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Valentina Sampaio possesses undeniably mesmerizing beauty. The 22-year-old Brazilian model’s striking cheekbones, fluffy brows, and sandy-colored hair instantly command your attention, whether you’re watching her glide down the runway or gazing at her on a magazine cover.

Sampaio has risen to global notoriety over the last five years, beginning her career at São Paulo Fashion Week in 2016. Since then, she’s graced the covers of international publications like Vogue Paris, Vanity Fair Italia, and ELLE Mexico. But, Sampaio’s impact extends far beyond the pages of magazines. The transgender model has been an outspoken advocate for diversity and inclusivity, using her platform to call for change across fashion, beauty, and beyond.

She continues to make awe-inspiring moves, recently becoming the new face of Armani beauty. The luxury brand is known for celebrating natural beauty, so it’s easy to see why Sampaio signed on to the team. As the face of Armani beauty, we can expect to see her front and center in all of the brand’s 2022 beauty campaigns. Ahead, Sampaio opens up about working with Armani beauty, growing up in Brazil, and her plans for the future. 

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

I wanted to be a fashion designer. I loved the process of creating clothes. But, modeling was something that happened organically as a result of studying fashion design at a university. Once I tried modeling, I fell in love with it. 

That love for modeling supported me through the painful challenges I faced when people were scared to work with me because I was trans. I’m so happy that despite some humiliating and traumatizing experiences, I’ve never given up.

How did growing up in Brazil influence your perspective on beauty?

Brazil is a colorful and energetic country. It is also very diverse. I grew up in northeast Brazil in a multiracial family with seven siblings. Our parents have African, European, and Indigenous blood, resulting in a rainbow of diversity amongst my siblings and me.

As a family, we are constantly on the beach and in the sun. Our culture embraces healthy, glowing skin, as well as natural, healthy hair. This love of diverse, natural beauty has taught me the importance of not masking what we have and embracing what we have been given.

You’re now working with Armani beauty. What made you want to align yourself with the brand?

Armani is a brand I have always admired as a global icon of timeless elegance and beauty. Being a face for Armani beauty is a major milestone in my life, both personally and as a member of the global trans community. 

What are some of the beauty products you use daily?

First, I shower and cleanse my skin. I like to invest time into carefully hydrating my face and body. For my face, I love Armani Beauty’s Crema Nera collection. It leaves my skin feeling hydrated and glowing.

You’ve worked with so many beauty pros throughout your career. Is there a tip or trick a makeup artist has taught you that you swear by?

I’ve learned I can use lipstick as a blush. I also love to use lip gloss on my eyes.

ARMANI BEAUTY / GREG WILLIAMS / DESIGN BY TIANA CRISPINO

What does beauty mean to you? When do you feel most beautiful?

Beauty is subjective. But, I believe beauty is the transmission of your essence. I feel most beautiful when I’m grounded and connected to myself.

What does self-care look like for you?

When I am not working, I like to connect with my family and be in nature. There’s a sense of purity I feel in those innocent moments when I’m surrounded by genuine love.

You exude confident, vibrant energy. For people who may be struggling with their confidence, do you have any advice for them?

Be the first to accept and respect yourself. It’s also important to stay grounded, and I know that’s hard. But you have to stay strong because we are all unique and special. 

You’ve done so much in your career already, from gracing the cover of Vogue Paris to working with Victoria’s Secret. What are some things you still hope to accomplish one day?

I want to keep being creative and growing as a person. I would love to act again in a film that I feel deeply connected to. I would also like to co-create a collection with a brand that contributes to trans-related charities. And eventually, one day, I would like to create an institution in Brazil that supports the trans community with health benefits, services, education, and dignified work opportunities.

When you think about the legacy you want to leave in the world, what does that look like?

I want to plant seeds to help achieve greater acceptance of diversity. I also want to help achieve a greater sense of equality and connection regardless of a person’s physical being.

For a decade, Lauren Ridloff spent her days teaching elementary school students in New York. These days, she commutes to television and film sets for work. While the two careers are vastly different, the leap from the classroom to casting calls has been nothing short of a fruitful journey. The dynamic actress landed her breakthrough role as Sarah Norman in the 2018 Broadway play Children of a Lesser God and earned a Tony Award nomination for her performance. Shortly after, she transitioned from the stage to the small screen as a series regular on The Walking Dead. 

