Kerry Washington Is Allure’s November 2017 Cover Star

Hollywood actress and Scandal‘s star Kerry Washington is Allure magazine‘s November 2017 cover star.

The Bronx-native, who earned a B.A. from George Washington University was photographed by photographer Sharif Hamza for this issue.

The award winning actress is gearing up to say goodbye to her Olivia Pope days — Scandal is in its seventh and final season. In the interview, Washington talks about the show, as well as other topics ranging from hair care and beauty essentials to career goals.

Below are some excerpts, head over to Allure to read the full interview.

On the news cycle of 2017:
“I have to dip in and dip out, because it suffocates me. Like, I become unable to function. So it’s a tricky balance between staying aware and also staying connected to a sense of hope and productivity and showing up for life.”

On Olivia Pope’s beauty routine:
“There’s someone who follows me around all day long on the set. Like, literally follows me to make sure there’s not a single hair out of place. This is somebody’s full-time job. Then someone follows me around to add powder so that I never look shinier than I’m supposed to…. Friday night’s concealer is very different than Tuesday afternoon’s concealer. They get thicker as the week goes on and you get more exhausted.”

On natural beauty:
“I like to wear my natural texture, especially now because I have children and I want them to know that their hair is perfect as it is. They don’t have to change it or straighten it. They can, but they don’t have to.”

On executive-producing:
“It’s kind of like being the Olivia Pope of television. You get to change people’s lives and fix problems and be grounded and assertive and of service. So it really is a lot of things that I felt Olivia has taught me to do in pretend and then to apply those skills when I produce.”

On those who expect her to “handle it” in real life:
“It happens All. The. Time. I mean, part of it is because they know I can connect them to Judy Smith, [the crisis manager] who the role is based on. But people call me to say, ‘I have this problem. Can I talk to you about it?’ And I’m like, ‘I don’t even want to know! Just skip over me!’ But I know secrets.”

On her biggest beauty indulgence:
“Massages. I love them because they fall in that in-between for me: half beauty, half wellness. It’s something I do because I’m in heels a lot and I work really long hours. And I have a lot of pressures in my life. So massages are a good way for me to maintain my health and wellness, but also I feel like I’m doing something indulgent. And I’m a deep-tissue girl. I ask for the strongest massage therapist. Unravel me. Get in there.”

Photos Credit: Sharif Hamza