Although she’s the star of binge-worthy television shows like Gilmore Girls and Parenthood, and the author of four books, Lauren Graham still makes time for a bit of beautification and self-care.
However, she’s not one for superfluous products.
In fact, there’s a trio of beauty essentials she always has on hand for nailing a classic manicure, saving her skin while she travels, and perfecting the no-makeup makeup look.
Want to know which beauty essentials made the cut? Keep reading to get a peek inside Lauren’s curated makeup bag.
1/ A classic red nail polish
“The way I found [Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in ‘Incendiare’] ($48 from David Jones) is through procrastinating,” Lauren joked in an interview with The Strategist.
“When I’m supposed to be writing or I’m on a deadline, I will decide that it’s suddenly really important to solve the big questions of the world,” she joked.
“Questions like: What’s the best red? That is an answer you can literally spend your life pursuing and reading other people’s opinions of. I have these ideas of what chic ladies have, and I want to be a person that has a signature nail colour,” she went on to say. “Red is a colour that I think is universally flattering. This one really does stay on and stays shiny, and now I have a signature colour. Next stop? Lipstick.”

2/ A multipurpose balm
“I’m obsessed with things that are good to use on planes,” Lauren told The Strategist. “Homeoplasmine ($26.99 from Amazon) is one of those things that, if you’re traveling, is very light. You can use it as a face mask, as a lip balm, for fly aways.”
“I got it on a trip to Italy, where the pharmacies are just amazing,” she explained. “I thought: I’ll try and get something that I’m not sure what it is, and look it up later. I looked it up later, and it’s a very natural, all-purpose thing to have in your bag.”
“I just flew yesterday, and someone was doing a face mask on the plane: That is a bridge too far,” she joked. “I feel like we can not start using the plane as a private bathroom. But I do like to do something.”
“Flying seems like an illogical way to spend time, so I find a way to get back whatever the perceived drain is that the plane is taking” she went on to say. “I don’t really eat plane food anymore. But I’ll have a nice moisturiser with my vodka.”

3/ A low-fuss ‘on-the-go’ makeup product
“I like things that could almost convincingly look like your natural skin, your natural rosy blush, and [Jones Road Miracle Balm] ($80 from Liberty London) does that,” Lauren shared with The Strategist.
“It comes in colours, but you don’t even really need a colour,” she explained. “I know the term dewy is overused, but it does really give you a dewy finish.”
“As the container is quite large, I put it in a smaller lip balm container to take with me — for example, on the plane,” she advised. “Dip it in and smudge it around, and you can’t go wrong. It’s very light, very translucent.”

Main image credit: Getty Images
Have you tried any of Lauren’s beauty essentials?
I love red nail polish!
A bit like red lipstick, one has to be brave to wear it. ??
yes I can’t anymore
That’s a great selection.
Lol, the balm is vaseline with some homeopathics
good on the plane then
I’ve never used these products but I can see why she picked them.
yes indeed !
I have never tried her products -all new to me !
Agree with all of this.
Me too. I haven’t tried them either.
I like her down to earth approach
New to me – and so is she.
I like Lauren a lot
I haven’t tried any of those.
Nor me. Not too sure about the red lipstick but could try the nail polish
Red is my favourite colour, but I couldn’t imagine limiting myself to a single signature nail colour.
Love love red nail polish it’s a classic and always goes with everything i wear
I haven’t tried any. I like the multi coloured balm range.
I haven’t tried any of these
Red must always be immaculate though, not chipped polish for example
You are right, chipped nail polish looks really tacky
Pawpaw ointment is it for me, never leave home without it
A multi purpose product is great for travelling, especially if you’re flying
I haven’t tried any of these, but I do like a red nail.