<\/p>\n
Heather McMahan isn\u2019t in the business of selling fantasy. When she recommends something, her followers listen, and that trust comes from radical honesty, not an aspirational version of herself. She\u2019s just as likely to share the moisturizer that finally soothed an eczema flare-up as she is to laugh about a procedure that didn\u2019t go according to plan.<\/p>\n
Beyond beauty, McMahan is a touring comedian and hosts the hit Absolutely Not<\/em> podcast. Her third stand-up special, By a Thread<\/em>, now streaming on Hulu, showcases the vulnerability and humor that have become her signature. Ahead, we asked her how she got camera-ready, what actually calms her skin and what she\u2019d never do a show without.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cI saw my facialist, Karen at Sia\u2019s Beauty in NYC, and then I got a bomb spray tan with Bree, who owns Alchemy Tan in Atlanta.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt felt good to have a few days off prior to filming, but I did start my period the day of the taping!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt works for a lot of people, but peptides for my undereye just didn\u2019t work and made my eczema flare.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI quit getting gel manicures, and my steroid-free prescription of Opzelura and a gentle wash around my eyes. Epicutis has been a game changer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA strong iced latte and ice cubes directly on the face. I do a manual lymphatic drain and jump up and down a few times. Swear to God it works.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t follow the trends. Find what shapes, colors and tones look best on you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI got my neck done and I still found parts of my body to complain about, so I realized you have to be okay with not being completely symmetrical. We are humans, after all.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cL’Or\u00e9al Paris Infallible 3-Second Setting Mist Spray ($14), Ardell Naked False Lashes in 421 or 424 ($14) and NARS Matte Lipstick in American Woman or Walk This Way ($32).\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wind down by working out my calves and heels with a Theragun, chugging electrolytes and double cleansing my face. I do also have a glass of wine and a nice chicken tender as well. All about balance.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nHow did you prep for this taping?<\/h2>\n
What was the one thing that felt different this time?<\/h2>\n
You\u2019re famous for radical honesty about beauty. What\u2019s a product or treatment that flopped for you?<\/h2>\n
You talk openly about your eczema. What actually calms your skin when it\u2019s at its worst?<\/h2>\n
Your schedule is relentless. What gets you camera-ready when you\u2019re running on no sleep?<\/h2>\n
Is there a beauty \u2018rule\u2019 you think most women should just ignore?<\/h2>\n
You\u2019re open about injectables and the pressure to look \u2018effortlessly\u2019 put together. How has your relationship with aging and beauty standards shifted?<\/h2>\n
What beauty essentials would you never do a show without?<\/h2>\n
How do you wind down after a late-night show?<\/h2>\n