Longtime TV star (you know her best from her early days as Brooke Davis on One Tree Hill, and now as detective Erin Lindsay on Chicago P.D.), Sophia Bush is a natural, down-to-earth beauty. At 33 years old, she not only has a leading role on a super hot show, but she also leads the life of a passionate activist, spending her time traveling the globe to support several causes she believes in such as the education of underprivileged women. Here, we get a little glimpse into her world.
NewBeauty: What are your can’t-live-without beauty products?
Sophia Bush: The Beauty Chef Dream Repair Serum: It has an incredibly clean and healthy feeling that I notice makes my skin feel and look great. Erno Laszlo Firmarine Moisturizer SPF 30: I love the texture and the smell, and I’m really dedicated to making sure I wear sunscreen every day. All of their products are really beautiful. Glossier Balm Dotcom is a newer addition to my rotation. It’s an everything-balm made for lips, eyes and cuticles. Being in Chicago where it’s so dry, and on a set where I don’t wear makeup, it’s really nice to have something that’s clean, colorless and does everything.
NB: You’ve recently partnered with Philips Sonicare and Philips Zoom. Why is taking care of your smile so important?
SB: For me, my smile is the first thing that people notice about me. When you first meet someone, shake hands, smile and say hello, that’s the first thing they see, and I’m of the philosophy that you only have one body—including one set of teeth—for your whole life, so you better take care of it. I’ve been a Philips Sonicare user for so long, and I got so excited when I found out a new brush (the Amethyst version of Philips Sonicare DiamondClean) was coming out and that it would be great for my teeth and gums. I actually saw the results when I went to my dentist for a cleaning a couple of months after I switched to the DiamondClean—he was thrilled and asked me what I was doing.
NB: What anti-aging advice do you follow?
SB: To not think about aging. There are far more exciting, beautiful, wonderful ways for women to spend their time than worrying about whether or not they’re aging.
NB: What is something your fans would be surprised to know about you?
SB: I’m a pretty outgoing person, so I think people are surprised to learn that I’m actually a bit shy in social situations. I’m always up for adventure, but in big crowds with lots of people, I get a little bit stressed out.
NB: What beauty tips have you learned over your years of being an actress?
SB: I’m still learning. It’s funny, I was joking with a girlfriend of mine recently; our business is supposed to have all of these tips and secrets—where do we find out what they are? I don’t know if it’s just that I don’t ask enough about that stuff, but it’s really simple: Wash your face, take care of your skin and wear sunscreen. And, don’t ever let a stranger pluck your eyebrows—that’s a big one for me. I do it myself; I’m like, “I got it.”
NB: You currently play a tough girl on Chicago P.D. How are you similar to or different from your character in real life?
SB: There are ways in which we’re very similar. I think it’s our desire to see the world around us be better and our commitment to social issues, although the specific issues we’re committed to are quite different. Then there are ways in which we’re the most opposite people. I wasn’t raised by a horribly selfish, drug-addicted mom, and I’ve never had a drug problem. I grew up in Pasadena, pretty sheltered, and my family is amazing. I think in some ways we really see eye to eye—and we’re different—and that’s what makes Erin so fun for me to play. All the things I’ve done provide fuel for me to pay this person because those are the things that I’m passionate about. These are issues that lit a fire under me (women’s rights, etc.), and Erin has to be lit on fire in much the same way in her own world.
NB: Do you think it’s true that the camera adds 10 pounds? How do you stay in shape?
SB: I think there’s a ridiculous amount of pressure put on women. For me, it’s really hard to have any sort of regular schedule because of the hours we work. I just try to find time, and this year I’ve been talking so much to the camera guys about what they’re trying to do to combat the hours. You’ll find us doing weird yoga stretches or using foam rollers to roll our shoulders out. What makes me feel really good and really strong, for maybe 10 years now, is boxing. Even if it’s once a week, I make sure I get in the ring and get my blood flowing. You do what you can, and it just feels good to take care of myself when I have the opportunity.
NB: You’ve called yourself a “tech nerd.” What beauty apps do you use?
SB: StyleSeat is at the top of my list. For someone who travels as much as I do, it’s so exciting to be able to drop into any city and have a full portfolio of professionals at my fingertips for any kind of service I need, whether it’s hair, makeup, nails or massage. I also like that it can serve male customers just as well because they need that stuff too.
NB: What are your winter wardrobe staples?
SB: Really good boots, oversized plaid coats and scarves.
NB: Do you incorporate any wellness practices into your routine?
SB: I don’t often have time to go to the spa. If I get totally beaten up at work, then I’ll really try to go get a massage or something, but that’s about it. A trainer that I work with a bunch has talked to me about infrared saunas. There’s one in Chicago that I’ll go into for 10 minutes, especially in Chicago during wintertime when I’m frozen to the bone.
NB: What are your top three favorite Instagram accounts?
SB: Top three—that’s so hard! NASA is always posting the most incredible photos of space, and they inspire me so much. I love being reminded how small we are. National Geographic is similar in that regard, constantly showing us amazing humans in different parts of the world. MyDomaine is also great because I love home design, and I’m constantly all over all of the design accounts—I think theirs is amazing.