Our exclusive chat with the Australian actress
From modelling for the likes of Myer. to starring in the iconic Aussie series Home & Away for several years in her role as policewoman Katarina Chapman, Pia Miller is someone who we just can’t get enough of - and that's something we have in common with her 732,000 followers on Instagram. Since finishing up on Home & Away, she's landed more acting roles, and she’s just finished filming for Dora the Explorer where she plays Dora’s Aunt. Plus, she's unsurprisingly been named the newest Australian ambassador of Pantene, which is fitting, as she is seriously hair goals. Here, she divulges her favourite beauty products, her ultimate beauty indulgence, and how she stays sane while she balances time with her family and a busy filming schedule.
On her first encounter with beauty…
“I definitely remember when it was time to upgrade to my own ‘grown up’ shampoo and conditioner. It’s crazy because I begged my mum to buy me Pantene and since I started using it it has just always been a staple. I think a lot of women can relate to that. I’m a firm believer in finding what works well with you and sticking to it!”
On her ultimate beauty indulgence…
“A lot of my makeup is in the mid-price range and rather inexpensive, but are absolute staples that haven’t changed for many years. But I do love to splurge on treatments. Nothing’s better than going to the hairdresser or getting a facial with my ‘skin fairy’, Vaia from Vaia Beauty in Darlinghurst. I also love using natural products on my skin and face where possible, and given that a lot of them have straight healing ingredients without any fillers, they can often be a little more on the expensive side. But I think it’s worth it!”
On her go-to red carpet look…
“Overall, I definitely think I love a natural look, but probably slightly more glam for nighttime events. I’m lucky enough to have some professionals that step in to help in this department, like my go-to, Filomena Natoli. We usually go for a relatively natural look which includes a medium-coverage matte base, defined eyes, and a nude [or] pinkish lip. I love a blushed cheek and a little bit of a glow on the cheekbones, but other than that, it’s pretty straightforward and simple.
When it comes to hair, after I’ve washed it with Pantene Micellar, I will let it dry naturally (unless I’m in a rush) and then finish it off with a little ghd bend and a comb-through for a natural wave look. I find though, the longer it’s lived in, the better it seems to work.”
On the makeup products she can’t live without….
“I can’t leave the house without my RMS "Un" Cover-Up, a brush [or] wide tooth comb for my hair, macabalm (macadamia lip balm, such as Thursday Plantation Macadamia Ultra Hydrating Lip Balm) for hydrating my lips, and adding some glow to my cheeks with a cream blush (if the occasion warrants it). Oh, and I’ll never walk out the door without curling my eyelashes beforehand! It just helps me feel more put together!”
Pantene Pro-V Micellar Gentle Cleansing Water Shampoo
RMS "Un" Cover-Up
Thursday Plantation Macadamia Ultra Hydrating Lip Balm
On her off-duty beauty look…
“I do try to avoid wearing makeup on days off. But sometimes - like everyone - I need a little ‘pick-me-up’. So rather than wearing foundation, I’ll wear a tinted moisturiser with an SPF, maybe a slight dusting of bronzer, a tap of cream blush, perhaps a slick of mascara (if I can be bothered), otherwise I’ll just curl my lashes. I usually avoid any colour on my lips day-to-day so will just use my trusty maca lip balm to keep them hydrated. Oh, and a spritz of perfume does wonders - my favourite fragrance is AnOther 13 EDP by Le Labo.
On her secret to staying sane during a busy schedule of filming and attending events…
“It’s a balancing act. My priority above and beyond anything are my children. No decision is made without them in mind. Between work and being a mother I try to find the in-between moments (even if that’s five or 10 minutes) to take some time out for myself – it’s imperative, but not always possible, so I’ve learnt that even 10 minutes by yourself in the car listening to a podcast or a good song is amazing. I spend every other moment I can with my kids. They are growing up so fast and with their school schedules and my work schedule it can be hard, but we’ll go for a swim after school in summer or just hang out and play a board game on weekends. We are a very close-knit family, so are often down in Melbourne visiting my mum, sister and brother and all the cousins – we love that time together. It’s just a matter of taking it week by week; some weeks we get more time than others hanging out, but fact of the matter is, I have a great support network and really appreciate that."
On the beauty rule she always abides by…
“Once I became a mother, I guess my priority was to simplify things or else you drive yourself crazy, and to be honest, you just don’t have the time to be dilly-dallying in the bathroom when you have a baby, toddler or a teenager needing you for something. I’ve never had a full-on beauty routine – I just make sure it’s easy, fuss-free, and I always rely on products I know will deliver the goods. Not really groundbreaking, but I think sometimes we tend to over complicate things, and reverting back to simplicity does wonders.”
What’s the one beauty rule that you abide by, and why? Tell us in the comments below.
What exactly does Pia Miller’s day on a plate look like? We recently asked her to share her daily diet with us.
Main image credit: Getty
Iantha is BEAUTYcrew's Beauty Editor, and has been part of the team since the site launched in 2016. Besides pinky-nude nail polish and wispy false lashes, she has a healthy obsession with face masks and skin care ingredients. Her previous work can be found in Virgin Australia Voyeur, Women's Health, and SHOP Til You Drop.
