It is very rare to meet an accomplished and rising Hollywood star with such a rich history, but longtime stuntwoman and actress, Deja Mae Howell is exactly that.
Her screen time career as a daring stunt double runs the gamut from 1992's "The Bodyguard" with the late Whitney Houston to "CSI: NY." Though she is fierce in taking on physical work, the red-headed beauty can also shine and command attention in acting roles.
She took some time from her burgeoning career to share, exclusively with Beauty World News, her talent for making creative headpieces, details on her easy and breezy makeup routine and her dreams of future screen roles in Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez' films.
You are so accomplished as a daring stuntwoman. Your career is so empowering and inspiring to others, but I wonder just what you use in your beauty routine or regimen that keeps you looking and feeling your best? Any must-have products?
Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm grateful and am feeling quite privileged to be a part of your site!
Now for the fun!
Typically, I wear very light or no make up when I'm not working. I have very sensitive skin and working long hours with heavy makeup can get hard on my skin. I have a long list of must haves! I am obsessed with L'Occitane lately, specifically their Almond Oil Shower Gel. It sounds crazy and I was a skeptic too, but it's amazing! It has a light scent and leaves my skin ridiculously soft. I also use their Divine Eyes eye cream. As far as make-up on a daily basis, I typically wear Cle Peau Beaute Concealer in ivory, Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Demolition, Maybelline baby lips in Cherry Me, Trish McEvoy High Volume Mascara in Black and Lorac Baked Matte Satin Blush in Velvet Rope finished off with a light dusting of Make Up Forever HD powder. I have a passion for a red lip. My favorite lippy lately is Lime Crime Velvetines in Red Velvet.
How do you manage to take care of your skin, hair and nails when you are so busy lighting up TV screens everywhere?
I keep my regime pretty simple. I use a gentle facial cleansing oil by Home Health. I use it along with a white washcloth doused with warm water. Since the cleanser is oil based, the hot washcloth I use to remove the cleanser makes it feel like a mini facial. I do my own nails. When I work, I can't have polish on and when I play the guitar, nail color doesn't stand a chance; I very rarely paint my nails. I like having my nails painted so it's quite a predicament. I do it for special occasions only. I wash my hair every other to every other other day. When I work, I have to wash my hair everyday. When I'm not working, I like to give my hair a break to be wild and free with the wind.
Are you big on accessorizing? If so, any pieces that you cannot function without and what kind of accessories do you like?
Lately, I'm really into these crystal headpieces I've been making. They make me feel like a Princess and are really delicate looking. I always have my black onyx ring on and am really into this awesome Native American Eagle ring that was my Grandmother's. I am so lucky my mom let me borrow it. Basically, I can't function without my Dad's old wrist watch, my long silver chain necklace that has a rose gold initial ring, a saint Christopher and a piece of a meteorite hanging from it. I have been wearing this necklace of mine for a very long time and only take it off when I work. I also always have a bangle or two on. My favorite one gets a lot of attention. It's a clear resin bangle with different scarabs and a scorpion inside. It sounds crazy, but it's definitely a show stopper [one] must see.
We have to ask this question: any secrets that you can spill on how you primp and pamper your beautiful face?
I use Laura Mercier Flawless Daily Face Shield spf 40 every day. I'm into Laura Mercier Foundation Primer and Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer. I also am a big fan of using tea tree oil as an acne spot treatment. I mix 3 parts water and 1 part tea tree oil. I drink A LOT of water. I really enjoy the stuff so it's always on hand. I try to be gentle with my face because it's very sensitive and at any given moment can have a freak out. I'm big on using white washcloths as a warm water compress when I wash my face or as a cold-water compress over my eyes if they are red or feeling dry. I use white washcloths because I don't want the dyes of the colored cloths to mess with my skin (yeah my skin is that big of a baby.)
Your red hair is so vibrant and beautiful. How do you keep yours shiny and healthy?
Thank you very much! I use Kerastaste Bain Chroma Captive Shampoo, L'Oreal Professional Conditioner and Moroccan Oil before using any heating products. I don't blow dry my hair because it's very long. I typically let it air dry. If I'm feeling extra snazzy, I will give it a curl with a curling iron, but a very subtle curl just to look put together enough but not over done. I save my super awesome hair experiences for my shows. But when I'm just doing my dailies, I try to keep it simple.
As a woman on the go, how do you keep your energy up and stay refreshed?
WATER! Also, I have to be very on point about eating healthy and eating protein throughout the day. If I skip meals and don't drink enough water, I'll get a migraine. I'm into coffee, too. I use a French press at home, but I am really into the whole coffee experience. I drink it when I wake up and switch to a green iced tea during the middle of the day. I try to eat a lot of fruit and kale, too. I swear kale, carrots, ginger and oranges make me so happy and energized when juiced together.
Without revealing too much, are you looking into or considering any endorsement deals with any famous fashion or beauty product lines?
This would be so awesome. A million little fantasies popped into my head after reading this question. I would love that but I haven't really thought of it before now!
Can you dish on your fitness routine and how you maintain your phenomenal shape? Any current workout crazes or loves?
I walk everywhere. I live in a part of Los Angeles where I can do all my dailies without driving. I also like to ride bikes, do yoga, ride horses and hike; I can surely tear up a dance floor. I randomly found out a couple years ago that I have a natural talent for hitting a speed bag. Strange ability to have, but I hit the speed bag if I'm ever feeling overwhelmed emotionally. It seems like I have so much work to do all the time that I can't really have a strict fitness routine. I try to be active all day by walking or adventuring around. If I have a stunt to prepare for, then I will rehearse specifically for weeks leading up to it. My dad and I will work on my falls, driving, and hits (stunt fights) pretty often, too.
After a long day of filming or performing your music on stage, we guess you must be quite exhausted. How do you relax?
I relax by playing the guitar. But, if I am even too tired for that, I'll watch a funny movie, go for a walk around the neighborhood or play my Xbox. [If I am really going] for a total relaxation, [I] turn on my bedroom's planetarium and listen to Coast2Coast or another one of my favorite podcasts.
Any dream roles that you fantasy about playing?
I would love to be a leading woman in a Robert Rodriguez or Quentin Tarantino film. Those women are always boss ladies and have such strength and quirkiness to them. This would be a mega dream.
For more on Howell, visit her IMDB page. For more on her music, click HERE.