Now, she’s making history as Marvel’s first deaf superhero Makkari. As a deaf woman, Ridloff never saw herself reflected in mainstream media growing up. For her, Makkari is the type of representation she’s been waiting on, and the character leaves her optimistic about the increased inclusion of Deaf talent in Hollywood. “It’s a huge honor to be the first deaf actor to play a superhero [in the Marvel Comic Universe],” she says. “But, I don’t want to be the first and only for very long.” Ahead, Ridloff opens up about filming Eternals, her curly hair routine, and the three things she does for self-care.

As a child, what did you think you wanted to be?

Well, little Lauren wanted to become a famous writer. I wanted to write children’s books and become the next Beatrix Potter. Obviously, life had other plans for me.

I know you spent many years as a teacher. What made you decide to pursue that career path?

During college, I majored in English with a focus on creative writing. I thought there was no better way to get into children’s minds than becoming a teacher. I decided to move to New York and start teaching kindergarten and first grade. I worked at a public school with both hearing and deaf children.

When did you feel called to make a pivot in your career and pursue acting?

I taught for almost ten years, and I think that’s where I got my early acting training. When I had a room of 15 students, I had to keep them engaged and interested. Then, I decided to take time off when I was ready to start a family. I have two young boys, and after my second son was born, I got an email from somebody I knew from my Miss Deaf America days. They asked me if I’d be interested in working with a high-profile Broadway director as a tutor.

So, I started meeting with the director Kenny Leon, and I realized it wasn’t just American Sign Language he was interested in learning. He was also interested in learning about the daily life of deaf people. I met with him once a week for about a year, and then I started to learn more about the play he was considering bringing back to Broadway, Children of a Lesser God. At that time, I didn’t even consider the possibility that he would want me to play the lead Sarah because the character has historically been played by a white woman in their early 20s. 

A year later, Kenny reached out to me and said he was starting the casting process and wanted me to meet the casting director to help them figure out how to work with deaf talent. After talking with the casting director about deaf talent, he asked me to do a table read as a placeholder until they found the right person to fill the role. I jumped into the table read with Joshua Jackson from Dawson’s Creek. After that, Joshua said that he wanted to work with me specifically. The rest is history.

Since then, you’ve been on an upward trajectory in your acting career. Now, you’re taking on the role of Makkari in Eternals. How did that opportunity come about?

I was already working on The Walking Dead as a series regular at that point. I took my son to an audition for himself, and the casting directors saw me. They said, “I think I want you for something in the Marvel universe.” I didn’t take them seriously because I was still a newbie in the acting world. But a few months later, I received a call asking me to fly to Los Angeles to meet with Eternals director Chloé Zhao and executive producer Nate Moore. They broke down the story and my character. On Valentine’s Day, I got a text asking if I would like to play Makkari. It was mind-blowing. 

How did you prepare to play her? 

Marvel is so secretive. I didn’t know much until the first day on set. But, the most obvious way to prepare was to start getting physically ready. Makkari is a speedster, and in real life, I love running. I’ve been a runner since high school. I also did a lot of lifting and Pilates. All of that helped me get into the right mindset.

BYRDIE / LAUREN RIDLOFF

Makkari is the first deaf superhero in the Marvel Comic Universe. What does that mean to you to play her?

It’s a huge honor to be the first deaf actor to play a superhero [in the Marvel Comic Universe]. But, I don’t want to be the first and only for very long. Marvel and Disney are introducing other deaf characters very soon. Actress Alaqua Cox is playing Echo in the Disney+ Hawkeye Series. I’m so excited they are getting ready for more deaf people to come and claim that space. We’ve been waiting for a long time. 

Do you have a favorite memory from the Eternals set?

It was seeing everybody dressed up for Halloween. Angelina Jolie dressed up as a giraffe. She had black heels on, so she was a very glamorous giraffe. Brian Tyree Henry and I dressed up as characters from the movie Midsommar. We won the best Halloween costume of the night. 

You were able to work alongside other incredible actors and actresses like Angelina Jolie and Brian Tyree Henry. Were there any pieces of advice they shared with you? 

