Guest Star: Jesmille Darbouze, Broadway Diva
Discover the behind-the-curtain favorites of a Broadway star
GUEST STAR
Extended interviews with our most inspiring friends
Jesmille Darbouze (@jesmilled), Actress Currently Starring in A Doll’s House on Broadway
I had the privilege of being with my friend and Broadway diva Jesmille Darbouze on opening night of the current Broadway revival of Ibsen’s classic A Doll’s House, in which she stars alongside Academy Award winner Jessica Chastain.
This multi-tasking mom knows how to not only balance everything, but make it look effortless too. In addition to being on Broadway, she is a professor of acting at Marymount Manhattan College. Few people could make it through the eight shows a week required by a Broadway run, but Jesmille does that while also giving back to the acting community which she loves so much.
Needless to say, I had to learn what she relies on backstage and offstage to make her glowing skin sparkle like the star she is!
Q: Who is your beauty inspiration?
I love Meghan Markle. Her style is classy, chic, and elegant, and her hair and makeup are always flawless (even when she is wearing jeans and a button-down shirt).
Q: What’s in your bag?
Cell phone
House keys
AirPods
Wallet
Chapstick (I lose them all the time, so I carry at least two)
Whatever book I’m currently reading (right now I’m obsessed with rom-coms and I’m reading “The Unhoneymooners”)
Vitamins (Vitamin D)
Altoids
Phone charger
Zicam
Q: Desert island products?
Aquaphor—it’s the best for dry skin, lips, cuts you name it!
Paula’s Choice RESIST Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50
Face moisturizer—currently using Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream
Q: Favorite drug store buy?
Neutrogena Face Wash—it has been my staple face wash since high school! It does the best job removing make-up without drying out my skin
L’Oreal Lash Paradise (my favorite cheap mascara)
Q: Most expensive beauty items you’re ever purchased?
I splurged on a lash enhancing serum and absolutely swear by it. It really works!
Q: Do you have a beauty secret?
Not sure if it’s a secret, but staying hydrating and drinking tons of water does great things to my skin.
Q: What’s your favorite beauty look?
I have always loved a dark smoky eye, soft cheek color, and light lip.
Q: Love language?
100% Acts of Service and Gift Giving. I love cooking meals [editor’s note: I was fortunate enough to receive one of these meals over the holidays—super delish] or helping people whenever needed. Gift giving is my favorite thing to do! I’m really good at remembering when people mention things that they like, or finding gifts that people will enjoy. It makes me so happy!
Q: Do you have a hidden talent besides being a Broadway QUEEN?
I can carve a whole pig. I worked at a restaurant called The Breslin (it no longer exists) where they would do these whole roasted suckling pig dinners for large groups, and we had to learn how to carve the whole pig and serve it tableside.
Q: Dressing room must haves?
Tea kettle
Tea
Coke Zero
Pictures of my husband, kids, and family
Cookies (any kind, I don’t discriminate)
Q: Moment you felt your most powerful?
When I gave birth to my daughter and son. The female body is incredible!
Q: Favorite New York moment?
Performing in A Doll’s House and having my photo on a Broadway door!
FROM THE KIT
The products and trends worth knowing about now
Orlane B21 Extraordinaire Gentle Cleansing Foam and Dual Grain Scrub
The B21 Extraordinaire line from Orlane has long been a cult favorite in France. Fortunately, the line was recently reformulated and extended. Hooray! These are two of the new additions I love using together. The team at Orlane turned me onto them and they’re genius—they have streamlined my cleansing routine. Also, the pump is kind of magical—it dispenses perfect “movie” foam and makes me feel like I’m in that scene in Home Alone where Kevin McCallister is luxuriating in his bathtub trying every beauty product in the house (yes, this was my favorite part of the movie as a small child). If you’re wearing makeup, do two pumps of the Gentle Cleansing Foam. Yes, you can just use the foam immediately on a dry face. Then, wet your hands and watch all of your makeup come off including eye makeup! I didn’t believe it would work the first time I used it, but it really did! I love saving even one minute when it comes to getting to bed.
After the initial cleanse (or you can jump right to this step if you’re not wearing makeup or sunscreen) add one more pump of Cleansing Foam and then add some of the Dual Grain Scrub right into the same hand. Add the combination to your wet face. Not only does this make my skin feel so smooth and squeaky clean, but I also feel like a bit of a mixologist. This combo totally changes up the drudgery of my pre-bedtime skincare routine, and is perfect after long days. It’s a must try for sure.
I love this so much! 😍