Dichen Lachman Daily

Talk beauty with incredible beauty Dichen Lachman? Yes, please! In addition to her diverse acting credits —  she can be seen in next year’s “Jurassic World: Dominion,” and in “Severance,” the upcoming Ben Stiller-directed series airing on Apple TV+ — Dichen has a diverse background that is at least partially responsible for her stunning, singular appearance. Born in Nepal, her father Australian, Dichen says she has eclectic taste and likes “to try different looks.” From brows to Botox, we discussed all things aesthetic with the actress and mom to five-and-a-half-year-old, Mathilda.

The Bare Magazine: First, let’s talk about your cool background, born in Nepal, raised in Australia. What did you internalize from each place about beauty?

Dichen Lachman: In Nepal, makeup was very linked to the culture; the third eye and the kohl around the eyes. They even put the theekha on little babies. In the West, it’s not linked to anything spiritual. It’s more about aesthetics and trends. I like observing how all cultures incorporate makeup into their identity. I find it fascinating. In terms of me, I don’t wear a lot of makeup unless I need to do a work thing — I’m more interested in taking care of my skin than painting it.

Bare: Perfect segue! How do you take care of your skin?

DL: As a mom, I really don’t have a lot of time to take care of it. I use witch hazel to clean my skin, and there are a few different products from different lines that I’ll mix and match. It’s kind of a journey finding the right product as a woman, and as you get older, your skin changes.

Bare: Speaking of getting older, who do you think is doing it well and with grace?

DL: I’ve been embracing this idea over the last few years: If it feels good and you’re inspired to do it, and you’re not hurting anybody, then do it. It’s easy to see somebody and say “that’s a lot of work,” but if they’re happy…Of course, in some cases it goes into body dysmorphic territory, but I think that’s when it is up to the people around you to check in and ask, “Are you okay?”

Bare: It’s a slippery slope, for sure.

DL: It’s really interesting, there are so many people in this business, and they’re aging so gracefully, and then you find out they’ve had work. But, like, I get it because it’s a business where people have to look at you. And also technology is so advanced that when you see your face through a filter you’re, like, ‘look how I great I look!’ and then you take it off and you’re, like, ‘oh dear God, who is that? I like the other person!’ I don’t like that we are doing this to ourselves. It’s nice to look and feel good, and it’s nice to take a good picture. A little manipulation is nice, but when it gets to a point where it’s unattainable, that only makes us feel worse. I think it will take a generational push back to change it. Maybe my daughter’s generation will be, like, ‘oh my God you filtered your face?’

Bare: What message do you hope to pass on to your daughter about beauty?

DL: Just that she’s enough. She likes to play with makeup and stuff like that. And sometimes she sees me using it and wants to try it. I tell her she doesn’t need it. Children are beautiful. They don’t need anything. In fact, keeping it simple is a good policy for any age. Less is more.

Bare: Do you ever see yourself getting Botox or fillers?

DL: I did do “Baby Botox” once. I tried it because I have a completely crooked smile, so I went to a derm out of curiosity at the end of 2019 and I was, like, ‘I don’t want to do anything, I just want to know what you see here, and what should I do.’ Half an hour later I was, like, ‘sure, let’s try a tiny bit of Botox here.’ It helped straighten out my smile.

Bare: Do you have any beauty idols?

DL: There are so many incredible, gorgeous women out there. Madonna, of course, embracing so many different looks. She was a trailblazer. There are a lot of beautiful actresses from the 50’s, too. And my mom! She didn’t wear any makeup — she didn’t even pluck her eyebrows. Her mom would rub butter on her face as moisturizer.

Bare: Do you have a favorite on-screen look of yours?

DL: In so many shows, I’m covered in dirt or blood! I think in terms of beauty, the makeup artists on “Altered Carbon” did an amazing job. My face is very strange, not everyone knows what to do with it. I have a lot of surface area, and my eyes are Asian, so they’re not always easy to do. It’s very easy to make me look over the top.

Bare: Shifting to more spiritual things, do you have any wellness practices?

DL: I love meditating and thinking about creative ideas or things. I do that while I’m cleaning. I think that your environment informs how you feel, so I like creating a nice environment…even if it is ultimately destroyed by my daughter. I find it meditative. My husband is, like, “You’re vacuuming again?” But it’s so satisfying to hear the crumbs get sucked up by the vacuum cleaner — and you can see real progress. I like painting for that reason, too. I painted a house with a friend. It’s rewarding to see things change right in front of your eyes.

Bare: We’d be remiss if we didn’t ask about your tattoo. What does it say?

DL: It’s actually a Virgil tattoo, which is hilarious because I didn’t know it at the time, but apparently it’s common to get a Virgil tattoo. I was in Cardiff Castle in Wales, and in the ladies’ tea room I saw one of his quotes: “Love conquers all things, so we too shall yield to love.” So I wrote it down, and at one point I decided to get it inked on myself. I could have many more, but I don’t like sitting in the makeup chair getting them covered all the time.

Bare: We like to close our interviews by asking our subjects for their Bare Essentials. As in, what do you absolutely need in life?

DL: Probably Witch Hazel for my skin. I get it at Target. I love aloe vera from the garden, too. But what I really couldn’t live without is my family. Even if I need alone time sometimes.

Editor: Didi Gluck

Photos and makeup: Tina Turnbow using Ogee

All clothing from Zara