When it comes to first dates, though, Cox has a decidedly different approach to getting ready: No contouring or full face of makeup, just a clean, fresh-faced look, with maybe a dash of powder.
As Cox explained on “Access Hollywood” on Monday, the minimalist look actually ends up working in your favor on first dates.
“My whole dating [philosophy] is, I show up as Laverne,” she told the hosts. “I don’t glam up. I give maybe a little powder for shine, and I’m like, this is it. Because the first few dates, you don’t know if they’re going to last or not.”
Instagram selfie-worthy makeup comes later, Cox said.
“I’m going to put the effort in once you’ve proven that you deserve all of this,” she added, motioning down to her super polished interview outfit. “I used to, when I was younger. Now, it’s not about trying to make [dates] like me. I used to try and make them like me. Now [my dating criteria is], do I like you? Do we have anything in common? Are you into the real, authentic Laverne, stripped way down?”
Love. That.
It doesn’t hurt that Cox is beautiful with or without makeup. On Facebook last summer, the actress and transgender activist posted a gorgeous selfie that showed off her natural hair and fresh-scrubbed face:
“The other day after I took out my braids before we put them back in. I keep it natural underneath. #NaturalHair#NoFilter#NoMakeup#JustMe,” she wrote in the caption. “I love fake hair. It’s one of the great joys of my life. As an actress and a woman I love being able to transform, to switch up my look when I want to with wigs, weaves and bundles a plenty. I love this too. It’s about choices and options.”
Well said, Laverne. Also, ”#NoFilter #NoMakeup #JustMe” may just become our new first date mantra.
Laverne Cox arrives at the at 10th Annual Global Women's Rights Awards on Monday, May 18, 2015, in West Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Rich Fury/Invision/AP)
10th Annual Global Women's Rights Awards
Laverne Cox arrives at the at 10th Annual Global Women's Rights Awards on Monday, May 18, 2015, in West Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Rich Fury/Invision/AP)
2015 Billboard Music Awards - Arrivals
Laverne Cox arrives at the Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday, May 17, 2015, in Las Vegas. (Photo by Eric Jamison/Invision/AP)
2015 GLAAD Media Awards - Arrivals
Laverne Cox attends the 26th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at the Waldorf Astoria on Saturday, May 9, 2015, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)
2015 TIME 100 Gala - Arrivals
Laverne Cox attends the TIME 100 Gala, celebrating the 100 most influential people in the world, at the Frederick P. Rose Hall, Time Warner Center on Tuesday, April 21, 2015, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
8th Annual Essence Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon
Laverne Cox arrives at the 8th Annual Essence Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
APTOPIX Fashion Red Dress Show
In this Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015 photo released by Starpix, Laverne Cox walks the runway at the Go Red for Women Red Dress Fashion Show at Lincoln Center in New York. (AP Photo/Starpix, Kristina Bumphrey)
The 46th NAACP Image Awards - Arrivals
Laverne Cox arrives at the 46th NAACP Image Awards at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on Friday, Feb. 6, 2015, in Pasadena, Calif. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Invision/AP)
21st Annual SAG Awards - Arrivals
Laverne Cox arrives at the 21st annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
2014 International Emmy Awards Gala - Arrivals
Laverne Cox attends the International Emmy Awards gala at the New York Hilton on Monday, Nov. 24, 2014, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 10: Actress Laverne Cox attends the amfAR Inspiration Gala New York 2014 at The Plaza Hotel on June 10, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for FIJI)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 10: Actress Laverne Cox attends the amfAR Inspiration Gala New York 2014 at The Plaza Hotel on June 10, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 24: Actress Laverne Cox attends NYX Cosmetics Talent Lounge At BeautyConNYC at Pier 36 on May 24, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for NYX Cosmetics)
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 15: Actress Laverne Cox attends the 'Orange Is The New Black' season two premiere at Ziegfeld Theater on May 15, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 15: Actress Laverne Cox attends the 'Orange Is The New Black' season two premiere at Ziegfeld Theater on May 15, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 03: Laverne Cox attends the 25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards In New York on May 3, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by D Dipasupil/Getty Images for GLAAD)
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 03: Actress Laverne Cox attends the 25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards on May 3, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for GLAAD)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 29: Actress Laverne Cox attends the TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 most influential people in the world, at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 29, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Ben Gabbe/Getty Images for TIME)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 29: Actress Laverne Cox attends the TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 most influential people in the world, at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 29, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Ben Gabbe/Getty Images for TIME)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - APRIL 12: Actress Laverne Cox onstage during the 25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on April 12, 2014 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Gabriel Olsen/Getty Images)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - APRIL 12: Actress Laverne Cox onstage during the 25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on April 12, 2014 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Gabriel Olsen/Getty Images)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - APRIL 12: Actress Laverne Cox arrives at the 25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on April 12, 2014 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 12: Laverne Cox arrives to the 25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards - Dinner and Show on April 12, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Gabriel Olsen/Getty Images for GLAAD)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 12: Laverne Cox arrives to the 25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards - Dinner and Show on April 12, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Gabriel Olsen/Getty Images for GLAAD)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 12: Actress Laverne Cox attends the 25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on April 12, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images for GLAAD)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 14: Actress Laverne Cox arrives at The Paley Center For Media's PaleyFest 2014 Honoring 'Orange Is The New Black' at Dolby Theatre on March 14, 2014 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 14: Actress Laverne Cox arrives at The Paley Center For Media's PaleyFest 2014 Honoring 'Orange Is The New Black' at Dolby Theatre on March 14, 2014 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 12: Laverne Cox attends the The Blonds After Party - Fall 2014 Mercedes - Benz Fashion Week at Gilded Lily on February 12, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Rommel Demano/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 12: Laverne Cox attends the The Blonds After Party - Fall 2014 Mercedes - Benz Fashion Week at Gilded Lily on February 12, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Rommel Demano/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 01: Actress Laverne Cox attends the DirecTV Super Saturday Night at Pier 40 on February 1, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for DirecTV)
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 01: Actress Laverne Cox attends the DirecTV Super Saturday Night at Pier 40 on February 1, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for DirecTV)
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - JANUARY 22: Actress Laverne Cox attends ELLE's Annual Women in Television Celebration at Sunset Tower on January 22, 2014 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Angela Weiss/Getty Images)
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - JANUARY 22: Actress Laverne Cox attends ELLE's Annual Women in Television Celebration at Sunset Tower on January 22, 2014 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Angela Weiss/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 14: Lavern Cox attends the 19th Annual Out100 Awards presented by Buick at Terminal 5 on November 14, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for OUT100 presented by Buick)
The NFL will allow players to wear protective Guardian Caps during games beginning with the 2024 season. The caps were previously mandated for practices.
