Naomi Watts Talks Health, Beauty Hacks, and Self-Care

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While celebrity beauty brands are no longer novel, Stripes Beauty by Naomi Watts it’s still bright. The brand prides itself on creating products for all of them part of a woman, from “head to genital,” as Watts says. One of its newest launches, Rich & Tight Cream ($68), specifically addresses hormonal perimenopausal symptoms such as dryness and dullness of the skin and hair. It was iinspired by the “King Kong” star’s experience with symptoms that, at the time, she didn’t know was her first period. Strokes change the story about menopause; instead of avoiding the topic, it offers support, solutions, and community.

Ahead, Watts opens up to Popsugar about the moment that inspired her to launch Stripes, how menopause gave her confidence, the beauty rituals that help her feel her best, and the essentials she can’t live without.

Popsugar: Can you take us back to the moment that inspired you to create Stripes? What were you personally going through at the time?
Naomi Watts: I had dry, rough, and sensitive skin, and I had no idea that it had anything to do with menopause and menopause. Being on camera, my skin was an important thing, but my dermatologist said, “Here’s a cortisone cream,” that would help. [only] take it easy for a few days. It was just a cycle of doing the same thing. So once I understood that, I started reading the ingredients and started researching clean, gentle ingredients. Then one day in the midst of COVID, I just decided that because I had suffered in silence and had to go through this whole experience alone, chances were other women were feeling the same way, too.

And since I learned so much about skin care in my research, I decided to create a skin care line where women felt nourished, celebrated, and supported through education and community.

PS: What specific needs are you trying to address with Rich & Tight Cream?
NW: We were able to achieve some duality with this product. It includes real ingredients such as squalane and ectoin, as well as peptides, shea and cocoa butters, all of which work to leave you feeling clean and luxurious, as well as firming the skin. And it’s not that easy to do those two things at the same time.

PS: Menopause is rarely talked about openly anymore. What surprised you the most when you first faced it?
NW: I remember walking out of the doctor’s office when I was 36 years old, and he said, “You’re probably close to menopause based on blood work.” I called my mother in tears, saying, “Why didn’t you tell me more about menopause?” He said, “Well, these were conversations my mother never had with me, so I never had them with you.” I was happy that, since we are part of the people, we never discussed it.

PS: How did living in public change the way you thought about aging, good health, and self-care?
NW: Hollywood and the beauty industry is a very ageist industry, so I was afraid to talk about it. I was shocked at the idea of ​​writing a book or running this company for so many years that I thought, ‘Is this career suicide?’ And finally, I got sick of pretending my period wasn’t real. So having my story and having it bleed into my industry didn’t end. If anything, it helps. Our stories still matter. We are consumers of TV and film, so why shouldn’t we see our stories shown?

PS: What beauty advice would you like to give to your younger self?
NW: Don’t do too much. I’ve had moments where I’ve gone crazy, even cut my long hair. It took a lot to adjust, but I would definitely say don’t be too extreme with your beauty choices.

PS: If you had to describe your beauty vibe right now in three words, what would it be?
NW: It’s small, clean, and bright.

PS: If you had to limit your routine to five essentials, what would make the cut?

NW: I would say simple water, a good moisturizer, like this Smile Makers The Surfer ($34), Stripes The Crown Pleaser ($40) for hair, Westman Atelier Lit Up Glassy Gel Highlighter ($48), and Bioderma Micellar Water ($20, originally $21) for makeup. And Stripes Dew As I Do Vitamin C Moisturizer ($80) for skin.

PS: What are a few beauty or wellness rituals that help you feel your best?
NW: Sleep with water. If those don’t work well, they quickly penetrate your skin.

PS: What does feeling confident in your own skin look like to you now?
NW: I would just say to accept who I am – good days and bad. If you’re my age, you stop overthinking and judging yourself unfairly every day. I know that every day will not be perfect, so I choose to always feel good. I’m on top of the world.

PS: What do you hope Stripes — and the discussion of menopause more broadly — helps change for the next generation of women?
NW: I hope the brand contributes to the tried and true community, and a place where women know they are not alone. Everyone needs community, no matter where they are, and that’s what I want the brand to be for women everywhere.

Naomi Parris is an assistant shopping editor at Popsugar, based in New York. With over eight years of experience and previous roles held in the Beauty and Operations product teams, she enjoys telling stories involving fashion, beauty, and Black culture. Naomi has also lent her talented pen to Essence Girls United, Elle, Bustle, and Elite Daily. When she’s not composing shopping roundups, top features, beauty op-eds, or trend guides, you can find Naomi behind her blog “Eli-Nay,” where she inspires readers with style guides, culture pieces, and creative content on her Instagram.