Hilary Duff, the pop star who has captivated audiences for decades, is back in the spotlight with her Lucky Me Tour. The tour has not only brought together millennials who grew up with her music but also introduced her to a new generation of fans. Duff’s energy and enthusiasm are palpable, and her recent collaboration with Bath & Body Works is a testament to her enduring influence.
In an exclusive interview, the 38-year-old actress and singer shared her thoughts on beauty, fragrance, and self-expression. Duff’s feet were tucked beneath her on a couch at the Austin Proper Hotel the morning after her Austin, Texas, show. She was dressed in baggy jorts and a butter-yellow long-sleeve top, an outfit that perfectly captures the Y2K aesthetic that both she and the fashion world are embracing once again.
Fruit Fusion: A New Fragrance Collection
Duff’s collaboration with Bath & Body Works introduces the new Fruit Fusion collection a line of body care essentials and fragrance mists with fruity scents. The collection features four original scents: Watermelon WhirlBerry BlissBanana Blend and Tangerine Twirl. Duff expressed her excitement about the fresh and juicy aromas, which she finds particularly appealing during her tour.
“For a while, I was very into heavy, kind of unisex fragrances,” Duff said. “This summer and while I’m out on tour, though, I want to feel fresh and I want my scents to be juicy. These [fragrances] make me really happy.” She held out her wrist to share her current favorite combination, Tangerine Twirl and Banana Blend exclaiming, “It smells so good.”
Nostalgia and Beauty Trends
Bath & Body Works has a unique way of transporting people back to specific moments in their lives. Duff reminisced about her middle school years and the fragrances that defined that era. “Well, I didn’t go to middle school like a typical teen, but I was a Bath & Body Works girl through and through,” she shared. Warm Vanilla Sugar was her go-to, but she also loved Cucumber Melon.
Growing up in Houston, Duff would ride her bike to the Bath & Body Works 10 minutes from her house. “That’s my first memory of my mom giving me money — I’d get to go buy a lotion and a body splash,” she recalled. As she got older, her fragrance choices evolved, reflecting her changing tastes and experiences.
The Evolution of Duff’s Beauty Routine
Duff’s beauty routine has evolved significantly over the years. She shared her thoughts on the beauty trends of the early 2000s and how they compare to her current preferences. “I had a YSL blue mascara that I was obsessed with,” she said. “I feel like that would be really fun to bring back.”
She also reflected on the trends she’s happy to leave behind. “Probably a few shades of lipstick that was basically putting concealer on my lips to matte them out,” she laughed. “Why? Why would anybody want to look like you have no lips?” Duff’s current beauty ethos emphasizes a more natural and expressive approach.
Self-Expression and the Joy of Beauty
Duff’s love for self-expression is evident in her beauty choices. She shared her current favorites, including a freckle pen from ColourPop. “I’m obsessed with my freckle pen right now,” she said. “My husband will be like, ‘Did you put fake freckles on today?’ And I’m like, ‘I did. How do I look?’”
Her beauty starter pack includes a lip oil from the Fruit Fusion collection, a beauty balm for her face, a TheraFace Wand and a tanning mist from Luna Bronze. Duff also shared her love for a hairbrush from Berber emphasizing the importance of taking care of her hair despite her constant heat-styling and coloring.
“Self-expression,” Duff said, “When I look back at photos of myself that are embarrassing, they were also very real. I was just figuring myself out, and I think that’s something people are doing again now.” As we get older, we tend to start playing it a little more safe. I feel more myself than ever, but I also catch myself comparing that to all the young people I see on magazine covers. I don’t always relate to it, but I’ll still think, ‘Should I try to do my brows like that?’ It’s this very complicated dynamic.
There’s something about early 2000s beauty for me that was really about experimentation. And I feel like I’m circling back to that now in a different way. But I also think we’re in a moment when everyone kind of looks the same, and that’s what I struggle with sometimes. I love when people are speaking to me visually while still pulling inspiration from different generations.
My son is kind of in that place now too, figuring out his own style. I love watching it. There was a phase when he was doing all these different things with his hair, puffing it out in a way that was very intentional, and I really had to keep my mouth shut. I know I’m probably witnessing what my mom had to go through with me, but I just want him to figure it out for himself. Watching [my kids] figure out who they are and how they like to present is a really fun journey.
