Camila Cabello on Fragrance, Favourite Lip Liners and Her Friendship With Patrick Ta
Our take
Camila Cabello’s recent “Glowdown” interview offers a compelling snapshot of the evolving landscape of celebrity beauty endorsements. The focus on quick-fire questions and unfiltered insights aligns with a growing consumer desire for authenticity, moving beyond the heavily-produced, aspirational imagery that has long dominated the beauty space. It’s a refreshing shift, particularly when considered alongside trends like the resurgence of classic lipstick application techniques highlighted in Hailey, Sadie and Kaia All Agree That This Is the Coolest Way to Wear Your Lipstick Right Now. This preference for straightforward, relatable routines, as demonstrated by Cabello's discussion of her favorite lip liners and fragrance choices, suggests a move away from complex, multi-step regimens and towards a more curated, efficient approach to beauty. The interview’s success also subtly reinforces the power of personal connections; Cabello’s genuine friendship with makeup artist Patrick Ta lends credibility to her recommendations and humanizes the often-sterile world of celebrity endorsements.
The broader significance of this "Glowdown" format extends beyond simply showcasing product preferences. It reflects a broader cultural shift towards transparency and a rejection of unattainable beauty standards. Consumers are increasingly discerning, seeking genuine recommendations from individuals they admire and trust. This demand is evident in the continued interest in "anti-trend" items, as explored in The Anti-Trend Jewelry Item That's Quietly Taking Over 2026, demonstrating a desire for pieces that transcend fleeting trends and possess enduring appeal. Cabello's candidness, including her beauty pet peeves, further reinforces this desire for authenticity, making her feel less like a distant icon and more like a relatable peer sharing valuable insights. This approach cultivates a stronger connection with her audience, transforming her from a mere endorser into a trusted advisor.
The interview’s emphasis on fragrance selection, in particular, points to a growing importance of scent in the modern beauty routine. Fragrance is inherently personal, evoking memories and emotions, and Cabello’s thoughtful discussion of her preferences resonates with a desire for olfactory experiences that are both distinctive and meaningful. This aligns with the broader trend of consumers prioritizing self-care and wellness, viewing fragrance not merely as an accessory but as an integral part of their overall well-being. Moreover, the interview's concise format, moving swiftly through questions, mirrors the fast-paced nature of online consumption, catering to audiences with limited attention spans. It’s a streamlined approach that maximizes engagement while delivering valuable insights—a winning combination in the current digital landscape. The interview's success demonstrates that audiences are hungry for content that is both informative and genuinely engaging, moving beyond superficial endorsements to foster meaningful connections.
Looking ahead, it will be interesting to observe whether other celebrities adopt this "Glowdown" format, prioritizing authenticity and concise insights over elaborate production values. The success of this approach suggests a potential paradigm shift in celebrity beauty endorsements, moving towards a more relatable and transparent model. Will we see a continued emphasis on personal connections and genuine recommendations, or will the industry revert to its traditional, heavily-produced aesthetic? The answer likely lies in the continued evolution of consumer preferences and the ongoing demand for authenticity in a world saturated with carefully curated imagery.
Welcome to The Glowdown, the series where we dive into the beauty secrets of our favourite celebrities as they get real about their routines and non-negotiables exclusively with us. Join them as they sit in our beauty hot seat, and we fire off a round of quick questions, giving you never-before-shared insight into the products they can't live without, their secrets to getting red carpet–ready, beauty pet peeves and the genius tips they've picked up along the way. This is no-holds-barred beauty at its finest.
This month, we sat down with Camila Cabello. The 29-year-old singer-songwriter has just been announced as Tommy Hilfiger's latest global ambassador and the face of the brand's newest fragrance, Freedom. The launch marks a fresh chapter for Tommy Hilfiger fragrance, and we asked the star to share more about her exciting new venture.
Below, Camila talks go-to makeup products, her best beauty advice and, of course, her signature scent.
1. Which beauty product gives you the biggest mood boost?
I will say fragrance. Before I go to a big event, [I wear] Tommy Hilfiger Freedom. I don’t really wear perfume, so if I’m going out, it makes me feel like, "oooh, this is special."
2. If you could steal someone else’s makeup bag, whose would it be?
I think I’m going to say Dua Lipa!
3. You’ve got a spot. Are you team pop it or team leave it alone?
If it’s yellow, pop it!
4. You only have one product to use for the rest of your life—what is it?
Probably conditioner. I’m really into the Amika Soulfood Nourishing Hair Mask right now.
5. What’s the best piece of beauty advice that you have ever received?
Drink water. It makes such a big difference to everything, which is so annoying because I hate having to go to the bathroom.
6. What's your signature fragrance?
Tommy Hilfiger Freedom, for sure. I love vanilla, so I love that about it. It’s fresh, and it’s not too intense!
7. Strong lip or a strong eye?
A strong eye. I’m definitely a strong-eye girl. I like a smoky eye, but I honestly do it less and less. I’m into a more natural bronzy brown.
8. You’re having your nails done. What’s your go-to colour?
I do a nude with chrome on top.
9. What's your favourite lipstick colour?
I like the Mary Phillips lip liner. I like anything close to my natural lip colour. I love a lip tint. I love the Sacheu one.
10. Candles, reed diffusers or nothing at all?
Candles. I like the Diptyque ones.
11. Name one beauty product that is always in your handbag
Probably a lip liner and the Gisou lip oil. I like to have a little bit of a gloss or an oil.
12. Are you team dewy or matte?
Dewy all the way.
13. The greatest drugstore product for under £10?
Cheap mascara! It's better sometimes.
14. Describe your brows in one word
Healing. The more I don’t do anything to them, the more they’re actually growing. I had spots that weren’t growing. I’m not touching them, and they’re growing in the places they weren’t! I like a more unkempt brow to brush up; I think it gives a youthful, wild look that I like.
15. What beauty rule do you always break?
I’ve realised that trends that look good on other people don’t [always] look good on me, and I think it’s good to be aware of that. I don’t know if that’s a beauty rule that I break, but it’s something that I’ve realised. Just do what works for your face!
16. Which celebrity’s hair would you love to steal?
I would steal Rosalía’s hair because, to my knowledge, she is someone who has gorgeous hair and doesn’t have any extensions, and that’s really rare in our industry.
17. Best beauty hack?
Patrick Ta is a really great friend of mine; I love him so much. I’ve learned a lot from him; I’ve learned about how important it is to really moisturise your face right before you do your makeup.
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