Julianna Margulies: The Good Wife's Good Life (And Beauty Tips!)

Carrie Bradshaw would be appalled.

It took another woman to slap her Mr. Big across the kisser.

Julianna Margulies got that chance on her series "The Good Wife" where she plays the wife of a disgraced politico.

She got to lose it during season one. 

"I did have to whack him and I had to do it hard because there was no other way to do it," says Margulies. "Chris Noth was pretty great about it. He said, 'Oh please. I've been hit so many times on screen.'"

She got several chances to clock him — which was a tad bit upsetting.

"The first time, I didn't hit him hard enough and the second time was good, but the camera angle was off. The third time was perfect," she says with a laugh before adding, "I felt horrible because I left a red welt, but the good news was the welt meant we couldn't shoot again."

It's all in a day's work because Margulies stars on one of the biggest hits on CBS, which is burning up the ratings again.

Margulies knew that would be delicious fodder for a TV series.

"I just loved how complicated Alicia is a woman," she says. "This is someone who thought her life was going one way for many, many years. She trusted that life and felt secure in that world. Then everything around her began to crumble and she had to rebuild."

Margulies loved the role from the start.

"As an actor, I knew that this woman allowed me so many places to go. I could peel her like an onion for years to come because her reactions wouldn't be predictable," she says.

HER BEAUTY SECRETS

Margulies is a natural beauty who keeps her routine simple.

She models for L'Oreal and Margulies uses their products for a professional polish. She uses L'Oreal Paris Studio Secrets Professional Magic Smooth Souffle for a flawless finish with a matte effect. She also uses the line's Studio Secrets Professional The One Sweep Sculpting Blush in poppy.  She finishes the deal with their Voluminous Million Lashes mascara in carbon black. Margulies also favors their Infallible Le Rouge in Opulent Organza as a lip color.

For skin care, she uses L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Clinical Repair 10 Laser Corrector Day Treatment.

She favors Bobbi Brown's Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black.

Her glorious mane gets the benefits of Oscar Blandi shampoos. "One of my favorite tips is to drink hot water and lemon instead of anything else when I get up. It's good for your entire system," she says. "It's one way to remind yourself to drink a lot of water during the day. You start out with the water, which is the best reminder."

HER LIFE

In real life, Margules is married to attorney Keith Lieberthal.

"I do know a little bit about the legal jargon. I'm married to a lawyer and that really helps me with the dialogue," she says.

The native of Spring Valley, New York is the youngest of three daughters. Her mother was a dancer in the American Ballet and her father a famed advertising writer. The family moved around the globe with stints in Paris and England before settling in New Hampshire.

Margulies majored in art history and earned a B.A. degree in liberal arts from Sarah Lawrence College. As a lark, she also auditioned for college plays and was immediately cast.

Margulies decided to change her focus to acting and made her screen debut in 1991 in "Out for Justice."

In 1994, she became a regular on "ER" where she played Nurse Carol Hathaway.

Her life is also consumed with their young son Kieran.     

"I took a little time after I had my baby. What's different now is that I am a mom and a wife, which means I need to stay in one place, so TV is perfect," she says. "I love working and I've found the richest characters I can find are on TV for where I am in my career and my life."

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