One of the most refreshing things about Jenna Ortega is her authenticity. Whether she’s lighting up the red carpet or jamming out at a concert, this young Latina star stays true to herself—no pretense, just pure Jenna.

So, when she sat down with Harper’s Bazaar UK for their “What’s in My Bag” segment, we weren’t surprised that she didn’t take the usual route. Even amidst the whirlwind of her Beetlejuice promo tour, Jenna turned a simple beauty routine feature into something deeper, blending beauty with self-care in a way only she could.

Jenna Ortega keeps mementos of her journey close

Before diving into makeup must-haves, Jenna always grounds her stories in her journey. As the fourth of six siblings, she’s been in the industry for over a decade. Despite the fame, she still treasures a ten-year-old hairbrush—a symbol of her early days in Hollywood.

“I think that I’ve had this for over a decade,” she shares, holding up a well-loved orange hairbrush. It’s a keepsake from one of her first shows, and it’s more than just a tool—it’s a memory. “I noticed that everyone in L.A. was so impressed by it. I had started working with a makeup artist for the first time, and everyone had these Mason Pearson brushes. I thought it was so cool… So I talked so much about [that orange hairbrush] that as a wrap gift, a hairstylist gave me this mini travel-size one,” she recalls, showing the worn label. “I use this and have used this pretty much every day since.”

Yes, there are beauty products in Jenna’s bag

Staying true to the segment, Jenna did share a few beauty staples. Among them, the R+Co Jenny Cho Collection Velvet Curtain Cotton Touch Texture Balm, an eyelash curler for when she wants to feel “a bit more presentable,” and a Rouge Dior Forever lipstick in shade 200.

Embarrassed, she admitted to having a nearly two-year-old product—Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant. “There’s still at least half of the product in it,” she laughs, describing it as “a much thicker, denser Vaseline.” It’s her go-to for hydrating lips and hands.

But Jenna’s real passion lies in her self-care items—those without a brand name attached.

Jenna Ortega’s self-care essentials go beyond beauty products

While most might focus on the brand names celebs swear by, Jenna is different. One of her constant companions? A journal. “Recently, I’ve started to journal a lot,” she says, admitting that she never really got into it before. “I thought it had to be a daily catalog… But now, I’ve allowed myself to fully release and enjoy what I’m writing.”

She’s also been practicing mindfulness, and journaling plays a big part in that. “This is my third journal this year,” she reveals. “I like to jot down dreams, ideas, questions that I have.” Jenna used to write a lot of essays growing up (self-proclaimed “loser,” she jokes), especially when struggling with insomnia. Instead of overthinking at night, she’d dive into topics that fascinated her, jotting down notes with pen and paper.

And her advice? Start writing down your dreams. “Highly recommend jotting down your dreams,” she says. “They become so vivid, so creative… It’s like directing a film in your head.” A hint at her future aspirations, perhaps?

Natural remedies and music are key to Jenna’s self-care

For Jenna, self-care isn’t complete without music and natural remedies. She swears by saffron extract capsules from ZuvaLabs, a gift from her mom, to help manage her anxiety. “It feels like it can be debilitating at times… I started to really feel them kick in after a few months. They just helped me feel a little bit more mindful and relaxed.”

And then, there’s her music. Jenna doesn’t go anywhere without her Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones, a Christmas gift to herself. “The best purchase I’ve ever made,” she confesses. “I can’t imagine traveling without noise-canceling headphones… I even do my dishes wearing these.”

Music is essential to her self-care routine. “I don’t think I would be able to function without it,” she admits, sharing that she curates playlists for almost every moment of her day. For Jenna, music is more than just a hobby—it’s her love language.

True beauty is about feeling comfortable in your own skin

When asked about the moment she feels most beautiful, Jenna’s answer is as genuine as she is. “I think it’s when I like my own laugh,” she says. She explains how she used to feel insecure about her laugh, even trying to change it to fit in. But now, surrounded by “lovely, funny, kind, good-hearted people,” she feels comfortable enough to be herself—unfiltered laughter and all.

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