Zendaya Just Likes to Keep Her Life Chill
The actress and face of Lancôme’s newest fragrance dishes on how cosmetics can be a source of positivity.

Every role and new thing that you try in your career is an adventure. You have to take risks and see how things work out. But in my real life, sometimes just getting out of the house is adventurous for me! On work days, my miniature schnauzer, Noon, wakes me up when he needs to go outside. After that, I check my phone, and my morning routine is very quick: roll out of bed, brush my teeth, get into the car, and sleep more on my way to work. If I can sleep in, I will; I’m not really a morning person. When I’m not working, I don’t really like to do anything at all. It takes my family forcing me to leave the house, since I’m more of an introvert. My perfect Saturday would be relaxing with my dog, watching TV, and enjoying some time with myself. I work and travel so much that it’s nice to just be on my own sometimes.
That’s one reason I think it’s important to have friends who understand your life’s pace and what it means to be busy and who have their own things going on. What’s good about the female friendships I have is that all of my friends are working on their own things, but it’s essential to us that we make time for each other. We can go weeks at a time without talking, and then when we get on the phone, it’s like no time has passed.
The women in my family are important to me too. My grandmothers are my idols. They’re fearless, strong, kind, loving, nurturing, and only getting more beautiful with time. I appreciate their wisdom and knowledge above all else. Learning from others, especially women like them, inspires me. That’s the beauty of being a storyteller and the best part of being an actress: I can put myself in other people’s shoes and tell stories that stem from experiences different than my own. For example, we’re all refining what femininity means right now. I think that word can mean so many things and you can make it whatever you want. Fragrance can have the same effect. It’s about self-love and self-empowerment. It’s about creating memories and the positivity and happiness that should radiate from within when you spray on your perfume. That’s really how I define success: doing what you love, and being happy while doing it.
Shop Zendaya's Favorite Products
This story appears in the Holiday 2019 issue of Marie Claire.
RELATED STORY
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Taylore Glynn is a former beauty and wellness editor for Allure. Previously, she served as beauty and health editor at Marie Claire and Harper’s Bazaar, and her work has appeared in Refinery29, Town & Country, Compound Butter, and RealSelf. She holds a master's degree in English and Creative Writing from Monmouth University. If you need her, she’s probably at the movies, braising a chicken, or evening out her cat eyeliner.
-
Confirmed: Dua Lipa's Diamond Ring Is of the Engagement Variety
It has a romantic backstory, too.
-
Every Stylish Woman I Know Is Obsessed with this Expensive-Looking Nail Polish Shade
24 luxe options that work with every skin tone.
-
The History of Fashion's Embroidery Renaissance
Tracing the gilded thread from ancient Egypt and Tudor courts to the Spring ’25 runways.
-
The Buzzy Westman Atelier Super Loaded Tinted Highlighter Makes Me Feel Part of the One Percent
It's worth every penny, and lasts for *so* long.
-
Summer’s Controversial Banana Perfume Trend Is a Fruity Little Treat for the Senses
And the Marie Claire team has split opinions.
-
Slow Fragrance Is Reimagining the Future of Sustainable Perfume
While the rest of the beauty world is speeding up, ultra-indie perfumers are deliberately slowing down—way down.
-
Commandeer Everyone's Attention With a "Beast Mode" Perfume
TikTok’s latest obsession is not for the faint of heart.
-
The Best Brown Sugar Perfumes Are Reimagining Gourmand Scents for 2025
Mouthwatering is an understatement.
-
NARS Just Dropped a Lip Oil Shade Inspired by the South of France and I’m Living for the Glow
The kind of bronze shimmer that transports you to the French Riviera.
-
Bella Hadid's Summer Hair Era Is Off to a Very French (and Very Blonde) Start
Bella Hadid's new summer hair is off to a very French start.
-
Ellis Brooklyn's Milkshake's Hair and Body Mists Have Me Smelling Like Overpriced Cocktails at Luxury Beach Resort
Ellis Brooklyn’s three new body mists can make it happen.