Half of my favorite Hollywood couple, Megan Mullally, is deservedly featured in PEOPLE’s Beautiful Issue this week. In real life, the 59-year-old actress has a very different take on makeup than her on-screen alter ego Karen Walker on Will and Grace. And, if you ask me, and her wonderful husband Nick Offerman, she’s just as lovely without the war paint.
Megan Mullally Says Husband Nick Offerman Loves When She Goes Makeup-Free https://t.co/nW0fZGFEYt
— People (@people) April 19, 2018
Megan showed off her makeup-free face in the magazine and confessed, “I’m just lazy, I just don’t have time to wear makeup.” She went on to add, “I feel like I have the only social media account of 5,000 selfies with no makeup cause I just don’t care.” That’s not entirely true, her Instagram feed also features behind the scenes pics from the W&G set, plugs for her band Nancy and Beth and, fortunately for all of us, lots of photos of Nick.
As for her hubby, he loves Megan’s natural look. She humbly noted that “He tells me every minute that I’m the most beautiful, sexy, incredible woman in the world, which couldn’t possibly be true, but it’s nice.” And, in fitting with his woodworking, manly man demeanor, Megan added that Nick “always prefers me without makeup, you know, a flannel shirt and a pair of jeans.”
If you want to follow Megan’s beauty regimen, you’re in luck, because it’s pretty simple. And I can’t believe she admits that she didn’t use moisturizer until she was 40.
“I didn’t do anything, I didn’t have a facial,” she says. “I try to get facials although lately I’ve been busy and I haven’t been able to, but every night I wash my face and I put on a toner sometimes, it depends on much time I have or how tired I am. Sometimes I do like a little serum or something, but I always do a moisturizer and I feel like, the goopier the better.”
She said that her skincare “must have” is lip balm, stating, “I’m addicted to it. I can’t not have lip balm on for more than like 20 seconds or I become homicidal.” Even though she’s a beautiful woman, she admits it was hard for her to accept that fact when she was younger, recalling,
“I learned to love everything over the years because I don’t think I liked anything for a long time,” she says. “Part of that was because during my upbringing there was a significant person in my life, who [thought nothing] was ever right, including my looks. Not my mother, I will say, I don’t want anyone to think it was her. So I felt like nothing was ever good enough and I was in a ballet company. So you know, that’s brutal too.”
She adds, “I think back on how cute I was — I see pictures and I think, ‘Oh my God I was so cute,’ but I didn’t think so at all. I hope that everybody could just embrace everything about themselves physically and just feel really great about yourself, from the switch, because later it’ll make for such an easier life.”
As with many of us, it took age to come to the realization that beauty is more than skin deep. Recalling the epiphany she had when she she hit the mid-century mark, Megan said, “I wish it was sooner than that, so I would say to everybody that I hope they can feel like looks aren’t everything from the time they’re 2. I didn’t get there quite that fast but I’m glad I got there at least.”
I love Megan and I think she’s lovely. I do wish I could get away with living a life less reliant on face paint. For me, I’m bare faced at the gym or in bed, and nowhere else. My boyfriend marvels that I have to apply a full face of makeup just to go to Walmart. If I had a little of Megan’s self confidence, maybe I could face the world with a clean face. Of course, I haven’t hit 50 (just) yet.
Photos: Getty Images, WENN.com
I also have a lip balm addicition and don’t know what to do. If I don’t apply it every few minutes my lips go red and hurt really bad. It’s so embarrasing when I’m in public and have to put it on so much. I know I should just go cold turkey and brave it for a few weeks but it just hurts so much. Does anyone hace a similar experience?
Maybe try using a waxier, oilier (sounds gross, but stay with me) balm?
I use a balm with lanolin, shea butter, beeswax, and a heap of friendly oils–avocado, jojoba, calendula, etc., and it lasts for ages because it’s actually moisturising, not just superficial or lick-off-able.
My hubby was the same way and I switched him to pure cocoa butter. They sell the chubby sticks everywhere…and it has cured his chronically dry lips and it’s better for them as well. Palmers cocoa butter sticks I believe. And they smell yummy!
You can also buy the skinnier Palmers at Amazon- I always have one in my pocket but the addiction isn’t there.
