Lucy Hale Credits Sabrina Carpenter for Making Being Short ‘Cool’: ‘She Did It for All the Short Girlies’ 

A lot has changed for Lucy Hale in the almost 10 years since Pretty Little Liars ended. She’s been in multiple movies, starred as the lead of two TV shows, and become synonymous with her signature wavy bob. Her skin care routine has also changed. 

“On Pretty Little Liars, because we were working so much and we wore so much makeup, I wasn’t as diligent back then. When you’re tired, you just makeup wipe it,” Hale tells StyleCaster while promoting her partnership with Shiseido. “It was a lot of makeup wipes and finding fake eyelashes on your pillow. During that show, I did struggle with my skin, so it was a lot of trial and error, but also I was younger, and you’re susceptible to anything then. I would try anything just because it had a pretty package. I didn’t care what was in it. My priorities are different now.”

I treat skincare as self-care. That’s my Lucy time.

In her near-decade of trial and error, Hale has learned two main lessons about her skin: “Keep it simple and keep it consistent.” She continues, “There’s a video of me online somewhere where I’m doing a skincare routine that has, like, 35 steps in it, and I got roasted, because you don’t need that much. You just need products that work and are intentional. Your skin barrier will thank you.”

Among those products that work for her are Shiseido’s Dark Spot and Wrinkle Smoothing Serum and Brightening and Wrinkle Smoothing Cream, a continuation of the brand’s Benefiance line that was popularized with Shiseido’s bestselling Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream. The products use a unique combination of a plant-based retinol alternative, niacinamide, and 4MSK (Shiseido’s signature brightening ingredient) to gently brighten and smooth the skin. “You can see results in two weeks, which is amazing, because I’m an instant gratification girly,” Hale says. 

How did you get into skin care?

I started acting when I was 15. Struggled with my skin for quite a bit. had to figure out the imbalances. When you struggle with something, you get very curious about what works, what doesn’t work, ingredients, what to avoid. It started out as an obsession, but now I treat skincare as self-care. That’s my Lucy time.

Who had the most diligent skincare routine of the Pretty Little Liars cast?

They all have such beautiful skin. But maybe Shay [Mitchell]. I was also always asking Ashley [Benson] for tips. She knew about all the makeup. Or the men. Men are just blessed with good skin.

When you use good skincare, you don’t need makeup.

What was your favorite outfit from Pretty Little Liars?

There are a lot of wacky outfits, like I wore a skirt with ties. But I think the most iconic was that huge feather earring. I had feather extensions in my hair. I loved that. I loved all of our Halloween costumes as well. It’s been so long. But if I saw an outfit, I’d be like, “Oh, I know what we were shooting.”

Do you ever rewatch the show? 

I watched the pilot about a year ago. I can’t say why. But I was like, “Oh, my God, so much has changed in how we film.” The cameras, obviously, fashion, and skincare, but even the way shows looked in 2010. 

Is there a trend from that time you regret?

So many. Heavy makeup was the thing then. So much mascara and heavy lashes. Everything is so much more minimal now. Even makeup is more skincare-focused. People do no makeup, makeup. That’s why we have these products with Shiseido. That is my makeup. It’s not labeled as makeup. But when you use good skincare, you don’t need makeup.

You’re going to be in 12 Days of Christmas with Ian Harding, your co-star from Pretty Little Liars. What was it like to film that?

I credit myself for getting Ian to be in it. They asked, “Who would you want to work with?” I said, “Is this a good idea for us to reunite?” And everyone lost their mind. I texted him, and was like, “Before they send an offer, would you be interested in this?” He was like, “Absolutely.” He’s the Christmas King. He is so likable and so lovely. We hadn’t worked with each other in almost 10 years, but it felt like there was such an ease with him. Love the guy. 

When you’re younger, there’s a pressure to fit in and look a certain way, especially online. 

What beauty advice would you give your younger self?

It’s pretty vague, but self-compassion. When you’re younger, there’s a pressure to fit in and look a certain way, especially online. 

What’s a feature that you were insecure about when you were younger that you embrace now?

I used to hate being short, but now I like it. I just always wanted to be tall. Five foot two and proud. You know who made it cool? Sabrina Carpenter. She did it for all the short girlies, even though I’m significantly older than Sabrina.