The Foundation Daisy Edgar-Jones Wears on Every Red Carpet
November 3 | 3 minute read
Words by Kaylah Joelle Baker
For Sense and Sensibility's Daisy Edgar-Jones, a skin-first approach became a beloved (and authentic) part of filming Jane Austen's literary classic.
Daisy Edgar-Jones is the English actress known for bringing emotional depth and vulnerability to many complex book heroines (think Marianne in Normal People and Kya in Where the Crawdads Sing) – all with a lively spin that’s uniquely her. But it was the star’s latest film that changed her approach to beauty in real life.
Edgar-Jones gave The MECCA Memo a behind-the-scenes look at the details that brought her Sense and Sensibility character, Elinor Dashwood, to the screen, revealing why she now embraces simplicity in her skincare and makeup, and the Estée Lauder essentials she swears by for red-carpet moments.
Bringing Elinor to Life
Having a hair and makeup team on the set of a film that doesn’t use makeup feels like an oxymoron, but it’s not; Edgar-Jones explains how vital the team’s work was in transforming her into Elinor. “I was so lucky to work with Nadia Stacey [hair and makeup designer] and Grace Snell [costume designer], who were both so thoughtful about how we approached Elinor,” she says.
“Everything felt very natural and lived-in, rather than overly polished. Elinor is someone who feels things very deeply but doesn't always express those feelings, and I think that subtlety came through in her understated, natural look,” Edgar-Jones added, revealing, “There was a real freshness to the skin, and the hair was often quite undone, which I loved. It meant that you could see the person underneath all the period detail.”
Creating an authentic sense of place, rather than an idealised Hollywood version of Regency England, was top of the agenda for the film’s director, Georgia Oakley, and Edgar-Jones really loved the decision: “She wanted the world to feel earthy and lived-in, rather than as though everyone had stepped out of a painting,” she says. “The hair could be windswept, the clothes could get dirty, and the skin wasn't hidden beneath lots of makeup. It made the characters feel like real young men and women living in that world.”
Is Daisy Edgar-Jones’ Beauty Routine Sense or Sensibility?
“I'd like to say sense, but there's definitely a bit of sensibility in there, too!” she tells The MECCA Memo. “I'm quite practical with my everyday routine, but I love experimenting when something catches my eye. I think it's about finding a balance between what works for you and having fun with it.
“When you're filming long days, I think keeping things simple is key. I try to stick to the basics: cleansing, moisturising and SPF. Sleep, hydration and finding little moments to switch off are important, too. And I try to remember that your skin is allowed to have a bad day!”
Life Imitates Art: Being Influenced by Her Roles
“I think characters always leave little traces of themselves with you,” Edgar-Jones reveals. “With Elinor, I really appreciated the simplicity of her look, and I definitely found myself wearing less makeup after that shoot. You don't always need as much product as you think. A light touch can be so effective, whether it's enhancing your skin or working with your natural hair texture.
“On this film especially, I loved that we were enhancing rather than covering things up.”
Taking Simplicity on Press Tours
If you haven’t been following her on-theme, romance-driven looks for the Sense and Sensibility worldwide press tour, we highly suggest you do. “My wonderful stylist, Dani Michelle, and I took so much inspiration from this world and from Elinor,” Edgar-Jones says. “I think her understated look has definitely been inspiring. I've loved exploring the romantic feeling of the film through fashion and beauty, while keeping things modern. For me, the best looks reference the character and the project but still feel like you.”
Want to steal her press tour’s beauty routine? You can now. “Press tours can be exhausting, so I try to keep my routine consistent,” Edgar-Jones says. “I’m also lucky to work with incredible artists like Jo Baker and Nikki Wolff who take such good care of my skin.
“Good skincare beforehand is essential. I love Estée Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair serum.”
When it comes to makeup, “I always like having a lip on hand – I’m addicted to the Estée Lauder Futurist HydraPlump Lip Balm. I think I’ve worn it on every red carpet for this tour. And, of course, Double Wear Foundation for a long-lasting base.” She’s also been spotted wearing Pure Color Melt-On Glosstick in ‘Melted Mauve’ and ‘Melted Melon’ and the Glossy Pout Lip Oil in ‘Strawberry Milk’.
