Camila Cabello Shares Her Evolution with Beauty: Growing Up 'It Was the Last Thing on My Mind' (Exclusive)

Growing up, beauty wasn't a priority for Camila Cabello — until she found the fun in it.

Speaking to PEOPLE ahead of L'Oréal Paris Women of Worth event on Nov. 16, the singer-songwriter and brand ambassador opened up about her journey with beauty.

"It's really evolved so much. I feel like when I was younger and I started working, beauty was just the last thing on my mind," the "Bam Bam" singer, 26, tells PEOPLE.

"Being in an immigrant family ... it felt frivolous to me," Cabello adds. "Now I'm like, 'No, it's actually just an expression of joy and what it means to be alive.' I'm obsessed with beauty now. It's just so fun."

The "Havana" singer's mom, Sinuhe Cabello, served as "a big inspiration" for her by offering up beauty advice — and always being honest.

"She will be like, 'Your whole vibe is amazing, but you got to fix that part.' For her, it's always been [about how] looking your best really makes you feel more confident. It's not some frivolous, shallow thing," she says. "It makes you feel better for you. It's true."

In addition to looking good and feeling good, Cabello shares what makes her feel most empowered.

"When I feel the most connected to myself, when I feel aware about what my feelings are, when I feel like I'm just really in tune with myself," the Familia singer says. "To give an example, if I'm feeling tired and I'm just mindlessly scrolling through my phone, I stop and I check in with myself. I'm like, 'Okay, am I doing this because I feel anxious? Do I feel a little lonely?'"

At the L'Oréal Paris Women of Worth event, Cabello introduced two of the 10 honorees, Estefanía Rebellón of Yes We Can World Foundation and Samantha Wettje of 16 Strong Project. The non-profit leaders focus on quality education (Rebellón) and good health and well-being (Wettje).

Fellow ambassador Aja Naomi King introduced Judaline Cassidy of Tools & Tiaras and Mariya Taher of Sahiyo U.S, while Eva Longoria introduced Shrusti Amula of Rise N Shine Foundation and Sophia Kianni of Climate Cardinals.

The additional honorees were Cass Forkin of Twilight Wish Foundation, Tonya Sandis of Free2Luv, Sonia Su of Kits to Heart and Stephanie Woodward of Disability EmpowHer Network.

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It's the first time Cabello and her fellow ambassadors Kendall Jenner, Eva Longoria, Helen Mirren and Andie MacDowell were united since they walked the runway during L'Oréal Paris show on the Esplanade of the Eiffel Tower during Paris Fashion Week.

"it just feels like we’re cute," she wrote on Instagram, sharing clips of her strut down the runway. "thank you for surrounding me w the most supportive amazing girls at these events  @lorealparis 🎀 luv you."