Exclusive: Camille Sullivan on ‘Shelby Oaks,’ Shade and Sunscreen

In NEON’s Shelby Oaks, Camille Sullivan delivers a haunting performance as Mia Brennan, a woman pulled into a chilling mystery while searching for her missing sister. Premiering this week, the supernatural thriller marks another standout role for the Canadian actress known for her intensity and emotional depth.

When she’s not shining in character-driven dramas and psychological thrillers, as Sullivan herself shares, she’s also a bit of an SPF and sensitive skin-care connoisseur. Read our exclusive interview with her ahead.

- Advertisement -

What are you most excited about for viewers to see when Shelby Oaks premieres?

“Shelby Oaks is such a suspenseful movie, with twists and turns, with danger around every corner. The couple of times that I have watched it with an audience, there were pin-drop silences, followed by audible gasps. I am excited for people to share that roller coaster experience—the dread and the fun of it.”

What did you enjoy most about working on the project?

“The team behind Shelby Oaks loves movies. So working on this felt like a passion project. Even on grueling days, the energy on set was positive and supportive. One day, Aaron B. Koontz of Paper Street Pictures brought in a petting zoo to boost morale. It did.”

Can you share any BTS beauty-glam moments from filming?

“There is a sequence in the movie where I have a prominent blood splatter on my face. We had to shoot this section over two days, so one of our wonderful makeup artists, Lydia Kane, had to recreate this explosive and intricate blood splatter. It was no easy task, a bit like doing an abstract painting on my face. She did an incredible job, and she did it quickly. It was pretty impressive.”

I’d love to hear about any beauty products you’re especially into right now.

“I love the brand, ILIA Beauty. It’s a clean skin-care brand from British Columbia, Canada, where I live. Their Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 is amazing. I am fanatical about sunscreen, so I wear it every day, and this leaves my skin beautiful and glowing. I pair it with the ILIA Bright Start Eye Cream; it’s perfect.”

How has your approach to skin care or beauty evolved over the years? 

“I take a natural, chemical-free approach to skin care. A number of years ago, I developed a sensitivity to chemical products, perioral dermatitis. I’m not sure what prompted it, but suddenly a huge list of chemicals, commonly found in makeup and beauty products, made me break out in a rash. So I had to throw out almost everything I used. But it has really been a blessing in disguise. I found great, natural products, and my routine is simple and affordable. Organic shea butter is magic. I even use it as a base under prosthetics and blood, etc., to protect my skin. There are an amazing number of great natural products out there.”

Is there a beauty philosophy or piece of advice that has stayed with you throughout your career? 

“Shade and sunscreen. When I was a teenager, I used to lie out in the sun in the summer, but I noticed my mother was always in a big hat, sitting in the shade. I can’t remember if we ever specifically talked about it, but either way, I took note. She has great skin. So sometime in my twenties, I decided she had a good idea there, and I started taking sun protection seriously. I’m so glad I did.”

The beauty world is shifting toward authenticity. How has that resonated with you personally and professionally? 

“I think beauty, like clothing, should be a form of self-expression and self-care. If it makes you feel good, if it makes you feel like the best version of your most authentic self, then do that thing. In movies, it is the unconventional and unique characters that are often the most beautiful.”