Beauty / IN THE BAG

Actor Hannah Levien on French skincare and finding restoration in nature

Australia actor Hannah Levien never has a day that's quite the same. Especially when she's on set. It's why she finds balance through routine where she can, making yoga an essential of her morning. When it comes to skincare, she keeps it simple with French pharmacy classics. But she's a firm believer that beauty comes from the inside out, so stress management and staying healthy on the inside is just as important to her as any topical product. For fun she likes to hike and her ultimate trick for when she's rundown - "a good sleep".

Below, we spoke to the star of Netflix series Brand New Cherry Flavor on her beauty essentials, wellness routine and the best advice she's ever received.

 

What is your morning beauty routine?

My morning starts with an “inner beauty” routine haha. I can’t do much in the morning without coffee. I make a bulletproof coffee at home with MCT oil & ghee. It’s delicious & gets me moving. I also balance that caffeine with an anti inflammatory/de-stress supplement like ashwaganda or L-Theanine.

When it comes to skin care in the morning, I follow a cleanse, tone, moisturiser, vitamin C, sunscreen routine. With some face/lymphatic drainage face massage thrown in when I have time and can remember to do it.

I tone with Zo Skin Health Calming Toner, I’ll moisturise with La Roche Posay Cicaplast Balm B5, followed by Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum, and sunscreen - I love La Roche Posay Anthelios tinted 50+ sunscreen).

What is your night beauty routine?

I remove makeup. Bioderma moisturizing micellar water makeup remover is so nice and gentle. I’ll add in Zo Skin Health Dual Action Scrub every other day, then tone & moisturise. I’ll add in a Retin-A with my moisturiser on alternating nights.

 

 

Describe what you do for a livingWhat does a typical day look like for you?

I work as an actor in TV and film. My days vary quite a lot, depending whether I’m on set or not. A typical day on set will start with getting up very early. I definitely always start with some yoga, just ten minutes, and I try to get in some tai chi exercises as well. This gets me grounded, gets my brain going and gets me connected to breath. If I start my day like that then I feel a lot more balanced.

 

What is the drug store or chemist beauty products that you use and love?

I love a good rosehip oil which you can get at most places. I also love French skincare products like La Roche-Posay, Vichy, and the mineral water spray from Avène.

 

What is your main form of beauty body maintenance?

Stretching! It’s just is so great for muscle rest & recovery! I’ve also recently been getting into dry brushing - which feels quite invigorating when you get into it. Dry brushing is for lymphatic drainage and increased circulation.

 

What products do you use on your body?

I love Necessaire Eucalyptus Body Exfoliator and Necessaire Eucalyptus Body Wash with niacinamide. And finish with Necessaire Fragrance Free Body Lotion.

 

How do you keep fit and healthy?

I am a big believer in aligning physical and mental health. So I try to be consistent with exercise and diet. I cook most of my meals, and do home work outs. I’m obsessed with Patrick McGrath’s home workouts using resistance bands & sliders. I also love adding in the Bala ankle weights for those workouts too. In terms of mental health, I have been learning tai chi, and I’m a big fan of journaling & getting my thoughts, fears etc out of my head and onto paper.

 

Does exercise form a large part of your routine?

I’m not the best with routines. I attribute that to the fact that my days can be so unpredictable with workflow. But I know having a routine is so important. I try to get in a walk every day and a solid work out at least three times a week. I can be so resistant to exercise at times, but it is so great for mental clarity and a stress reliever.

 

What procedures or professional treatments do you have as part of your beauty routine?

I can be a bit lazy when it comes to booking procedures. I get so busy with work that I simply forget to plan ahead and do it. But I have had great results with Genesis Laser treatment and Micro-Needling. I highly recommend them.

 

What do you do when your body needs to recover?

I love to get outside and go for a walk or hike. Nature is extremely restorative for me. Hot yoga and a sauna can also be great for sweating out toxins and sweating away stress.

 

You’re tired or rundown: what is your beauty hack?

A lot of water and electrolytes. A good sleep. And I love cold eye patches kept in refrigerator, a cold shower or a nice warm bath with epsom salts and candles feels very relaxing.

 

 

What is the one non-negotiable in your beauty routine?

Using sunscreen everyday.

 

Do you have a beauty icon? Who are they and why?

Laura Dern. She is just fabulous, natural & always glowing. Also I love Dr Katie Beleznay’s skin care tutorials on Instagram. She’s fantastic.

 

What is the best advice on beauty you’ve received?

It’s cheesy, but beauty is on the inside. People with great energy just emanate beauty. I constantly find myself attracted to people with warm energy and a positive outlook.

 

What is the best advice on health you’ve received?

Stress management is key to a healthy life. I sat down with an Ayurvedic practitioner a few years ago during a very busy time in my career. I was acting in a number of different TV shows at the same time and whilst it was an amazing creative time for me, I was also feeling a lot of burnout. The practitioner was so helpful in suggesting some daily supplements to help balance my stress levels - brahmi, ashwaganda and many others. I also spent time seeing my GP, getting blood work done . Our body tells us things all the time, and it can be hard to find the time to listen, but so important when we do.

 

What is the one product you can’t live without?

Sunscreen and a good moisturiser.

 

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Images: Instagram