"Beauty equals enhancing what you already have and instilling confidence in yourself. That's the best thing you can do to feel beautiful," proclaims Allee-Sutton Hethcoat, a 28-year-old former Miss Tennessee and Miss USA/current actress, model and lawyer who was born and raised in Franklin.
"It's also important to take care of your spirit and overall mental health. When your mind is in order, everything else falls into place," she adds.
Allee-Sutton Hethcoat: Pulling from Life Experiences
Allee-Sutton learned many life lessons about discipline, endurance and the value of self-care through her pageant experiences--all of which she continues to apply to her law and acting careers. She strongly believes in the value of education.
She graduated from Belmont University as a member of Alpha Chi honor society, which limits membership to the top 10 percent of an institution's junior, senior and graduate students. She majored in mass communications while doing on-camera hosting work. She went on to finish National School of Law, a part-time executive program, graduating in 2017.
Allee-Sutton's Career in Film and TV
It's imperative to note that on Oct. 8, 2016, Allee-Sutton also was crowned Miss Tennessee. She then competed for Miss USA 2017, which means during her last year of law school, she was preparing for Miss USA and still doing on-camera work, too, to fund her college tuition. She took the bar exam in February 2018 after studying 12 hours a day, then had to wait "an excruciating long time" until April that year to find out that she did pass. She's since worked part-time with a law practice that does business litigation.
Additionally, she had a leading acting role in the film Remember the Goal (2016). She is starring in the the follow up film The Perfect Race - now in theathers. Directed by Dave Christiano at Five and Two Pictures. She is also a CBS All Access - Tell Me A Story TV show. She also stars in a YouTube channel called Alleeyways - and gives weekly beauty tips. Allee has a passion for giving back and is a board member of the Kindness for Kids Foundation.
Allee’s hobbies include reading, baking, working out, gardening, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family.
Brentwood Lifestyle recently joined Allee-Sutton during one of her hectic days to gather beauty tips and health advice to usher in the new decade of 2020.
Brentwood's Interview with Allee-Sutton
Our January edition is devoted to health and beauty as the overall theme. Given your period of competing in pageants, what health tips did you learn while keeping that type of "super-charged schedule but very public" personal look?
"I learned you always have to make time to take care of yourself, your own wellness and fitness. If I'm not making sure I'm eating right, taking vitamins and working out, I can't help anybody else. It's never impossible to reach a fitness goal; you just have to sacrifice a tiny bit of your time to doing it."
What exercise options have you found work best?
She says she has an incredible personal trainer: Josh Rogers at Results Fitness in Nashville. "He developed a routine for me that we call The Hotel Room Workout. It's a 30-minute, no-equipment-needed routine I can do while traveling and I can adapt it. Everywhere I go, I take a resistance band for times I'm too exhausted to go to the gym."
"You have to be kind to yourself, too. Everybody's bodies and goals are different. You can't make big changes overnight. It's a marathon, not a sprint."
She loves the current meditation apps. "It doesn't take much time to make me happier, more productive and healthier from apps, such as Calm or Headspace."
She also leverages YouTube workout series, especially those from Cassey Ho. "It's easier than ever now to get access to information about health, great styling, wellness and beauty."
Allee-Sutton also hosts her own YouTube show called "Alleeways Official," through which she shares tips about confidence, makeup, fitness and traveling in "approachable, affordable, easily obtainable ways."
Why is important for women to establishment skin care routines?
"Skin is one of the largest organs of your body. It's the first thing people see about anyone else. Taking care of your skin can be totally transformative. When your skin feels good, think about how great you feel."
She says she's begun Botox treatment for wrinkles that make her feel self-conscious. "It's about preserving the integrity and youth of your skin."
"Skincare is all the rage and should be taken care of daily. I always wash with Cetaphil. And I can't go without Metrocream and Aczone prescriptions. My great grandmother had a morning and evening skin care routine since she was 18 years old, and her skin looked incredible. It was that special part of the day where she dedicated 2 minutes to doing something for herself. Taking care of your skin is a wonderful act of kindness to yourself."
What health and beauty products do you carry with you at all times?
"I love Kevin Murphy's Blonde Angel and Doo Over products. For makeup, I still use The Perfect Face products--they never make me break out and give me a flawless foundation/concealer/contour. Zenagen can help stimulate hair growth.
Any last pieces of advice?
"Do your best and work hard at your well-being goals. Research mindfulness and take mental breaks when your brain gets tired. Meditate. Wear your sunscreen and have a dermatologist check your skin regularly. Consult with medical professionals regarding preventive health care. Most importantly, reinforce your self-confidence."
