Night Moves: Camila Mendes Gets Down to Destiny's Child and Swears by a '90s Nude Lip

Night Moves explores going out through the lens of beauty. Here, discover how your favorite stars get ready to paint the town red, including what music they're playing to set the mood, the essentials decorating their vanity, and which must-have products are taking up precious real estate in their evening bag. For the inaugural installment, InStyle spoke to Riverdale star and Armani Beauty Gen A ambassador Camila Mendes.

Describe your perfect night out.

My perfect night out is probably in New York City, going out to dinner with friends, having drinks, a nice dinner, with a good group of six people. The perfect number! And then we find somewhere to dance. I love dancing! And then end up at karaoke.

If you could get ready for a night with any famous person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

I would say Drew Barrymore. She has the best energy, like she’s just such a hype woman that I feel like getting ready with her would be a blast.

What are your top three getting-ready tracks?

“Paint the Town Red” by Doja Cat — been really boppin’ to that lately! I’ve also started listening to Destiny’s Child again. Their song “Girl” is very underrated song, and it’s such a vibe to get ready to because you’re warming up. And then all of SZA’s new album, but especially “Low.” She’s my favorite artist ever. She’s so soulful. I love her lyrics. I love the emotion in her music and how vulnerable she is. It’s like you want to dance and cry at the same time.

Do you have any pre-going-out skincare or haircare rituals?

There’s a Loops mask that I use before getting ready, which is their Double Take mask. It gives you a perfect glow, so it’s nice to wear it before [putting on] makeup. And then the Olaplex Bond Smoother! I put it on my hands and then all through my hair. I use it so much that my hair is starting to be like, “Okay, we get it.” [Laughs]

What’s your pre-going-out makeup routine?

I’m usually always in a rush to get ready, but I can’t have a night out without doing a base. I’ll do my foundation and concealer — both Luminous Silk — and then some powder to absorb any oil. I’ll add a wash of definition on the cheeks, but often skip blush because I know I will get a flush, and that will shine through. For the eyes, I’ll do a very neutral nude eyeshadow, curl my lashes, and then do really light mascara, just to get a little bit of something. And then, finally, I’ll just dab on some nude Lip Power lipstick — my favorite used to be [beige rose] 109, but recently, I’ve become obsessed with [soft beige] 107.

What fragrance do you mist on before you run out the door?

Honestly, Armani My Way perfume. I’ve really made it my signature scent. No joke. First of all, I feel like it’s day and night. There are certain perfumes that are just meant for one, [but] I don’t feel weird wearing [My Way] in the daytime or the nighttime. That one feels like it’s versatile. And also, I just love it… It feels like it’s the perfect amount of woody and sweet.

What essentials do you tote around in your evening bag?

A couple of things! Eye drops. I always have to have them on me. I guess I have dry eyes. I got laser eye surgery once, so my eyes are extra dry. A brow brush — just because I want to keep them fluffy! They’re pretty long and curly. I have to tame the beast that is my brows! And then lastly, Armani Beauty Luminous Silk concealer. I genuinely need to have that on me at all times for just a quick little touch-up on the eyes and any blemishes I may have.