'Ghosted' Amber Stevens West On Why She Loves Her Nerdy Character & What Drugstore Buy She Can't Live Without

When you're a techie nerd and highly intelligent weapons specialist for the government helping combat paranormal activity on the new FOX show, Ghosted, then it's just another day at the office for Amber Stevens West. She plays Annie Carver, who's not afraid to kick it with the boys, ahem, Craig Robinson and Adam Scott, as they battle out the unknown in Southern California. Born and bred in LA, we had to find out what her beauty routine was, what drugstore product she's obsessed with, and she even lets us in on a little beauty secret of hers. 

PHOTO CREDIT: MATT SAYLES

Your new show, Ghosted, is hilarious. What’s it like working with such a fun cast?
It’s a dream. Everyone is so talented and even more fun! It’s a very supportive and playful environment. Not a single ego in the bunch. And every single person has a great sense of humor. Lots of laughs on set!

Your character, Annie, is a bit of a bad ass. What do you like about playing her?
It’s refreshing to play an intelligent and strong woman without having to have an explain why. She just is! Someone told me the other day that my character was a blerd, a black nerd. I had never heard of this but I’ll take it! She’s a bad ass nerd. 

PHOTO CREDIT: INSTAGRAM.COM/AMBERONISTEVENSWEST

As an LA native, what kind of beauty routine do you have? 
Okay, this may sound bad but I don’t wear sunscreen every day. DO NOT FOLLOW BY MY EXAMPLE. The only reason is, I’m allergic. I wear hats all the time. My collection of hats is pretty extensive. My goal in life is to get to a point where I feel comfortable wearing less makeup, but I’m not there yet. I’m still wearing a full face of foundation, concealer, mascara, eyeliner and bronzer every day. The most natural part of my makeup is the chapstick I wear and reapply like an addict all day long.

If we raided your handbag, what beauty products would we find?
Chapstick! I have one in every purse I own, one next to my bed, one in my bathroom, one in my car…everywhere I go. I’m addicted. I’ve always got my Armani concealer in my purse too. Midway through the day I do a little touch up under my eyes and a dab over any blemishes. And if I start to look a little greasy, I pull out my Tatcha Blotting Papers.

Can you divulge one beauty secret on how to maintain that gorgeous skin of yours?
It’s all an illusion! Honestly, yes, I have small pores I was lucky to inherit from my mother but I’ve recently been struggling with a bout of pretty gnarly acne. No one tells you that you can get adult acne in your thirties! I had beautiful skin for years that I absolutely took for granted. I’m currently trying every product in existence to try and find a solution. I may be onto something, though. I’ve just discovered the STARSKIN Bio-Cellulose Second Skin Face Mask and I’m in love. My skin looks taught and glowy immediately after I take it off. I also love the Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Medi-Spa Peel. Most importantly, what I’ve learned is that I need to triple my water intake. If you’re dehydrated, your skin will produce more oil. This also means more moisturizer. It’s easy to think you need to dry out your skin when you have acne but the drier it is, the more oil it will produce. So I’m now using Elizabeth Arden Daily Youth Restoring Serum layered with Glossier Priming Moisturizer Rich. 

PHOTO CREDIT: INSTAGRAM.COM/AMBERONISTEVENSWEST

What are you faves in LA for massages, spa treatments, manis, etc.?
I’m not big on massages because I’m VERY ticklish but I do love a good body scrub! My favorite place for a scrub is WI Spa in Koreatown. I’ve been hitting up Korean spas since I was a kid and they just feel like home. My husband and I like to go together because it’s co-ed. We can spend hours together in all the hot saunas, napping on the heated floors and then separate and have some alone time in the wet rooms with Jacuzzis, steam rooms and showers. It’s the best! My manicure spots are Wynn Nail Spa in Hollywood or Es Nail Bar & Organic Spa in Brentwood. Both places are great for gel manis.