The exact $66 lipstick Jenna Ortega always has in her handbag

It’s not every day that you get to talk to a megastar, but when I—along with a few other regional journalists—had the chance to Zoom with Netflix’s breakout star of Wednesday, Jenna Ortega (whose second season just dropped earlier this month), I couldn’t resist asking about her go-to lipstick.

Without missing a beat, Jenna—Dior Beauty’s makeup ambassador—shared, her eyes lighting up: “My favourite shade right now—and the one I always have in my bag—is Rouge Dior On Stage in Redwood Star. It’s a matte, brownish-red that I love for everyday wear. I adore eyeliner, but on days when I’m tired, this shade alone is enough. Its simplicity, and the confidence it gives me, make my life so much easier.”

For Jenna, lipstick is more than just a finishing touch. It’s a little boost of confidence that carries her through everything from red carpets to casual outings. The right shade complements her look, reflects her mood, and even helps her step into her own power in front of a crowd. That same thoughtfulness shapes her beauty rituals, her approach to public life, and the bold campaign she’s now fronting for Dior’s long-wearing, high-shine Rouge On Stage lipsticks—a campaign that, like her style, is unapologetically authentic.

Speaking about the formula itself, Jenna praises the precision and coverage of Rouge Dior On Stage. She notes that the lipsticks are smooth, easy to apply, and deliver full colour with minimal effort—qualities she values with her busy schedule. The brand uses “double shock avant-garde technology” to create a liquid-lipstick-like sheen with a sleek silhouette that offers the precision of a lip liner and the full coverage of a classic lipstick. Available in ten flattering shades—from pinks to reds to nudes—it’s no wonder this has become her handbag essential.

“This (Rouge Dior On Stage) campaign is bold and different from anything I’ve done before,” she says. ““I played unconventional characters, and it’s important for me to portray people who don’t care about how they’re perceived or what the community around them thinks. Just as a person, because of what I’ve experienced and the strange phenomenon that happened with the show, I’ve found something deeper and stronger within myself—I feel less malleable, less shaken by what’s around me. I’d much rather be myself than fall into a bandwagon mentality or get swept up by things I feel I’m expected to say because of my position. I never want to sacrifice my humanity or authenticity.”

Besides her naturally voluminous pout and the deep, dark lipstick shades she’s often spotted with on camera, her insouciant smoked-out eyeliner routine is just as iconic and relatable. She smudges a line along her top and bottom lids, adds a tiny line to the waterline, and finishes with mascara. When done carelessly, it comes off casual and lived-in; focus too much, and it turns into a polished nighttime smoky look. “You want it to look like you slept in it,” she says.

Beyond beauty, Jenna is thoughtful about navigating social and professional spaces. “Don’t feel pressured. If you don’t have anything to say, don’t say it. You don’t have to perform for anyone. I get anxious in social situations, which sometimes pushes me to speak just to fill the silence—but that doesn’t feel natural, and I don’t feel like myself. The key is knowing you belong in the room. You have a seat at the table. Enjoy the company, speak when you want to, but don’t force yourself to say anything you might regret.”

Even her earliest memories of Dior carry a sense of wonder. “I’m from Coachella Valley. There’s a street called El Paseo with elegant stores. The first Dior memory I have isn’t even inside the store—it’s seeing two women laughing, smiling, carrying huge bags. It felt magical. My mum and I were shopping that day, and we weren’t ready to go into Dior, but it mesmerized me. The house feels androgynous, sensitive, elegant, yet strong. Dior has always given me confidence. The brand emphasizes what’s already within you, giving you the tools to express it. It’s instrumental in how I present and carry myself.”

From her choice of lip colour to her lived-in smokey eyes, Jenna Ortega shows that makeup is as much about confidence and self-expression as it is about colour.

Rouge Dior On Stage ($66 each) is available at all Dior Beauty Boutiques, Counters and on the Dior Online Boutique. Rouge Dior On Stage 565 Fearless Brown is exclusively available on the Dior Online Boutique.