Jenna Ortega Is Breaking the Rules
In this Allure Philippines exclusive, Jenna Ortega speaks in her own words about the power of makeup, self-expression, and why beauty rules are meant to be broken.
For decades, lipstick came with rules. Red was reserved for nighttime glamour, nude shades were a safer bet for the office, and brows—forever too thin or too thick—dictated how “put together” you looked. But today’s generation is rewriting beauty codes, and at the center of that shift is Jenna Ortega: actress, cultural icon, and now the new face of Rouge Dior On Stage.
At just 22, Ortega is already the ultimate Gen Z beauty muse: confident, curious, and candid about the power—and pressure—of self-expression. For her, lipstick is never an afterthought. “Lipstick is the solidifying piece of a look,” she says. “When you start with lipstick, it feels like everything else just falls into place. Sometimes it’s all I need.”
And when it comes to shades, Ortega doesn’t shy away. Her favorite? Redwood Star, a warm nude that feels equal parts effortless and statement-making. “The first time I tried it, I was in a room full of the Dior family, feeling a little nervous,” she admits. “But it went on so smoothly—so instant—that I was very surprised and very pleased. I remember not wanting to take it off.” She also keeps in her bag the lip liner shade Beige Tulle and often layers it with Iconic Rose for a softer, more romantic finish.
But what she remembers most about the experience isn’t the product—it’s the feeling. “This was the first time Dior and I did something together that felt so rooted in womanhood, confidence, and power,” Ortega says. “It wasn’t just sweet or androgynous—it was about owning yourself and your circumstance.”
Courtesy of Dior Beauty
For Ortega, that sense of rebellion is personal. As someone who grew up navigating both Hollywood and social media pressures, she’s vocal about rejecting outdated beauty ideals. “We’ve got to leave the eyebrows alone,” she says with a laugh. “It’s always either too thin or too thick. Honestly, 99 percent of the time, it looks best when it’s just your natural shape”. She also speaks candidly about wanting young people to embrace their imperfections. “Everything is so curated now—AI images, Photoshop, filters. But what makes people beautiful are the uneven bits, the human parts. Everything is more interesting when people stay true to themselves instead of following a trend.”
In Rouge Dior On Stage, she’s found a partner for that mindset—not a product to perfect, but a reminder to play. Whether it’s the confident glow of Redwood Star or the soft, luminous whisper of Iconic Rose, Ortega wears them as extensions of her individuality—proof that beauty rules are best when broken.
Lipstick isn’t about perfection. It’s about power, play, and putting yourself exactly where you belong: in the spotlight.
