The Mortal Instruments actress spills on fans, films and her famous father.
My mentor is… My mum. It has nothing to do with acting. She guides me through my personal life, telling me to experiment. She also lets me borrow her vintage clothes. She has Chanel and 1980s stuff from Yohji Yamamoto and Vivienne Westwood that she got when vintage wasn’t cool.
Shop vintage Chanel at sophiescloset.com here
It’s hilarious that people think that I have the best eyebrows in Hollywood… Big brows weren’t the look in LA, where I grew up. I felt pretty self-conscious, because kids would comment about my eyebrows. I tried plucking them myself, which was really bad. They’re kind of quirky and they’re different.
My top designers are… Alexander Wang, Vivienne Westwood, Stella McCartney, Karl Lagerfeld, Alexander McQueen… I love fashion! I think it’s art and while I don’t have to own everything, it’s lovely to look at.
Lily brings out the cocktail frocks to promote her new film, ‘The Mortal Instruments: City Of Bones’
My make-up is… Natural. Less is more. When I travel to Europe, I go days without putting anything on. It feels healthier. I just never understood the idea of caking it on. The more you have on your face, the more there is to smudge and go wrong.
It’s very sweet when fans come up to me… or when people come up and say that they’ve liked a film or that they’ve watched it with their family and been happy and laughed.
I don’t get that feeling of being starstruck… I grew up acknowledging these people as human beings who have a talent that is public. They’re not some other species.
[Despite being the daughter of Phil Collins]… I always wanted to do it [acting] on my own. I never wanted anyone making phone calls. My last name may have opened doors, but I have to keep them open.
Lily with her famous father, Phil Collins
I don’t like reading what people say on the Internet… I know so much of it is not true. I don’t want to waste my time worrying about what other people are thinking. I just want to focus on being able to do cool projects.
My favourite film is… Sabrina with Audrey Hepburn. I actually spent my New Year’s Eve this year watching it and as it turned midnight I pressed pause and it was just her face on screen, smiling. I was like: “What a cool way to start the New Year.” She is just someone I’ve always admired.
My cardinal beauty rule is… To always take your make-up off at night and wash your face thoroughly, because in the morning it feels so much better.
I exercise… I go running or bike while reading scripts. Working out gives me more energy to face the day.
