Sarah Jessica Parker is as radiant today as she was when we first fell in love with her as Carrie Bradshaw on Sex and the City. The A-lister has just been announced as ambassador for RoC skincare, and marie clarie’s Beauty Director Sally Hunwick talks exclusively to the actress to talk skincare, women in film, and how she keeps her signature glow.
Sally Hunwick: We have all seen inside Carrie’s various closets but not so much her beauty cupboard. If we were to have a look at your own beauty cupboard, what would we find?
Sarah Jessica Parker: I don’t buy a lot of things. I tend to be pretty monogamous about products and fragrances and skincare. Honestly, in all sincerity, the most recently integrated thing into that area of our home is the RoC skincare, because I tend to [stick to the same products].
Probably like a lot of women, I fear trying something new, not being certain and investing and then having things you’re not going to use.
SH: Can you tell us what you skincare routine is now? And has it changed over the years?
SJP: As I’ve gotten older, frankly, I tend to experiment less. The RoC skincare is the newest. I don’t have a lot. People send me stuff, which is so nice. I would like to try it, but I’m also overwhelmed by massive amounts of routines. You know, step 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. I’m overwhelmed. I don’t devote a lot of space to product and makeup. I tend to not dabble.
SH: You’ve partnered with RoC skincare for its age-positive campaign, which is so exciting. Do you have a favourite from the range?
SJP: I am in love with the RoC Multi Correxion Hydrate + Plump Moisturiser. I’m in love with this product. Now, and I really mean this sincerely…the reason that I love it, in all sincerity, is that it… If I put it on now, which I won’t do because a professional makeup artist who has just applied makeup for me.
But it’s not super heavy. I’m not afraid of what it might do. It also leaves a teeny bit of glow that I like, personally. Now, this travels everywhere [with me]; in my backpack as well.
SH: In terms of makeup, are there any products that you always wear?
SJP: I also don’t wear a lot of makeup. I don’t always wear a mascara. I always wear a lip gloss. I almost always wear a smokey eye with no mascara. I always have a Laura Mercier Caviar [Stick Eye Colour]. I never wear a base. I have concealer that I really like, that’s very transparent. It shows skin. I’d rather show my skin, even in the least ideal circumstances, [like] if I have a blemish. I tend not to cover up. And sometimes a blush. I have a couple of brands that I love that I’m pretty true-blue about. I feel like those those things can fit into anything at any time.
SH: RoC is encouraging us to be optimistic about aging. Over the course of your career, how have you stayed optimistic and happy about every stage of your life?
SJP: Well, I don’t think I’m always optimistic and always enthusiastic [about every] age. I haven’t spent a good deal of time thinking about age or thinking about time passing or being reflective. I think that I’ve only… Well, to be candid, I’ve only had to ponder this in recent years as I’ve been interviewed and people have wanted to ask me these questions, which is somewhat curious to me on one hand. On the other hand, I completely understand it. I tend to look at life in the present and not have a lot of… I don’t think of a legacy. I don’t look at it as a historical academic exercise. I tend to be optimistic by nature, and it’s obviously challenged sometimes by circumstances in the world or personal circumstances or concerns. I tend to be enthusiastic because I’m interested in things. It is not relative to age.
SH: What have you learnt about yourself along the way?
SJP: One of the privileges of ageing is that you can be more clear with yourself. You’re more equipped to understand what is important, [and you can] try to work toward something that is more meaningful. I spent a lot of the past years of my life, with the schedule that wasn’t my own, that I didn’t have control over, [and I was] more concerned with making certain I was pleasing people. At this point in my life, I tend to be optimistic and enthusiastic, because I feel more confident about making choices that are more personal. Prioritising my time, or at least attempting to, with fewer apologies.
SH: You’re such an amazing role model for women and an incredible example that women don’t disappear – nor become less relevant or beautiful – when they hit 50. Do you think the film and television industry has changed since you started your career in terms of casting women of all ages in lead roles?
SJP: I think it has. Also, our industry isn’t dominated by four studios and four television channels. There’s just so many opportunities to create stories and content, which means, naturally, there are more roles for everybody. More roles for everybody means that there are more people participating in creating story in development, in production, and producing. That’s more likely the case, that there will be women involved in those ideas and that decision making, and non-binary people involved in decisions and storytelling and production and producing. I feel that it has expanded and grown and been more representative, because, simply, we are growing.
SH: Do you feel there is still a way to go?
SJP: It would be nice, as always, to see more people included and newer faces. There’s so much great programming with women as the protagonist or the narrator or whichever unconventional way people tell stories. I’m hopeful. I’ve had really interesting things to do and characters to play. I think we all see that, across the board. All industries need to be more thoughtful and hospitable to new ideas and perspective. For the most part, I feel, once again, optimistic that that is the inevitable.
SH: You’ve been in couture that most of us could only ever dream of, and you’ve had your hair and makeup done by the best in the business, and obviously you look phenomenal. But I wondered, when do you feel you’re most beautiful? Is it in those moments or is it in another moment altogether?
SJP: I enjoy having an opportunity to wear something special. Whether it’s officially couture or something someone has put a lot of time and effort into. The privilege of borrowing something beautiful and the honour of wearing it and returning it in good shape. Probably like most people, I feel my best… I don’t know if beauty factors in; I don’t know that I think about that so much as… I feel my best when I feel like myself. Many would likely disagree with my analysis of when I think I look my best, but it’s when I feel most like myself. When I feel most like myself, is when I am the only person involved with decorating the exterior, if that makes sense. It’s probably the case for everybody, in some way, even if you’re getting help from somebody else.
SH: I agree. When we feel ourselves, we probably feel our most beautiful. And lastly, before we go, what is your best beauty tip of all time, and who gave it to you?
SJP: The thing I would say — something that’s very easy to say and harder sometimes to do — is to try to have the courage to be yourself, which is very hard to do sometimes. It’s only later in life that you recognise that that’s pretty much what you actually want, to be as yourself. You spend so much time in your youth trying to be like everybody else. I’m hesitant to give advice about anything, but I would say the information that feels most valuable to me is to do your best to be yourself. That is the most attractive and most arresting quality I see in other people. When I think, “Wow, that person is really their own person. I want to be nearer and closer and hear from that person.”
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