Gillian Anderson looks more ‘vibrant’ without make-up

Gillian Anderson thinks she looks more “vibrant” when she wears less make-up.

Gillian Anderson has learned “less is more” when it comes to make-up.

The 56-year-old actress has stopped using a heavy foundation because she thinks her skin looks “more vibrant” and “fresh” without using a base.

She told Harper’s Bazaar: “My personal beauty philosophy? It’s casual.

“But as I’ve gotten older, I would say that [I’ve learned that] less is more …

“I use less make-up than I used to.

“In particular foundation – it makes a big difference; the fresher and less covered [my skin is], the more vibrant I look.”

By working with her team of make-up artists, ‘The X-Files’ star has learnt about many brands and gets to try a range of products.

Gillian added: “My make-up artist gave me this [Sisley Paris L’Orchidee Highlighter Blush] a while ago, and it’s really nice at the end of putting make-up on; it makes me feel and look peachy – even when I’m particularly pale and exhausted!”

However, it is not just less make-up that makes the award-winning actress’ skin look good as she also enjoys regular facials, even if the treatments can sometimes be “weird”.

Speaking about a Sarah Chapman facial, she said: “She pummelled my face.

“It was weird – very disconcerting – but at the end I was amazed at how great my skin looked.”

While she doesn’t always use foundation, the ‘Crown’ actress recently admitted she is obsessed with mascara, in particular L’Oreal Paris Volume Million Lashes Panorama Mascara, which retails for £13.

In an interview with British Vogue, Gillian was asked to name the one beauty product she can’t live without and she replied: “Mascara. I don’t feel like my eyes are my eyes unless they’ve got something on them. I’ve been using the L’Oréal Paris Volume Million Lashes Panorama one, it’s unbelievable …

“It’s awful [to sleep with mascara on] but I know that I can just apply another layer and it won’t clump!”

In the interview, Gillian – who is the new face of the L’Oréal Paris’ Age Perfect range – also opened up about going make-up-free in her social media posts – insisting she wants her followers to see the real her.

She explained: “I’ll often dress in my normal clothes and wear no make-up on my social media. I think it’s important that women see every version of ourselves represented – not just the red carpet one, wearing a lot of make-up and with a lot of help to get there …

“When I joined social media, I knew that I had to do it on my own terms. And that meant being authentically myself and not pretending to be someone or something different.”