Jennifer Hudson Loves the Sun, But Still Wears Her Daily SPF
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Jennifer Hudson may have an Academy Award and two Grammys under her belt, but she's just like us when it comes to skincare. That is, she likes to keep things simple and let her skin breathe with a no-fuss routine. It makes sense then that Hudson would team up with Olay, a drugstore brand staple for effective, easy-to-use products–to spread awareness about the importance of self-care. We caught up with Hudson to chat about SPF, her favorite skincare, and why her friends call her "solar panel."
What was your relationship with sunscreen and SPF like in the past, and how is it now?
I think it has always been difficult to find the right sunscreen for myself, finding the right consistency, which is why Olay's Regenerist Whip is great for me. It's light and it works well with makeup. It allows my skin to breathe and moisturizes my skin. I think it's great for even when the world opens up, because it's an all-in-one product.
Were you always good about staying out of the sun, or are you a little bit of a sun-worshipper?
Sometimes I get called solar panel, I love the sun so much. I'm so glad that I have my protection with my Olay products to protect me from the sun and stay moisturized as well. Because I love the sun.
How has your beauty routine changed in the last year?
It's helped me in a way, having more time for myself, to be able to determine what it is I need. I like it. I like giving myself care, and paying attention to myself, and doing what I feel is best for me. I hope to continue it as I go along. Once the world opens up, you know, we go back into our regular ways. So I'm trying to form great habits now and hold on to them.
Self-care is about more than just skincare and makeup, though. How else do you practice it?
I love exercising, I love bike riding, I love to be outdoors. That's what I mean by the sun. You know, when the weather breaks and gets nice, that's when I'm like, "Oh, I want to work out I want to ride a bike." I like to do outdoor activities. It's refreshing and something I can do on my own. So I consider that self care as well.
What is something you once thought to be true about beauty that you've since changed your mind about? For me, I once thought you had to use 20 products to have great skin!
Probably the same. I think we've all been through that, like you need this, I need to be that, I should add this, and add that—but it's actually the opposite. You don't need all of that. There's nothing more beautiful than being in your natural state and just taking care of that. I feel like we've all been misled thinking that we needed to add all the bells and whistles to ourselves. My father used to call it war paint. You don't necessarily need it, but it's fun to play in products. But at the same time, I think it's beautiful when you can embrace your naturalness.
What's a song that always puts you in a good mood?
Oh, there are so many. Right now I love this whistle song by D'Angelo and The Vanguard, it's called "The Door." I like a song that whistles at me. Think about it: A lot of times you can tell somebody is in a joyous mood when they're whistling or humming.
You've starred in a few films that take place in the'60s. Do you have a favorite beauty look from that era?
I love the fashion. I do get stuck in the '60s a lot—more than anyone. My big thing is swoop eyeliner. That's my signature. I've been doing it since I was a kid. Even my makeup artist was like, 'We're going to keep your swoop because you do it really well.' I've been doing it my whole life. I wasn't going try to bring up Respect, but Aretha Franklin back then used to wear the same thing. I never knew that growing up!
Before we go, I want to know about your nails. Tell me about them!
It's spring, and I'm an in-the-moment type of person. So spring is all about colors. Like my jewelry has been really colorful, and my nails set the tone for my jewelry—they're an extension of it. I always wait until I break a nail to change them, probably every two or three weeks. My son likes me to have—what shape is this?—stiletto nails. He likes it because he likes me to scratch his head and his back. And if I change the shape, he'll go, "Did you change the shape? You need to go back to the other shape." So I have to keep stiletto nails. This is all dedicated to my son.
This interview was edited and condensed for clarity.
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