Aly & AJ on Beauty Rituals That Keep Them Calm on Tour

The High Note

Welcome to The High Note. Here, we interview your favorite musicians about the ins and outs of their beauty and wellness routines, as they perform and record their hits. We’re diving into the iconic makeup looks they wear on stage, the signature scents they spritz while in the studio, how they care for themselves when they’re on the road, and so much more.

Aly and AJ Michalka join our Zoom breathless from a car. Just seconds before, they were signing autographs and posing with fans at a local vinyl shop in Chicago, not leaving until every eager attendee got their moment. It’s that old-school, face-to-face devotion that explains why, two decades later, they’ve remained steady. The sisters have always prioritized the music—and the listeners.

This year marks 20 years since their debut album, and amid that celebration, they’re gearing up for their Silver Deliverer tour in support of the album of the same name, released in May. Even as their music has evolved, so have they—Aly welcomed a baby boy last year, while AJ is in a serious relationship. But one thing that hasn’t wavered? Their bond. “Silver Deliverer definitely feels different than Into the Rush, but there is a through line, and that is our sisterhood. We’ve always been writing songs from the perspective of a duo, and that hasn’t changed, which is really beautiful,” Aly tells me, as AJ adds, “We have a sister handshake that we do before going on stage, and if we don’t do it, everything could fall apart.”

The synergy is easily felt through the phone, the way the siblings finish each other’s thoughts or cheer on each other’s personal wins. AJ couldn’t be more excited about the thought of their upcoming tour being especially different this year, as baby Jack will be joining the siblings, along with Aly’s husband. “We’ll have a new on-tour ritual with Jack!” AJ shares.

Doing life together is so central to who they are, Aly reiterates. “The fact that we’re siblings, we’re able to cut to the chase in a way that maybe you wouldn’t be able to with a band member, someone you’re not related to,” she explains. AJ adds: “We have similar interests, similar tastes. We’re both Aries. We’ve been doing this now so long together, it’s just easier to create together, to be on the same page.”

That harmony spills into the other parts of their lives, too. Recently, the sisters teamed up with Philosophy on a campaign for the brand’s new body mists—a partnership that felt natural given their shared approach to beauty and the way they like to make even the simplest rituals feel intentional. 

Ahead, Aly & AJ share how they’re preparing for their Silver Deliverer tour and the beauty rituals that keep them grounded on and off the road.

On the Evolution of Their Sound

Aly: “The biggest change has been how we approach our business, especially touring. When we started, we were so young—we’d show up, hang out, write a song, and not think twice. Now we’re in the weeds of every aspect of what we do. The music feels stronger, more rooted in who we are, and really, who we’ve always been. Naturally, it’s evolved as we’ve gotten older and experienced more in life. Back when we wrote ‘Potential Breakup Song,’ we weren’t even in relationships—we were writing about things we didn’t really know.”

AJ: “Above all, we got into this business because we love writing and making music, and we’re still doing that. We feel really lucky.”

On Their Pre-Show Rituals

AJ: “We do our typical vocal warm-ups before going on stage and hang with the band. We actually have two handshakes—one with the band and one just for each other, our sister handshake. I call my boyfriend before we go on stage, and Aly’s husband and baby will be on the road with us, too. A great meal in whatever city we’re in is key—something refreshing and light that fuels us before the show. And we always prioritize prayer. I also still text my mom, even at 34, which is hilarious.”

Getty Images / Byrdie

On the Link Between Music and Scent

Aly: “Scent is such a huge thing when it comes to memories—a trip, a special event, even a song you love. AJ and I always have a fragrance we gravitate toward because it brings us good memories and can even inspire music.”

AJ: “When we tried Philosophy’s Pistachio Paradise Hair & Body Perfume Mist [which features notes of pistachio flower, cinnamon milk, and warm vetiver], we instantly loved it. We actually brought it with us to Greece on a sister trip, and it became the perfect pairing for that moment. Now, whenever we smell it, it takes us back to that trip. That’s what’s so cool about scent—it stamps a memory.”

Aly: “It’s become part of our tour routine, too. We’ve even been talking about how amazing it would be to have the scent pumped through one of our venues so fans could share that experience with us and see firsthand how fragrance ties into the performance.”

On Their First Philosophy Memory

AJ: “Hope in a Jar comes to mind. It’s gentle and has this soufflé texture. It got me really excited when I was younger and starting to build a skincare routine.”

Aly: “One of the makeup artists at a show actually introduced it to us as a way to ease us into beauty when we were just starting.”

AJ: “And the Purity Cleanser! That was one of the first cleansers I experimented with.”

Getty Images / Byrdie

On Their Go-To Beauty Habits

Aly: “We love a hydrating face mask because it’s so easy to dry out on the tour bus. I always bring a bottle of pure olive oil to remove makeup. It’s gentle and takes off stage makeup easily. I don’t have as extensive a regimen as AJ; she’s way more detailed.”

AJ: “I’m definitely more of a product girl. I have a four-to-five-step routine morning and night. I’m all about sunscreen. I love Dr. Obagi and ZO Skin Health, and of course, I incorporate my Philosophy mist. I also make sure I’ve packed my hair products, plenty of dry shampoo, and our T3 irons.”

On Doing Their Own Tour Glam

AJ: “We get ourselves ready before every show, so we build our makeup and hair kits before hitting the road. We’re our own glam team. For meet-and-greets, we give ourselves about an hour and a half to get ready and do touch-ups before going out. It’s actually calming. We can chat, run through the set list, and listen to music. It’s a good moment.”

On Beauty Tips and Tricks They’ve Learned From Each Other

AJ: “Aly taught me eyeliner—a little smoky, not too harsh. She really helped me with a cat eye, making sure it had that cool smudge.”

Aly: “AJ is the mascara queen. She has her favorites, and now I’ve tried them all.”

On Growing Up With Their Fans

Aly: “It’s been really neat. We’ve grown up with these fans, so it’s incredible when someone comes up and says, ‘You were my first record 20 years ago, and now I’m bringing my kid to your show.’ It’s such a full-circle moment. We even recognize some of the same faces—it’s wild.”

Getty Images / Byrdie

On What Makes Them Feel Most Confident Today

Aly: “We’re really embracing womanhood and sisterhood. Becoming a mother, balancing everything—none of it is easy. We live in a society where women aren’t always lifted up, so leaning on each other as a support system builds confidence. We’re there for each other in the hard times—mental health, body image, whatever it might be. We even wrote a song about it, ‘What It Feels Like,’ which I think really resonates with fans about entering a new chapter with grace and assurance.”

On Self-Care Practices They Treasure During Downtime

AJ: “Aly is a big bath person—she loves bath bombs.”

Aly: “Yes, I take a lot of baths now, especially with my son.”

AJ: “For me, I love hydrating my hair and reading a good book in my bunk. I’m reading Rachel Cusk right now.”

Aly: “And I’m reading a lot of Dr. Seuss. Iconic, right?”