Allure has enlisted Kerry Washington to cover its November “Science” issue. The beauty shared her Sharif Hamza-lensed cover on Instagram this afternoon: “I am so excited to share this @allure cover story. Ms @takishahair killed it in the hair department, right?!?! It was a very special shoot ALL AROUND. #grateful 🙏🏾 Check out the article and photos with the link in my bio. AND you can pick up a copy of the magazine TODAY!”
As the actress prepares to bid adieu to her Olivia Pope days—Scandal is in its seventh and last season—Washington opens up about the show while also dishing on topics ranging from hair care and beauty essentials to career goals. Peruse highlights from the interview below, or click here to read the full story.
On the news cycle of 2017:
“I have to dip in and dip out, because it suffocates me. Like, I become unable to function. So it’s a tricky balance between staying aware and also staying connected to a sense of hope and productivity and showing up for life.”
On Olivia Pope’s beauty routine:
“There’s someone who follows me around all day long on the set. Like, literally follows me to make sure there’s not a single hair out of place. This is somebody’s full-time job. Then someone follows me around to add powder so that I never look shinier than I’m supposed to…. Friday night’s concealer is very different than Tuesday afternoon’s concealer. They get thicker as the week goes on and you get more exhausted.”
On natural beauty:
“I like to wear my natural texture, especially now because I have children and I want them to know that their hair is perfect as it is. They don’t have to change it or straighten it. They can, but they don’t have to.”
On executive-producing:
“It’s kind of like being the Olivia Pope of television. You get to change people’s lives and fix problems and be grounded and assertive and of service. So it really is a lot of things that I felt Olivia has taught me to do in pretend and then to apply those skills when I produce.”
On those who expect her to “handle it” in real life:
“It happens All. The. Time. I mean, part of it is because they know I can connect them to Judy Smith, [the crisis manager] who the role is based on. But people call me to say, ‘I have this problem. Can I talk to you about it?’ And I’m like, ‘I don’t even want to know! Just skip over me!’ But I know secrets.”
On her biggest beauty indulgence:
“Massages. I love them because they fall in that in-between for me: half beauty, half wellness. It’s something I do because I’m in heels a lot and I work really long hours. And I have a lot of pressures in my life. So massages are a good way for me to maintain my health and wellness, but also I feel like I’m doing something indulgent. And I’m a deep-tissue girl. I ask for the strongest massage therapist. Unravel me. Get in there.”
