If Nina Dobrev, the gorgeous Bulgaria-born, Canada-raised star of the CW’s Vampire Diaries, kept a diary of her own, it’d make for a pretty juicy read right now. With a new film, The Perks of Being a Wallflower (costarring Emma Watson and in theaters now!), the return of her hit show, and her charity work with Free the Children, this 23-year-old is busybusybusy. Celeb hair stylist, Chris McMillan styled Nina for a beauty feature in Glamour’s November issue. Check out some of the highlights below!

GLAMOUR: On the show you have a dual role: Elena, the girl-next-door type who has straight hair, and Katherine, the bad girl with big, sexy curls. Does switching up your beauty looks help you get into character?

NINA DOBREV: One hundred percent!  Changing my hair helps me transform.

GLAMOUR: I read your mom won’t let you do anything too crazy to it.

ND: It’s true! My mom didn’t start wearing makeup or hairspray until she was, like, 40— she’s the least vain person ever. When I became an actress, she said, “I know they need your hair for this show, but you’re going to need your hair for the rest of your life, so take care of it.” Since that day, I’ve been very diligent. I do hair masks multiple times a week, and I don’t blow-dry it if I’m not working.

GLAMOUR: What was life like growing up in Canada before your big break?

ND: I was kind of a jock in school. Beauty wasn’t something I spent a lot of time on. Now I ask every hair and makeup artist I work with for tips. I’m in beauty school by association!

GLAMOUR: Spill the best tip you’ve picked up.

ND: Wash your face at the end of the night! There’s nothing worse than sleeping in makeup. You wake up looking like a painting that’s been left out in a rainstorm. 

GLAMOUR: In the April issue of Glamour, your boyfriend, Ian [Somerhalder], admitted, “I don’t know what women want.” Can you offer the men of America some insight?

ND: Every woman wants and needs different things. It’s always best when you’re honest and you speak up. It’s hard to read minds.