At a mere 21 years old, Australian actress Miah Madden boasts an extensive (and impressive) acting repertoire. She was first introduced in 2012 flick The Sapphires and has since appeared in numerous productions, The Clearing and The Unlisted to name a few, cementing the emerging actress as one to watch.
For her latest role Miah embodies pop-princess character, Charlie Levett in the buzzy drama series Paper Dolls. Set in the early oughts, the show follows the meteoric rise and fall of a fictional female-pop group, Harlow, which is understood to be inspired by beloved Aussie girl-band Bardot. It depicts the high-glamour and glitz associated with pop stardom in the 2000s with a juxtaposing lens on the exploitative nature of the music industry (pre-‘Me Too’ movement).
A visual feast for the eyes, the topical trope is made palatable with Euphoria-esque visuals and a killer wardrobe that would rival that of the Spice Girls. In line with the time period, metallic shimmers awash over lids, intricate up-dos and sleek bobs are in surplus, and oh-so glossy lips are a staple.
Whilst the eight-part series promises an abundance of glam looks to inspire you through party season (and beyond), Miah opts for a ‘more natural’ look in her everyday. Her sophisticated approach to makeup centers around great skin prep, a dewy base and defined lashes.
As she gets ready to attend a private dress rehearsal of The Australian Ballet’s Swan Lake, as a guest of Chanel, Miah reveals her go-to red carpet routine and why Chanel’s famed Coco Mademoiselle fragrance is always her first-step to getting ready.
ELLE Australia: What does beauty mean to you?
Miah Madden: Beauty to me means embracing your features and being confident in your own skin. I’ve always been a big believer that our beauty comes from within and when you are feeling confident it reflects on the outside.
ELLE: How do you like to use makeup?
MM: I always tend to lean towards a more natural look. A sheer water-based foundation, blush, a bit of bronzer, brow gel, mascara and lip gloss is my go-to. Something that doesn’t feel like an extra layer of skin but evens out my skin tone, accentuates my eyes, and tames my brows.
ELLE: What is your go-to makeup look for an event?
MM: Very similar to the above except adding a medium coverage foundation & concealer, a little flick of eyeliner in the outer-corner of my eye, and some translucent setting powder to avoid looking too shiny in pictures! I’m pretty hopeless with eyeshadow so I tend to use a liquid bronzer in the outer crease of my upper eye-lid to give the effect of a slight smoky eye.
ELLE: Do you tend to focus on your eyes or lips with makeup?
MM: Eyes and lips are my two priority features. If I’m leaving the house and had 10 seconds to do a quick makeup look I would curl my lashes, put on mascara and a tinted lip balm. Keeping my lips hydrated is so important, I also can’t leave the house without my Laneige lip mask.
ELLE: What about skin prep? What products do you like to use?
MM: Skin prep is so important, especially as a base before applying makeup. I exfoliate twice a week using the Vanessa Megan Skin Polishing Exfoliator, which makes my skin feel so soft. Cleanser, toner, serum and moisturiser is my daily four-step morning and night routine. I use the Super C + Bearberry Illuminating face serum by Vanessa Megan at night and am obsessed with this oil-free product. Keeping my face hydrated allows for makeup to be applied so seamlessly.
ELLE: What fragrance have you worn today?
MM: Today I am wearing CHANEL Coco Mademoiselle, a fragrance I consider to be my signature scent. It was the first fragrance I was ever gifted back when I was a teenager and I have worn it religiously ever since. It’s a feminine and fresh scent and perfectly compliments the essence of my look at the ballet [Madden attended a private dress rehearsal of The Australian Ballet’s Swan Lake as a guest of CHANEL] today.
ELLE: How does a good perfume change your mood?
MM: You know that feeling when you’re getting ready to leave the house and you’re absolutely dreading it? The effort of getting ready can seem so draining until you spray your favourite perfume and all the memories of when you last wore it come flooding back. That’s what I feel. When I smell my perfumes, each one brings back a different memory, a different song, a different moment in time. The power fragrance holds psychologically is incredible. Coco Mademoiselle instantly uplifts my mood and makes me feel powerful, free and ready to own any room I walk into.
ELLE: What’s your favourite Chanel beauty product and why?
MM: I have to go with an absolute classic and my all-time favourite: the CHANEL Le Vernis Longwear nail colour 167 in ‘Ballerina’. Such a simple addition to any look yet somehow elevates its elegance. Perfect for any and every occasion, encapsulating what I believe Chanel beauty does best: accentuates natural beauty. I adore this nail colour and don’t see myself finding a new favourite any time soon, I also find the colour pairs perfectly with my CHANEL Fine Jewellery Coco Crush rings.
ELLE: When you’re off duty, what makeup do you wear? If any?
MM: I’m an ocean girl through and through, and can rarely go a day without jumping in the water. When I’m off duty I need to create a simple look which accounts for my sporadic beach days. A tinted SPF moisturizer from La Roche-Posay or CHANEL Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint with curled lashes, brows gelled into place, and my Laneige lip mask is the way to go for me.