From Byron Bay to Hollywood, Renee Bargh’s career is going from strength to strength since she moved to L.A. to chase her dreams. When the Australian cool-girl isn’t chatting with the biggest stars on the planet as an Emmy Award-winning host of iconic US entertainment program Extra, she’s living her best life thanks to her background as a certified health coach. With awards season kicking off into full-gear, we caught up with the 31-year-old to chat all things beauty and learn Renee’s red carpet secrets…
How do you prepare for a red-carpet event?
For something really big like the Golden Globes or the Oscars, my morning routine is pretty consistent. I meditate for twenty minutes as soon as I wake up and then I’ll make myself a really good healthy breakfast. I like to do a good face and eye mask in the morning. I’ve been loving Equal Beauty Moisture Eye Veil Hydranti-puff. A trick that I love is keeping my eye masks in the refrigerator as the cold temperature reduces puffiness.
Are there any celebrities that you have interviewed over the years where you had a real “pinch me” moment?
Yes, I’ve definitely had a few of those, the main one being Oprah. For anyone in this industry, she is the interviewer of all interviewer so interviewing her can be intimidating but she has this incredible stillness and presence when you’re with her so you can’t help but feel like you’re in the company of royalty, like she has that kind of presence about her. I rarely get star struck, but she’s the only person that made me nervous.
Can you talk through about your day on a plate?
“The first thing I have in the morning is a smoothie that I make with bananas and almond milk. I also throw in some flaxseed oil and almond butter and that’s it.
“If I have a bigger day ahead I try to do a few eggs scrambled or poached with a side of sautéed spinach and bacon. Then my lunch is usually fish and vegetables – sometimes I have a vegetable curry or a vegetable soup.
“Dinner is usually the same as lunch. Lately, I’ve been really into zucchini noodles with a healthy Bolognese pasta sauce. I love making a roasted veggie bowl with sweet potatoes, squash and beets and kale and onion and garlic and sometimes I make a satay sauce to go on top.”
So, you don’t follow any kind of special diet like vegan or paleo?
“I was a pescatarian for a very long time but I have recently started eating meat again. I’m really conscious of making sure it’s locally sourced and that it’s the healthiest leanest meat I can get but I only eat red meat once a week at most.”
What about coffee? Are you a coffee drinker?
“Sometimes. The coffee here is really terrible so I do like to make it myself. I have started to get into having it more in the morning because I’ve been working out more and need the extra energy but I do like to make my own tonic where I put a shot of coffee in with all these herbs and things and I feel like it gives me superpowers.”
In terms of workout, talk me through it, what are your favourite exercises? What’s your routine throughout the day?
“Well, I just got into a program at UP fitness (there’s one in Sydney now too). It’s out of the U.K. and it’s a 12-week transformational program and I can’t rave about it enough.
“It’s a crazy experience I’ve never trained so hard. I did a lot of weight lifting, the kind of stuff workout that I stayed away from for a really long time. It finished just a few weeks ago so I’m back between my usual yoga I go to a HIIT and yoga class which is three to four times a week and F45, I do a circuit training class, I go there once or twice a week.
“I learned that I can get strong without looking bulky I think that’s the misconception for women, that if we do weights we are going to bulk up but that’s just not the case. I never had abs before I started strength training.”
Your skin always looks great – how do you look after it?
“It’s been a long progress and something I’ve struggled with a lot. People don’t know this but I had horrible cystic acne for a while and it was so embarrassing. It was hard to deal with but it got me really regiment about my skincare and the main thing I swear by is getting facials regularly because I am wearing a lot of makeup every day for work. I’m obsessed with the Omni lux facial, which uses red-light therapy to brighten my skin and eliminate bacteria.
“I never go to sleep with my make-up on. I always double cleanse, use a serum and nourish my skin with a facial oil instead of moisturiser because I find they really absorb so much better that creams.”
What’s the best hair tip that you have picked up from years in the make-up chair?
“I have the most incredible hairstylist at work – it only takes fifteen minutes to get the look that I wear on the show. She uses a really large curling iron or a hair straightener. She just takes seconds and bends the middle part of it and some sections she just works with the natural bend in my hair.
“I swear by Hair by Sam McKnight Cool Girl Barely There Texture Mist. I just spray some of that through the mid-lengths and for a light hold, I just think less is more. “
One of your best friends is fellow Aussie Delta Goodrem, how did that friendship develop?
“We have a pretty incredible story. The first time we ever met I was doing backing vocals for her at the Aria awards around 2006. We didn’t connect properly until I moved to L.A. and we were both very new to the city. From the, start we were just kindred spirits and I felt like I had a sister for life. She’s been my rock and my number one supporter.
“I honestly think your friendships with women are the most important friendships and the most important relationships and we really need each other to support each other.”
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