Andie McDowell Shares Her Beauty Secrets for Boosting Confidence!

Having been a L’Oréal Paris ambassador for nearly 40 years, what does it mean to you to represent the brand for so long?

It’s one of my greatest honors. I believe anyone who has been with the same company for 39 years has achieved something significant. The longevity of our partnership speaks volumes for both L’Oréal and myself, and it shows how much we’ve managed to achieve together.

How has your perception of beauty changed over the years?

I am much more self-confident now than when I was younger. I still have that voice in my head that pushes me to strive for an undefined perfection—thinner, more presentable, closer to some ideal. However, I’ve learned to be kinder and gentler with myself than before; that voice is now just a low whisper. In my youth, it used to shout at me, but now it’s just an occasional murmur.

What is your skincare routine?

I love to hydrate. Age Perfect by L’Oréal Paris is an excellent cream for that. They really know what they’re doing and work with scientists and dermatologists—it’s a fantastic product. I’m also a fan of the Golden Age oil. When I’m at home, I often walk around with an oily face. It feels so good for the skin.

They also have a shampoo and conditioner from the Elvive range, specially designed for gray/silver hair. It’s lavender-colored and the quality is amazing. My hair feels so soft afterward! I often apply the conditioner to my hair and leave it in overnight. My hair is dry because curly hair tends to be that way. When I apply a lot of conditioner and leave it in overnight, rinsing it out the next morning is heavenly.

Is that your personal beauty tip?

That’s what I do on the product side of things. Beyond that, I have many habits and rituals that contribute to my wellness. Health is also beauty. It’s beautiful to feel healthy, strong, and alive; that’s when you truly feel beautiful.

Is there a skincare or makeup product you can’t live without?

Beyond moisturizer and conditioner, as I’ve gotten older, my eyebrows have started to thin. So, don’t pluck your eyebrows! I always tell this to my daughters, fortunately, they listen! But I went through that phase in the 90s… To thicken my eyebrows, I use a pencil and love L’Oréal Paris’ Unbelievabrow gel. It keeps them in place all day; mine tend to curl downwards which isn’t very flattering. I also love the Voluminous mascara and Color Riche lipstick. A little bit of this, a little bit of that, and I feel truly glamorous.

What beauty ritual or habit did your mother or grandmother pass down to you?

My mother was a firm believer in sunscreen. I remember she hung curtains because my sister used to lie out in the sun which was common in the 70s. Luckily for me, I was too energetic to just lie there. I’d last about five minutes, but my sisters would stay out for hours, and my mother would get mad if they didn’t wear sunscreen. I did the same with my kids, and L’Oréal has a great sunscreen that I use every day.

What’s your secret for feeling good in your skin that you might like to share with our readers?

That’s a great question! I think we all need to work on our thoughts. They are often our worst enemies. We tend to be harder on ourselves than anyone else. It’s crucial to find joy in being oneself, to accept and love oneself, to take care of oneself, and not put oneself down.

For you, is beauty primarily in the mind?

Absolutely! Our perception of the world and ourselves is where true beauty lies. It’s important to work on one’s mind, which not only judges others but judges ourselves even more harshly. We must learn to love others and ourselves.

Any upcoming projects you’d like to share?

I’m working on a new project, trying to give my character a lot of depth, an assertive femininity, and an awareness of who she is. I love this character! The series is called On The Way Home, and it’s airing on Peacock. People really enjoy the series, so I’m very happy. I’m also working on a film with a director I’ve admired for a long time, Peter Chelsom. Danny DeVito will also be in it. It’s a wonderful film called A Sudden Case of Christmas, and it’s much deeper than it sounds.