Any fan of Drew Barrymore knows that she’s been no stranger to switching up her hair color over the years. From short, blonde bobs to jet-black waves, she’s done it all (and she’s pulled it off effortlessly).
These days, however, the 48-year-old actress is finding a new sense of comfort in consistency. Since she began hosting CBS’s The Drew Barrymore Show in 2020, she’s leaned into the beauty essentials that create her signature look. Most recently, Barrymore expanded her partnership with Garnier Nutrisse, a brand she’s been using to color her own hair for years.
“I hope it connects with people,” she tells Women’s Health. “I used to be every color under the sun. I was willing to try anything. After a while, I would get itchy and need change—now I’m the exact opposite.” Between haircare must-haves and skincare faves, Barrymore knows a thing or two about developing a simple yet effective routine. Read on for all the details.
She’s been enjoying her signature hair color now more than ever.
After years of trying different hair colors, Barrymore is looking forward to representing a product that’s made with her hair in mind. ICYDK, she rocks the $10 shade, 70 Dark Natural Blonde, which allows her natural tone to show through.
“I always thought of my character’s hair first. Whenever I would play someone in a film, the first thing I would think about or create was their hair,” she explains. “I’ve graduated to the point where I feel more energized by stability and certainty—I found my hair color. I’m good.”
She adds that because she has high porosity hair, most products “go gummy” once they’ve been applied. Because of this, she likes to stick to the same look for a few days before having a wash day.
Treating heat damage is a major priority for Barrymore.
The longest Barrymore has spent filming a movie is six months when she starred in Charlie’s Angels (2000). Like many actors, she’d take time off in between projects. But when she started her new nine-month schedule for The Drew Barrymore Show, she began to notice how it affected her hair.
“I’ve never actually had this much heat damage on my hair,” she says. “By summertime, my hair is fried. I’ve really looked to products that help heal my hair.”
Some of her go-to’s: the Garnier Whole Blends Honey Treasures Hair Honey Repairing Serum (a leave-in treatment designed to repair split ends and prevent breakage) and the Hair Honey Milk 450°F Heat Shield Spray. On occasions, Barrymore also uses a hair mask.
“I will overdo it,” she confesses. “That’s probably not recommended, but it just feels really hydrating for me. If I have that much heat, why not pack on that much protection?”
She sticks to gentle formulas for her sensitive skin.
When it comes to Barrymore’s skincare routine, the fewer products, the better. “I used to have more time for skincare, and my skin used to be less sensitive,” she says. “Now, I’m constantly having reactions and doing a less-is-more approach.”
When Barrymore is ready to unwind from her busy day on set, she usually removes her makeup using the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water All-In-1 Makeup Remover & Cleanser. Lately, she’s been especially loving the Charcoal Purifying All in One Water.
To wipe it all off, she reaches for the SkinActive Cleansing EcoPads. According to Barrymore, these reusable pads are the “one green step” of her skincare routine that adds to the feel-good element of the whole process. “I’ll throw them into the wash caked on with makeup, and they come out perfect. Sometimes, I rinse them off with soap—they’re my precious treasure,” she says of these drugstore wonders. Afterward, she follows her Garnier products with a bar of soap to cleanse her face.
Barrymore swears by vitamin E for under-eye care.
Finding the right products for under-eyes hasn’t been easy for Barrymore. But after some trial and error, she’s found what works best for her skin type. She points out that she sometimes gets papules, which is why she prefers oils over standard eye creams.
“I love using pure vitamin E oil with a little bit of olive oil in it,” she says. “So many products give me papules, which is why I like vitamin E—it fills in the crow’s feet.”
FYI, Barrymore loves this under-eye hack so much that she’s been using it as a substitute for a decade.
She’s learning to roll with new changes.
If there’s one thing Barrymore has learned over the years, it’s that change comes with age, and it’s inevitable. With her hair, specifically, she recalls “beating it up” and telling herself that it would be okay.
Now, Barrymore is opting for a different approach. “You can’t just cut your hair off and bleach it,” she says. “You have to be much more kind and gentle with it, and how you color your hair makes a huge difference.”
Sabrina is an editorial assistant for Women’s Health. When she’s not writing, you can find her running, training in mixed martial arts, or reading.
