Bel Powley shot to prominence in 2015 as Minnie, a confident 15-year-old cartoonist who develops feelings for her mother’s boyfriend in the coming-of-age film The Diary of a Teenage Girl. Since then, the west London-born actor, 29, who just became engaged to fellow actor Douglas Booth, has established herself as one of Hollywood’s up-and-coming stars.
Bel Powley gained a household name with her recent performance as Claire Conway in Apple TV+’s binge-able #MeToo drama The Morning Show. Powley portrays a naive young personal assistant who develops feelings for a weatherman (Néstor Carbonell). The romance, which is rooted in true passion, serves as the ideal counterpoint to the show’s other key relationships, which are defined by an abuse of power.
As we await the premiere of season two later this year, Vogue chats with the actor on her relationship with beauty, her newfound love of gua sha, and why she was forced to deactivate Instagram for her mental health.
Growing up, what influenced her idea of beauty
It was probably my mum when I was younger. She is one of those gorgeous women who can reach into her handbag and apply lipstick without glancing in the mirror. I’ve always thought she was stunning on the inside and out.
Did she feel beautiful when she was younger?
I was always a little self-conscious about my physical form, which was pretty boyish with extremely twiggy legs and arms. I disliked wearing skirts to school since I was frequently referred to as ‘Pritt Stick’ [UK glue stick]. I did not feel feminine. It was at the height of American Apparel’s popularity, and everyone was wearing those super-tight disco pants. I had these limbs and a spare tire in the middle, in contrast to my pals’ beautiful hourglass form. I had no idea how to accept it or how to dress appropriately for it.
So, how did Bel Powley cope
I was always experimenting with various rebellious appearances. I went through a brief period of emo. I wore black hair brushed over my face in the shape of a fringe and heavy eye makeup. After that, I went through a 1950s period in which I wore tea dresses and backcombed my hair into a beehive. I was relishing the fact that I was not attempting the generic gorgeous appearance; I was relishing the fact that I was a little different. I felt more at ease being in the ‘She’s a little bit unusual and a little bit weird’ area.
When did she start to feel truly comfortable in her own skin?
It’s only in the last few years that I’ve developed a strong sense of self-confidence. That is not because I believe I look particularly attractive or whatever; rather, it is because I have reached this point of self-acceptance. As in, ‘This is me. This is the face and physique that have been bestowed upon me. Rather of fighting it, work with it.’ Being a grownup is not just accepting yourself, but also maximizing what you’ve been given.
How has your relationship with makeup changed as she becomes more confident
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve begun to wear less makeup. When I was younger, in the early 2000s, wearing a lot was much more fashionable. My closest friend and I were completely fascinated with MAC’s metallic liquid eyeliners. Now, I like the feeling of having a naked face. I enjoy cleaning it and simply venturing out. And if I’m going to wear makeup, I’m going to use concealer and a small amount of mascara. I’ll groom my brows and maybe apply some red lipstick. However, if I’m doing a red carpet and working with a makeup artist, I’ll take a risk and do something completely different. It’s enjoyable to virtually construct a persona.
How does being on the red carpet make her feel
I like dressing up. I’m passionate about clothes, cosmetics, and establishing a persona for myself. I like the procedure, but not standing in front of tens of thousands of cameras. It’s frightening. You simply stand there, paralyzed, your mind racing with all these things.
Does Bel Powley ever think about what the pictures will look like afterward?
I’ll have someone else examine it, such as my hairdresser. I’m not going to go through the photos for hours. That, I believe, is detrimental to your health. Similarly, whether I direct a play or a film, I do not read the critiques. You can become too self-reflective, which can be detrimental.
How does makeup inform your work as an actor, Bel Powley?
I utilize it in my profession to disguise myself as another person. That occasionally necessitates a great deal of makeup and is typically quite different from what I regularly wear. Dressing up in a costume or wearing a wig adds an added layer of confidence. I had to wear false tan, nails, extensions, and a lot of contouring for The King of Staten Island [2020]. When I viewed it again, I felt it looked very decent. It increased my admiration for the wonderful women who wear their makeup in that manner, as it is an art form.
How does social media affect her perception of beauty?
At first, I had a rocky connection with Instagram; it really contributed to my depression. I used to spend a lot of time browsing through it while I wasn’t working. It turned into hell for me. It leads you to believe that you are supposed to appear like someone else and behave in a certain way. You lose sight of your own journey and become fixated on it. I’ve developed a lot more positive relationship with it now. I’m going to erase the app from my phone for the day and then check it in the evening and spend no more than 10 minutes browsing through it before deleting it again. Otherwise, I may re-enter the wormhole.
When I upload a photo of myself, I want it to be something that I consider attractive. It’s healthy to congratulate oneself every now and then—but there is a delicate line. If you believe you look amazing, that’s fantastic; demonstrate it to the world and have confidence in yourself. However, if you do this frequently enough, it sends the message to others who follow you that your life is flawless and this is how theirs should appear. As a result, I attempt to share a mix of news material and personal photos, such as one of my grandmothers who died last year. Ordinary, down-to-earth family matters. However, you do not want others to have an excessive amount of insight into your personal life. It’s a matter of balance.
Instagram aside, the past few years have been mentally tough. How has Bel Powley been taking care of herself?
Because my employment is freelancing, I feel as though my mental health is at risk more often than not, just because you are not in a pattern every day. When I’m working and enjoying my job, it’s wonderful; yet, there are months when I’m not working and have no idea what my next job will be. You lack security. It’s during those months when I’m required to take for my mental health that I’ve discovered the value of maintaining a regular routine. Even if I have nothing planned for the day, I will rise early. When I sleep in, I occasionally get a sense of melancholy.
What does that routine look like, Bel Powley?
I enjoy speaking with my mum in the morning and checking in, followed by some exercise. Even in the dead of winter, I’ll go for a run. It is the most beneficial action you can take for your mental wellness.
Gua sha is another component of my regimen that I found during the lockdown. It’s good to have a morning skin-care regimen. Even if I only cleanse my face and apply two different serums—or moisturizer and do some gua sha—taking that time to care for myself is reassuring and grounded. Similarly, cooking for one’s self may be a kind of self-care. I make an effort to consume nutritious foods. Even if you’re just in the mood to create your favorite pasta dish, some fresh pesto may lift your spirits. I appreciate the ceremonial aspect of it.
OK, final question. What advice would Bel Powley give to your fans and followers who don’t quite yet know how to feel good in themselves?
Do not seek external validation for your actions. Put an end to your obsession with how other people appear and what the media tells you to look like. Put away your Instagram account. Examine yourself in the mirror, do self-study, and attempt to find a method to accept oneself. Once you’ve over that obstacle, you’ll have access to an infinite number of possibilities, methods to improve and love yourself.
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