Celebrating strong women has always been part of our DNA, which is why we’re particularly thrilled to share this month’s original beauty editorial featuring Danai Gurira, a woman who is fearless in all arenas. In honor of the return of her hit series The Walking Dead—season five premiered last night on AMC—in which she plays protagonist Michonne in a high-stakes post-apocalyptic world, we turned the spotlight on all the things Gurira is not afraid of, starting with bright makeup.
Gurira is not afraid of: color.
While most actresses tend to stick to one of two looks—old-Hollywood glamour or fresh-faced natural makeup—Gurira has no qualms about going for something bolder. “Me and color work well together,” she says as we discuss today’s palette of blue, pink, and orange. In fact, she’s not afraid of embracing her femininity, especially in the realm of makeup and skincare. We got on the topic of best beauty tips, and Gurira let us in on her number-one secret: Drink a lot of water. “It hit me in my 30s. Jennifer Aniston says it all the time. I was like, ‘What is she talking about?’ and then finally I saw it. It makes a difference if you drank water or if you didn’t.” Gurira also swears by the essentials in her makeup bag, a M.A.C. foundation and Fresh’s Sugar Lip Treatment ($23). The one beauty trick Gurira hasn’t quite figured out yet, however? “I do tend to try a little eye, but I’m terrible at it,” she says. “I can swing a sword, but running this tiny little thing across the eyelid is a little different for me.”