The Essentials List: Actress Chyler Leigh on ‘The Way Home’ and her everyday must-haves
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Chyler Leigh spent the better part of the past two decades on “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Supergirl,” so she’s familiar with passionate fan bases. But the actress has never experienced anything quite like the reaction to her Hallmark Channel series, “The Way Home.”
“I’ve had so many people tell me that they’re absolutely hooked!” she says. “I love hearing it. This is not my first rodeo, so I’m honored to be able to do this.”
For the few who don’t know, “The Way Home” is a mix of heartfelt family drama and fascinating time travel that focuses on three generations of women in a small farm town. Leigh’s Kat Landry is often caught between her mom (Andie MacDowell) and her daughter Alice (Sadie Laflamme-Snow) as they all try to process a tragedy in the past and present. (The pond on the estate serves as the magical portal.)
In season two — which premiered in January — Kat finds herself traveling back and forth between the present day and the 1800s when Port Haven was founded and the Landry family settled in. “We created this incredible world,” Leigh says. “There are beautiful horse-drawn carriages, the people are getting things by trade and the struggle is hard. The creativity on the show is really special.”
The actress spends about four months a year on location in Toronto to film the series. Otherwise, home is just outside Nashville with her husband, actor Nathan West, and their two kids. “We got out there and knew it was the place we needed to be,” she says.
During this year’s SCAD TVfest in Atlanta, we asked Leigh about some of her tried and true everyday favorites.
Supergoop! Glowscreen Sunscreen
One of Leigh’s skin care essentials is this SPF 40 broad-spectrum sunscreen from Supergoop. Using antioxidant-rich oil and vitamins, it doubles as a primer, leaving a dewy finish without residue. “I have a lot of discoloration on my face from having kids,” she says. “So this evens out my complexion, and it feels like I’m not wearing anything.”
From $22 at Sephora
$38 at Amazon
Benefit Cosmetics Precisely, My Brow Pencil
“My eyebrows are a product of the 1990s,” Leigh jokes. “I tweezed and plucked so much!” Her solution: this waterproof eyebrow pencil that’s available in 12 shades. It features an ultra-fine tip to fill in sparse areas and transform undefined brows. “It’s so incredible that I carry it with me everywhere!” she says.
Clarins Double Serum Firming & Smoothing Anti-Aging Concentrate
Leigh is all about any anti-aging product. “I’m 41, my skin is changing and TV screens are much clearer these days!” she explains. She singles out this silky serum from Clarins, which uses 21 plant extracts to firm and smooth out wrinkles and fine lines. “It’s lightweight but highly effective!” She also regularly uses the Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream.
Velvet Tilly Original Slub Crew-Neck Tee
Leigh’s unofficial off-hours uniform? A T-shirt, Old Navy jeans and a hoodie. For the T-shirt part of the casual look, she likes this white one because of its slightly textured, soft cotton-blend material. “It’s just a plain shirt,” she says. “But the fit is beautiful, and the fabric is really nice.”
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Lift Platform
Leigh estimates that she owns a dozen Converse sneakers in a variety of hi-tops, low-tops and even waterproof boots from her time on the “Supergirl” set in chilly Vancouver. “I just love them all!” she says. She just added these platforms, which feature EVA foam and cushioning, to her collection.
KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
Her kitchen go-to is this popular and ever-versatile tool, which boasts 10 speeds along with a durable head tilt and a five-quart bowl. “I just started grinding meat in it so I can make sausage,” she says. “And I love the mixer when I make pastries.” She also uses the whisker for homemade whipped cream and meringue.
DB Method The Squat Machine
Back when she was kicking butt on “Supergirl,” she relied big time on this multipurpose tool to strengthen her legs. She’s been using it ever since. “It’s a squat machine, but it will literally tone and lift any part of your body,” she says. “I do my arms, chest, back and abs just by using my body weight. Then I can just fold it up and stash it in the closet.” The DB Method app provides exercise guides.
Nintendo Switch
Leigh and her family are major gamers. “My husband, son and I will sit in different parts of the house with our headsets on and play the same game at the same time,” she says. Leigh has a special affinity for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which she’s beaten three times. “I still play it because it’s open world,” she says. “I just love it!”
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