Kerry Washington in Bikini Top Shows Off Jewelry Line

“Brought my own shells to the beach,” Kerry Washington captioned a photo this weekend, of her on the beach in a bikini, the ocean behind her. Her hand points to a Venus Gold Necklace, while on her ears are Venus Organic Pearl Gold Earrings—each in the shape of shells. They are part of the #KERRYxAURATE collection—aka the Birth of Mother Collection—a collab between the Little Fires Everwhere star and the fine jewlery company. “Thanks @auratenewyork!!!” How does Washington stay so inspiring? Read on to see 5 ways Kerry Washington keeps it together and the photos that prove they work—and to get beach-ready yourself, don't miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bikini Photos!

1. She Supports Female-Owned Businesses

Aurate is a female-owned business—founded by Sophie Kahn and Bouchra Ezzahraoui—and Washington is a backer. They first collaborated on something called The Lioness Collection. “I was inspired by the themes of what the lioness means, how lionesses operate, how the lionesses hunt together and nurture their cubs together,” Washington said at the time, to TechCrunch. “There’s no hierarchy among lionesses … They are fierce and ambitious but they also take care of each other.” She added: “I love working with female founders.” “Aurate is style and substance and Kerry is style and substance,” Kahn told TechCrunch. “She’s also an activist, she cares and has a voice. That’s why it was such a perfect fit.”

2. Health and Wellness are Her Sources of Beauty

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“The things my mother always stressed were to drink a lot of water and get a lot of rest, which I used to roll my eyes at,” she told Oprah Magazine. “Now I think she’s a genius. Health and wellness really are the sources of beauty.”

3. She Keeps Her Skin Clear This Way

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“I've always understood the connection between science and skin," she told Elle back in 2015. “I've been seeing a dermatologist since I was six years old for eczema. I really believe in exfoliating and I also use a red light for dealing with bacteria. I have one that I travel with. I really love [Neutrogena's] Visibly Even line because it smoothes skin with soy and prevents new spots with SPF. I'm excited about the new foundation colors because we're expanding. You want to be able to find the fit for you and the science behind our foundation is so strong.”

4. She Likes to Change it Up

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“For me the fun of it is to think about red carpet for creative expression. I work with the best hair stylists, the best makeup artists. It's like, 'let's create some art together.' I'm the canvas. I think really changing it up is most important,” she told Elle.

5. She Does Yoga and Fights for Rights

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Washington and her Scandal co-star raised money for Black Voters Matter by hosting online yoga. “Tony Goldwyn and I might have played a President and a Fixer on TV…but we can’t save the day. You can!” the caption read. ”YOU have the power to be the hero of your community. YOU can create change. YOU can make sure that your representatives actually represent you and your views. I hope that today’s yoga and chat help you feel empowered to do so. Sending you so much love and gratitude for joining and donating today,” she continued.

Kerry Washington is on a beautiful vacation in sunny Jamaica. Washington, 46, shared several pictures of herself from the trip, posing in a brown bathing suit with a bright crop top and long skirt on top of the bathing suit. “Jamaica, just the way you like it 🔥,” she captioned a snap of herself standing in front of a restaurant in Kingston. “Jamaica looks good on you 🔥,” commented a fan. How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Washington stays in shape and the photos that prove they work.

1. Pilates and Hiking

Washington is passionate about the physical benefits of regular Pilates sessions with a trainer. “I'm a big Pilates girl and I love to hike,” she says. “I have a teacher named Julie Turner in LA and I've worked with her for years and she worked with me on Django. She works out with other girls on Scandal. I do juices and Kim Snyder's smoothies, but I try to keep it consistent year round.”

2. Dance Parties

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Washington stays active even when she’s not at the gym, but she makes it fun for all the family. "Things are really busy for me right now, so making time for prayer, meditation is important," she says. "And also movement, for me. And that doesn't always mean like, pumping iron at the gym. I'm a real Pilates girl, I also love to train at the gym, but sometimes it's just going for a walk or having a dance party with the kids, just making sure that I'm moving my body."

3. Yoga Sessions

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Washington has practiced yoga for years, even earning her yoga certification in India. “Regular yoga practice may reduce levels of stress and body-wide inflammation, contributing to healthier hearts,” according to Johns Hopkins Health. “Several of the factors contributing to heart disease, including high blood pressure and excess weight, can also be addressed through yoga.”

4. SPF Every Day

Washington never skips sun protection. “We wore SPF as kids, but I didn't really understand how important it was, and I didn't understand the importance of using a higher number, and the importance of reapplying, and really the importance of integrating it into every day,” she says. “We used SPF when we went to the beach, or if we were sitting at the pool as kids. But it has to be part of your daily defense, it has to be embedded into your daily rituals because skin cancer is preventable.”

5. Regular Exfoliation

Washington is passionate about the health of her skin, especially as she has battled eczema in the past. “I've always understood the connection between science and skin. I've been seeing a dermatologist since I was six years old for eczema,” she says. “I really believe in exfoliating and I also use a red light for dealing with bacteria. I have one that I travel with. I really love [Neutrogena's] Visibly Even line because it smoothes skin with soy and prevents new spots with SPF.”