Bailee Madison on Summer Makeup Essentials and Being Gen-Z’s “Scream Queen”

If there’s one thing horror fanatics can’t get enough of, it’s the “Final Girl” trope. From Jamie Lee Curtis’ Laurie Strode in Halloween to Neve Campbell’s Sidney Prescott in Scream, there’s nothing more satisfying than seeing a whip-smart, clever woman take down a murderous villain. And now, Bailee Madison has stepped up to the plate to put her modern spin on the “Final Girl” legacy as Imogen Adams in Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin.

The actress needs no introduction, as her name easily sparks recognition. In fact, few starlets can claim they grew up in the spotlight quite like Madison, who, before turning ten, already counted critically acclaimed movies like Bridge to Terabithia and Brothers on her resume. But whether you know her from these heart-wrenching dramas or comedic roles in Just Go With It or Wizards of Waverly Place, one thing you probably don’t know about her is her love of beauty.

After spending years in the makeup chair, Madison has picked up more than a few tips, tricks, and insights on what brings a character alive. Ahead, she shares her favorite summer beauty essentials, how Imogen has evolved, on where she sees her career headed.

Keeping with the theme of the Pretty Little Liars: Summer School title, can you tell me what your summer skincare essentials are?

“I’m on a completely different regimen as of a week and a half ago. I realized that I have rosacea, so I had to figure that out because my face is always on camera. My routine now is very simple. I like using Supergoop!’s Glowscreen SPF 40 Sunscreen because it gives you a nice glow without having to add makeup. I also use Sonya Dakar’s Blue Butterfly Balm during the day and night. It gives a nice protective layer that, while feels thick, doesn’t sit heavy on the skin. The balm and the brand’s Organic Omega Oil are so luxurious and formulated for sensitive skin like mine.”

How about your summer makeup essentials?

“For me, less is more when it comes to summer makeup. I like my makeup to look glowy and be as skin-based as possible. For the face, I go in with Armani Beauty’s Luminous Silk Face and Under-Eye Concealer under my eyes. If I’m going out and want more coverage, I use Chantecaille’s Future Skin Gel Foundation. I love the foundation because it’s dewy, not too heavy, and the ingredients are safe for my sensitive skin. If I’m going to do a lip, I love a bold red. Otherwise, the eyelash curler is my best friend—it makes my eyes look so awake.”

Your character in PLL: Summer School, Imogen Adams, has come a long way since the first season. Is there anything you did to signal this change?

“Imogen was so fun this season. My makeup artist, Sheri Kornhaber, and I were on the same page that when we re-met Imogen, we wanted her to feel familiar yet elevated. Then, as things are slowly falling apart and coming together for her during the season, we wanted her to feel empowered, bolder, and like she was having more fun. For me, that meant a winged liner and red lip: Those are her weapons of choice. We also played around with blue and white eyeliners. It was just fun to sit in the chair and create a different world from the one we first saw Imogen in.”

Speaking of new looks, tell me about your major haircut.

“I had cut it after the first season wrapped, heading into press. Then, we were picked up for the second season. I walked into the writer’s room, and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, our showrunner, asked, ‘Is this the look for Imogen, season two?’ and I said, ‘Do you want it to be?’ For me, it made sense, as a lot of girls can relate to going through a life-changing situation and immediately wanting to change their hair. So I felt like with the physical weight of season one, Imogen would want to shed that weight, cut her hair, and try to feel like a new person.”

Aside from beauty, the style moments we’ve been given from the series are absolutely killer. What fashion trends are you loving right now?

“I’m still holding on to the basic, off-duty, ’90s supermodel trend that hasn’t left. I feel my best if I’m in a great tank, a cool pair of jeans, and boots.

How are you practicing self-care these days?

“I’ve started waking up in the mornings and carving out time for breathwork. It’s a really nice way to settle all the thoughts and lists in my head and feel a bit more centered. I also love journaling. I find putting words down on paper and checking in on my feelings is really healing. Also, this season was so lovely, as the whole cast would spend time together in the gym. It helped me realize that spending time sweating makes my head feel clearer and much more focused.”

You recently expressed interest in taking part in the Scary Movie reboot. What projects have been piquing your interest lately?

“Everyone knows that I don’t just love the horror genre, I respect it so much. I’ve gotten to play my fair share of horror characters, but I love comedy and have been dying to do one. I want to make people laugh and know I’d have a blast on set. I just thought, ‘Life’s too short; I’m tweeting this.’ You never know! But aside from that, I’m working on music right now, which is something I’ve always wanted to do. I put out my first song in January during the SAG-AFTRA strike. It was a healing experience for me, and now that I’ve gotten a little taste of it, I’m inspired to write more. I have a lot to say, and music is such a wonderful vessel to work through and heal from things.”