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As a five-time Primetime Emmy nominee and co-creator of the iconic series RENO 911!, Kerri Kenney isn’t always known for being totally serious—just don’t tell that to her very scientific-based, doc-approved skin-care routine. The scene-stealer currently stars alongside Tina Fey, Steve Carrell, Colman Domingo and Will Forte in Netflix’s The Four Seasons, which is performing wildly well on the streaming service. In between the accolades, Kenney shared with us what works for her in the beauty department, and it is a lineup to be envied.
What do you think fans and Netflix streamers enjoy most about The Four Seasons?
What I hope people feel after watching The Four Seasons is a newfound love for chosen family. Tina Fey, Lang Fisher and Tracey Wigfield (the co-creators) did such a beautiful job of creating an aspirational world that I think viewers will want to tuck themselves into. I think people will enjoy the relatable characters, their relationships and the twists and turns their lives take over the course of a year together. It’s a cozy love letter to long-term marriage and friendships.
Out of all your roles, are there any that really stick out to you that were fun—or difficult—to get into character when it came to glam?
Playing Trudy Wiegel on Reno 911! took about 10 minutes in the hair and makeup chair. What you see is what you get with her, and you don’t get a lot in terms of “glam.” We would slap on my short black wig, which was rock solid with hairspray by the end of each season, and throw on some lip balm and eye shadow in an unfortunate shade of green or blue, and away I’d go in my tan polyester uniform. She was my easiest character in terms of prep.
On the opposite end of the spectrum was my character Agatha Laupin from Viva Variety, which ran for three seasons on Comedy Central starting in 1997. It was a fake European variety show and my character was the “grande dame” in all respects.
Every episode was a full glam moment from head-to-toe. The world was a very heightened reality, so we could get away with a lot. Hair and makeup would sometimes take as long as four hours. In one episode, my hair was braided into a four-foot chandelier and the next, a birdcage. A year after that show ended, I was still finding glitter on my pillowcases.
What are some of your all-time favorite beauty products?
As I have gotten older, my skin-care routine has gotten more and more involved, but I actually love the ritual of it. Going through the steps is almost meditative. I find I look forward to those moments of self-care. I begin each day with DRMTLGY Brightening Eye Masks, which I keep in my refrigerator for a little extra kick in the morning.
After that, I wash my face and neck with SkinCeuticals Replenishing Cream Cleanser and follow up with their C E Ferulic and H.A. Intensifier serums, followed by their Triple Lipid Restore moisturizer. Finally, even if I am not leaving the house, I slather on EltaMD’s UV Clear sunscreen and reapply every 90 minutes throughout the day. If my skin is feeling particularly sensitive or is red at all, I will use EltaMD’s green tinted UV Skin Recovery sunscreen. It tones down the redness and is super gentle.
For a little pick-me-up during the day, or when it’s particularly hot out, I will mist my face with the Avène Eau Thermale. It helps wake me up and feel fresh when I’m tired too.
At night, I remove my makeup and/or sunscreen with Caudíle’s Vinoclean cleansing oil before washing with SkinCeuticals Soothing Cleanser Foam for a thorough cleansing. I then put on a couple pumps of their Resveratrol B E followed by their H.A. Intensifier and, finally, the A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced.
At night, I also use the SkinCeuticals Tripeptide-R Neck Repair, which has worked wonders in a short time on tightening that increasingly saggy neck area.
For makeup, I love the Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint on days that I am not working for a little coverage and glow. I also use their Multi-Stick on my cheeks in the color “At Last.” I love the bounce of light it gives to my cheekbones. For my lips, I wear Jamie Makeup’s Bloss which comes in several beautiful, natural colors and it is hydrating for both on and off camera.
I also use NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer both at work and at home on days where my under-eye needs some brightening.
That is a very solid lineup. What are you excited for as summer hits?
I’m very excited to go back to the East Coast, where I’m from, and attend the premier of Long Live The State at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 8. It’s a documentary by Matthew Pernacairo about my comedy group, The State, which we began in 1988 at New York University. This film follows myself and the other 10 members of the group on our journey performing together for 37 years and counting. I’m also looking forward to some travel with my husband and son where we spend a few days doing nothing. We’re not great at sitting still…but we’re going to make that a priority.
