The Busy Person’s Guide to Making Healthy Lifestyle Changes That Stick

Monica Barbaro loved working with Timothée Chalamet on 'A Complete Unknown.'

Monica revealed in a Rolling Stone interview that she met Timothée Chalamet a week before filming — and that he was already more-or-less in character. "The first time we met was a music rehearsal," she tells Brit + Co exclusively. "So we just really launched right into it, which was nice because I admired his work so much from afar and any level of intimidation that I may have had, I could just sort of funnel into music prep, which was great."

"It was a beautiful experience of getting to hear our voices harmonize as these characters and hear the accompaniment of our guitars," she continues. "And we were able to kind of like anchor ourselves in the music and have sort of a meeting of minds that was maybe a little more similar to Joan and Bob because they met in the music scene as already very proficient musicians. So that was a beautiful magical day. And then we like launched right into filming."

Monica Barbaro (who you'll recognize from Top Gun2) stars as musician Joan Baez, and even though Monica had to learn how to play guitar for the role, you'd never guess just by watching the film. She carries herself with such confidence and ease that I'd have believed she'd been playing her whole life. And the fact her voice sounds like a Disney princess is just the cherry on top.

"I'm not a singer, I didn't play guitar," she says. "So there was sort of this introductory level thing going on where I just had to figure out how to form my hands and in some way, I thought about how she might have done that at like 14, I think, when she first picked up guitar. But that was just like an overhaul of everything — I mean, all my time just poured into that training."

She was doing her own research, but also worked with vocal coach Eric Vetro, who's also worked with Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter, and Shawn Mendes. "He encouraged me to consider what the lyrics of songs meant to her," Monica says. "Because the best musicians are storytellers and that's one of the best things about he renditions of these folk songs is you feel the story of the song."

And because of that, focusing on the lyrics "was also a part of the character development. So there were sort of siloed things like voice, guitar research, and then her speaking voice," she says. "And then all of those things started to just kind of like meld, you know. You have to play and sing at the same time and tell a story and do it from the perspective of Joan. And so so they just sort of over time kind of like bridged."

But no matter how much prep Monica, Timothée, and Elle Fanning (who stars as Sylvie Russo) did for the film, they still had to film in the middle of New York City, which came with its own set of 2024-specific challenges. "It was interesting to be filming and have people sneaking videos and posting them on the internet," she says, admitting that she "really just tried to turn all of that off to the best of my ability."

The film highlights the tension between celebrity and fame, considering we meet Bob Dylan right before he becomes, well, Bob Dylan. "It's a privilege to have to have so much attention and excitement on a project and I appreciate the intent, but you kind of just sort of turn it off a little bit and disengage," Monica says, "especially when you're talking about just a very different kind of fame in the sixties."

How Barlow And Bear's Bond Influences Their Art

“We have such a sacred sisterhood!” Abigail tells me over email. “We met and found musical soulmates in one another. It’s more than just special. It’s a once in a lifetime connection that laid an incredibly strong foundation for creation.”

“Most of my life I’ve been the only girl in the room writing with much older people,” Emily adds. “Honestly because Abigail and I are like sisters, it creates such a safe place to be vulnerable together and create without restraint. When writing for Moana 2, we leaned on that emotional connection to explore the complexities of the story and how much we see ourselves in Moana!”

And the empowering message of the film, which follows Moana’s journey through Oceania, actually influenced their art. “Every day that I worked on Moana, I was empowered to continuously choose who I wanted to be,” Abigail says. “A leader, a listener, and a learner. In being tasked to write for this movie, I was being asked to go past my comfort zones. I think by being completely open hearted to this experience, it allowed me clarity when crafting the lyric and melody with Emily.”

“Moana 2 is a story about finding strength through vulnerability, and that message became a huge theme in the music,” Emily says. “All our characters’ journeys reminded us to embrace our imperfections and trust the process of growth — no matter how painful it may seem in the moment. Moana is THAT girl. No one defines her but herself and writing for such an inspiring heroine FOR SURE inspired us right back.”

