Chill Chat
The activist shares her self-care practices and favorite workout.
The fact that Amanda Nguyen is an astronaut is a monumental achievement in itself.
Shesalsowritten a book,Saving Five.
And, this year, shes about to become the first Vietnamese woman togo to space.
She doomscrolls; she listens to Sabrina Carpenter; she makes matcha lattes.
(Albeit a girl whos incrediblyinspiring.)
Thats why her partnership with E.l.f.
I am an activist, I am an astronaut, and I love makeup, Nguyen says.
Walk me through your morning routine.
The first thing I do is make my collagen matcha latte.
I actually bring my blender for it with me when I travel.
Ill then use a misting spray E.l.f.
has a wonderful one, calledHoly Hydration that wakes me up.
If there is time, I do a gratitude journal.
I practice what I callglimmers theyre the opposite of triggers.
What does fitness look like for an astronaut?
I also go on daily walks.
What do you do to train your core?
Whats your favorite form of cardio?
Just walking, and I wouldnt say the StairMaster is my favorite, but I do it.
Whats on your workout playlist?
Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan.
Oh, and of courseBrat.
How do you like to unwind after a really hectic day?
Journaling has been really helpful.
It helps me process the day.
But I also like to watch my favorite TV shows, likeSeveranceorThe Ultimatum.
What wellness ritual might people be surprised to hear that you do?
I sleep with ared-light therapy panel.
When Im doomscrolling on TikTok, it makes me feel productive.
In your campaign you mention that you love a red lip.
Can you talk about that?
I really want to take up space in hallowed places.
And that means with a full face of glam.
In my testimonies, I wearE.l.f.s O Face lipstick.
I want to challenge that, because you might do both.
The recent United Nations event was just one instance of you speaking to a crowd.
How do you remain confident during instances like this?
This year, youre going to be the first Vietnamese woman to go into space.
Tell me how youre feeling about this.
Im very, very excited.
And actually, this year is very significant to me.
Its the 50th anniversary of Vietnam.
My flight is a symbol of peace and reconciliation between two former enemies.
I traveled to Vietnam three times last year.
But Vietnam has really embraced this moment as a history-making opportunity.
What is the best wellness advice youve ever received?
I learned about bravery from my mom, who is a boat refugee.
She was caught in a storm, and her boat was sinking.
Rescuers threw over a rope, and everyone had to climb this literal lifeline.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
