Jennifer Lopez Gave Me a Self-Care Checklist to Stay Calm

(Image credit: J.Lo Beauty)

published 6 November 2024

It may only be November 6, but I think it’s safe to say it’s been a crazy month. There’s the 2024 Presidential election—obviously. The holiday season is approaching; I’ve yet to buy one gift. The 70-degree, mid-fall New York City weather has me at an extreme loss for what to wear every morning.

That said, I’m pretty much all ears when someone offers advice on how to unwind and recharge. When that someone happens to be Jennifer Lopez—and she's promising to teach me how to find “balance”—I’m paying close attention.

“My self-care strategy is really about keeping my routine consistent even during the busiest times of my life,” the actress tells me over the phone. “Especially during the busiest times of my life, when I’m juggling work with all the personal things that I have to do on top of extra personal things, finding moments to relax and recharge is really important.”

Granted, the multi-hyphenate is strapped for time. The Unstoppable press cycle is underway, and her skincare brand, J. Lo Beauty, is gearing up for gift set season. She even made a pitstop in Nevada to canvas with Kamala Harris earlier this week. So, I believe her wholeheartedly when she says integrating self-care into my life doesn’t need to take a chunk out of my day.

Her advice starts with movement. “Make time for workouts to stay energized and find a moment to relax and recharge—even if it’s just a really quick mindful breathing meditation,” she says. (Lopez is known to train with Tracy Anderson—you can sign up for her cardio dance classes online—and Dodd Romero, who specializes in resistance training.)

The “Can’t Get Enough” singer also prioritizes sticking with her skincare routine to find a sliver of calm amidst the chaos. “The Head to Toe Glow Kit has everything I need for radiant skin—and it all has refills. I’m gifting it to my whole family,” she shares.

I’ll be scooping up the kit and some other wellness buys to follow a J.Lo-approved self-care checklist this season. Want in? Shop ahead.

J. Lo Beauty Head to Toe Glow Kit

TA Aztec Logo Legging

Moonbird Breathing & Meditation Device

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Samantha Holender is the Beauty Editor at Marie Claire, where she reports on the best new launches, dives into the science behind skincare, and shares the breakdown on the latest and greatest trends in the beauty space. She's studied up on every ingredient you'll find on INCI list and is constantly in search of the world's glowiest makeup products. She's constantly tracking the biggest nail and hair trends to pop up in the beauty space, going backstage during fashion weeks, tracking celebrity looks, and constantly talking to celebrity hair stylists, nail artists, and makeup artists. Prior to joining the team, she worked as Us Weekly’s Beauty and Style Editor, where she stayed on the pulse of pop culture and broke down celebrity beauty routines, hair transformations, and red carpet looks. Her words have also appeared on Popsugar, Makeup.com, Skincare.com, Delish.com, and Philadelphia Wedding. Samantha also serves as a board member for the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME). She first joined the organization in 2018, when she worked as an editorial intern at Food Network Magazine and Pioneer Woman Magazine. Samantha has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from The George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs. While at GWU, she was a founding member of the school’s HerCampus chapter and served as its President for four years. When she’s not deep in the beauty closet or swatching eyeshadows, you can find her obsessing over Real Housewives and all things Bravo. Keep up with her on Instagram @samholender.