When you think of Ashley Tisdale, the image that might come to mind is the pink-clad bleach-blonde Sharpay Evans, stealing the show in High School Musical, but Tisdale has come a long way since her Disney days. For one, she’s no longer blonde. She’s also keeping busy. This year alone she’s starred in two shows — Netflix‘s Merry Happy Whatever and Carol’s Second Act — and released her album Symptoms, which addresses her struggles with mental health. Somehow, in the middle of all that, she’s found time to partner with Neutrogena as an ambassador for the brand’s Bright Boost line.
Like any good millennial, Tisdale knows the power of skincare, and her obsession has only grown as she’s gotten older. “Just like anybody heading into their thirties, I’ve started to see my skin change,” Tisdale says. “What I love about this collection is that it was actually created by millennials for millennials, which I thought was cool because there’s no one who knows us better than the women who are millennials themselves.”
Here’s what happened when we caught up with Tisdale for a rapid-fire Q&A on all things beauty, and chatted everything from her go-to manicure to her favourite pop star. Read on for her drugstore essentials, her self-care secrets, and why she thinks it’s time to give up on Facetune.
What’s one beauty rule you swear by?
Actually taking off my makeup. I always wash my face—every morning, every night, no matter how late it is. Even in my twenties when I went out with my friends, I would come home and take my makeup off. It’s just never good to leave that stuff on your skin. You’ll always break out from it.
What’s one beauty rule you think is B.S.?
I’m not really into this preventive Botox—they’re calling it pre-Botox. I just feel like it doesn’t work to prevent wrinkles; it’ll wrinkle somewhere else. You should hold off on that stuff until you actually need it. Young girls shouldn’t be getting that done.
You attended tons of red carpets in the early 2000s during your Disney Channel days. Are there any beauty trends you’d go back and tell yourself to skip?
I mean, I tried everything back in those days. And I was super unapologetic about it. One thing I did a lot that I think is coming back is pops of colour in my makeup. I love that we’re getting back into dewy, glowy skin—more natural overall—but adding pops of colour with liner or shadow. I’m starting to move away from the overcontoured look.
You’re stranded on a desert island. What are the three products you bring with you?
Definitely the Neutrogena Beauty Boost Resurfacing Micro Polish because you’re going to want to exfoliate that dead skin off. I would say mascara. I don’t know why, I just think mascara really makes you look good, and if I’m on an island, I think I really want to let my hair air-dry and have a good mascara. And the Beauty Boost SPF, because I don’t want to get burnt.
What’s your go-to getting ready music?
I’ll just put something on Spotify—usually top hits because I’m such a pop fan. I don’t have any specific songs I put on, but I love Halsey. I also love Dua Lipa. Any of her stuff gets me super excited.
What’s the last Instagram rabbit hole you went down?
I haven’t gone down an Instagram rabbit hole in a long time, but I’ve gone in a TikTok rabbit hole. I watch what’s on the For You page, and I just keep scrolling and scrolling. I always get stuck watching the weird dance challenges.
What’s your favourite emoji?
The laughing-crying face.
You travel all the time. Is there a city that inspires you the most when it comes to beauty?
I’d have to say New York. It really is the place where everybody walking on the streets looks fashionable. I get so inspired whenever I go there.
What colour are you loving on your nails right now?
Because I’ve been on the show, I’ve been having to stick with one specific colour, but I really love the ombré manicures from Olive & June. They’re really pretty because every nail is a different colour. My favourite is the Cookies and Cream mani the salon offers, which is different shades of grey.
Who are the women inspiring you the most right now?
I’m a huge fan of Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon, and I’m having a huge obsession with Sarah Jessica Parker recently. Her style is so unique and cool, and she’s got the best hair in the game.
What’s your favourite way to take a moment for yourself?
I love meditation. I’ll find 10 minutes, or even five, in my day to put my headphones on and breathe. It helps center myself.
You have $20 and free roam in a drugstore. What are you buying?
Oh man, I think I need more than $20 because I love a good drugstore—so did my grandma when I was younger. Even still today, I swear her bathroom is like a CVS. She’d bring me with her, and apparently I would constantly put things in her cart, so by the time she got to checkout she realized she had all this stuff. Obviously now I’d go for products. I love hair products. I’m also super organized, so one of my favourite things is making sure I have all the right stuff for a sick day—an organized toiletry situation. Honestly, I can get lost in there for hours. It’s so much fun!
What beauty secrets have you learned from your mum over the years?
My mum has always taught me to be confident. That no matter what, when you walk into a room, it’s not about your makeup or your skin or your styling. It’s about your energy. If you can walk in with confidence, then you’re good to go.
If there were one thing about beauty perceptions you could change, what would it be?
I think with social media—and really in general—the expectation is to look perfect at all times, and it’s standard to use apps to make yourself look “perfect.” There’s so much pressure. I think it disservices a lot of people because it’s not real. As much as filters are fun, and I love using filters, I don’t use Facetune apps or anything like that. I’m not a big fan. I think beauty is who you are and that makeup and skincare should help illuminate your features versus cover them. It took me a long time to even realize that myself. We tend to want to look like each other, so really what one person thinks is beautiful might not be what the other person thinks is beautiful. Everyone’s perception is completely different, so being you is what matters.