Carla Gugino portrays a new kind of character in The Fall of the House of Usher. The 52-year-old actress consistently selects remarkable projects, and as she shared two years ago, much of her character work revolves around how her roles perceive beauty. Gugino explained in summer 2021, “Through processes like makeup, hairstyling, and wardrobe fittings, I frequently uncover essential facets of the characters I portray. I constantly ask myself, ‘Is this person concerned with beauty or not?’” She added that most authentic people follow daily morning rituals, and she often imagines whether a character would be someone who keeps it simple—like a woman who just applies lip balm and black eyeliner before heading out.
She’s also known for her incredible memory when it comes to the specific products she has used in various roles. “For JETT, my amazing makeup artist Julie Hewitt and I aimed for a strong yet approachable smoky eye. We used Guerlain’s Kohl Powder Liner because it was essential to Jett’s recognizable appearance,” she recalled. “Playing Ingrid Cortez in Spy Kids is another example that springs to mind. To complement Juni, her son, who had beautiful red hair that was certainly not influenced by Antonio Banderas, we decided Ingrid’s hair should be red.”
Gugino continued, “For Ingrid, my makeup artist Ermahn Ospina, with whom I’ve worked several times, focused on finding the ideal shade of red. When we finally found the perfect color, I honestly felt like her.” These thoughtful choices—down to the specific eyeliner or hair dye—reflect how Gugino immerses herself in each role through visual transformation.
In her personal life, Gugino is devoted to skincare—especially sunscreen—and has been loyal to certain products for years. “I love Biologique Recherche products and have been using them for a while. The P50 V toner and Lait U cleanser are two of my regular needs. I also really like Joanna Vargas’ Daily Hydrating Cream; the scent is just exquisite. One of my favorite body lotions is Weleda’s Skin Food. I also really like Julie Hewitt’s lipsticks because of their gorgeous colors and striking gold bullet-like packaging. The Suntegrity Impeccable Skin Tinted Sunscreen Moisturizer is an excellent choice for evening out skin tone, protecting against the sun, and keeping the skin hydrated every day. But I have yet to find a blush that compares to NARS Orgasm blush. If I want to pamper myself with a truly luxurious bath, I opt for the Restorative Floral Bath at Nature of Things.”
