Alix Earle on DWTS Glam, Focusing Habits, and Self-Care

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Alix Earle’s time on “Dancing With the Stars [DWTS]” It wasn’t easy. It came with early mornings, intense training, and the pressure of performing on live TV. Earle relied on core rituals, recovery methods, and a strong support system to get through one of the toughest chapters of his career. He developed CHANGE REPEAT WORD [routines] that helped her stay present, confident, and connected – even with all the outside noise.

Ahead, Earle opens up to Popsugar about what helped her calm down backstage, reflects on how the experience shaped her confidence, and delves into how DWTS reinforced her belief that being authentic is always the best way.

Popsugar: Your beauty on “Dancing With the Stars” was always flawless. What did the glam schedule look like on show days?
Alix Earle: Glam started for me at 5:30 AM because I would wake up, wash off my spray tan, wash my hair with Pantene Abundant and Strong Shampoo and Conditioner ($50), and then we would go into hair and makeup at 7:00 AM. It depended on the week, but you get contacts until before the 5:00 PM show. There is a lot.

PS: How was the glam direction decided each week?
AE: I was able to choose. I can go through Pinterest and pull different inspiration and different looks. The team was amazing to work with; they made everything in my vision come to life.

PS: Have you used those methods with anyone else?
AE: It was just me, the band, and then Val. A lot of times I like to do certain hairstyles and he says, ‘That’s not something you can really dance with – you need to pull your hair back a bit.’ Val used to fight me on the things I pulled and make them dance a little.

PS: Did you have a good hair look from the season?
AE: I loved the one we did for Rock and Roll Night. It was a red bun that was half up, down the back with smart little pieces in the front. We actually cut my hair the day of the show because I really wanted Pamela-Anderson-style wispy bangs and I didn’t have them, so I just let Brittany, who did my hair, go ahead and cut a few pieces. I ended up liking it a lot.

PS: Did you have any backstage rituals that helped you reset before going live?
AE: I usually had a moment with Val where we held hands and reassured ourselves that we were ready, beautiful, and ready to go. Having those downtimes and a little breath work always worked for us.

PS: Is there a specific mantra you say to yourself?
AE: I always said we’re on a floating rock and nothing matters, so it’s okay. Whatever we do there will work and go well because we are on a floating rock.

PS: If you had to build an emergency beauty kit for live TV – one hair item, one makeup item, and one random item – what would you choose?
AE: For hair, I would use Pantene Abundant and Strong Daily Scalp Serum ($24). For makeup, I would use Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara ($29). And a shot of tequila.

PS: You are very open about having feelings online. Was it hard to navigate the big emotions while on live TV?
AE: What I learned throughout this process was to just let your raw emotions happen in the moment. There were a few different times where I cried on camera, and I felt a little embarrassed about it at first, but I learned how much that touched people and brought me closer to them. I try to let myself feel whatever I feel at the moment and not hide it.

PS: Did doing “Dancing With the Stars” change the way you see yourself or your confidence on camera?
AE: I think I grew a lot as a person and matured emotionally during that time. I come out as a better, confident, new and improved version of myself and I lead by being real and authentic, because that’s how I started in all of this in the first place.

PS: Did the experience open up something for you creatively that you want to bring to your content going forward?
AE: I would love to add more fitness and wellness inspired content to my daily posts. That was a big part of my life at the time, and people were actually interested in seeing what I was doing.

PS: Are there any self-care products or rituals you rely on after long days of exercise?
AE: I’ve always loved an Epsom salt bath after a long day of recovery, then a good head to toe wash and make sure you feel good and everything is taken care of. Doing a night of full self-care has always been a great reset for me.

PS: You had a strong sponsorship that you enjoyed. How did having your people around you shape the experience?
AE: All the people coming out to support me was not easy. Especially my friends and family – in times when I had low self-confidence or days when I thought I couldn’t do it or I wasn’t good enough to be there, they were always there to lift me up. Having that support system gave me the confidence to keep believing in myself, which is so important in times of doubt.

PS: What is one thing on “Dancing With the Stars” that you would like to do in the future?
AE: That you can do anything if you put your mind to it. It encouraged me to try things I never thought I could do well if I gave my time to them.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Renee Rodriguez (she) is a senior staff writer and social producer for PS. She writes in all verticals, but her main areas of expertise focus on fashion and beauty content with an emphasis on editorial review and evaluation. He also produces social content for PS TikTok and Instagram accounts.