'Stranger Things' Cara Buono on Her '80s Beauty Secrets

Cara Buono on Playing Karen Wheeler in Stranger Things

Cara Buono reflects on her role as Karen Wheeler in Stranger Things, which began filming in 2015 and is set in the 1980s. Initially, Karen had limited screen time, and Buono focused on expressing the character through hair and makeup. Early on, Karen had a brunette, slightly '70s-inspired look with a "mousey-brown" hair color reflecting Midwest styles of the era. As the series progressed, Karen's appearance evolved with bigger, blonder, perm styles and brighter hair colors, mirroring her character's development. Buono enjoyed this transformation, especially how it allowed subtle storytelling in scenes through vibrant looks without dialogue.

Cara Buono's Skincare Philosophy and Favorites

Buono has been passionate about skincare since she was 14, influenced by her mother's beautiful skin and her father's serious stance on sunscreen to prevent skin cancer. Though skincare was not as popular for youth back then, she adopted early habits like careful sunscreen application. She currently uses several products including Ginza Deep Cleansing Oil and Tatcha Deep Rice Polish for exfoliation. A longtime favorite is Weleda Skin Food, prized for its hydrating qualities and high-quality ingredients grown in Germany. She also frequents a Los Angeles spa, Carasoin, where she enjoys their facials and the exclusive cold-fusion cream. For prescription care, Buono consistently uses Tretinoin and highlights Alloy's M4 cream with Estreol, suited for mature skin over 40.

Cara Buono on Antioxidants and Skincare Investments

Buono values high-quality skincare investments, especially antioxidant serums like SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, which she applies before moisturizer as a protective layer. She acknowledges it is a pricier product but considers it worth the cost for its effectiveness and noticeable results.

Cara Buono's beauty secrets blend nostalgic '80s styling with disciplined, high-quality skincare routines she began young, emphasizing preventative care and product excellence.

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NewBeauty NewBeauty — 2025-11-27

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