I’m so grateful for my time in the hair and makeup trailer. That’s when I would have so many conversations with my castmates. One thing that impacted me was something Brian Tyree Henry mentioned. He’s the one who helped me understand that all actors have their own needs to deliver the best work possible. I would get to set with the idea in my head that I didn’t want to ask for too much. And if I ask for too much, I’ll seem difficult to work with. I didn’t want to create any barriers for other deaf actors. I wanted to make it as easy and smooth as possible. But, I learned quickly just to ask.

Let’s talk about beauty. You have beautiful curls. What is your haircare routine?

I’ve discovered my preferred products tend to depend on the climate I’m in. What works well in London doesn’t work great in California. Right now, I’m in love with Oribe’s Styling Butter Curl Enhancing Crème ($46). I just tried their Moisture Control Deep Treatment Masque ($63), and it makes my hair feels so soft. I also am a huge fan of Briogeo’s Curl Charisma Chia + Flax Seed Coil Custard ($26). I’ve also been working with Vernon François, who I love. He’s really big on hair positivity, and he’s affected how I perceive my hair. For the very first time, I feel having frizz is good. It’s a natural thing for curly hair. Why do we keep trying to fight frizz? If your hair has frizz, embrace it.

What are some of your skincare essentials?

Honestly, I don’t do much. I am a strong believer in leaving your skin alone. I drink a lot of water to stay hydrated. I get as much sleep as possible. I also use sunscreen. Right now, my favorite is the Supergoop! Mineral Mattescreen Sunscreen SPF 40 ($38). I’ve struggled with wearing sunscreen when I run because many of those products turn my face white while I sweat. Supergoop! doesn’t do that. After I wash my face, I like to use a serum and face oil from True Botanicals. If my skin needs extra radiance and tightening, I use Hanacure’s The All-In-One Facial-Starter ($48). 

How do you practice self-care?

One of the good things that came out of the last year was having more time for self-care. Before that, I didn’t spend much time with my family, and I was always on the go. When everything came to a stop, I could spend time resting and being with my family. We did boring things like making banana bread. 

Another important thing was exercise. For me, I did a combination of strength training, yoga, Pilates, and running. Running is my form of meditation. I find my internal rhythm when I run. I do a lot of problem-solving in my head while I’m running and I love it. I feel centered after a long run. 

I also do therapy. I’m sad there’s still a bit of stigma that comes with it, but I think therapy is so important. Therapy is not a sign of something being wrong with you mentally. I think it’s a sign that you are taking care of yourself.

What do you want to accomplish next in your career?

After Eternals, I still need to focus on The Walking Dead because we’re now wrapping up our final season. After that, I would love to play a role in a deaf-centric story. I want to do something that focuses on a deaf person and their experiences, not just about what it’s like to be deaf, but also explores other layers of their identity.

Julia Jones isn’t new to the acting world, and despite a career with projects spanning from Twilight to Westworld, things are still heating. Jones plays Angela Bishop in the Showtime special event series Dexter: New Blood, an extension of the cult-classic drama that explores the creepy yet oddly charming serial killer, Dexter Morgan, played by Michael C. Hall. In the new series, Jones plays Hall’s love interest and the police chief of her Iron Lake, New York small town. 

According to Jones, her role in the hit franchise is different from anything else she’s ever done, and she’s super proud of it. Ahead, we talk to Jones about her Dexter debut, her self-care rituals, and how she stays centered with a busy career. From saunas to doubling-down on self-care, read more of what she had to say.

I am a huge Dexter fan. Can you talk to me about how your role in the show’s revival came about?

About one year ago, I heard that this show was happening, and some scripts ended up being sent my way. Before reading them, I had not seen Dexter, but I heard incredible things about the show. So as a total newbie, the scripts were fun and complete page-turners. It almost felt like I was binging the show. The writing was intriguing and unlike anything I’ve ever done before, so I was excited to get the opportunity to come on board.

You play the first Native American police chief in your town, which is such a great representation moment. How do you connect to your character?

