Avène Creams, ‘Sex and the City’ and ‘Leanne’

Two-time Emmy Award winner Kristen Johnston is back in a big way, starring alongside comedy queen Leanne Morgan in Leanne, which premiered at the end of last month on Netflix. The 16-episode multi-cam series, co-created by sitcom legend Chuck Lorre, offers heart, hilarity and a whole lot of Southern sass.

Johnston shot to stardom as the hilariously over-the-top Sally Solomon on 3rd Rock from the Sun, earning two Primetime Emmys for her work. She’s since lit up the screen in The Exes, played the unforgettable Tammy Diffendorf in Mom, opposite Allison Janney and Anna Faris, and gave us one of Sex and the City’s most iconic guest appearances as jaded party girl—”I’m so bored I could die”—Lexi Featherston.

Off-screen, Johnston is just as inspiring. Her raw, courageous memoir Guts was a New York Times bestseller—plus, she’s a passionate advocate for animal rights and the power of a popular Avène cream.

Out of all the iconic characters you’ve played, who was the most difficult to get ready to play in the glam chair?

“The most difficult character in the glam chair was the aging process for Aunt May May in The Righteous Gemstones. It took two hours, and the stuff they put on my face to create the wrinkles is like glue, it’s pretty stiff and uncomfortable.”

Your role as Lexi in Sex and the City is iconic. Is there anything you can share beauty or styling-wise that got you into that character?

“The outfit that helped the most for my character, Lexi in Sex and the City was that purple Versace dress, which was actually picked by Sarah Jessica Parker herself. It really helped accentuate the blowsy, hot messiness of Lexi.”

What have you enjoyed most about working on ‘Leanne?’

“My favorite part of working on Leanne has been the dynamics of the cast, crew and writers. So many of these people have all worked together on other Chuck Lorre shows in the past so there’s a real connection and love that is felt between all of us. The bond I’ve created with Leanne Morgan has also been a highlight of my time on the show. From the moment we met, it was an instant bond and it’s been amazing to watch her acting debut and watch her perform flawlessly.”

What kind of feedback have you been getting on the show that has really spoken to you?

“So many people have commented about how beautiful and real the sister relationship is and that means a lot to me because I lost my sister a few years ago. The show is basically a love letter to sisterhood, which was real off-camera too. I truly adore Leanne and she instantly felt like a sister, so the fact that people connect to that part of the story really makes me happy.”

Are there any beauty brands you really love and swear by?

“Oof! I’m a product junkie so I’m constantly switching it up and trying new things. But, the products I always rebuy are Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream from Avène and Luminous Silk Foundation from Giorgio Armani. Oh, I also love the Victoria Beckham eyeliners.”

You have a lot of awards—where do you keep them?

“Truthfully, my awards are currently still packed in boxes in my garage. I moved a year ago and haven’t gotten to that box yet! But that reminds me, I need to find a spot for them!”