From playing a rebellious princess on Lionsgate’s The Royals to starring opposite Julia Roberts in Ben Is Back and holding her own alongside Orlando Bloom in Red Right Hand, Australian actress, writer and producer Alexandra Park has built a career that spans continents and genres. Now, she’s adding two new titles to her résumé: Netflix star and first-time mom. Park serves as executive producer, writer and lead of Everyone Is Doing Great, the critically embraced indie series that went from a fan-funded passion project to a global deal, and its long-awaited second season is finally here and now streaming.
We caught up with the newly minted mother and wife of her co-creator and co-star James Lafferty to talk about the show, her first Mother’s Day and the beauty and wellness rituals keeping her going.
You recently welcomed your first baby. How has becoming a mom shifted your perspective on life, work and what really matters?
“I think becoming a mum has changed my perspective on exactly that—what really matters. And I am so deeply grateful for that perspective, because it’s something I personally have not been able to find anywhere else. It’s in the quiet moments where I am finding myself able to actually pause, to stay still, to stop the urge to keep ‘doing’ and just be. It’s made me want to be more present, to not miss the moments that matter.”
How has your beauty routine evolved since having your baby? Are there any products or rituals you’ve become completely reliant on?
“My beauty routine has evolved in the sense that it has shrunk, rather dramatically! I greatly look forward to seeing it come back to its original size and frequency in the coming years. I try to use my Omnilux red light face mask as often as I can, but it’s trickier because my mum said I should do it in private as it’s too scary for River, which I tend to agree with! The Tower 28 SOS Facial Spray ($28) is another non-negotiable along with my Clé de Peau Concealer and Caudalie Detox Mask.”
New moms often talk about skin changes postpartum—what has your skin journey looked like, and how are you caring for it right now?
“My skin has been fairly rebellious and challenging for the last ten years or so, and it goes through periods of making me feel great and periods of making me feel pretty self-conscious. Postpartum has not been so bad for me, but I try not to stress about it as it’s always been so up and down for me. I have had to accept that it might always be that way! I try to keep up with my skin care, and to be patient and kind to myself if my skin is breaking out.”
Is there a beauty product you’ve been reaching for on repeat lately? Something you’d recommend to every new mom?
“Yes, the Tower 28 SOS Faical Spray—multiple times a day. Also, the Dieux reusable eye patches! And an ice roller if you can remember to put it back in the freezer—or even just opening the freezer to put your head in for a few minutes!”
Sleep is the holy grail for new parents. Any tips that have helped you get a little more rest?
“The holy grail indeed! And one that we are looking forward to seeing more of for sure! Taking naps when you can (and putting on the Omnilux while doing a meditation), ensuring moments of calm to counteract the lack of sleep, taking walks, remembering to breathe and reminding yourself that they aren’t this little for long and to try and just lean into the madness and mess and exhaustion of it all.
Most of all, I am grateful for my husband, who takes an enormous amount of the load when it comes to nights and sleep. He truly is my partner in everything, 100 percent. I do not take this for granted and I take my hat off to all the mums and dads out there who are doing it solo. That is something that truly amazes me—you are all incredible!”
In addition to the baby, you also have your new show streaming on Netflix—what does thriving look like to you right now?
“Life is pretty funny in the sense that sometimes nothing is happening no matter how hard you try, and then all of a sudden it takes a dramatic pivot, and everything is happening at once. It certainly has been that way for us anyway! We tried to have a baby for a while, and it was not easy for us. The same goes with our show, Everyone is Doing Great. It was a ten-year journey to finally land at Netflix, one that was incredible, but not without immense challenge. But I am grateful; I couldn’t be more grateful if I tried. I am not sure if I would use the word thriving just yet...to be honest, I still don’t think it’s all quite sunk in. So, yes, I am tired as hell, but I am grateful. Grateful doesn’t even really cut it.”
