We were thrilled to spend some time with the multi-talented beauty Lauren Ash on our recent visit to LA. Deck the halls this holiday season listening to her rad new EP “SAD THIS CHRISTMAS” and between sips of eggnog tune into her podcast “True Crime and Cocktails.” Scroll on down and check this blonde bombshell channeling some 90’s Madonna/Courtney Love/Gwen Stefani vibes wearing pieces from her own wardrobe and chatting her latest projects, beauty, health, skincare and bare essentials. Plus the legendary hairdresser Ted Gibson stopped by and curled Lauren’s bob to pop punk icon perfection and gives us some words on creating this hairdo and more.

The Bare Magazine: list the top 3 reasons folks should download your EP "Sad This Christmas?"

1.  These tracks are all killer, no filler.

2. It's great for people who love Christmas but also for those who have more of a complicated relationship with the holiday. Something for everyone!

3. You're helping support someone who is living out their teenaged dream! What's better than seeing people pursue the things that bring them the most joy in this world? It's infectious!

Bare: describe how music and comedy feed and heal your soul. 

LA: Both music and comedy are integral parts of who I am. Have always been since early childhood. I don't know what my life would even be without music and comedy! It's how I communicate with others, it's what connects me to the human experience, it's just...me.  Even though I've only been public with my music for 5 months, it was always there for me. Ever since I received my first guitar at age 13. I used to unwind after long shoot days on Superstore by playing my guitar and writing songs. Expressing my creativity in that way definitely feeds my soul. And allows me to continue to perform comedy which, for the most part, is how I've made my livelihood since 2002. So that LITERALLY feeds my soul  because it puts food on my table! I think the balance of the two is really the key to me. It's like how people are shocked to find out that I'm a homebody who gets anxiety calling to order a pizza. I think a lot of artists exist with this kind of dichotomy. And each part helps fuel the other.

Bare: what are some favorite self-care rituals and/or treatments you've been partaking in lately? 

LA: I recently had a massage for the first time in about 5 years. So, I guess that's indicative that I need to prioritize self-care more! I try to take some time every day to do something that brings me joy. Dance to a favorite song in the morning, sing in my car, paint a picture, play with my dogs, etc. I struggle with things like meditation so when I need to calm my mind, I will instead try to take a candlelight bath for 20 minutes or journal. Basically, I try to do things that help reconnect me to my joyful core self even if only for a few minutes a day.

Bare: since losing weight...give us a sampling of a typical days menu. what have you have added and subtracted from your diet?

LA: I don't have a typical menu. I don't diet or adhere to any sort of "plan". I eat what I want when I'm hungry and I stop when I'm full. I don't believe in restricting or splurging when it comes to food. I just listen to my body as best I can. We have been taught so many toxic habits over the years in terms of our relationship with food. Being still and just listening to your body is the biggest key to wellness I can offer. If we provide the time and space to really listen, our bodies will communicate what they need. And I have also found that by not restricting any types of food, it takes the power food used to have over me away. Sometimes I want a salad and sometimes I want a Big Mac. Neither is good nor bad, they just are. And by allowing myself to eat without judgement, I have found a real freedom. I will also offer that if we are privileged enough to live a long life, then we will be blessed to have our bodies expand and contract many times, in many ways. These bodies are merely vessels for our light and gifts. Somewhere along the way we were all taught that they should be what defines us as humans. I am so happy that my chronic illness (PCOS) is currently under control and would be happy with whatever form my body took in order to facilitate its own wellness.

Bare: describe any skin challenges you've faced? what has helped? please share any go-to products!  

I have been living with rosacea and extremely sensitive skin for most of my adult life.  I swear by Ceravae cleanser and the Ceravae Baby moisturizer. But the best product for anyone dealing with rosacea without a doubt is the It Cosmetics CC Cream. It is a literal godsend. I wear it on every tv show or film I work on and in every photoshoot I do. I swear the biggest lie I’ve ever told is that I have good skin and that’s all thanks to It Cosmetics! (And no, I don’t work for them, but I would!) 

Bare: do you find once you get into a good balanced positive head and emotional space...things fall into place? please expand on this. 

I made a conscious effort in 2021 to remove as much stress and toxicity from my life as possible. It blew my mind how much started to happen to me after making this change. Suddenly there was so much space and time in my mind and life to pursue things I wanted both in the micro and the macro. I alleviated myself from the pressure of trying to partner. And suddenly I realized how much energy and time I had been spending, literally since my teenaged years, on trying to attract or maintain a relationship. I was shocked at how much time and space opened when I shifted this mindset. More time for art and the things that bring me joy and ultimately connecting to my truest self. I'm not opposed to love, in fact now I feel like I know myself so well that I know exactly what kind of love is welcome in my life and what isn't. Which is a beautiful emotional place to be.

Bare: for our shoot you channeled a few of your favorite punk-pop 90's icons. what do you love most about these ladies, and how do they inspire you? 

When I was a teenager, I really wanted to be Courtney Love or Gwen Stefani. I loved how powerful they were, how they were doing what so many men were doing at the time, and they were doing it even better. They made me want to be in a rock band when I was a kid and still inspire me now. When I play live shows, I include Violet by Hole in the playlist to connect to that feeling I got listening to that music when I was a kid. It reminds me of how amazing it is to get to follow my dreams and how if I truly don't care what other people think, how if I just give it all on that stage, maybe I could inspire a young person now just like I was all those years ago. Keep the energy flow moving, especially between women and girls.

Bare: can you share any new beauty products you've gotten into lately?  

LA: I love the True Botanicals ginger turmeric cleansing balm. It's amazing to help remove makeup without irritating my skin. I also love the True Botanicals Calm Nutrient Mist. I have recently started giving my under eyes more attention so I keep some Fourth Ray Beauty "Chill Sesh" hydrating eye masks in my fridge and put them on in the mornings while feeding my animals. They are my fave eye masks other than the Peter Thomas Roth 24K hydra gel patches. The Charlotte Tilbury Magic eye cream is also legit magic. Kosas concealer and the Laura Mercier Secret Brightening powder are also an amazing duo that I wear day to day. I'm also obsessed with Charlotte Tilbury lipsticks and Buxom lip glosses.

Bare: please list your top 5 Bare essentials.

1. my dogs and cat

2. Diet Coke

3. my New York Times games app

4. a guitar

5. laughter with a loved one

HAIR MASTER TED GIBSON ON LAUREN’S DO:

“Lauren is such a fantastic comedian and actor. She is someone who usually wears straight hair. The references I suggested to her were Madonna (Dick Tracy Vibes) also Courtney Love and Sofie Dahl. All these icons wore CURLS!!!! So to take Lauren in a new direction this is it.

 On dry hair I used STARRING Shooting Star Texture Meringue for volume then blew-dry with a dual bristle brush for detangling and smoothing. I used a small barrel curling tong to give that sexy curling hair vibe. What’s important about this look is the curls look like the grow out of her head like this. HOW you as is because the curls are not perfect. That’s the trick to make straight hair curls look natural .After curling the entire head I used Kiehls Silk groom to add texture and gloss. This is to give curls definition without being crunchy. Then followed up with ELnett hairspray in Normal Strength for more control. As you can see the curls are luscious sexy and can move. That’s what every curly haired girl wants even if she is faking it.”

— TED GIBSON

Photos and Makeup: Tina Turnbow using Ogee

Hair: Ted Gibson using STARRING

Shot at The ACE Hotel DTLA