Fran Drescher, who just received a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, says she's starting a "new chapter" in her career after finishing her tenure as president of SAG-AFRTA, the union for actors and media professionals. The Nanny actress, 68, reprised her memorable Spinal Tap role as publicist Bobbi Flekman in the film's recent sequel Spinal Tap II: The End Continues and co-stars in the upcoming Timothee Chalamet film Marty Supreme. But at home, Drescher, a cancer survivor who is partnering with Laura Geller Beauty on a Breast Cancer Awareness make-up kit (in October, half of all proceeds for the eye kit -- "a nice little sampler," she says -- will go to Drescher's Cancer Schmancer advocacy organization), seeks peace and relaxation. For PEOPLE's My Good Evening series, the actress shares how she winds down at night.
I'm a 25-year survivor of uterine cancer. I support my body in fighting disease by keeping my immune system optimal. Being rested, being happy, making the right choices, all of these things help Fran be well.
I don't like to go to bed hungry. I've done that when I was trying to diet. I'd say to myself, "Just go to sleep and in the morning you'll have a nice breakfast, and be happy because your stomach will be flat." But I don't like that. I like a nice dinner and I like ice cream. Alden's is Organic and I love their cold brew coffee flavor or mint chip. I have a very small cone. That's my treat. Early enough so that it doesn't keep me awake. And I'll have a glass of Brunello di Montalcino -- a very special single grape wine that doesn't give me inflammation. But only a glass.
I'm very good about taking off my makeup. A lot of women are lazy about that, or they'll sleep in their makeup. I don't do that. I get complimented constantly for my skin. I think part of that is because I keep it nice and clean. I don't wear mascara that's waterproof. It's too hard to get off. I use the Laura Geller mascara. I believe in her products. I use a round cotton pad and I take off my eye makeup with a half-water, half-oil eye makeup remover. I use Bi-Facil from Lancome, then I rub a face cleansing oil on -- I like Caudalie cleansing face oil. I take a washcloth and wet it down with very warm water. And here's a secret tip: I go in very soft circles on my face, but once it has the cloth makeup on it, I find a clean spot, not rubbing the dirt and makeup in, until the whole face is clean. Then I splash my face many times with cold water.
I'm a stickler about oral hygiene. It's so important for your overall health and well-being, The gums and the mouth are the gateway to disease. I floss with dental tape, but I double it, so I'm putting a double string in each one. Then I use my water pik with a squirt of apple cider vinegar in pristine water. The vinegar contributes to a healthy microbiome. Then I brush. It's just got to be very clean toothpaste. I just started using the Biocidin Toothpaste, which I like very much.
Every night, I brush my little girl [her six-year-old white husky mix] Angel Grace's teeth. We use a big-head toothbrush. She's used to it because I've done it from the beginning. And she's got beautiful teeth and beautiful breath.
I'm a big Uggs girl. I love my slippers. I like that they're lined with lambswool. They just feel comfortable walking on hard floors.
Angel Grace doesn't sleep in my room all night. She moves around. She's a watchdog and likes to hear what's going on at the front door. But she has a big blankie that I travel with, a plushie by Uggs, and that's what she likes to lay on top of. She kind of sucks on it and paws at it.
I sleep in the nude. I like a delicious top sheet and duvet in a down comforter. I have wonderful pajamas, but they're what I like to lounge in. They always come off at some point, I get too warm.
I have a large assortment of robes wherever I am. My favorite is a white linen robe that I get at this safari lodge where I stay in South Africa, Singita Lebombo. Every time I go, I buy four or five because I wear it so much and wash it so much.
I set the timer on my TV and like to watch The Great British Baking Show. I've watched it so many times, there's no surprises. I know who wins. I like listening to British accents, I find that very calming. I keep it the volume on low.
I listen to sleep stories. If the TV timer goes off but I'm still up, I drift back to sleep with a calm story. I use the Calm app almost daily.
I don't have a desire to have someone else in my bed full-time. I don't need that anymore. It's not that I don't like being intimate with a man, but for me, 'You come, you go!' Literally. I don't want to worry I'm disturbing another person. I want to be able to put the TV or the light on whenever I want. It's my time to relax and find my peace.