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Ultra Moisturizing Lip Balm 4g ORIGINAL SPF 15 x 3 by Palmers https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQFZYVH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_SwD2AbCTNT7HE
I have the exact same issue, Kata–can’t go anywhere wothout lip balm or I feel like my lips are shriveling up. After trying many different lip balm lines, I’ve finally just settled on good old Burt’s Bees with kokum butter, which I alternate withBurt’s Bees coconut and pear lip balm. I keep 1 of each in my purse, and 1 at every spot in the house where I tend to sit, plus 1 in the kitchen.
I hate applying it in the middle of a meeting or visit, but when I need it I can’t think of anything else till it’s on and my lips are soothed and smoothed.
The pharmacies are loaded with those chapped lips products, many are overpriced as I discovered on trips to Montreal and Ottawa. The best solution: every night before sleep, apply a layer of pure petroleum jelly. You will see results within days. Daytime applications are also needed depending on weather etc.. And bonus: it’s the most cost effective.
Try lip oil. It saved me from the constant reapplication of lip balm.
Hi, I was told years ago at a high end make up counter that the only lip balm to use that is non addictive on your lips is good old vaseline. I really believe it as my lips are a cracked mess if I use anything else. Maybe give it a shot and wean yourself off it when they normalise? Good luck!
Citresse, we posted at the same time, I totally agree with you!
That’s (potentially) because if you overuse balm products, your skin can stop producing its own moisture. Petroleum-based products are sealants more than they are true moisturizers. You may want to try lip oils, maybe? I’ve heard very good things about the one from Hourglass, despite the hefty price tag.
(Certain diseases like diabetes or allergies can also cause excessive dry skin and cracking – don’t know if that’s in your family history, but you may want to talk to a doctor about it.)
My dermatologist swears by Aquaphor for chapped lips, eczema, post laser treatment moisturizing, etc. You can get it anywhere, comes in a tube for lip balm, tub for more serious moisturizing. Her second best piece of advice is staying hydrated, chapped lips can be a sign of not getting enough water. And as others have said, some lip balms actually exacerbate the issue thus requiring constant reapplication.
I used Aquaphor religiously when I was on Accutane as my lips were SO dry during the 5 months I had to take it. I wouldn’t say Aquaphor really helps that much. It did help moisturize a little but it really didn’t do anything for the constant dryness and cracked lips I suffered while on Accutane. I always had to reapply it after eating or drinking as it would always come off. I don’t think there was any kind of lip balm that would have brought me any relief honestly. My eyes were dry too so I couldn’t wear contacts, I was constantly thirsty, oh and yeah down there was dry as well. Accutane dries you out everywhere, I was constantly reapplying lotion and lip moisturizer… but on the plus side no major acne outbreaks in the 4 years since.
I swear by EOS. I love their clear balms. They aren’t terribly goopy, and freak people the f&*k out because it looks like you’re applying an alien ovopod to your lips. Heh heh heh.
Also, nothing beats good old-fashioned Carmex, In the tub. Because by gods, the burn means it’s working!
EOS dried my lips out pretty bad. Wasn’t there a lawsuit against the company? I’m back to Burt’s Bees and Vaseline and it’s a relief.
When I used those pretty egg shaped ones or blistex I had that problem too. I use chapstick now and I am fine.
Same here. I really like the more natural options available. My favorite lip balm is Zambeezi. It actually feels like it’s moisturizing instead of feeling like I need to reapply it every 20 minutes. It’s a beeswax based balm but I think more hydrating than Burt’s Bees.
My hubs & I are addicted to chapstick. there are a plethora of them in our home, cars, offices, purse, backpack…. its nuts. But yes, I can’t go without it.
I think Logona’s lip balm with hyaluoronic acid is marvelous. I apply it in the morning and b4 bed and it’s not addictive for me. It’s also cruelty free and uses organic components.
Kata — I used to have that horrible problem with lip balm. Rather than go cold turkey, I would use a very light application of vaseline when my lips got too cracked or bleeding. After about a week or so of that, the ‘addiction’ was gone and my body seemed back to normal. I did not have to keep applying vaseline like I did lip balm. The trick is to not go back, because that stuff is designed to dry you out and keep you buying more!
I almost always wear makeup because I have very tired looking eyes and the skin around my eyes is slightly see through so it always looks veiny and a little purple. My genetics are entirely from Ireland and the UK so there ya go.
So for me it’s a way to match what I feel inside (alive, awake, energetic) with my outside. I don’t like looking tired and worn down. So I always have some concealer and my eyes done. I don’t feel trapped by it, or like it’s a bad thing. I love myself very much and like Megan I accept myself more with each passing year. I think makeup is a personal choice made for so many reasons.
