Weightless Protection sunscreen because it’s very lightweight and wearable under makeup.” In addition to doubling as a moisturizer, Mendes’ sunscreen of choice is unscented and free of phthalates and mineral oil.
“Shu Uemura makes amazing hair products,” Mendes says. She credits the hair mask, which is formulated to condition hair strands and minimize breakage, thanks to an ingredient list that includes rice extract, with saving her tresses from color damage. “I still use it once a week, and it keeps my hair healthy and nourished.”
“I’m obsessed with the smell of Rahua’s Shower Gel,” she says. “It honestly makes my showers feel like a luxury experience.” Available in three different sizes, this shower gel has notes of lavender, eucalyptus, vanilla and palo santo.
“I love having my own signature scent,” Mendes, an Armani Beauty brand ambassador, says. “I think it’s so attractive when you can identify someone simply by their fragrance.” With notes of bergamot, tuberose and cedarwood, Mendes says her go-to perfume “smells like orange blossoms and white flowers” and is “suitable for daytime and nighttime.” She’s also a fan of the beauty brand’s Luminous Silk Concealer, which she says gives her the perfect amount of coverage.
Mendes doesn’t always have the time to “sit down and write proper journal entries.” That's why she's a fan of Intelligent Change's popular gratitude journal. Complete with weekly challenges and five guided prompts, “The Five Minute Journal” helps her “commit to a few minutes of self-reflection” a couple of times a day, she says.
When it comes to heat tools, Mendes singles out this hair dryer from Dyson. “I often take showers late at night, and Dyson’s Supersonic Hair Dryer gets my hair fully dry in just a few minutes, which means I can get to bed faster,” she says. Suitable for all hair types, the Dyson dryer includes five styling attachments and has three speed settings and four different heat settings.
