Lupita Nyong'o tends to listen to what her skin needs when it comes to her beauty regime.

Lupita Nyong'o believes looking good is all down to a proper skincare regime.

The 32-year-old actress shot to international recognition when she starred in 2013's 12 Years a Slave, with her performance winning her the best supporting actress Oscar. During the 2013/14 awards season she was renowned for her bold choices on the red carpet, but it's not make-up or clothes that gives her confidence.

"I'm a great believer in the idea that looking good is all about getting the basics in place with proper skincare," she told Britain's Boots Health & Beauty magazine. "I wash my face every morning and evening, which goes a long way to keeping it at its best. I try to 'listen' to what my complexion needs: if it's greasy, I'll use a foamy cleanser; when it's dry, I'll go with a creamier formula."

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She may care for her complexion carefully these days, but it hasn't always been that way. At one point the Mexican-Kenyan actress didn't bother with suntan lotion as she didn't feel it was necessary.

"I stubbornly thought the sunshine couldn't harm me - until I got burned," she cringed. "It's often harder for black women to realise when they've had too much sun. Now, I always protect my skin with SPF."

That's not to say Lupita has no interest in cosmetics. She's the face of Lancôme and does enjoy enhancing her features now and then, explaining that day-to-day she goes for a bit of eyebrow colour, mascara and lip-gloss.

"Lipstick helps pull an outfit together and instantly makes you feel dressed up," she said of her evening look. "I prefer burgundy and earthy tones, which flatter my skin, but I also play with bright reds for film premieres. My relationship with make-up is similar to my attitude to food: I like to experiment to match my mood."

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