And more power to you. I can go without make-up until end of January-February. Then on some days I have to use concealer otherwise people ask me if I’m tired or unwell. And this until the end of Spring as I’m in the UK. Other than that I just use some khol or mascara if I want to feel a little more perky and that’s it (unless I have a special dressed up occasion).
I am like her, I just wash, moisturize and that’s it. I feel that most products just imbalance your skin.
Yeah, same here. Fair skinned Irish girl with permanent dark circles under the eyes. I can go out without makeup without much ado (I worked a job in a sterile environment where it was required), but I do feel like I look less tired with a touch of concealer under my eyes. If somebody can create a plastic surgery/skin product that gets rid of dark circles, I will sell everything I own to afford it.
My sister and I have the same skin and undereyes. We’ve tried everything but nothing works well and we end up resorting to concealers. We talked with a specialist about fillers a couple days ago (we are also getting undereye hollows as we age) and she recommended Skinceutials AGE Eye Complex before we think about fillers. It’s expensive, 0.5 oz was $100. But, it will last forever because the application is only a light film twice a day. I’ve used it for 2 days and I see a difference already. Ratings online are also excellent. Maybe it will help? Best of luck to you, I know your pain.
“Nick always prefers me without makeup, you know, a flannel shirt and a pair of jeans.”
Ugh. Can someone tell Nick that no woman cares what kind of make up or clothes a man prefers? Its not about him.
Not to mention all the clueless men who think women look “natural” when they are clearly wearing make up.
Such a Nice Guy thing to say.
How dare he. What a monster.
They are in an intimate, romantic relationship, so yes it does matter how Nick likes her and also how she likes him. In addition, she doesn’t seem to mind, so it’s all good.
I agree. It’ s one thing to teach someone a lesson in sexism and respect when any given man tries to discuss make up, clothes or body image and it is complitely different carying what your partner thinks of you and how he/she sees you.
She’s also making a point about true intimacy and attraction – a partner who only finds you appealing when you’re done up to the nines is not really in love with the real you. Nobody can realistically maintain that 24/7.
Of course we are aware of how our partner prefers to see us. And that’s healthy. I also have strong opinions on my husband’s clothes and hair. I even once applied put some powder on his face as there was going to be a lot of photos and he was particulalry tired (it was Christimas) and he loved it. As long as we don’t use something we don’t like, it’s nice to please our partner. It seemed more a ” I can’t be bothered with make-up and thank god my partner agrees” kind of thing.
@slowsnow-Hard to know how she meant it, but why does it matter? If they like it, I love it.
I love my husband of 25+ years in a suit and a goatee…..what an absolutely horrific thing for me to do, how dare I….color me sexist….
My husband prefers me in a dress over jeans and a flannel shirt….I am going to have to report him to the cops for abuse…..see, sounds stupid doesn’t it?
Can I just say I absolutely love Megan & Nick, ( yep, we are old friends on a first name basis in my head )…their chemistry on and off screen is unbelievable and sweet!!
Megan was the one who decided to bring that up in the interview. Not Nick.
She looks beautiful without make up, but very different than how I normally see her on TV.
I love her and Nick, glad they’re still so happy together.
Just to put it in perspective, I am the size equivalent to sizes 0 to 2 in US and I still look at my self in the mirror and think I have hips too wide and legs too fat, I realize thet my fixation is also in part to the fact that I was told my lower body was problematic from a very young age. So I can inderstand what she is saying about struggle with self image. And I agree with her on make up, i am too lazy to pit that on basically every weekend now, the benefit of not needing to wash off mu face when I finally put a toddler to bed outwights any insecurity I may have about going in public or meeting friends with no make up. I have a friend though whom I have never ever saw without make up and we have stayed overnight together and went on holidays together more than once.
I pretty much think most women feel this way regardless of size. Seems almost a prerequisite for being a woman (disliking one’s own body).
More like a prerequisite society instills in women from a young age to convince them to consistently buy beauty and weight loss products. There’s a reason why female self-confidence takes a dive around the teen years.
Whoever told you about your problematic lower body probably would think my apple shaped body belly pooch is a regular dumpster fire. We have to store our fat somewhere!! Good lord.
