Madelaine Petsch Wants You to Know She’s the Total Opposite of Her Riverdale Character
When Cheryl Blossom walks into any scene on The CW's Riverdale, it's impossible to miss. That's due in part to her all-red wardrobe, flowing ginger hair, and cherry-colored lipstick that never falters — but it's primarily because her real-life counterpart, Madelaine Petsch, demands your attention with the unyielding ferocity she brings to the character every season. Now that fans have been exposed to the signature Cheryl look and attitude for four seasons, it's hard for them (myself included) to picture Petsch without the bright lipstick and perpetual sneer.
When I talk to Petsch over the phone about her character, however, she insists her tastes are quite contrary in reality. Here's a bit of a shocker: Petsch rarely wears makeup during her time off from Riverdale. Having to wear high-octane makeup all day, for the majority of the year, has led the 25-year-old to develop a tried-and-true skin-care routine — a must if you're constantly flying back and forth between filming locations, too. (It's no wonder Bioré tapped the star to be its newest ambassador.)
After our conversation, one thing becomes very evident: If someone as busy as Petsch can find short daily moments to keep up with skin care, then none of us truly have an excuse for slacking. Below, learn how the actress quickly detoxes from Cheryl's makeup on set days — plus her affordable secret weapon for soft skin at a moment's notice.
ALLURE: Cheryl Blossom has such an impactful look and attitude. Has depicting her on the show affected your taste in beauty at all?
MADELAINE PETSCH: It's funny because you'd think that she would inspire me to wear more makeup, but in reality, when I take off the Cheryl makeup, I can enjoy my face so much more. When you have it all on, you look in the mirror sometimes, and you feel like a clown. You're like, 'Who's that?' But then when you take it off, it's refreshing to be able to enjoy the look of your face without makeup on. So that's [how] she's inspired me, to live my life with less makeup.
ALLURE: How do you take care of your skin while filming a season of Riverdale?
MP: I usually start my morning with the Bioré Rose Quartz and Charcoal Purifying Cleanser and head to work. Then when I'm done with work, what I find most important is using the Rose Quartz and Charcoal Gentle Pore Refining Scrub if I have a super long day. I'll get all of the makeup and dirt out of my pores, which I love. Whenever I've got a scene off [during shoot days], I take my face makeup off in between and use the scrub on days when I've been on set longer.
ALLURE: Will the character's consistent look see any change in season four?
MP: This year, we actually are experimenting a little bit more with eye makeup. You'll kind of see that throughout the season. I used to do the same eye look most of the year, and now, according to my outfit and the mood that Cheryl's in, I'll kind of change it accordingly, which is really fun. [Cheryl's] in a good place — at least she thinks she's in a good place, mentally; in reality, we all know she's not — but she's playing with makeup; she's happy. I think that's where all of that stems from, changing things up a little bit. And she's got a good relationship. So now she's like, 'My girlfriend's not just going to break up with me because I changed my eyeliner,' or whatever.
ALLURE: The brand of Cheryl's signature red lipstick is one of the show's biggest kept secrets — why is that?
MP: That's something that I have never disclosed, and I don't plan to. It's kind of just like our little secret on set. We do like to play around a lot, but it's something that we've always kept secret, for some reason, and now it's kind of like a running theme.
ALLURE: How do you fit extra skin-care into such a packed schedule?
MP: When I finish up a day at work, I use one of my cleansers that I have on set, and then throw a mask on for one minute while I put my hair in a ponytail or whatever. I take it off, and I feel like I've already done something for my skin. Then I'll probably throw on a Pore Strip on my drive home and take it off after 10 minutes. I don't like to overdo it with my skin, either, so I love those kinds of tiny little things.
ALLURE: You have a YouTube channel where you sometimes make beauty videos. Does being a vlogger impact your taste in beauty?
MP: I think the only thing it's really inspired me to do is watch reviews more — especially with makeup, I really enjoy watching makeup videos. I don't think mine are particularly great. Mine are usually just my natural, everyday look, but it's kind of a way for me to explore different products I probably wouldn't have tried otherwise. That's what I love about YouTube; it kind of gives me an avenue to watch these crazy reviews of these really talented makeup artists and learn more about makeup that way.
ALLURE: You have five minutes to get ready, and you need to look presentable. What's your plan of action?
MP: If I'm on a plane — I've done this before, so I can only speak from experience — I would go into the bathroom; I would wash my face with that Rose Quartz and Charcoal Purifying Cleanser. [Then], I would throw on the One-Minute Self-Heating Mask, the charcoal one. Your skin looks like baby skin when you take that thing off. And maybe a little lip gloss, and I'd be happy. Again, it's all about embracing my skin without makeup on, because I like to let it breathe. Those are the moments that I live for. [I would] put my hair in a low bun. That's all I need. 'Presentable' to me is... as long as I look like I showered, I'm happy.
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