If you grew up on Clueless, you already know Amber—the red hair, the berets, the feathers, the full-on fashion in second period. Now Elisa Donovan, the actress who played her, has teamed up with IT Cosmetics on a new “Clueless to Confident” campaign for Confidence in a Cream ($49), the brand’s dermatologist-recommended moisturizer.
Beyond the catchy tagline, the formula is built for the changing needs of mature skin. It combines niacinamide, a peptide-lipid complex, hyaluronic acid, squalane and ceramides to help improve the look of fine lines, wrinkles and uneven texture, and it leaves skin hydrated and radiant. It also works as a makeup prep step, giving you a smooth, hydrated base.
Ahead, Donovan talks about Amber’s most iconic looks, the ’90s trend she’s happy to leave behind and why, for her, confidence now means feeling more like herself.
Amber had some of the most memorable looks in ‘Clueless.’ What do you remember about her hair and makeup, and is there anything you’d still wear today?
“I distinctly remember sitting in the hair and makeup chair for hours upon hours! Amber’s hair and makeup were an intrinsic part of her personality—as was her wardrobe—so we really made sure they were distinctive, glamorous and a bit over the top. Amber felt like there was no difference between being on the runway in Paris and sitting in English class. That made her so much fun to play.
I love that the beauty looks in Clueless were so expressive and fun. It’s amazing to see how much of that ’90s aesthetic has come back. My own approach has evolved over the years, but I still appreciate using beauty to express yourself and feel good in your own skin. I still wear the same shade of lipstick in real life that Amber wore for most of the film! And although I would not wear those Pippi Longstocking braids, I would definitely still rock that military look with the combat boots.”
What was in your own makeup bag in the ’90s? Is there a product or trend from back then that you’d love to see come back, or one you’re glad stayed in the past?
“It’s funny—I still rely on the same two items that I always carry with me: lipstick and bronzer. They’re like my beauty security blankets. But my beauty routine was definitely different back then. One of the fun things about looking back at the ’90s is how much personality there was in beauty.
One thing I’m happy to leave in my rearview is the super-thin, defined eyebrows. I think my brows are still recovering from that. These days, I’m more interested in finding what works for me and makes me feel good. I love to experiment, but I’ve learned that beauty doesn’t have to be about following every trend. It’s about finding your own style and feeling confident in it.”
The campaign’s theme is ‘Clueless to Confident.’ What did beauty mean to you back then, and how has your relationship with it changed since?
“When I was younger, beauty was a lot about experimenting with different looks, following trends and figuring out how you wanted to present yourself. I still think there’s so much fun in that, but my relationship with beauty has become more personal over time. Now, I think about how I can take care of myself and feel good in my own skin, rather than trying to meet a particular ideal or trend.
That’s what I connect with in IT Cosmetics’ ‘Clueless to Confident’ campaign. As you get older, your needs change, and figuring out what works for you can make a real difference. I love the idea of taking some of the guesswork out of skin care and simplifying, so you can spend less time overthinking your routine and more time feeling confident in yourself.”
When did that ‘confidence shift’ happen for you?
“That perspective developed gradually as I’ve moved through different stages of life. Becoming a mom was a big part of that shift, because suddenly I had to balance so many things—working as an actress, writing my book and taking care of a tiny human! Especially in those early years of motherhood, I felt like I was always trying to find myself.
Now, between being the mom of a teenager, acting and hosting my podcast, I’ve learned that taking care of myself needs to be realistic and fit into my everyday life. I’m not looking for perfection or trying to recreate an earlier version of myself—I love who I am now, and I love the years I’ve lived that brought me here! I want to feel healthy and vibrant. Comfortable, and like me. Rather than chasing trends or feeling like I need a dozen different products, I really appreciate finding things that address what my skin needs today. For me, confidence comes from making choices that support how I feel today, not trying to look like I did years ago.”
How has your skin changed over the years, and where does Confidence in a Cream fit into your routine now?
“Over the years, my skin has become drier, with more fine lines and less elasticity. And as my skin has changed, I’ve realized that taking care of it is about understanding what it needs and finding products that make sense for my routine. There are so many products and steps and ingredients out there that skin care can feel totally overwhelming. As women, we’re all balancing a multitude of things at once—we’re expert multitaskers!
One of the things I appreciate about IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream is that it’s designed to target 10 signs of aging in one moisturizer, while deeply hydrating the skin and helping the skin barrier. It has ingredients like 4-percent niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, a peptide-lipid complex, squalane and ceramides. That’s a mouthful of words that essentially means this cream brings multiple skin-care benefits together in ONE formula. I love that. It makes it easier to be thoughtful about my skin without making my routine feel like another full-time job.”
If you could go back to the ‘Clueless’ set and give your younger self one piece of beauty or skin-care advice, what would it be?
“I’d tell myself you don’t have to figure everything out at once. Your skin will change, your priorities will change and what works for you at one stage of life might look different at another. Instead of feeling like you need to do more or get caught up in some trend, just take time to understand what your skin actually needs, and find a routine you’ll be able to stick to.
I’d also remind myself that taking care of your skin is really about taking care of yourself, and not so much about vanity. It should be something you enjoy, not another source of pressure. Invest in products that help you feel good, and embrace where you are in life without trying to turn back the clock. To me, that’s what confidence is really about.”