I grew up thinking that women truly needed makeup to look beautiful and “done.” That was my mom’s influence. So I started experimenting with makeup early, like 13 or 14, and wore it in high school. But sometime in college I realized I didn’t like it so I mostly stopped wearing it. In fact my mom begged me to wear mascara (my eyelashes are blond) for my wedding and it was a pretty ugly fight but I finally did it for her.
Once I hit my mid 40s, though, I realized I looked better and more bright eyed with mascara so I’ve started wearing it pretty regularly. I even wear eyeliner and eyeshot sometimes if I dress up at night, lol. My favorite part of the day is taking it off, though!
Megan is lovely and so is her husband. It took me a while to realize how handsome he is because I only knew him as Ron Swanson and damn if they didn’t know how to make a hot guy remarkably unattractive!
She is almost 60? Wow!
I always forget they’re married, and then when I watch the episodes of Parks and Rec where she shows up as his “ex-wife,” it makes it even funnier.
Tammy (II)!
Oh yeah Tammy 2. He can sense his presence without even seeing her!!! Hilarious and agreed, even funnier when you know they’re married IRL.
Love MM! Karen was/is my favorite character on Will & Grace. It’s amazing how different she looks out of character (which is fantastic btw), and also how different Nick looks w/o his beard (he has such a handsome face). They make such a cute couple, and I bet they’re hilarious and so much fun to hang out with.
I work in entertainment and the two of them were at an event for my company and I witnessed a brief moment between them (won’t say what is was to respect their privacy) but it was sweet and romantic and really touched my cynical heart. There is not doubt these two have a great relationship and romance.
I’ve tried to go make-up free but I feel more confident with a little mascara, lip stain and BB cream. I feel I look polished and more put together.
My husband does prefer me natural but groomed. The same goes for him.
I’ve never met any woman who was happy with her body.
I agree the insecurities start young and stay for a long time.
Attractive people are treated better, have better opportunities and generally more happier. That’s why we are obsessed with beauty.
I’ve seen the way even more attractive family members are treated with more respect / leniency than unattractive ones.
Its a biological thing. The more attractive you are the more desirable you become.
I’ve seen guys open doors for pretty women or help pick up something if she dropped it, I’ve seen bosses show bias.
If Neri Oxman although intelligent and accomplished was not beautiful Brad wouldn’t have been interested in her. Same with Amal. And Hugh Jackman’s wife Debbie was seen as not “pretty enough” for him and so people thought he was gay and they have an arrangement.
Being seen as beautiful matters due to the advantages it brings that’s why especially for women it’s imperative.
Historically women could only leverage their beauty to gain favour or an advantage, as education, equality we out of reach.
I’m 47 and stopped wearing makeup about a year ago. Before that, it was sporadic. Because I don’t have foundation on, I’ve concentrated more on the quality of my skin, taking better care of it, seeing a dermatologist, etc. My skin looks better than ever!
I’m 33 and I’ve been really focused on skin care since my mid 20’s. Despite that I’ve always had a problem with white heads and acne (not severe, but enough that I always had foundation or cover up on). About 3 years ago I finally found the right products that work great for me, and I’m so glad for it. I do wear makeup to work and when I go out just because I like it but I finally don’t have an issue being bare faced on the weekend or worrying about how my skin looks if I’m camping, hiking, etc.
Your lips are dry and cracked due to dehydration and/or allergies.
You need to drink more water.
Not tea, not coffee, not energy drinks…water.
Don’t wait until the end of the day and then think, “I forgot to drink water!”
Sip water from the time you awake until you go to bed.
Once you are used to drinking water and being hydrated, you won’t feel right without it.
“Hydrate or Die” – Camelbak
Most lip balms contain allergens and most contain menthol which actually feels soothing at first but is drying.
I’m allergic to most of them and Vaseline is PETROLEUM jelly.
I haven’t found the perfect balm yet but I’m working on it and Burt’s Bees is pretty good.
“I hope that everybody could just embrace everything about themselves physically and just feel really great about yourself, from the switch, because later it’ll make for such an easier life.”
Man if that aint that the truth
i went thru at least a 4 year phase where only red lipstick (if a had to go bare face) would make me feel pulled together..
now close to 30…i feel more comfortable with a gloss and nude colors and more strobbing (highlighter dusting) than a hard contour….or really any makeup that looks makes my melanin pop and looks like great skin care and holidaying lol… idk maybe my fiance inspired that.