That was one of the things that drew me to the project. It was an incredible opportunity for representation. Angela is such a layered character who has a lot going on. She’s juggling a lot and straddling two worlds. She has an adopted daughter she’s struggling to raise on her own and she’s preoccupied with the loss of someone close to her. On top of that, she’s -Dexter’s girlfriend.

My roles in the past have been primarily love interests or best friends. However, with Angela, I tried to have her stand on her own and not be a product of someone’s story with her own narrative. It was a big challenge and the most dynamic, largest role story-wise that I’ve had the opportunity to play.

How have you created any balance or boundaries to practice self-care while preparing for an important role?

The filming of Dexter was incredibly intense. It was a six-month shoot and we were outside for the first three months because the show was set in the winter and we needed the snow. So, it was freezing and it was at the height of COVID-19. We were in a bubble, isolated, and there were very long hours. When you’re in that cycle it’s easy to be in go-mode constantly. However, for me, the key is always fitting in massive amounts of self-care when possible. During filming, I would try to go out into the woods as often as I could to take a break and unplug. That made a huge difference for me.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY KATE PARFET/DESIGNED BY TIANA CRISPINO FOR BYRDIE

Do you have any self-care or beauty practices you lean into on personal days?

I love a good massage and I’m a big fan of infrared saunas. I also run a lot and try to at least three to four times a week. That is really necessary for me. Whenever I am on set I try to find the closest infrared sauna. It’s a great bodily experience, but it also has great benefits for your skin, too.

When we filmed Dexter, it was great because I could run outdoors, which is my preference. We stayed in a beautiful area, and there were a lot of trails I was able to explore. I use this app called Trails which shows you different paths around you and how difficult they are. On some days when I couldn’t go out, I’d share a treadmill in our indoor gym with my co-star Jennifer Carpenter.

I’ve also learned over the years the importance of hydration internally and externally. It’s more important than I’d like to acknowledge because I really don’t enjoy drinking water, but I see the difference when I am doing a good job. I’m a firm believer in the connection between how you feel and look. So I also try to prioritize rest and hydration because I feel confident and calm when I am rested.

Running is a non-negotiable for you, but what are some of your absolute favorite beauty products?

I really love OSEA—that line is definitely one of my favorites. I also recently discovered the line Ayond that I’ve been enjoying. Arcona also has some great products that are refreshing. Kiehl’s is also always in rotation in my routine, and so is pure castile soap. Mario Badescu also has a lot of products I love. My collection takes up space, and packing gets real quickly, so I try to keep a separate pile of items I grab when I’m on the go and indulge in my standard routine at home.

This past year has been full of highs and lows. What are you looking forward to next in the new year?

Before filming Dexter, I was filming another project in a different state, so I just got back home for the first time in a while. I am looking forward to starting to work on films in Los Angeles, where I live. I’m looking forward to being in my space and focusing on my actual life versus pretend lives—though I guess I’ll be doing both.

One thing that I miss about pre-pandemic life that I hope returns more in my life is spontaneous gatherings. Before this period, I’d run into people outside of my core group much more more. I still feel slightly isolated and mainly unaware of what people are up to regularly because there aren’t many unexpected opportunities to see them in person, so that would be nice.

You can catch Julia Jones in Dexter: New Blood on Showtime on Sundays.

Plus, she discusses playing Hope Haddon in the Netflix series Sex Education.

Ever since her roles in Tiny Furniture and Girls introduced her to wider audiences in the aughts, painter and actor Jemima Kirke has had strong “your best friend’s cool older sister” energy. Whatever the topic, she gives the impression that she’s been there, done that—found it all rather boring—but she’s more than happy to share her learnings. That was the case when I spoke with her recently about her latest roles as new headmistress Hope Haddon on the third season of Sex Education and as Melissa in the upcoming Hulu series Conversations with Friends.

Kirke was stationed in her parked car in Brooklyn Heights when we talked, waiting for one of her son’s extracurricular classes to end. During the conversation, she addressed topics like skincare (she keeps it simple), self-care (she journals, both for mental clarity and to provide her kids with heirlooms), and work-life balance (it doesn’t exist) with equal ease and authority. Kirke is disarmingly direct yet equally comforting and is an open book whether she’s sharing experiences negative or positive. The upshot? She’s survived all of life’s twists and turns, and so can you.