Millie Bobby Brown Just Told Me All of Her Best Tips—From Success to Skincare

By the age of 19, Millie Bobby Brown has gained international recognition for playing the powerful Eleven in Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things, earning herself nominations for two Primetime Emmy Awards, and she starred in and produced the Netflix mystery film Enola Holmes as well as its 2022 sequel. In 2018, Brown was featured on the Time 100 list of the world’s most influential people and, later that same year, was selected to be UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassador. With all things considered, it’s clear this star’s talent has gone supernova, extending far beyond the limits of Hollywood.

We had the opportunity to talk with Brown about her exciting new partnership with Essentia Water, the tips and tricks she’s incorporated into her makeup and skincare routines on and off set, and what she’s learned from building an expansive career at such a young age.

Can you share a little about your experience collaborating with Essentia Water and what it means to you?

So far, it’s been amazing! Everyone shares the same message and objective, and it just coincides exactly with what I believe in. Our messaging across the board just feels seamless. We have so many great upcoming things happening throughout the year. I’ve been really lucky that this worked out for me and that I got to partner up with such a wonderful brand that’s very much family already.

If you had to leave the house in five minutes, what are a few staple beauty products you’d apply or bring with you?

Florence by Mills is my beauty-and-skincare company, so I’m going to name a few products from there: my Built to Lash Mascara, Dreamy Dew Moisturizer ([this] plays into the hydration of everything, which has been something I’ve been surrounded by since the very beginning of Florence by Mills [and] is why, five years later, I’m partnering up with Essentia), and … our Tinted Lip Oil because that’s also pH balanced. I’ve been in that world for a very long time, so pH balance right now is the theme of my life.

What are your go-to products for keeping your skin hydrated and glowing?

So I’m going to go into a bit of skincare. Obviously, washing your face, keeping your face clean. Your skin is a blank canvas, and whatever you put onto your skin goes into your bloodstream. That’s why Essentia Water is so important. … Not only do we have to take care of who we are and what we’re made of but also what we put onto our skin. Also, keeping your face moisturized! 

My products are made up of things to keep your skin hydrated. Considering we go out into the sun almost every day, it’s incredibly important that we protect ourselves from it. So I’m really lucky to partner up with Essentia because I know that world in skincare form. They know that world in water form, and coming together to talk more about that is really unbelievable.

How would you describe your approach to everyday skincare and makeup?

When I wake up, I usually use my Clean Magic Face Wash. It’s non-foaming, and I just use that and then throw on some moisturizer. But actually, the first thing I do when I wake up—hand on my heart, not going to lie to you, Maya—is drink water. I have it next to my bed every single night prepared for when I wake up in the morning to drink at least half a bottle of it before I get up. So I watch YouTube in bed and drink half of the water at least and then get up. I actually have felt the difference and reap the benefits from that.

Can you walk me through a day in the life on set?

Gosh, what I like about my career is that every day is different, so I would only be explaining to you what a generic day looks like, but again, it’s never the same, which is what I love about it. I usually wake up, drink half a bottle of Essentia, get up, brush my teeth, throw my pj's on, and go to set. Then I go into hair and makeup and then usually a rehearsal to see what a scene looks like. Then you do last looks (which is when everyone comes around you and takes a last look at what you look like), and then you go straight into rolling. You do the scene shot by shot, and sometimes, you get to complete a scene within a day. Sometimes, you don’t get the pleasure of completing a scene in a day, and then you have to come back to it. 

But the only thing that keeps me going is water, and I’ve realized that only recently. I wish I knew that when I was younger because that might have been a lot easier for me. I used to sometimes get tired, and I was like, "Okay, how do I keep going?” I was too young to drink coffee, so I was like, "What is my answer here?” And little did I know it was water. The fact that this is an ionized alkaline water, it is different from the rest and does stand out on its own. I’ve been able to find that only later on in life at the ripe age of 19, so I caught it just in time. Now, I’ve finally found my answer, and that is what keeps me going during those busy set days.

If you had to take on the style of one of your characters, who would you pick and why?

Definitely not Eleven. Why would I? I’m going to have to say my new character in this film I just finished called The Electric State. That would be the style I take on. I just love her style. And it’s very much something that I would have probably looked like in the ’90s.

Okay, so you’re going from the ’80s to the ’90s! 

I know! Do you know what? I realized I haven’t done a film set in this day and age. Every film I’ve done has been either in the future or the past.

Lastly, do you have any advice for Gen Zers hoping to pursue their dream careers?

Don’t be afraid to learn. I think so much of what we’re made up of now is kind of like you have to feel like everything is tangible—like you know something already because you’ve seen it or read it. Everything seems so accessible through our phones. But actually, learning is so impactful and can go such a long way, and I feel like people forget that going to school [and] receiving all the education for the dreams you want to pursue is really important. 

That’s rich coming from me because I did not study drama, but I’m studying something else I’m really passionate about, and activism is something I’ve always shown so much interest in, even from a really young age. I think when you have an education in front of you and the privilege to have an education, utilize it. Don’t be afraid to learn and grow. And with that, drink water! Why not? Drink water while you’re studying. That’s what people forget. I have so many friends that are in college that are falling asleep at their computer, and I’m like, "Wow! Let me send you something that will change your life.” So going back to taking care of yourself during those times as well, it’s finding that fine balance really.

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