Camila Cabello has been on a quite the journey of self-discovery. Having first encountered fame with the pop group Fifth Harmony, she subsequently carved out her own identity as one of the biggest female solo artists in the US - so the Cuban-born singer and songwriter knows more than most about the importance of being true to yourself.
"My personal beauty philosophy is that I think it comes from the inside out," Cabello tells us. "It's not just how you decorate your face, your hair and your appearance, but also what you're consuming, what you're eating, what you're thinking and what you're putting into your spirit, your body and mind."
It's clear that beauty plays a key role in the way Cabello navigates her identity and how she chooses to present herself to the world. "I've definitely loved using make-up as a form of self-expression, especially over the past year," she says. "I like to play around and change it up quite a lot when when I'm working on things, but if it's just my day off I like to just go natural. I'll put on a tinted sunscreen, mascara, either some red lipstick or gloss, maybe some blush, and call it a day."
There's something very French-feeling about Cabello's less-is-more approach to beauty - that particular brand of glamour that appears effortless but is in fact quite uniformed. It's perhaps serendipitous, then, that the singer happens to be in the French capital for L'Oreal's Le Defile fashion week show when we meet to discuss how her relationship with beauty has evolved. With her full, tousled brunette hair, defined features and au natural Latin American beauty, Cabello's look isn't a far cry from the moins c'est plus attitude that has become synonymous with Parisian women and their appearance.
"Yesterday I got to Paris and immediately thought, 'Oh, I need some red lipstick', and I used the L'Oreal Colour Rich Satin Lipstick as soon as I got here," she laughs. "It just instantly made me feel French. I think it's just so fun to you know, decorate yourself how you want to feel."
When we enquire about the secret to her perfectly placed fringe, Cabello admits that she's actually growing out her signature bangs, though thankfully not before imparting her wisdom onto us. "I'm actually letting them grow out now so I don't know if I'll be the appointed bang person anymore," she jokes. "Something that I've taught a lot of my friends is, after you get in the shower, tuck them behind your ears and kind of make the little curtain-like shape. When they air-dry it makes your bangs look very Farrah Fawcett."
Keeping her body and skin hydrated has become an increasingly important part of the 24-year old's beauty routine. "Skincare is the biggest thing for me and drinking a lot of water really makes a big difference to my skin," she explains, citing the L'Oreal Paris Hyaluronic Acid Revitalift Filler Serum and sheet mask as the hydration-boosting ingredients she calls upon regularly.
The ritualistic element of taking time for oneself is key to her approach too, especially when working to a schedule as back-to-back as hers. Meditation and meaningful rest are practices Cabello has extolled the virtues of to her 57.3 million followers on Instagram, something she came to learn thanks to the hold the pandemic put on everyday life. "I think it's important once a week to take a little bath and put on a sheet mask and read a book. It's just very easy and your skin thanks you for it."
With her solo hit 'Havana' having just made her the second Latina female singer to earn diamond certification, it's clear that Cabello's star is nowhere near done rising. Already possessing an innate understanding of the joy and possibilities that beauty can bring, we look forward to seeing how her identity continues to evolve with it.
