Sarah Jessica Parker may be award-winning Hollywood royalty and a recent West End star but, in reality, she's just like you and me. Well, as far as her beauty habits are concerned anyway. Speaking on the inaugural episode of Glad We Had This Chat with Caroline Hirons, a new podcast unpacking unfiltered views on skincare, beauty and life, Parker reveals that – despite what you might expect from a world renowned celebrity and RoC Skincare Global Ambassador – she is actually pretty 'chilled about everything', according to Hirons.
What level of chill, you ask? The kind that removes make-up with '£1.99 wipes' from Boots. Having just wrapped the West End leg of her show _Plaza Suit_e, in which she stars alongside husband Matthew Broderick, Parker explained that one of the most taxing aspects of show nights is the amount of make-up she has to remove, which of course requires a diligent night time skincare routine.
Lashes are always peeled off first, then Parker washes the day away with Clinique's cult classic Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm, £34, followed by an oil cleanser. 'And then I would just get, honestly from Boots they have a £1.99, or a quid 99 you'd say, wipes that have no fragrance and I would wipe it all because I was afraid I would clog the sink with the amount of oil I was wiping off and then I would wash my face proper with anything,' she reveals.
Wipes? We've all been there. But Parker's admission of using them is interesting given how much of a bad rep they get in conversations concerning a good cleansing routine and sustainability. That said, Parker doesn't use the wipes as her sole cleanser and instead sandwiches them between what a skincare expert would deem as 'proper' cleansing, namely balms and oils. And, on the point about sustainability, the fragrance-free Boots wipes in question aren't just biodegradable but available for £1 a pop.
Her unfussy approach and all too familiar love affair with high street giant Boots doesn't stop there. 'I use honestly any soap, I don't care, and people send free cleansers and I use them but I'm less good about purchasing, I did purchase at Boots though because I ran out at the theatre and they don't have bar soap at the theatre they only have anti-bacterial hand soap - even I draw the line [there]. But E45 has a nice foaming facial cleanser, £9.99, I love E45.'
Admits to using wipes, shops at Boots, and loves E45? Very relatable indeed. And while we can't promise you'll run into SJP the next time you pop into your local Boots, one thing is for sure, her penchant for affordable, no-fuss skincare that works for her own unique needs is refreshing and a welcome change of pace.
Shop: Sarah Jessica Parker's Skincare Essentials
www.boots.com
It doesn't get more no-fuss than wet wipes. These classics from Boots are formulated with vitamin E to care for skin while aiding as part of your cleansing routine. Make like SJP and follow up with a thorough cleanser after use. And don't worry, they're biodegradable, too.
www.lookfantastic.com
The whole Grazia beauty team loves cleansing balms and this one from Clinique is a classic for good reason. The best-seller works hard to remove all traces of make-up, dirt and build up with a balm to oil formula, while nourishing safflower seed oil leaves skin feeling restored.
www.boots.com
Specifically made for dry, sensitive and eczema-prone skin, the gentle formula maintains the skin’s natural moisture barrier while removing impurities. Rather than leaving you feeling stripped like other foam washes, this cleanser boasts a fresh and smooth finish.
www.lookfantastic.com
SJP uses this skin hero for touch-ups on set after lunch as 'it helps to just clean up and has a decent amount of shine that allows the skin to have some reflection points,' she explains. We're not surprised, the moisturiser is clinically proven to instantly hydrate and plump skin overtime.
Sameeha Shaikh is Grazia UK's Beauty Writer, working across all categories to bring you insights on the latest trends, industry news and the products you need to know about, viral or not (most probably viral).
