Everybody knows Alison Brie is funny. She proved it over six seasons playing Annie Edison in Community, in the rom-com Sleeping With Other People, and, perhaps unintentionally, as the prim and steely Trudy Campbell in Mad Men. Off-screen, Brie is often laughing with her husband of eight years, Dave Franco, with whom she’s appeared in the religious satire The Little Hours and the truly bizarre Disaster Artist. The couple is now starring in Together, and this time, things take a darker turn. Nevertheless, Brie sleeps peacefully next to Franco at their house in Los Feliz with her retainers and blackout shades in place, and their cats nestled next to them.
When do you start getting ready for bed?
My husband and I like to eat dinner around 5:30. By eight, we get ready for bed. And we probably go to sleep around 10.
What does your nighttime skincare routine look like?
I use a lot of products by Biba De Sousa, our facialist. I start by washing my makeup off with her micellar water. Then I use Image Skincare’s The Max Facial Cleanser and spritz on Caudalie’s Beauty Elixir spray and Biba’s Hydrating Toner. If my skin feels dry or if I’ve been traveling a lot, I’ll do Biba’s Hyaluronic Acid Serum, but I use her Plant Stem Cell Serum on more of a daily basis. I just started incorporating Monastery’s Aloe Hyaluronic Moisture Boost serum. These three products all are in the same category of extra moisture. I finish with Biba’s Eye Gel Cream and her Daily Moisturizer, which is lightweight, but I feel like it works nicely as a night cream with all of my other serums. I floss religiously, and then I put in my retainer. I usually get in bed and use my Lyma Laser for 33 minutes. I see a real difference, but you have to use it consistently.
More on the retainer…
I had braces from 11 to 14, and then I didn’t wear a retainer for 15 years, and my bottom teeth started to move again. So I freaked. I also have Invisalign, which works as a night guard. I’m a real grinder, but I just refuse to wear a bottom retainer and a top night guard. I need to keep the romance alive in my marriage, so this poor retainer gets a little smashed, but I feel like it’s doing the job.
Do you take supplements?
I often take melatonin before bed, but I’m trying to wean off it. When I’m working, I take one every night to go to bed early if I have early call times. Sometimes I worry… I think it helps me fall asleep quickly, but then I toss and turn a little bit in the middle of the night. I think I get better sleep without it. And it kind of gives you crazy dreams.
Once you’re in bed, do you watch anything?
While Dave takes a nighttime shower, I’m probably doing the New York Times crossword on my phone. Once he gets in bed, we’ll always watch something. Usually, Dave picks some obscure indie or old film. We also watch a lot of stuff for research. We just finished a re-watch of Girls.
What’s one thing you have to do before bed?
We have two cats, and we recently realized our female cat, Max, is a social eater. Before we go to bed, she likes to lead us into the room where we give them their food, and I sit there and pet her while she eats her dinner.
Do you add any steps when you’re shooting a project?
I’m very dependent on my Lunya Silk Sleep Mask. I like that it’s thick all the way around, so it doesn’t have that elastic band that cuts into your hair and makes a dent in it. I use it almost every night, but if I’m not working and I’m home with Dave, his body acts like a sleeping aid.
How do you decompress?
I watch videos of cats on Instagram. And I can tell I do it too often, because the same ones loop around.
On to your pajamas…
I usually go to bed in sweatpants, but I kick them off in the middle of the night. So I go to bed in sweatpants and a tank top, but wake up in a tank and underwear.
Are you particular about your sleeping conditions?
We have blackout curtains in our bedroom, and whenever I stay somewhere, I like to make sure there are blackout curtains… but I still need the sleep mask. Any bit of light can really disrupt me.
How long does it take you to fall asleep?
I usually fall asleep pretty quickly, and much faster when Dave and I are together. Dave puts us to bed. He’ll be like “it’s time to go to sleep” and turn the TV off. When I’m left to my own devices, I might forget to turn it off. Because of the melatonin and the sleep mask, I’m asleep in 10 to 15 minutes.
What’s your strangest nighttime habit?
I like to stretch before bed. I feel like it’s helpful to do twists and stuff. It’s good for your digestion and feels nice.
What’s the best night’s sleep you’ve ever had?
While shooting Together. The movie is so physical. Our shoot days were so exhausting that we would get home, watch half an episode of One Day on Netflix, and fall asleep so hard. We’ve shot about four other movies together, but Together is the most intense, because we’re basically in every scene of the movie together.
Where’s your all-time favorite place to sleep?
At home, in our bed, with Dave and our two cats. Usually, Otis sleeps above my head on my second pillow, and Max either sleeps in the crook of Dave’s arm, or next to my legs.
Jeanne Malle is a Junior Editor at Air Mail
