Mandy Moore's Best-Kept Hair Secret Is This $8 Mask

Plus, the 'This Is Us' star also fills us in on her next big hair change.

Mandy Moore's Best-Kept Hair Secret Is This $8 Mask

It's been an eventful few months for Mandy Moore. The Emmy nominee welcomed son, Gus, with husband and musician Taylor Goldsmith, in February; she wrapped season five of This Is Us a few weeks ago (read about that shocking finale here), and then just last week, made the ultimate hair change and went a gorgeous shade of dark blonde (Garnier Nutrisse Almond Créme in shade 70, because we know you want to know). 

“We're on hiatus from work, summer is fast approaching, the world is opening up again, and I was just so hungry for a big, crazy, loud change,” she tells Glamour via Zoom. “I haven't done anything like this to my hair for years, but I wanted something fun, new and fresh. Blonde summer 2021 feels like the right move.”

Is it ever. With bouncy waves that could get her mistaken for J. Lo, the actor/singer/songwriter is leaning in to her inner beauty editor. “That's what's been so fun to work with Garnier,” she says of their partnership. “I can dig deep into my wannabe beauty editor persona and try all the fun lotions and potions. And they are now officially cruelty-free across the board, which really matters to me when it comes to paving the way for more accessible, sustainable beauty." 

Well, that, and a relaxing shower. “That's my form of self-care and me time at this point,” Moore says with a laugh. “Although I feel very lucky, because Gus is really sweet and such a good sleeper and eater. I'm fairly good at finding time for a shower lately.” 

So what else is Moore loving these days as a new mom? From the dry shampoo she swears by to the other hair change she can't wait to try, we put her to the test with Glamour's latest round of Big Beauty Questions. Read on!

What is one beauty trend you’re obsessed with right now?

I love a bang, especially curtain bangs! I can have a fun, drastic hair color change, but unfortunately a haircut is something that is kind of ruled out until I’m done with the show. Then, I’m going to be cutting it. I had bangs for the first half of season one, because that’s before I knew our show had gotten picked up. Short bangs don’t incorporate great into other hairstyles [of Rebecca's]. So that’s one thing I wish I could do right now.

Fill in the blank: I love my hair…

When I let it air-dry. The less I do to it, the more I like it. Embracing its natural texture is what I’ve found works best for me. I feel like the best, most comfortable version of myself.

Since your hair always looks great, how do you keep it in shape?

Garnier’s dry shampoo—their Colo Colada scent. I’ve gone through 15 bottles of this during quarantine, because it absorbs oil but it makes your hair feel really clean. Also, I dig their Whole Blends line, which is now formulated to be sulfate-free. I use the Honey Treasures scent for very damaged hair, which is what my hair is right now. And the Color Reviver 5-min. Mask that you pop on in the shower. The one I use is cool blonde, to kind of neutralize the brassiness that I’ll be fighting for the foreseeable future!

Garnier Invisible Dry Shampoo—Coco Colada

Garnier Nutrisse Color Reviver 5 Minute Nourishing Color Mask

Garnier Whole Blends Sulfate Free Honey Treasures Shampoo

Garnier Whole Blends Sulfate Free Honey Treasures Conditioner

Have you noticed your hair change since you had Gus?

Yes! I definitely have the baby hairs. Because I’m still nursing, I haven’t had any of the crazy hair loss that they talk about, so my hair has never been thicker or fuller. I don’t have any extensions in right now. I have so much hair it’s crazy.

What is one beauty rule you think is BS?

When some people say they can’t wear a bright lipstick or a red lipstick. I believe there is a color and a shade for everybody. I have so many friends who are like, ‘No, no, I can’t do a bold lip or bright color,’ and I think it’s instantly sexy and beautiful on anybody, whatever shade you choose to do. A lip is always the right move.

What is the best beauty advice you’ve been given?

Less is more. That’s my philosophy for everything in life. Whatever makes you feel good, obviously, but you don’t have to slap on a bunch of makeup to cover up something. Like, embrace your hair’s natural texture or your skin’s natural [state]. To me that’s when real beauty radiates. 

Is there a country or city that gives you the greatest beauty inspiration?

Paris! There’s nothing as chic as walking around Paris and spying on all the impossibly, impeccably groomed and dressed Parisian women. The way they carry themselves and their approach to beauty feels like an afterthought, but also very put together and slightly elevated; never fussy. It’s put together in all the right ways.

What are three skincare or makeup essentials you always have to have on you?

A tinted eyebrow gel. If they are groomed and have a little bit of color, all the better. I love a cheek color, because if it’s the right thing, you can also pop it on your lips and as an eyeshadow, so it’s multi-purpose. And then a good foundation/concealer do-it-all stick, so you can blend it in with your fingers and even out skin tone.

What’s your go-to perfume?

I love scent, I love candles, and I love perfumes. I haven’t worn a lot since pregnancy, but Gypsy Water by Byredo is a classic favorite of mine.

Byredo Gypsy Water Eau de Parfum

What’s your favorite way to take a moment for yourself?

A bath. Always has been, always will be. I love bath oils or bath salts, putting on a podcast or a good record, lighting a candle and not having my phone anywhere near me. 

If you could change one thing about beauty perceptions in social media or Hollywood would what it be?

Just more of a disclaimer that this is not reality; this is a curated version of reality. For all of us.  I know I get sucked into an Instagram wormhole and spiral into thinking, ‘Wow, my life doesn’t look like that. That is so beautiful the way their house looks or the way they travel.’ I can find myself comparing like everybody else. Remember it’s not the full story. I wish social media always came with that disclaimer, because it’s easy to get sucked into thinking that someone else is living the life where nothing is ever wrong with it. And that’s clearly not the case.

Who are the women inspiring you the most right now?

I love our first lady. I would love to meet Dr. Jill Biden. As well as Michelle Obama, for that matter. Any women in the political sphere I am in awe of. And then in my everyday life, new parents, especially. I'm coming in with a new appreciation and sense of awe of what we have the ability to do and bring into the world.

Jessica Radloff is the Glamour West Coast editor. You can follow her on Instagram at @jessicaradloff14. 

This story originally appeared on: Glamour - Author:Jessica Radloff