Mary-Louise Parker
The incomparable Mary-Louise Parker is a long time friend and collaborator. She is one of the most generous, supremely talented, loyal ladies we’ve ever encountered. Her incredible looks, writing, acting, and charitable deeds are closely connected to her gorgeous soul enhancing all she does in such a powerful way. Lucky for us she shares a few tips and products that she relies on to maintain her natural beauty. We’ve also included a homemade video she made during quarantine for Ogee with the help of her talented family and assistant. For these photos Mary-Louise put together her looks, sharing a peek into her cool personal style. The day we shot the clouds were heavy and grey but there was a lightness she brought to everything she did. Long after we left her, we could still feel her spirit dancing and leaping above her beloved NYC.
The Bare Magazine: You are truly a fair maiden. Your porcelain skin has no signs of sun damage. Are you religious about protection? Do you have any go-to products or rituals?
Mary-Louise Parker: Thank you, dear lady. You are truly a woman’s woman, one of the many things I adore about you. I think a hefty percentage of good skin is keeping it as clean as possible. I once heard Stevie Nicks say that no matter what else happened at night, even if she was stumbling down drunk, she made sure to clean her face. I have, more than once, forcibly pushed a friend staying the night into the bathroom to clean their face. I remember being at the Hotel Costes with my friend Nikki and its 4 AM and we just got in and suddenly I became the complexion police. Now my daughter is the same way, and she’s like me in that she loves makeup but doesn’t wear a lot of it. I like Nars and Kevyn Aucoin. The Clairsonic helps a lot. I also like that Nuface device. I just started using it and I think it works. I like Skinceuticals products and Retrouve. Sunscreen I wear when it rains. I wear it every day. My mom never went in the sun. She and my sister are completely natural and to me, the most beautiful women on earth, along with my daughter of course!
Bare: We were blown away by your performance in "The Sound Inside" on Broadway. With such long days and nights working, did you try to carve out time for certain beauty routines, or self-care indulgences?
MLP: When I'm doing a play everything else recedes except my children. I rarely go out after a show. I get massages at the theater when I can. I read at night, mostly poetry. I meditate. Sometimes I go to church. It doesn’t matter where, I just like the act of sitting in silence with others. I need to be alone a lot. Other than the theater I don’t need to work as much anymore. I want to be around my kids as much as I can and I don’t regret what that means for me professionally.
Bare: Stepping back in time - the makeup, wardrobe and hair that your character Nancy Botwin in "Weeds" sported was divine. Do you remember what products you liked to use? Do you still use any of the same ones? What style and look made you fall into her spirit?
MLP: I have such deep affection for the costume designer on Weeds, Linda Bass. Brilliant and an enormous heart. Also my makeup artist, Jill Cady, was really as good as it gets. Once I go on set I don’t look in a mirror unless I have something in my eye and I always trusted her to help bring out that character. It was not a ton of makeup but it was really specific. I miss that character. I felt so lucky to play her.
Hair by Rheanne White using Kusco-Murphy. Makeup by Tina Turnbow using Ogee
Bare: During the COVID quarantine, you created a homemade video for the organic cosmetic and skincare brand OGEE. How was it working with your family and assistant to create such a beautiful piece? What's your go-to product by them?
MLP: OGEE was generous enough to ask me to collaborate and I thought, “Well, if I’m going to take the time to do it, I’d like it to be interesting.” I thought of everything as an opportunity for creativity, where I could involve my kids. My son is a magician so he did all the fun stuff in the video (click link or watch below) and my daughter helped me choose what to wear. My assistant is a super talented DP who happens to know stop motion so we just kind of went for it. It doesn’t hurt that I love their products! The lip balms are amazing and the Jojoba oil you can use everywhere. It works on your hair and I’ve even put it on my legs. That youth serum also, I absolutely love it. It smells so good and it feels like you're putting something pure on your skin. I also love perfume, and I tend to obsess over the event of changing my fragrance. I practically have Robert and Karl at Aedes on Orchard Street on speed dial.
Slip dress by Jeff Mahshie. Jewelry by Hoorsenbuhs
Photos by Tina Turnbow
Bare: We would love any tips you have on how you maintain your slim, amazing shape. We know you're a great cook. Are you particular about food choices?
MLP: Recently was the first time someone told me, “Wow, you’ve gained a little weight” and I took it as a compliment. Like a lot of people, I cooked a lot during quarantine - cobblers and casseroles and cookies. I have to exercise for my mood, even it its just a walk. I’m older now and I don’t think it’s the best choice to be too thin at a certain point. Remember, I got out of drama school in the late eighties and it felt like every other day a director or casting person was telling me to lose weight or change my hair. There was no hesitation in telling a twenty-something girl that she wasn’t pretty enough or thin enough or whatever.
In retrospect I find it appalling and it did some damage. At one point a casting office called my agent and said “If she comes in wearing men’s underwear and combat boots again, I refuse to see her.” That's actually a story I enjoy, but some of it was kind of awful. I can’t imagine speaking that way to a young woman and the way we were treated no one would get away with now. Now you can express more freely and I think they respect you for it. I love Billie Eilish. I love that my daughter has her for an example and can look up to her. She wears whatever she wants and she never looks like she’s for sale. She’s unique and isn’t trying to be anyone’s fantasy - not to mention her music is incredible.
Bare: You're an incredible writer. Please give us a few of your wise words on your personal beauty philosophy? Who do you admire? What inspires you? How do you adapt and shift with time as it goes on?
MLP: Most of the tired cliches ring true when it comes to beauty. Someone who is not too wrapped up in how they look, who strives to be generous and kind - they will have a certain appeal regardless of how their features come together. My heart sinks when I see a woman my age who's desperately trying to look five years younger. It’s like, I already was forty five, and fifty. I’ve got to have that. It’s a particular race that I don’t choose to enter. I want to be healthy, I want my kids to be proud of me and know they can rely on me. I want the people I love to feel loved. Period. I don’t need much beyond that.
Founder & Editor in Chief - The Bare Magazine
