For an Emmy-nominated actress like Alexandra Daddario, the start of the day is often a deliberate and grounding ritual. Her morning often begins with de-puffing eye masks, specifically Pixi DetoxifEye patches, which she uses while enjoying her morning coffee. Daddario is known for her laid-back approach to beauty, emphasizing that exercise and joy are integral parts of her routine, especially as she gets older. "It makes everything feel a lot simpler," she shared in an episode of Harper's Bazaar's "Inside My Beauty Bag" series. This philosophy extends to her beauty products, which she describes as minimalistic, designed to enhance her natural features.
The Importance of Routine and Self-Care
The significance of a grounding routine has become even more apparent to Daddario in recent years, a period marked by her career's significant growth, including an Emmy nomination for her role in "The White Lotus," and the arrival of her first child. She carries hand sanitizer in every bag, preferring those with pleasant scents, and always keeps Bach Rescue Remedy on hand to maintain a sense of calm. Daddario advocates for a beauty philosophy centered on self-acceptance: "Whether you’re getting older or you’re pregnant, which are things I’ve dealt with in the past couple of years, you’re beautiful the way that you are and you should just do what makes you feel good. Don’t succumb to the pressure of the society around us," she urges.
Daily yoga and meditation are key components of Daddario's self-care regimen. She also highlights the importance of sleep, stating, "I feel at my most beautiful when I’m at home with loved ones and when I’ve had enough sleep. If I’m tired, I do not feel very beautiful!"
Everyday Makeup Essentials
Daddario's signature beauty look is decidedly "down to earth" and casual. Her everyday lipstick choice is Dior Addict Lip Glow, of which she keeps at least two in her beauty bag. She praises them for being moisturizing and available in a wide range of colors, making them a foolproof option. "They're moisturising and come in a million colours; you can’t go wrong," she explains.
Similarly, she finds the Dior Forever Skin Perfect Foundation Stick to be a valuable tool. She appreciates its creamy texture and its ability to conceal any imperfections, particularly when traveling. The product's neat packaging also addresses her dislike for lids popping off during transit.
Evening Skincare Routine
At the end of the day, Daddario's makeup removal routine is equally streamlined. She relies on Vintner's Daughter Active Renewal Cleanser and the brand's Active Botanical Serum, which she considers amazing, even noting she had run out of it during a trip.
For achieving a radiant complexion, Daddario is a fan of gua sha facial massage. She favors the PMD Rose Quartz Gua Sha because its handle prevents slipping during use. "You could also use it as a weapon," she adds humorously.
Embracing Playfulness in Style
While Daddario's beauty philosophy is rooted in minimalism, she embraces playful elements in her personal style. She is a fan of scrunchies, "for bringing back the Eighties," and keeps a comb and pastel hair slides in her bag to manage her hair, which is currently longer than before.
Evolution of Personal Style
Daddario's approach to her appearance has evolved significantly in recent years. Initially, she believed that her clothing choices were secondary to her acting roles, assuming she would be styled by others to embody characters. However, she now recognizes the profound impact of her fashion and makeup choices on her identity as a woman. "In my everyday life, especially as I get older, I’m starting to realise that the clothes that I buy and the fashion and make-up I wear is shaping me as a woman. So, I’ve definitely changed my approach." Exercising autonomy over her aesthetic has been liberating, but she emphasizes the importance of focusing on internal feelings rather than external appearance: "spending time focusing on how feel you rather than what you look like."
Wellness and Self-Care Practices
Alexandra Daddario, a global ambassador for Dior, views "keeping up with routine" as crucial. During a period of lockdown in L.A., she engaged in at-home activities like cooking, wine tasting, and painting her nails with friends, often while still in pajamas and before washing her face. As her work schedule intensified amidst global stresses, she recognized the need to prioritize regular self-care regimens.
For Daddario, wellness encompasses playing the piano, a skill she acquired in childhood. "When I’m stressed out, I’ll go downstairs and play," she says. She also enjoys singing, though she humorously notes that no one would want to hear her. Taking her rescue dog, Levon, for extra walks is another essential part of her self-care routine. "The more I sat in the house, I realized, ‘Oh, this is what my dog has to do [all the time]?'"
Discovering SK-II's Pitera Essence
Daddario's self-care extends to her skincare. In her search for products to elevate her skincare routine, she discovered SK-II's Pitera Essence, a concentrated facial treatment. Her morning routine involves cleansing, applying toner, and then patting in the Pitera Essence. Her nighttime routine is similar, with the addition of the Pitera Facial Treatment Mask once a week. She describes her skin type as normal to oily, with texture that varies depending on the weather. This routine proved particularly effective during her quarantine lifestyle, yielding noticeable results almost instantly and positively impacting her outlook.
