New York – During a recent Zoom meeting, actress Aurora Perrineau greeted me from her hotel room in New York, sitting cross-legged on her bed. With a warm smile, she wore a tracksuit, her hair styled in a sleek bun. Her perfectly applied eyeliner and subtle blush enhanced her natural beauty, radiating confidence through the screen.
Aurora, the daughter of actors Brittany and Harold Perrineau, grew up surrounded by the entertainment industry. She gained recognition for her supporting roles in acclaimed series like When They See Us, The Carmichael Show, and Westworld. This summer, she stepped into the spotlight in Netflix’s KAOS, a dark comedy that reimagines Greek mythology. Starring alongside Jeff Goldblum and Janet McTeer, she portrays Riddy, an unsuspecting heroine.
In our brief conversation, Aurora discussed her hair care journey, her character’s beauty looks, and the essential products she can’t live without.
EW: I binged KAOS, and I loved it. Congratulations!
Aurora Perrineau: Thank you! I appreciate you watching.
EW: Who taught you to care for your curly hair, and how did you learn?
Aurora Perrineau: Honestly, I struggled with it for a long time. During my teenage years, I constantly straightened my hair because I didn’t know how to manage it. The first time I wore it curly for a project was in When They See Us. The character I auditioned for had curly hair, and during the project, Ava DuVernay suggested I wear my hair curly. That moment encouraged me to start taking care of my curls, which were in pretty bad shape at the time.
EW: That’s great advice from Ava DuVernay. Why did you choose to keep it straight before that?
Aurora Perrineau: I think it was due to multiple reasons. I felt like I needed to conform to beauty standards. I saw many actresses and models with straight hair and thought that’s what I should do to get work. But that belief isn’t true. I feel much more beautiful now with my curly hair. When my hair is straightened, I feel odd. I also didn’t know how to care for my curls—like the difference between conditioners, gels, and mousses. I had a lot to learn.
EW: Growing up with both parents in the industry must have been unique. How did it affect your perspective on beauty?
Aurora Perrineau: My parents are very grounded, and most of their friends are too, which created a positive environment for me. My beauty standards didn’t come from the entertainment industry because everyone around us was diverse. However, my beauty standards were shaped by my experiences in auditions. When I didn’t get a role, I often wondered if it was because of factors unrelated to my talent.
EW: With so much makeup on set and during press events, how do you keep your skin healthy?
Aurora Perrineau: When I started working on Westworld, a makeup artist became a good friend and advised me against using heavy foundation, especially since I was filming outdoors. She introduced me to a tinted moisturizer from Laura Mercier that I now use daily. It has sunscreen and is lightweight, so it doesn’t clog my pores. I also maintain a strict skincare routine, washing my face morning and night. When my skin feels dull, I use a Shani Darden acid peel mask to help with acne-prone areas. I requested to use that tinted moisturizer for all my projects, including KAOS.
EW: I noticed your character Riddy has a natural makeup look. Is that similar to your everyday style?
Aurora Perrineau: Yes, we aimed for a natural look. We highlighted my freckles and kept it simple. I wear more blush in real life, but it didn’t fit Riddy’s character, as she is somewhat hiding from herself. Her hair is often in a bun to reflect this. We also styled my curls smaller to make her appear less confident. A big, proud hairstyle didn’t suit her character.
EW: Did you have any favorite looks from the KAOS press tour?
Aurora Perrineau: I loved my two looks from a recent junket in London. One was a green Dior high-neck dress that I adored. The other was from designer Dominique Sirop, which I found at a vintage rental shop. It had a Greek-inspired look, perfectly fitting the show’s theme. I felt beautiful and unique in both outfits.
EW: If you had to choose four beauty products you can’t live without, what would they be?
Aurora Perrineau: First, my Kerastase hair products. Second, Rhode blushes; I think I have every shade. My favorite is Freckle, as it matches my skin tone well. Third, I love a natural lip gloss called Glosshood. Lastly, I always need sunscreen.
With her positive attitude and commitment to embracing her natural beauty, Aurora Perrineau continues to shine both on and off screen.
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