Like many, Sofia Carson enjoys shopping. Unlike many, the actor and singer prefers if it’s not for herself. “I honestly like shopping for the people that I love in my life, like my sister or my mom,” she says. “Those are my favorite people to shop for.”
Gift giving seems to be one of Carson’s love languages, considering how many times it comes up in our conversation. Her favorite thank-you present is flowers, especially when she can choose an arrangement that matches the recipient’s personality. She lights up when asked about the best gift she’s ever given. (A custom book about her sister’s dog, Joey, for her birthday last year.) And the 29-year-old’s favorite fragrance was one she was given at 18 by a close family friend in honor of her high school graduation.
Even when she’s buying for herself, Carson has others in mind. “I like investing in pieces that I think will be timeless,” she says when asked about her style. “Twenty years down the line, is it something I could imagine wearing, or even passing down to family members?”
So it’s not surprising that Carson would be drawn to star in a movie about a different kind of gift: In Purple Hearts, now streaming on Netflix, a soon-to-deploy Marine offers to marry her character so she’ll receive his military benefits. It starts as a marriage of convenience—but you can guess what happens next. “I’ve always gravitated toward romance, whether it’s in films or in the songs I write,” she says. “I love telling stories about love, and Purple Hearts is such a beautiful one.”
What else does Sofia Carson love? Read on for Glamour‘s latest installment of Your Fave’s Faves.
The last thing I bought
I was in Italy last week for a film festival, and I bought this awesome pair of Versace sunglasses. I was with Diane Warren and we were there for a movie we’re in together and bought the same pair. [Ed note: The upcoming movie Tell It Like a Woman features an original song, “Applause,” written by Warren and sung by Carson.]
On my bookshelf
I just finished reading a beautiful book called A Beautiful, Terrible Thing. It’s a really heartbreaking story, but it’s very much a story of a woman who survives. I was just so encompassed by this woman’s story and what she went through. It is a romance, but it’s more so a story of survival and it’s beautifully written.
My favorite app on my phone
I would say Uber Eats or Postmates because I can’t cook so I’m very dependent on that app. I definitely go through phases with food. My sister jokes about this all the time, because I will go through a phase where I’ll eat the same thing for a couple of months and then I get over it and will switch to my whatever my next thing becomes. I tend to go for healthy—fish and vegetables or something like that or salad. But if I’m in the mood for something unhealthy, my go-to recently has been a tuna melt with fries.
My closet staples
Over the last couple years, my closet staple has been a good pair of leather pants because I can dress them up or down. They’re comfortable, but they’re still cool. The most special pieces in my closet are the first couple dresses I wore for my first big red carpet events, like the dress I wore to my first Oscars, which is inspired by Audrey Hepburn. I have all those dresses and those are probably my most memorable pieces.
My go-to scent
I’ve been wearing the same scent since I was 18 years old, and it’s the Diptyque Do Son. It was gifted to me by a really close family friend the day I graduated high school and I immediately loved it. It just feels like me, and I can’t leave the house without it.
The beauty product I can’t leave the house without
My favorite is the lip balm slash lip gloss by Tower 28. It’s my favorite thing to wear on my lips because it’s super moisturizing, but it also has the beautiful shine of a gloss. I wear it every day.
My kitchen essential
Because I can’t cook, this appliances become very handy. I am a fan of eggs and hard-boiled eggs and during the pandemic, my cousin recommended this egg maker. I just have to place my two eggs in the egg maker and it’s finished. It’s been game changing.
What I’m buying next
My shopping wishlist this year has shifted to more of a travel wishlist. I just want to travel as much as possible this year. It’s more just taking every opportunity that I have to travel; for instance, if I have a work trip coming up, I want to make a trip out of it with friends and family to really live life a little bit more fully. I’ll be in Italy performing at a UNICEF gala so afterwards I’m going to spend a couple days there with my sister and friends.