Morning Skincare Rituals for "The White Lotus" Star
In a "Vogue" feature, a pajama-clad Alexandra Daddario demonstrated her morning beauty routine. She begins with two masks: a tingling glycolic-acid puree followed by a hydrating sheet mask. Her "secret weapon" is the Vintner's Daughter serum, which she found to be highly effective after a bout of breakouts during the filming of "Baywatch" in 2017. "It was really the only thing that really worked," she recalled.
Daddario believes that a radiant complexion is achieved through more than just potent products. "Part of my skin-care routine involves the ritual of going to yoga and destressing and meditating and going to acupuncture," she explains. "I think it’s really important to take care of yourself and learn to love yourself and love your skin the way it is and keep yourself balanced. I think that all of that ends up helping every aspect of your health, including your skin."
Minimalist Makeup Approach
Having worn makeup extensively for her roles since her teenage years, Daddario now prefers a less-is-more approach to makeup. "I like a cleaner look," she states regarding her off-duty nine-piece makeup arsenal, which typically includes concealer, a sweep of pink blush, and a Chanel eyebrow pencil. "Sometimes I will just do this and do nothing else, especially if I’m feeling very lazy," she notes, adding that these simple steps have become her go-to, even for date nights. Occasionally, she'll add a touch of definition with a light brown eyeliner from Clinique.
Exercise as a Beauty Essential
Reflecting on her co-stars like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Daddario emphasizes the importance of regular exercise for overall well-being and appearance. "Everybody says you need to work out at least three times a week, and it really does make a difference. For your skin, for how you feel . . . If I don't work out for a week, I start to really just feel bad. It really helps not just physically but also emotionally. It can keep your spirits up." She believes this is likely Johnson's primary beauty secret.
The Power of Sleep and SPF
When asked about her number one beauty trick or hack, Daddario identifies getting enough sleep as paramount. "I find that if I sleep well - eight hours, nine hours, 10 hours . . . [Laughs.] I think if you can, making sleep a priority is a huge thing." For immediate results, she recommends exercising, moisturizing, and consistently wearing SPF, especially from a young age. "Get a moisturizer with sunscreen in it, and start when you're a teenager."
Skincare During Pregnancy
During her pregnancy, Daddario's self-care practices remained largely consistent, though she became more conscious of her nutritional intake and physical preparation for childbirth. She notes that the inability to drink alcohol was a significant change. Pregnancy has also influenced her perception of her body, leading her to view food and exercise as even more vital forms of medicine. She finds health and happiness to be the most beautiful aspects of existence.
Embracing the Role of a Witch in "Mayfair Witches"
For her role as a neurosurgeon witch in "Mayfair Witches," Daddario embraces a "no-makeup-makeup" look. She describes the experience of transforming under the hands of artists as magical. The character's journey into her power, both literally and figuratively, is reflected in her evolving style and makeup throughout the season, with transformations occurring in later episodes.
Daddario recalls a childhood fascination with witchy culture, inspired by shows like "Sabrina the Teenage Witch." She relates to the youthful desire to tap into magic and discover one's own power, viewing imagination as a source of magic. She also touches upon the allure of imaginary power sources and the belief in the power of thought, referencing "The Secret" and acknowledging instances in her life that felt genuinely magical.
Character Development and Family Dynamics
In "Mayfair Witches," Daddario's character undergoes significant transformations as she discovers her origins and navigates a complex, dark world, inheriting a house and wealth. The series delves into the supernatural and magical realms, offering a rich exploration for viewers.
The series also explores family dynamics, which Daddario finds relatable, drawing parallels to dysfunctional family themes present in great stories and mythology. She notes that while extreme, the family's dynamics can resonate with audiences who have experienced similar complexities.
Inspiration from Anne Rice's Novels
Daddario drew inspiration from Anne Rice's novels, particularly "The Witching Hour," and delved into Rice's life and creative process. She was intrigued by Rice's experiences and how they influenced her writing, exploring themes of death, survival, loss, mourning, and recovery. Rice's belief in ghosts and interest in the supernatural also shaped her perspective on the human experience.
Belief in the Supernatural
While Daddario hasn't personally seen a ghost, she acknowledges hearing "crazy stories" and mentions a friend who claimed a ghost resided in their New Orleans house and interacted with her dog. She notes New Orleans' intense history and reputation as a haunted place, filled with lore and magical individuals.
Products Mentioned
- Pixi DetoxifEye Eye Patches
- Dior Addict Lip Glow
- Dior Forever Skin Perfect Foundation Stick
- Vintner's Daughter Active Renewal Cleanser
- Vintner's Daughter Active Botanical Serum
- PMD Rose Quartz Gua Sha
- SK-II Pitera Essence
- Andalou Naturals Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask
- Chanel eyebrow pencil
- Clinique eyeliner