Brazilian Popstar Anitta Says This Is Her Favorite Makeup Tip to Follow Right Now

It’s only been six years since Anitta landed in the Latin American music scene, and she’s since become the biggest global female popstar to ever from Brazil. When it comes to her social media following, she’s not far below Justin Timberlake as far as Instagram followers (that’s big time, especially considering he’s been an icon the business since the ’90s), and she’s had more than 5 billion views on YouTube. This “Girl From Rio” is on fire right now, so it’s no surprise we’re seeing her name in the beauty industry, too: Her latest collaboration is with Brazilian brand Sol de Janeiro (you know its famous Bum Bum Cream), and the two actually joined forces to create a new fragrance, Sol de Janeiro x Anitta Hair & Body Fragrance Mist ($20).

According to the brand, the new scent is an extension of its beloved Brazilian Crush fragrance collection (a fruity-floral, yet gourmand), and features fresh passion fruit nectar, pink patchouli, jasmine honey, vanilla, and tiger orchid in full bloom. I actually get a fresh burst of pineapple when I first spray it, and then it warms up into this can’t-stop-sniffing scents that’s warm, sexy, fun and addictive all in one. Below, Anitta shares her experience with the new fragrance, her current skin-care routine and her latest makeup tip for better-looking skin.

When did you realize you wanted to become a singer?

“Music has been a part of my life ever since I can remember. I would even sing in the church with my grandpa, who was a great musician, but it was never a professional thing for me. I just did it for fun, you know? I just realized that it could be a career when I a video of me singing with a bottle of deodorant as a microphone was discovered by Furacão 2000, a huge Brazilian funk company. They hired me, and that’s where my journey began.”

How would you describe your current beauty routine?

“I don’t wash my hair every day, and I make sure to never sleep with makeup on. My routine includes oil-free or gel cleansers like Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash, followed by toner and thermal water. I always look for products that are oil-free and great for acne-prone skin as my number-one priority.”

Did it change at all because of COVID?

“During quarantine, I learned a lot of skin-care tips and new routines, and even added some new items to it. I guess that being able to stay more at home and not wearing so much makeup all the time made me give a lot more value to giving my skin time to rest and also nurturing it. So, I’m a lot more careful and gentle to my skin now.” 

What do you love about Sol de Janeiro and the new fragrance, and how did the collaboration come to be?

“My collaboration with Sol de Janeiro smells like home to me. More specifically, it’s inspired by the scents my mom and aunts used to put on before they went out when I was a kid and by all the female figures I grew up with. Its fresh and vivid notes are a direct reference to my upbringings in Rio.”

Your makeup always looks flawless. Do you do it yourself, or do you have a glam squad?

“For some of my gigs, I can count on my makeup team, and I learn a lot from them. But I do my own makeup a lot too, and I just love the process. I always have fun with makeup. A makeup tip that I just love and it’s been really trending for the past years is mixing up three or more different tones of foundation, so you can find the color that just feels perfect to you. I love to just play with makeup like that.”

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

“Well, I’m always working (laughs). But, when I do find the time to unwind, I just love to relax and sunbathe by the pool or at the beach. It’s just my idea of relaxing, and that’s why I just love my collaboration with Sol de Janeiro, because it just gives me this vibe of being at the beach or at the pool having a good time.”

Do you have any new projects coming up that your fans should look out for?

“Stay tuned for Girl From Rio, my next album. It should be out this year, and I’m very proud of all of it, from the collaborations I made—including executive production from Ryan Tedder—to the stories I’m telling with it. My projects are always very personal and close to my heart, but this next album speaks a lot about who I am and where I’m from.”