As allergy season starts to wreak havoc on our sinuses (excuse us while we sneeze!), we were all too happy to chat with fellow runny-nosed, seasonal sufferer Kate Walsh about relief, spring beauty, and what it's like being primetime's most famous redhead.

Real Beauty: If you're feeling really gross because of allergies or whatnot, are there any quick pick-me-ups you rely on?

Kate Walsh: When I'm suffering from seasonal stuff, I always feel puffy. Other than taking Zyrtec, which makes me feel normal again, I drink a lot of hot water with lemon. I feel fresh, and clean, and it almost seems like it helps the allergies move through me. The lemon kind of energizes me, too.

RB: Are you a pollen or dandruff kind of girl?

KW: I think I was always in denial about allergies, like I didn't want to be that person. I live with my four roommates—two cats and two dogs—so someone's always shedding. I basically have them year-round, but it's worse in springtime since I'm always out hiking and want to enjoy the gorgeous garden at my house. I can't be sure which pollens get me, but the flowers really trigger it.

RB: What are some favorite products in your makeup bag?

KW: I like to keep it simple in terms of makeup. I love a good moisturizing, hydrating lip balm. I take sunscreen with me everywhere, too.

RB: What was the last beauty supply you purchased?

KW: I've been into Unite's 7-Second Conditioner. It's a leave-in spray that helps when it's really, really dry out.

RB: Like every girl we know, we're pretty much obsessed with your hair. How do you keep the color so beautiful and it looking so healthy?

KW: Thank you! It's a team of experts. I get a monthly hair treatment, and I have three different shampoos I use in rotation. A lot of people think they have to wash their hair every day, but I don't to try and keep my color. Across the board, for skin and hair, I want to keep everything super-hydrated.

RB: If your routine changes and you don't get to drink as much water as normal, do you notice it right away?

KW: I can tell a difference immediately in my hair and skin if my water intake is down. A lot of allergy medications can dehydrate you, too, and I notice that right away. On camera, you look about ten years older if you're taking anything that really dries you out. My makeup artist at work can tell right away if I'm dehydrated. One of the good clues is if your lips look really wrinkly. If your lip are dry, it means it's time to drink tons of water.

RB: What's your favorite length to have your hair at?

KW: I love it all lengths. I have it long right now—I love growing it out for summer. Years ago I had it bleached blonde and cut really short, and I loved that, too. As women, we always like to mix it up, but I do find that since it's longer I end up putting it in a ponytail a lot. Unless I have someone styling it, it's easy for me to be lazy.

RB: Is being a redhead part of your self-identity?

KW: You definitely feel sassier as a redhead! I have it keep it red for Private Practice, but for summer I'll probably put some highlights in to brighten it up a bit. I'm in the water a lot so it'll get a little bleached out, too.

RB: When you first started on Grey's Anatomy, was your character [Addison Montgomery] written as a redhead or did you bring that to the role?

KW: I'd been a blonde and had colored my hair red for another show on HBO. When that was done, I kept it. It's something that's always job-dependent, but they loved it so we went with it. It sort of added a thing to Addison's fierceness.

RB: Your color looks so perfect all the time. Do you have any top-secret bronzer tips or tricks?

KW: I don't use any type of self-tanner, but I am out in the sun a little bit. I always use sunscreen, but I'm half-Irish and half-Italian, so my natural color will come out. When I'm at work, they use just a little bit of powder bronzer.

RB: Are there any spring or summer beauty trends that you're scared of?

KW: I was actually just saying how much I love all the bright lipsticks we're seeing for spring! I just think you have to be careful, since so much depends on your coloring. Before you put on a bold color, you should always check with a friend. Take a picture of yourself and text it over to a pal. Sometimes you think it looks great, and it's like, "Oh, that looks a little…".

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