Martha Stewart Reveals Her Home and Beauty Essentials
Including a $14 facial spray that our experts also love.
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In the Celebrity edition of What's in My Cart, stars reveal the everyday products they're shopping — complemented by expert insights from our editors and analysts when it's something we love too.
Martha Stewart knows a thing or two about entertaining, and luckily for us, she was gracious enough to reveal a few of her best hosting hacks. "Planning ahead is so key to the success of an event. I like to get done as much ahead of time as possible to ensure a smooth event," Martha tells Good Housekeeping. She acknowledges that hosting "can be stressful if you don't plan properly," which is why she aims to keep things simple with a few go-to tricks.
If you're hoping to make your next dinner party an affair Martha would approve of, you may be surprised to learn that her biggest tip is to choose a simple menu. "When planning your menu, only consider dishes that are easy to serve and easy to move if weather doesn't comply," she advises.
Her next piece of advice is especially key in the summer heat, but also worth keeping in mind year-round: Never forget water. "You always want to ensure guests are hydrated, not just with delicious cocktails, but always water. Creating a water station is a quick and easy way to ensure guests always have access to water," Martha says.
Of course, the iconic businesswoman is known for setting trends that extend far beyond the kitchen, so it only makes sense that we asked her to share her home essentials as well as her favorite products to take on-the-go. Want to know how the 83-year-old protects her skin from the sun when she's out in the garden, or what she keeps "in every color" in her car? Read on to get all the details from Martha herself.
Mario Badescu Facial Spray With Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater
At 83, one of Martha's secrets to healthy, hydrated skin is a budget-friendly facial mist. "Mario Badescu's rose water spray is so refreshing on a hot summer day," she shares.
Sabina Wizemann, director of the Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, is also a fan of Mario Badescu facial spray. As a GH Institute pick for the best face mist for glowing skin, she says that "the spray feels calming on skin and makes it look dewy. My skin soaks it up quickly and looks glowy and moisturized after."
Alastin HydraTint Pro Mineral Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 36
"I never leave the house without sunscreen. I use Alastin's tinted sunscreen with a little serum," Martha tells Good Housekeeping.
Browse GH Expert Picks: Best Sunscreens for Your Face, Tested and Reviewed
Martha Stewart Gatwick 7 Quart Enamel Cast Iron Dutch Oven
"The Martha Stewart Enamel Cast Iron Dutch Oven is my one of my go-to items in the kitchen. It's great for cooking soups, stews, sauces, layered desserts, bread puddings. It's so versatile and very easy to clean," Martha says.
And as for her favorite dish to make for guests? She reveals her Smashed Baked Potatoes are always a hit. "It's a simple dish but is always fun to serve as I like getting friends and family involved in the actual smashing of the potato. It of course pairs well with a Martha-tini," she adds.
Browse GH Expert Picks: 5 Best Dutch Ovens, According to Expert Testing
When asked about the top items every host should have on hand, Martha explains that high-quality basics are key for making anyone feel at home.
"For overnight guests, it's important to have smooth, soft sheets in the nicest fabrics. Also, a set of fresh, beautiful towels are needed for the bathroom," she points out.
Browse GH Expert Picks: The Best Bath Towels, According to Testing
Skechers Martha Stewart Ultra Flex Neptune Sneaker
"My Skechers slip-in shoes are another essential," Martha reveals. "I keep a pair in every color in my car so I can slip into them for shopping trips or to visit my grandchildren." Genius!
Browse GH Expert Picks: Best Walking Shoes of 2024, Tested by Fitness Experts
Martha, who is partnering with Samsung, is a big fan of their SmartThings app. She appreciates that it "can help automate some of the more mundane tasks like turning on your favorite playlist and adjusting the lighting" to set the mood in your space.
For a unique way to showcase your loved ones, she recommends the Samsung Music Frame, "a customizable speaker that plays your favorite music while framing your favorite photos. You can even connect your device to the Samsung soundbar, ensuring the ultimate listening experience," she notes.
Jamie (she/her) is the news and SEO editor at Good Housekeeping. She oversees GH's digital news strategy, assigning and editing celebrity and entertainment news content. Before joining Good Housekeeping in 2024, she was the digital editor at Woman's Day. She has over 7 years of professional experience writing and editing lifestyle content for the Rachael Ray Show, The Knot, Martha Stewart Weddings, Insider, Elite Daily and more. She holds a BFA in Writing, Literature and Publishing from Emerson College and lives in Brooklyn with her cats Lumos, Linus and Milo.
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