Camille Sullivan Shares Her Insights on ‘Shelby Oaks,’ Shade, and Sunscreen
In NEON’s *Shelby Oaks*, Camille Sullivan delivers a gripping performance as Mia Brennan, a woman drawn into a chilling mystery while searching for her missing sister. This supernatural thriller, which premieres this week, highlights Sullivan’s talents, adding another noteworthy role to her repertoire as a Canadian actress celebrated for her intensity and emotional depth.
Beyond her on-screen achievements, Sullivan also shares a passion for skin care, particularly for sensitive skin. In an exclusive interview, she discussed her experiences and insights.
“*Shelby Oaks* is such a suspenseful movie, with twists and turns, with danger around every corner,” Sullivan said. “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.”
She further elaborated on the camaraderie behind the scenes, saying, “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.”
Sullivan also highlighted the intricate makeup involved in her role, particularly a scene involving blood splatter. “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 added, “She did an incredible job, and she did it quickly. It was pretty impressive.”
In terms of beauty products, Sullivan expressed her enthusiasm for ILIA Beauty, a clean skin-care brand from her home province of British Columbia. “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.”
Discussing her skin-care journey, Sullivan noted, “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.”
She reflected on the influence of her mother regarding sun safety: “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.”
Ultimately, Sullivan believes that beauty should be an expression of individuality. “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.”
