How The Good Doctor’s Rising Star Gets Her Perfect Skin

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For Antonia Thomas, 2018 is off to a strong start. Not only can you catch the British actress on one of TV’s top-rated dramas (ABC’s The Good Doctor), but she’s also got a starring role on one of Netflix’s cleverest comedies: UK import Lovesick (formerly known as Scrotal Recall — yes, really), the third season of which recently dropped on the streaming service.

But while her Good Doctor alter ego, Dr. Claire Brown, spends most of her time in scrubs and Lovesick character Evie’s look leans bohemian, Antonia herself sticks to the classics. An avid vintage shopper, she collects mid-century cocktail dresses and will happily spend a whole afternoon sifting through the racks in search of pristine past-decade pieces. More on her favorite sources — plus the beauty products she relies on — below.

Photo: ABC via Getty Images

Hey Antonia! What’s the last great thing you bought for yourself?

It was a moisturizer, actually! SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore. I’m in Vancouver [shooting The Good Doctor], where it gets super cold — and when you’ve got the central heating on high, it just dries you out. I get quite dry skin, so I’m always looking for thick, heavy moisturizers to try that will help without leaving me too oily. Anyway, someone recommended this one to me, and I absolutely love it. I don’t think I’m ever going back!

Tell me about the rest of your beauty routine.

It’s funny: I don’t ever splash out on handbags or shoes — I’m not that kind of girl — but with skincare, I’m happy to spend money. Along with the Triple Lipid Restore, I’ve also started using SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic serum, which I really like. I always do an eye cream, a serum, a moisturizer, and then a sunscreen on top — SPF 50, come rain or shine! At the moment, I’m using the Kiehl’s avocado eye cream, which is a really good one. And at night, I use a different serum, Dr. Jart Ceramidin Liquid, which feels like you’re putting satin on your skin. It’s so silky; I’ve been using it for years.

For my hair, I’m constantly trying new things. Curly hair is such a journey! But in terms of tried and trusted products, there’s a brand called Philip Kingsley — it’s founded by a trichologist — and I’ve always used the Moisture Extreme shampoo and conditioner.

I was also recently introduced to Ouidad by a hairdresser I’m working with on The Good Doctor; they make an amazing hair mask, the Curl Recovery Melt-Down Extreme Repair Mask. I use that once a week, usually on Sundays when I have a bit more time. I don’t wash my hair every day, and on the days I don’t, I use Macadamia Oil Nourishing Leave-In Cream to keep my curls moisturized. I’ve also started using Monoi Oil — it’s Tahitian coconut — which helps with breakage.

Photo: Alan Peebles/Netflix

Any shopping weaknesses beyond beauty products?

Definitely vintage clothing! Every city I visit, I hunt out the best vintage. That’s something I quite like spending money on, because if you get a really beautiful piece of vintage clothing, nobody else is gonna have it.

True! What are a few of your favorite sources?

Blackout II in Covent Garden in London is basically my go-to vintage shop; it’s the one I go back to again and again. The owner has such an amazing eye, and all the pieces are beautifully selected. I specifically like collecting ’50s cocktail dresses, because I’m kind of curvy — I’ve got boobs! — and I find that sort of ’50s shape works well on me.

LA has great vintage, too. I love shopping in Silver Lake and Los Feliz; the Silverlake Flea is brilliant. You’re always bound to find something. And I really like the Melrose Trading Post.

And I’ve spent a lot of money on the vintage in Vancouver as well! There’s one store on Commercial Drive that I love called Mintage; the first time I went in, I wound up spending three hours in there. You have to spend quite a lot of time to sort through everything, but I got this amazing Mexican jacket with embroidery on it. There’s nothing more satisfying that going into a massive shop and finding something that is so unique. You really feel like you’ve earned it!

There’s another shop around the corner from Mintage called Hey Jude, which I also love. The stuff there is a bit more carefully selected and edited.

Tell me about the most beloved piece currently in your closet.

One of my favorite finds at Blackout II — and actually, one of the first pieces I ever spent money on after I started working — was a dress by a designer called Ceil Chapman. Apparently she was one of Marilyn Monroe’s favorite designers, and she made all of these dresses in classic Marilyn shapes — scooping neckline, cinched in at the waist, amazing bodices. The shop owner, I remember, pulled it out and was like, “This won’t fit everyone, but it’ll fit you!” And it did!

Speaking of black dresses, I’d love to get your thoughts on the sartorial demonstrations we’ve been seeing so far this awards season, specifically the black gowns at the Golden Globes.

I think it’s really great. It’s a really important time for women to come together and support one another, and [fashion is] a wonderful way to show solidarity. There’s definitely a feeling that men don’t get asked about their outfits on the red carpet as much. But if you can spin that and use that as a way to talk about things that are really important? I’m so behind it.

The Good Doctor airs Mondays at 10 p.m. EST on ABC. Lovesick is currently streaming on Netflix.