"Elle" Star Chandler Kinney Talks ‘90s Makeup Trends and Self-Care Favorites
Our take
Chandler Kinney’s recent profile in a major publication, discussing her burgeoning career and beauty routines, feels particularly resonant within the current cultural landscape. The conversation around '90s makeup trends—a cyclical return we’ve seen repeatedly—is amplified by Kinney’s role in "Elle," a show tapping into that very aesthetic. It’s a fascinating intersection of nostalgia, contemporary style, and the evolving role of the actress as a beauty influencer. The resurgence of these trends isn't merely about lip liner; as highlighted in I’ve Tested What Feels Like Hundreds of Lip Liners—These 9 Come Dark-Skin-Approved, the details are crucial, especially for inclusivity, demonstrating a shift towards more nuanced and personalized beauty choices. And with Rihanna’s recent bleached brow look for *Elle* – a bold statement captured in Rihanna Dons Bleached Brows For 'Elle''s Latest Cover – it's clear the magazine itself is embracing experimental and boundary-pushing aesthetics.
The conversation surrounding Kinney’s self-care favorites, while seemingly commonplace, speaks to a larger cultural expectation of public figures. We’re no longer just interested in *what* someone does, but *how* they do it, and what products they use to achieve a certain look or maintain well-being. This creates a subtle pressure, but also an opportunity for authenticity. Kinney’s willingness to share her routine, alongside her acting work, positions her as a relatable figure, someone who embodies a balanced lifestyle rather than a manufactured persona. This aligns with a broader desire for transparency and genuine connection within the influencer space, a space often criticized for its artifice. The sheer volume of beauty discourse – evidenced by threads like Hair, Makeup, Skincare, Fitness, and Fragrance Thread - August 11, 2026 – underscores the constant search for the “next big thing” and the desire for personalized recommendations.
This intersection of beauty, entertainment, and lifestyle is particularly potent for a generation raised on social media. Kinney’s influence isn't solely derived from her acting talent; it's amplified by her curated online presence and her ability to connect with audiences on a personal level. She represents a shift away from traditional celebrity endorsements and towards a more collaborative and authentic form of brand partnership. It's less about shouting a product's virtues and more about subtly weaving it into a recognizable and aspirational lifestyle. This approach resonates with consumers who are increasingly skeptical of overt advertising and are seeking genuine recommendations from trusted sources. The emphasis on "self-care" itself is also noteworthy, moving beyond purely aesthetic concerns to encompass a holistic sense of well-being—a message that aligns with a broader cultural conversation around mental health and self-acceptance.
Ultimately, Chandler Kinney's profile is a microcosm of the evolving landscape of celebrity and influence. It's a testament to the power of authenticity, the cyclical nature of trends, and the increasing importance of lifestyle integration in the world of beauty and entertainment. As more actors and public figures embrace this model, we can expect to see a further blurring of lines between personal branding and creative expression. The question moving forward is not just *what* products will be endorsed, but *how* that endorsement will be presented and how it will contribute to a larger narrative of self-discovery and aspirational living – a narrative that feels increasingly less about fleeting trends and more about enduring style and inner confidence.
Actress Chandler Kinney is having her busiest summer yet and showing no signs of slowing down. With the release of "Elle" on Amazon Prime at the top of July, we were introduced to the arch-nemesis of a young Elle Woods, Kimberly Carter (played by Kinney). While Kinney more than nailed the role of high school bully, it's a relief to know that in real life, she's kind, friendly, and easier than ever to talk to.
"I was so excited when I had the opportunity to sign on," she tells Popsugar. She was, of course, a previous "Legally Blonde" fan, and working on its prequel series for TV was a dream come true. "To have the opportunity to work with Hello Sunshine, who prioritizes women-led stories, and to be on a women-led set was so incredible. Kimberly, for me, was [also] such a creative challenge. It was so fun, as an actor, getting to dig into those layers."
If you devoured all of season one in one sitting (guilty), you'll also be excited about the show's other good news. "We also got an early pickup and have wrapped on our second season already," Kinney says. "We're just stoked for that to be out in the world, and I'm currently just enjoying the fruits of the labor. You're on set and you're keeping things secret for so long, and now you kind of get to share it with the world."
"Elle" also takes place in the '90s — an epic era ripe with makeup trends we still see and love today. Needless to say, this got Kinney inspired. "I had never been a lip liner girlie, and now I am because that is a key part of Kimberly's look," she says. "I really got into that!" Aside from leaning into the makeup of the times, Kinney's partnership with personal-care brand Hello is another serendipitous gain she scored while filming the show. "That actually has now become [something] I kind of associate that time in my life with," she said. Now the brand's chief aura officer (a dream role that involves vibe checks and copious amounts of bedazzling), she considers the start of this partnership her first real foray into self-care.
"[Acting] is a really demanding job and I think you always have to protect your aura and your energy, especially as an artist," she says. "Being around a lot of energies throughout the day, you have to be intentional about protecting your own peace. And, I think a great way to do that is really building a strong self-care routine."
Her new gig definitely helps her do just that. "Stepping into the role of the chief aura officer felt very apropos and very timely," she says. "[I love] using the Mellow Mint Dream Toothpaste ($7) as part of my self-care routine as well. It's whipped, it's fun, it's light, and a sensorial experience. It always puts a smile on my face. And so it's a great way for me to harvest some good energy to bring into the day and bring into my work."
And that's not all she does for a self-care moment. While incorporating joy and whimsy into her morning routine via Hello keeps her grounded, she also loves a daily skin-care ritual to set her up for success. "I actually am pretty simple [when it comes to skin care]," she says. "[My routine] does change based on where I am and what I'm doing, but especially at work. I try to keep it pretty simple, especially because I'm putting so many products on my face on a day-to-day basis [on set]." Her nonnegotiable item? A good face wash. "I'm an Osea girlie, so I use the Ocean Cleanser ($48) or the Ocean Cleansing Mud ($48)." For a little hydration, she also loves Caudalie's Vinoperfect Moisturizer ($65). And last but not least, she always tops it off with sunscreen.
"Always, always sunscreen every single day," she says. "Even if you think the sun is not out, it's going to get you. She's out, she's just hiding behind the clouds." Her sunscreen of choice is Supergoop's Unseen Sunscreen ($38) for its truly invisible properties. "Having some melanin in my skin, I do not like a lavender cast on my face," she says. "I appreciate how lightweight and clear it is. It looks like a nice primer too."
When she isn't working, she likes to dabble in masks and exfoliants, but admits it's probably not the best for her sensitive skin to have so many different products on rotation. "It's kind of like Russian roulette because I don't know if [something is] going to be the one that makes me break out or work wonders," she says. "But I kind of like to risk it sometimes. Usually it turns out OK." The story of every beauty editor's life, ever.
Shawna Hudson is a beauty, wellness, lifestyle, and travel writer whose work has appeared in Bustle, The Zoe Report, Who What Wear, Byrdie, Elite Daily, and more.Read on the original site
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