Sierra Boggess the super talented ginger beauty is considered one of Broadway’s most beloved leading ladies. You can see why if you grab some tickets to the Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman’s original new musical “Harmony” at the Barrymore theatre. There can’t be a better time to be touched by a story of hope, harmony and love. Sierra speaks of how honored she feels to tell this true story that took almost 30 years to get to Broadway. In the midst of her busy production schedule Sierra took her one day off and spent time with us in Brooklyn sitting in our studio window soaking in the sun, grabbing a slice of pizza, chatting her love of vegan beauty products, celery juice, Mexican food, LASHES!, and her bare essentials. Sierra we are honored to have you!

the bare magazine: you've been working in theatre for quite sometime. what is so special about and unique about "Harmony" to you? 

Sierra Boggess: That this is a true story. These people that we are portraying actually existed and I get to be a part of bringing their story to life every night!  I love my character, Mary, I think she’s incredibly brave and wise and it really is my honor to bring her to life on Broadway.

bare: what are you hoping the audience will be thinking and feeling as they walk out the theatre door?

SB: I want them to leave the theatre knowing this story, quite simply!  People have been coming up to me at stage door with tears in their eyes, they are truly feeling impacted by what they saw. I have people saying to me “thank you for telling this story” and that just moves me beyond words. I hope that people want to start harmonizing together and making music when the world can sometimes feel heavy. That is what the 6 comedian harmonists did. They made music when all seemed lost.  

bare: what does your glam/makeup consist of? wigs, lashes, setting spray....give us the beauty breakdown!

SB: For me it’s always about pumping up my eyes! I have small eyes, so when I’m going to go “glam” I always try and open them with liner on top, and lashes, always lashes! I usually do a lighter color on the lid and darker in the creases for dramatic effect. I never line under my eye all the way as that closes them up!  I usually go with a more neutral lip or even just a lip plumper, I love the stinging feeling of those plumpers, I know… weird right?  I do use a setting spray if I need my makeup on all day long, I use a setting spray by the brand MILK

bare: do you prefer using green and vegan products and why?

SB: I am in the process of changing all my makeup to cruelty free.  It’s important to me because I feel like no animals should have to suffer just so I can look glamorous.  It really really angers me knowing that so many beauty products are still tested on animals. “cruelty free” isn’t a regulated phrase so a lot of companies lie about it, but I’ve learned to look for the “leaping bunny” on the packaging and THAT is how you know it is for sure not tested on animals. The good news is, I have found AMAZING cruelty free products that are truly wonderful and I feel good about.  I use all the eye shadow palates and foundation and lip stick of TARTE, a fabulous blush stick from WANDER BEAUTY, and MILK as well has incredible eye brow products that I swear by.  I also follow Cruelty Free Kitty who has a list of all the truly 100% cruelty free products that you can get almost anywhere. When you know better, you have to do better, and I believe in the importance of doing better when it comes to this!

bare: would you say there are any qualities or traits you have in common with your character? 

SB: Her fear about how the world is operating and her very real worry and concern for those that are closest to her that are in danger. She sees and feels things deeply and I relate to that a LOT. Also her loyalty, how she never walks away from something when times get tricky. I was born the year of the dog which is loyalty and I share that with her.

bare: what's your basic show day schedule? what foods and supplements keep you fueled and healthy?

SB: My basic show day schedule is some type of workout and then tons of hydration. I’m not a coffee drinker, I’m a water drinker. I’m a celery juice with lemon first thing in the morning girl. It helps me feel cleansed and starts my day right. I hydrate all day so that by the time I get to the show I’m not dried out. I keep it simple so that I’m never depending on a supplement or something that makes me psychologically think i have to have that or else I can’t do my job. It’s really a mental game more than anything. The less I think I “need” to do my job, the more I have confidence in myself!

bare: what's an off day favorite splurge or treat? or is it mostly sleeping?! hope you enjoyed the pizza on our shoot day - your one day off!

SB: OH yes a day off can be pizza for SURE, or Mexican food!! I love both so much and I think it’s so important to have days where you can eat what you want and not have to worry about doing a show that night!! I am not a sleep all day type of person on a day off, that would actually make me feel anxious like I wasted a day, but I do love to take it easy on a day off and even binge watch some reality tv haha!!!!

bare: please list your 5 beauty bare essential in your real life. (haircare, skincare, makeup, treatments, fragrance...)

SB:

#1 is my lashes.  I get them done by the most incredible Jessica Clark at John Barrett Salon in New York City.  I can’t live without them, she gives me such a natural look that I can wake up feeling good about every day!!! I can’t recommend her enough!

#2 the only scent I wear is an essential oil called Parvati. It’s a fabulous subtle vanilla that I have been wearing since 2007

#3 Wander beauty moisturizer! They are completely cruelty free and their moisturizer is so light and I’m obsessed with it

#4 Celery juice. No really, my homemade celery/water/lemon that I blend at home and drink every morning.  Why is it a beauty bare essential? Because I truly think skincare starts from the inside out. Just like life, if your insides are a mess, your outsides will show it!! 

#5 I have to say my hair color from John Barrett Salon. My dear friend and fellow Broadway actress Sherie Rene Scott introduced me to John Barrett when we did Little Mermaid together in 2007. He was truly one of the most incredible and generous humans and he transformed my hair and gave me my signature red hair.  Tragically he passed away only a few months ago and we miss him every day. But we are so so lucky that his salon is still thriving and my colorist William Howe is there making me feel beautiful every time!  

Photos/Makeup: Tina Turnbow using Ogee

Shot in Bare studio Brooklyn and Dellarocco’s BK

Sierra wears her own clothing