Claire Danes has had one heck of a year.

From playing her most critically-acclaimed dramatic role to date in the biopic portrayal of an autistic Temple Grandin, to cleaning house this awards seasons with wins at the Emmys, the Golden Globes and SAG Awards, and finally picking up her first beauty contract with lash growth drug Latisse, Danes is finally stepping on the brakes to slow things down for a breather.

The first thing to go? Her hair color.

"I've been coloring it since I was 13, when I did 'My So Called Life,'" says Danes of her career-starting stint on the popular '90s television series.

"I have no idea what my real color is! I look at my brother and say, 'Oh, that's what I would look like.' I identify my current blonde as my 'base color,' so I return to it when I literally have to wash a character out of my hair," says Danes.

Danes entrusts her hue to colorist friend Steven Amendola at New York's John Frieda Salon, saying, "I'm pretty passive about this stuff, so I trust him. If he decides to go lighter because it's spring, I just say, 'uh huh.'"

When it comes to the hot topic of cosmetic surgery, the 32-year-old actress has a surprisingly relaxed attitude about it all, which is tempered by an I'll-take-it-as-it-comes philosophy.

"I'm really fortunate in that I'm still quite young, and can get away with a lot, and my body is very forgiving. We'll see how things progress. I think it's great that women have so much choice now, and choice in products that are backed by science. As long as people are aware of potential risks, and they're working closely with a doctor, I say go for it," says Danes.

"These are real intimate personal decisions, and I don't think anyone should judge anyone," adds the actress.

A personal decision Danes made this past year was to begin daily use of the FDA-approved lash growth drug Latisse, joining the likes of Brooke Shields as a spokesmodel for the brand.

Applied to the lashline nightly much like eyeliner, the prescription serum works by stimulating lash follicles into a growth phase, where they stay longer, for what are often dramatic lengthening results.

"My makeup artist, Matin, sometimes even has to trim them a bit! I still use mascara on the red carpet, but I never wear fake eyelashes anymore, which I used to do pretty often. It helps cut down on that whole process of being made up," said Danes, as she fluttered a pair of bunny-like lashes that seemingly stood testament to the claim.

The actress' skincare cabinet contains a mix of drugstore and department store brands, with Cetaphil as her must-have cleanser, and Laura Mercier her favorite line to turn to for moisturizing needs. Yet Danes lists healthy nutrition, adequate sleep and exercise as all more essential to a glowing complexion.

As for what's next for the native New Yorker, Danes just shot a pilot for a show called
"Homeland" that the actress is waiting this month to hear if it will be picked up by a network.

"It's a political psychological thriller based on a show that's very popular in Israel right now. I play a CIA officer. She's very bright and daring, and takes a lot of risks that get her into trouble," says Danes.

And according to Danes, the coolest part was the real-deal way the episode was shot.

"I got to go to the real CIA headquarters at Langley [Virginia], and it was fun! There really are spies out there, doing very spy-y things."

Sounds to us like Danes better get her stilettos and red lipstick ready.

And to see the photos of how we fared after trying the Latisse product Danes fronts, check them out here.