Having a quick chat with the wonderfully genial Aurora Perrineau in her relaxed and comfortable style, sitting cross-legged in a bed at a hotel room in New York, feels like a mini-vacation. Her choice of attires suggests a comfort-first mindset, as she sits in a tracksuit, with her hair neatly tied in a bun.
Her look, on this day, is a testament to her expert knowledge of beauty – her liner applied impeccably, her blush adding a touch of vibrance to an otherwise subtle face. It’s a mesmerizing view, even through the cold, digital screen of a Zoom call. But that’s Aurora for you, her charm has the unique ability to foster connection irrespective of the medium.
Being the daughter of accomplished actors, Brittany and Harold Perrineau known for their roles in ‘Romeo + Juliet’ and ‘The Matrix’, Aurora was raised amid the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. Having built her career on supporting roles in widely praised shows like ‘When They See Us’, ‘The Carmichael Show’, and ‘Westworld’, it was her role in Netflix’s comedy ‘KAOS’ that thrust her into the limelight. She delivered a splendid performance as Riddy, an unexpected heroine, in the dark comedy that offers a unique twist on Greek mythology, co-starring with the likes of Jeff Goldblum and Janet McTeer.
During our chat, she opened up about her hair care regime, her on-screen beauty looks, and the beauty products she simply cannot do without. It’s oddly comforting to hear that even a Hollywood actress had her hair woes during the teenage years. Despite being set in Hollywood trends, she frequently experimented with straightening her hair, it wasn’t until she took up a role in ‘When They See Us’ that she started embracing her natural curls, thanks to some friendly nudge from Ava DuVernay on set.
Before that, she did not feel the needed acceptance of her naturally curly tresses, compelled to follow the societal standards of beauty. However, the more she embraced herself and her curls, the more confident and beautiful she felt.
Growing up with parents who were immersed in the film industry could be tricky, but Aurora credits her grounded upbringing to the diverse friendship of her parents, making it easier for her to build her own identity. However, the individuality did not come without challenges. Like any other artistes, she constantly wondered about missing out on roles and found herself questioning beauty norms during auditions, until she discovered that none of it should define her.
During filming, amid days in the sun and constant layers of make-up for the press, Aurora’s skin had to cope, and cope well. She credits a friendly make-up artist from the sets of ‘Westworld’ for introducing her to a tinted moisturizer from Laura Mercier, a product that helped her maintain a flawless – yet natural skin without blocking her pores, thus becoming her go-to daily makeup.
Her character in ‘KAOS’, Riddy’s makeup looks, remains grounded and normal, much like her everyday look. The show makers went to the extent of limiting her curls to portray Riddy as a less confident person, a ploy that played into the narrative of the character. However, Aurora’s personal style includes allowing her freckles to shine, sporting more blush, and letting her curls loose and big.
During the press tour for ‘KAOS’, her favourite looks included a lavish green high-neck dress from Dior which she wore in London, along with a vintage dress from designer Dominique Sirop that she rented from a vintage rental shop. Her enchantment for vintage outfits is reflected in these exceptional choices that are the perfect fusion of elegance and uniqueness.
When asked about her indispensable beauty products, she mentions Rhode blushes and Glosshood lip gloss, which are her favourites. She places equal importance on sunscreen and hair care products from Kerastase. Freckle from Rhode is the blush shade she finds most compatible with her skin tone.
Aurora is one such talented artist who shines not only on screen but also through her humble personality and innate charm.