Why Abigail Barlow And Emily Bear Loved Working On 'Moana 2'

But considering the fact these two women are huge Disney fans (Abigail tells me her favorite Disney movies are The Little Mermaid and Frozen, while Emily loves Hercules and Mulan), one of the most inspiring details about their involvement is the fact that Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear’s Moana 2 score marks the first time a female duo has composed a Disney movie — and it’s a moment they don’t take for granted.

“I hope this shows [young girls] that their voices matter,” Emily says. “Growing up, I barely saw people who looked like me in roles like this, so being here now feels surreal. I want girls and women to know that their stories are powerful and deserve to be told. I really hope that Abigail and I can continue to open doors for more female creatives in film and music.”

And Abigail agrees. “I hope our story encourages young girls and women to forge their own path, and to never let anyone tell them they can’t do something.”

But this unbelievable experience didn’t come without its challenges. “Imposter syndrome is so real and a part of life for every single creative, and anyone who tells you otherwise is lying,” Emily says.

“I’m just trying to enjoy the ride, trust the fall, and be so grateful for the opportunity to be a role model for any little girl who might have a song in her heart,” Abigail says. “It’s an absolute honor and privilege to show her that anything — even magic — is possible.”

And according to Emily, the challenge of imposter syndrome actually propels her forward. “I do feel like that little voice of self-doubt pushes me to do the best work I possibly can do…I zoom out and focus on the bigger picture: the little girls watching this movie and realizing they, too, can dream as big as they want.”

How Lin Manuel-Miranda Empowered Barlow And Bear

One friendly face that provided a soft place to land was actually the original movie’s composer, Lin Manuel-Miranda! To no one’s surprise, theIn The Heights and Hamilton writer had some wonderful advice for Barlow and Bear.

“He was such a wonderful resource especially at the inception of the project when we were just setting sail,” Emily jokes. “He urged us to lean into our heroes for inspiration!”

“He gave me a stack of books I needed to buy,” Abigail adds. “Finishing the Hat by Stephen Sondheim, LYRICS by Oscar Hammerstein, Lyrics on Several Occasions by Ira Gershwin to name a few. He empowered me to study the craft of musical theatre storytelling in a way I never had before.”

And thanks to Barlow and Bear, a whole new generation of young women will dream about musical theatre storytelling now too!

Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Dark Spot Serum

If dark spots and uneven skin tone have crept into your skin over the years, this serum tackles it all. It's formulated with a vitamin C alternative called viniferine that's 62 times more effective than vitamin C. Plus, it delivers a lot of moisture using olive squalene.

Promising review: "I have used this product before and I love it. It's a little costly, but it works great in eliminating dark spots, if you use it every day. I'm not a person that's big on smells, but this product has a nice light scent. It works great under makeup. I'm on my third bottle and highly recommend it."

Dieux Deliverance Antioxidant & Niacinamide Serum

Dieux's Deliverance serum packs a punch against discoloration using antioxidants, peptides, and 4% niacinamide. It goes on super lightweight and soaks in even faster, which is ideal for layering under other skincare goodies like moisturizer and SPF.

Promising review: "Loving this serum so much! It has a very lightweight and milky texture, that melts into the skin effortlessly. I’ve been using the serum for a few weeks and I can notice my fine lines look smoother and my skin overall looks firmer and more even toned! It also doesn’t clog the pores which I love! It has been my go to nighttime serum, the results are just so good!"

Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum

This youth-boosting serum is loaded with a fast-acting retinoid, a time-release retinol, and a retinol booster to really target fine lines. Not only will your skin look (and appear!) firmer, its tone will even out and be more hydrated with consistent use.

Promising review: "I have been using Murad products for several years. Some of their products are a little pricey but they work for me! Retinol I use every other night and it does not break me out or dry my face. I am in my mid 60's! Can tell a difference much smoother and lines not nearly as noticeable!"

Fig.1 Retinol Night Cream Level 1

Fig.1's commitment to clinically proven skincare is evident in this retinol-boosted serum. It's perfect for treating and improving fine lines and wrinkles and dark spots, plus it's helpful for clearing up acne-prone skin. The 0.15% encapsulated retinol is designed to release slowly, so you can apply it regularly without feeling irritated.

