Judith Light is incandescent in person. She radiates a warmth, a congeniality, that’s never forced or contrived. And the acting legend — who earned her fourth Emmy nomination for playing a devastated wife in “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story” — says the secret to her outer glow is inner happiness.
“It’s not what’s done externally. It’s about my mindset for the day. I meditate. I have studied reiki. I try to have an attitude of my own awareness,” said Light, meaning she’s mindful about relentlessly checking her phone, or rushing from one task to the next.
Light is all about self-care, especially when she’s on stage in New York, where she lives.
“Every single night that I can, I take a bath. I take a bath with Teal’s epsom salts and their bubble baths: the mint one, the lavender one, the Himalayan salt. That stops me. It just shifts the energy from the day to the night,” she said.
Dr Teal's Epsom Salt Soaking Solution, Lavender and Pink Himalayan, $16, Amazon
These are also sold at Walmart and Target.
And she has what she calls an incredible method for going to sleep every night.
“It’s a brand called Saje. Amazing. They have these oils you can rub on your feet and hands and forehead and neck. I use Peaceful Slumber and Sleep Well,” she said.
Saje Sleep Well Essential Oil Blend, $27, Amazon
Saje Peaceful Slumber Essential Oil Blend, $20, Amazon
She walks everywhere, calling Manhattan her own personal gym, and a perfect way to clear out the clutter in her head. And she’s a big aficionado of beauty and skin care products, trying everything out before ever talking about its efficacy with other folks (like us).
“I had adult-onset cystic acne. I was the first spokesperson for Proactiv. It worked for me. I still use it to this day. I’ve given it to friends as an anti-aging thing. I do a lot of that. I use the deep cleaning wash and the toner. I do a lot of different creams that are non-comedogenic,” she said.
Proactiv 3-Step Acne System, $46, Walmart
You can also grab this at Ulta.
Like what?
“I don’t have a favorite. I’m trying some new stuff now. There are products from La Prairie that I love. I try it and give it some time. I use Crepe Erase, which really changes the texture of the skin,” she said.
Crepe Erase Intensive Body Repair Treatment, $78, Amazon
You can also buy it at Ulta and Walmart.
As for the Emmys, Light never takes a nomination for granted. Ever. Staying humble is the name of her game.
“It’s thrilling. I’m so grateful. There’s so much television out there and to be singled out again, for the work, by my peers — that’s the way to go,” she said.
More stars' beauty must-haves:
How Rose Byrne tames her 'wild and uncontrollable' hair
'Suits' star Katherine Heigl keeps this $5 moisturizer in her shower