Shop Like—Actress Nina Dobrev

Shop Like is a column in which Forbes Vetted asks some of the most stylish and notable personalities their favorite items to buy, gift and receive. On the hunt for shopping inspo? Look no further.

Last night in New York City, actress Nina Dobrev was shining bright at the 16th annual Tribeca Festival Artists Dinner at Balthazar, an evening celebrating the leading filmmakers and artists of our time, and the rich tradition of artists supporting artists, hosted by Chanel. This year Dobrev, wearing a black cashmere dress for the occasion, is part of the 2023 panel of jury members who will select winning projects in the film, immersive, games, and audio storytelling sections of the festival.

“As a woman and storyteller and also a juror at The Tribeca Film Festival this year, it was really important to me to celebrate female filmmakers and cinema and art and expression, and that's exactly what Chanel did last night at their beautiful event,” she said. “It was just a lovely celebration of being a woman and doing so in an artistic and beautiful way.”

As an actress, writer, producer and director, Dobrev has a lot of exciting things on her plate, including a starring role in Netflix comedy The Out-Laws coming out in July, and an executive producer role in The League premiering at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival.

We spoke to the star about all of the things that help fuel her success, from her beauty routine to her work essentials. Below, shop Nina Dobrev’s favorite things to buy, gift and receive.

Nina Dobrev’s Favorite Things

Her Travel Must-Have

“I'm on the road so much and you don't get to sleep very much when you're traveling a lot. I have to attend a lot of events or work functions or friend's weddings or dinners. And so I often travel with sheet masks in my bag—a lot of them. When you're on the go and you need to just get a quick freshen up, just putting on a sheet mask always makes your skin glow. It makes you look like you slept even if you didn't. Knesko Skin makes some incredible ones.”

Knesko Skin Nanogold Repair Collagen Face Masks

$47

A Must For Overnight Plane Rides

“I always have a cleanser to wash my face once I get on the plane as well as a moisturizer and a hyaluronic acid so you can retain the water. Milk Makeup is the cleanser I use. They're vegan products too, which is really great.”

Milk Makeup Vegan Milk Cleanser

$30

Beauty Product She Throws In Her Carry On

“I get really dry on planes, so lip balms are essential. As long as I'm awake, I'm constantly reapplying my Laneige lip balm.”

Laneige Lip Glowy Balm

$18

Something She's Had For A Long Time That She Would Buy Again

“One of my first solo trips as a young adult in Paris—I think it was on a press tour for Vampire Diaries—I bought my first Chanel purse and it was very much an impulse buy because I was newly on a show and I didn't have a lot of money. At the time Chanel was very aspirational and I obviously looked up to the brand and loved their products, but I had never owned anything. It was one of those, ‘when in Paris’ moments for me. I walked into the store and I looked at the prices, I was like, ‘oh my God, I don't know if I can do this.’ But I did it anyways and I still have the purse and it's definitely worn in. I think as [the bags] get older, the scuffs start to make them even better—they have a soul and they have history, just like the brand and the legacy itself.”

Chanel Camellia Embossed Wallet on Chain

$3,100

An Essential Work Accessory

“AirPods are key because of the noise-canceling, so while I am traveling and working I can take calls, listen to podcasts, and watch films. I'm watching some of the screeners on my computer with my AirPods in. I can do that on the plane or really anywhere. And they're so small and convenient, I just have them in my purse all the time for when I need them.”

Apple Airpods Pro

$249

A Creative New Hobby

“I bought a Leica camera that I absolutely love, that I bring everywhere with me. I've really gotten into photography lately. It's becoming a passion of mine. I even started a new Instagram account just for my photography, more as a creative outlet.”

Leica D-Lux 7 Compact Camera

$2,189

Something She Bought For A Family Member

“My brother just had a baby and it's the first baby of our family. I'm a new aunt and he is my first nephew, so most of the gifts that I've been buying lately have been baby things. I just bought them a membership to Lovevery. Depending on the age of the child, every month they get a shipment of toys and things that help them with their development.”

Lovevery The Looker Play Kit

$80

A Gift That She Gifted But Secretly Also Uses

“I bought my boyfriend a Louis Vuitton travel garment bag for Christmas because he travels so much and we're always on the road, but to be completely honest with you, I've been using it more. So it was supposed to be a selfless gift for him that I have kind of stolen. It’s a win for both of us.”

Louis Vuitton Garment Bag

Price upon request

The Ultimate Organization Tool

“This app is the ultimate to-do list. You can create all these different lists, and what's special about it is that you can share the list with people. I have family members that I share the list with, and as soon as I put it in on my end, it automatically, it automatically goes to the list on their phone so they can see it too. And then if it's something I want my assistant to do, I'll put it in the app and she'll do it. Or I can put a due date on it, I could put a time stamp on it, I can attach a photo to it if it's something that I can't explain in writing. It's really great.”

Microsoft To Do App

$50

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