Promising review: "I have sensitive, dry and cystic-acne prone skin. It sounds like exaggerating to say that this product was the most impactful in calming my cystic acne, but this is the only product that resulted in a 80-85% reduction in cystic acne. I started using it once per week for about a month, then every other day for a month, then 5-6 days a week with one or two rest days with only minimal dryness (i increased moisturizing barriers underneath every other day and this quickly resolved). I have also seen overall improved skin texture and fading of acne scarring. Definitely recommend!"

L'Oreal Paris Revitalift 0.3% Pure Retinol Night Serum

This nighttime serum includes 0.3% pure retinol, the "optimal concentration" for results. It calms the skin, too, using hyaluronic acid and glycerin to hydrate. SPF is a must with any retinol product, so make sure to slather it on! This product in particular also comes with a small sample size so you can patch-test it for any irritation before applying it.

Promising review: "I have been trialing for a year now the best quality skin items for wrinkles, fine line and skin care. This is an absolute must! It helps decrease fine lines and dry skin. I have spent hundreds of dollars reviewing and buying skin care products over the year to find the right items for a daily skin care routine!"

Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C Serum

Vitamin C is a powerhouse in combatting dullness and dark spots, and this serum is simply loaded with it. The formula is light and thin, so you only need to use a little bit at a time to cover your entire face. It also boasts hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to simultaneously smooth and hydrate the skin!

Promising review: "I love this product! I have used other Vit C serums and this one spreads more easily and does not irritate my face. I like the applicator because not too much comes out at one time so you don't waste any of it. I put about 4 drops in my hands and spread it out on my face. The only thing to be careful about is not to get it close to your eyes because it will burn. Otherwise, it has lightened and evened out my 67 year old skin. Will buy again."

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Serum

Hyaluronic acid should be your go-to if dryness is your main skincare concern. This formula is created with several different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid to deeply penetrate the skin as well as leave a nice, dewy layer on top of it. Use it in conjunction with a good moisturizer, and you'll notice that your skin will be loads more hydrated!

Promising review: "Just purchased another 2 pack of the serum. I have been on a mission to find the best affordable skincare for many years, and so far this is the first hyaluronic serum I've been overjoyed with and purchased again. It does not take a whole lot to get a good coverage and my face ends up feeling soft and smooth all day after applying. Other ones I've tried would not moisturize that well for that long and I felt like I had to use a lot of product to get anywhere near the results I wanted."

Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum

This gentle exfoliating serum includes both AHAs and BHAs, which help improve the look of pores, blemishes, and fine lines. With aging skin, it's important to opt for chemical exfoliants like this rather than skin-damaging methods of physical exfoliation which can further perpetuate uneven tone and texture and fine lines.

Promising review: "This serum is a staple in my routine. It brightens my skin tone and smooths out any texture issues I might have. It's never irritating. It goes on a bit sticky if applied alone, but give it a minute to sink in and dry and the sticky texture goes away. Great staple acid serum."

Pacifica Vegan Collagen Complex Face Serum with Hyaluronic Acid

Since we produce less natural collagen as we age, it can be uber-important to supplement the skin with it in order to boost its overall hydration and retention capabilities. This 100% vegan formula also packs in hyaluronic acid, floral extracts, and Japanese camellia oil to further hydrate and soothe your complexion.

Promising review: "I've been using this serum for a while now and iI can really tell a difference when I sit using it for a bit. I try to stay on top of ordering it so I don't run out! It's so lightweight and absorbs well. I love how firm and even toned my skin looks because of it. I get compliments on my complexion and I know it's because of this serum."

Mutha Hyaluronic Serum

This "skin barrier-loving" serum may be notably lightweight and oil-free, but it delivers intense results in terms of hydration. It includes 4 different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid to ensure your skin is hydrated, inside and out. It also features anti-inflammatory aloe vera and botanical extracts and ferments that protect the skin's natural barrier.

Promising review: "I am in my mid-40s and want to do what I can to prevent the signs of aging, so I've been looking for a good Hyaluronic serum. This one by Mutha is exactly what I needed! It is gentle and soothing, absorbs easily with no greasiness, is unscented and not at all irritating to my skin. It works well under makeup and with the rest of my skincare routine. A little goes a long way so one bottle will last a long time. I just wish I had this sooner!"