Actress Melanie Jarnson understands the fundamentals of a beauty routine. Whether it be her daily SPF or a generously hydrating moisturiser, her foolproof routine is loaded with products to help revive her skin. While the notion of a typical day isn't necessarily applicable to her at all times, she consistently makes an effort to ensure she walks regularly as a form of exercise – and transportation – and takes time to relax and reset after a big day. For this instalment of In The Bag, we speak with Jarnson on whats in her beauty bag, her beauty heroes and the versatile uses of olive oil.
What is your morning beauty routine?
I splash cold water on my face and lather on some SPF. If I plan on wearing makeup, I pop on Sunday Riley’s C.E.O (always with sunblock).
What is your night beauty routine?
A lot more goes down in the evening! I cleanse my face (currently using Allies Of Skin). Sometimes I scrub with a glycolic scrub to remove any congestion. I love using Foreo for both steps. After I’ve popped out of the shower, I use some olive oil on a warm damp cloth to wipe off any makeup. Then I either pop on the Avène peeling night cream (super gentle and hydrating) or a toner. If I’m super lazy, I cleanse with olive oil.
Describe what you do for a living? What does a typical day look like for you?
I’m an actor and I spend a good chunk of time working frantically, then not working at all. At the moment I’m shooting a romcom - so my days look like a lot of giggling and wholesomeness. But on other jobs, my days look like simulating flight against a blue screen, or overcoming my fear of public speaking at a political rally, or spending four hours in hair and makeup turning into a monster. It varies, but that’s honestly what I love about it.
What is the supermarket/ drug store/ chemist beauty product(s) that you use and love?
Olive oil. It might seem counterintuitive to wash your face with oil, but it’s actually brilliant! It melts all makeup so easily, it doesn’t strip the natural barrier and it locks in moisture. If you have dry skin, you can just use oil, but anyone with acne or combination skin can follow up with standard cleanser (oil mitigates stripping effects from the water-based cleanser, so it’s still good to start with). It’s been my go to for a decade!
What is your main form of beauty body maintenance? What products do you use on your body?
The Sunday Riley Fairy Godmother body oil is insane. It smells like Christmas. leaves my skin silky smooth and it shimmers so subtly. I use it all over my body.
How do you keep fit/ healthy? Does exercise form a large part of your routine?
I’m not the most consistent person, but I am a huge walker. I’ll walk an hour over getting a bus or an Uber and I think that’s what keeps me relatively fit. Also, Class Pass! Ever since joining it I’ve been doing some reformer pilates (which I’m abysmal at) and boxing (which I love).
What procedures or professional treatments do you have as part of your beauty routine?
None are a part of my routine, though I’ve tried the odd facial here and there and thought microdermabrasion was the bomb.
What do you do when your body needs to recover?
I switch on my PS4, eat Pad Krakow, drink carrot juice and disappear for the day.
You’re tired or rundown: what is your beauty hack?
I keep a jade roller in the freezer for puffy mornings and just roll and depuff! Also carrot, orange or ginger juice wakes me up.
What is the one non-negotiable in your beauty routine?
Sunblock. And not just on the face, I pop it on everywhere.
Do you have a beauty icon? Who are they and why?
I have so many! Elizabeth Taylor, Frances McDormand, Keira Knightley, Little Simz, Camille Cottin, my friend Nin Duikers, Sandra Oh, Lizzo, H.E.R. My beauty icons all happen to be people whose personalities or talents I’ve fallen in love with first, and then grown to appreciate their physical beauty more so as a result.
What is the best advice on beauty you’ve received?
When my family lived in India and I wanted to grow my hair, my friend taught me to heat up coconut oil and turn my head upside down and massage my scalp with it for a few minutes twice a day. It actually made my hair grow insanely quick, so I always keep that one in the bank.
What is the best advice on health you’ve received?
My partner tells me to treat myself like a flower – get my daily dose of sun and drink lots of water. When I don’t treat myself like a flower, I look a lot more like a cactus.
What is the one product you can’t live without?
You guessed it: Olive oil.
