Fran Drescher: It's About Time Makeup Campaigns Focus On Women Over 40

Damn straight.

Fran Drescher: It's About Time Makeup Campaigns Focus On Women Over 40

At 63, Fran Drescher is as beloved as ever for bringing Fran Fine, the big-haired, big-hearted, say-it-like-it-is nanny from Flushing, Queens, to life on The Nanny. With the ‘90s sitcom currently streaming on HBO Max a new generation of fans are coming to appreciate what so many of us have known for what seems like forever: she's an eternal icon. 

That's one of the main reasons why Laura Geller Beauty decided it wanted her to join its team. After extensive research, the cosmetics brand realized its main consumer was over age 40, and wisely made the decision to reflect that in ad campaigns. Enter Drescher—who, in addition to acting, is a fierce advocate for women's health and cancer prevention through her organization, Cancer Schmancer—and will now be an ambassador for Laura Gellar's best-selling Spackle and Baked Collections.

“We need to celebrate all women, but particularly the ones that have been devalued and marginalized simply because they're more mature," Drescher tells Glamour. “Especially because we only get better, wiser, more grounded, and more comfortable in our own skin as we age.” 

Plus, as Drescher points out, there's “no downside” to focusing on women who are in their 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and up. “That’s a huge demographic, and at 63, I fall into that category." Plus, as Drescher points out, you truly learn your worth as you get older. “I've tuned down fortunes of money because I didn't love a company,” she says. "But this was different. I really loved them, or I wouldn't do it. If I don't have my word, who am I?” 

She's our Fran, that's who. And for Glamour's newest round of Big Beauty Questions, she fills us in on the products she really does use, the best beauty advice from her mom, and of course, The Nanny. 

What is one beauty trend you're obsessed with right now?

Great brows. I love Laura Geller’s Heavenly Brows. It’s so good. It’s got a great wand and a very nice tip. It just works incredibly well.

Laura Geller Heavenly Brows Eyebrow Definer Pencil

What is the best beauty advice your mom ever gave you?

Don't apologize for who you are. If you're like a shrinking violet and you're apologizing or trying to hide yourself because you don't feel like you're someone's idea of perfection, then that's the message you’re going to put out to the world. And when you put out confidence and self love, that's the important message. That's what my mom taught me. 

Fill in the blank. I love my hair…

I love when my hair when it's not frizzy. The best thing for me to do is wash it at night, put a little bit of root-lift in, maybe a little smoother on the ends, and then pile it all on the pillow and let it dry that way. And when I wake up, it’s kind of wavy/curly and it has some lift. And then when I’m working with a hairdresser, I always say blow it out so it’s smooth and bouncy, and when I use hair spray, I spray it under each piece of hair instead of at the top.

Let's play screw, marry or kill with mascara, lipstick and highlighter.

I would marry all three! Those are staples! I like a mascara that has a primer attached to it. I get drugstore mascara, but never waterproof or 24 hour, because that’s just too much. When I use a highlighter, I actually use a lip gloss from Laura Geller since it contains light reflecting pearls. I dot and then use a sponge to blend. And I love their lipsticks as well because they’re two-sided. The lip stain is great, too. I don’t need to look like I’m wearing lipstick, but I just want to see that I have good color to them. 

Laura Geller Color Luster Lip Gloss Hi-Def Top Coat

Laura Geller Prep-n-Go Lip Scrub and Tint Duo

Laura Geller Lasting Love Chubby Lip Stain—Pinot Noir

If you were starring on The Nanny now, is there anything you would want to do differently in terms of Fran Fine's makeup or hair?

I can't say I would because that character was from the 90’s and that was what was kind of in vogue then. And certainly girls from Queens were wearing big hair and all of that stuff. A Room with a View had also come out at the time, and it was becoming all the rage, and influenced hair and makeup. I think what I liked about Fran Fine was that she was always wiping lipstick off her teeth, powdering her face, setting her hair. She was very much a regular girl that I think the viewer could relate to. We really saw her living her life in the Sheffield mansion, and that’s what made it funny because she didn’t behave as a nanny should, working for aristocracy on Park Avenue, living in a mansion. I think if we had it to do over, we would do it the same way. And if the show was brought into the moment and was played by another actress, she would still have to have that lack of sophistication in her look.

And even so, her look was just perfect. 

She shopped at Loehmann's, so that's how we rationalized she able to afford all those couture clothes. But [creator] Peter [Marc Jacobson]and I knew that I was able to carry clothes and there was no way that I was going to [veer from that look] throughout the show. And because we're big believers that television has to provide eye candy for the viewer, that's why we had the circular staircase—to show her outfits off.

How much time do you spend getting ready? What's your routine like?

I could be ready in a half hour if I don't have to really do my hair. If my hair isn't in great shape, I don't have a problem putting it into a ponytail or a bun. Then it shows off my widow's peak and it's easy.

What is your go to perfume and why?

I wear organic essential oils that are mixed into a type of perfume that usually rolls on. Most people don't realize that most perfumes have carcinogens in them. Anything that lasts for months usually has something toxic in them, so I avoid all of that stuff and lean toward essential oils. We have to take the Cancer Schmancer Detox Your Home route, because you have to really think about what candles you use, what room fresheners you use and what are you cleaning your floors with. It's important to use eco-friendly products because it’s good for the planet and it's good for you.

How do you take a moment for yourself?

I'm a distance walker and I like to walk. I like to walk on the beach. I like to ground myself by taking off my shoes and putting my feet in the sand. I meditate. I love watching cooking shows on TV. I love arranging fresh flowers, and I like cooking. I also have a hot tub that's always hot. Sometimes I'll just decompress. I have steam showers everywhere and sometimes I'll just go in there and put a little like eucalyptus essential oil, which is a smell I love so much.

And finally, what is your favorite emoji?

I often use praying hands, a kiss or a heart. Those are like my three main ones. And the peace sign and dog paw prints! And food emojis when I’m inviting people over to my house.

Jessica Radloff is the Glamour West Coast editor. You can follow her on Instagram at @jessicaradloff14.

This story originally appeared on: Glamour - Author:Jessica Radloff