If there is one term that Isabella Rossellini would like to erase from the beauty lexicon, it is “anti-aging”. While this may seem like a contrarian attitude for a woman who has been the face of one of the world’s biggest beauty brands for more than 30 years, the 70-year-old Lancôme spokeswoman insists her point of view is completely related to the brand. — And a vital part of her role as ambassador.
“This word ‘anti-aging’ bothers me a lot,” says the actress, model, filmmaker, farmer and author who says she believes it is the “duty” of brands like Lancôme (and spokespersons like her) to stop talking about aging as if it were a curse to be avoided at all costs. “I refuse to talk about being young or trying to look younger. It’s declining and it makes women feel bad. Makeup and skin care should be light-hearted and fun. Not ‘OMG! You look so bad You are swollen! You have wrinkles.’”
Given Rossellini’s busy schedule, it’s no surprise that the multifaceted star, who spends his spare time shearing sheep, raising chickens and working as a beekeeper on his 28-acre Long Island farm, has no time for nonsense. When CNN caught up with the “Blue Velvet” star, she had just returned from Europe, where she was filming the role of Simca Beck, one of Julia Child’s collaborators, on the HBO Max series “Julia.” In addition to filming the 2023 sci-fi drama “Spaceman,” the tireless septuagenarian is about to start performing “Darwin’s Smile,” her one-man show about her animal behavior.
“When I’m not working, I don’t spend hours a day putting on makeup,” says Rossellini, who attributes her “less is more” beauty philosophy to her mother, legendary screen star Ingrid Bergman. “When you have a career, makeup has to be quick. I know what works and I am very loyal to those products.”
Here are some of her favorite beauty and fashion picks.
“I helped launch Trésor in 1990,” says Rossellini. “The aroma is original, warm and sensual, like a hug. I remember they were testing two different scents and the CEO asked me which one I liked and I chose this one. Before its launch, I went to the Russian Tea Room in New York to meet the perfumer, Sophia Grojsman. And she told me, you know, many years ago I saw a movie, ‘Casablanca,’ and that inspired the perfume. She did not know [my mom was Ingrid Bergman]. Isn’t it amazing? It was a perfume inspired by my mom and I responded unconsciously”.
• Related: These are our favorite perfumes for women
“My friend Nazzy is an artist and fashion designer who makes beautiful clothes,” says Rossellini. “There is a story behind every material she uses. When my stepmother died a few years ago, I inherited some beautiful sarees. They were difficult to put on so I sent them to Nazzy and she turned them into these wonderful caftans. And now every time I put them on I think of my stepmother. On another occasion, I sent [a] poncho that I bought in Peru that I never really wore. She embroidered bees all over it and now I love it. After all, I am a beekeeper!”
“I love bright lipsticks,” says Rossellini. “When I work, I spend hours every day in makeup chairs, so when I’m on my farm, I just wear a little concealer and then boom, red! Even on a day when I’m shearing the sheep, maybe I’ll go home and have a drink with someone. So it’s good to always have lipstick in your pocket!”
“Most people assume that Lancôme products are made for women, but this serum transcends genders,” says Rossellini. “Many of my male friends also use it regularly because everything about this product—the scent, the texture, the bottle—is very gender-neutral.”
“This is a very dark shade that was named after me,” says Rossellini. “Can be applied directly from the tube for a strong [dark purple] look or tap for a lighter, more transparent stain. For me, makeup is a toy. It’s not about seducing a man. It’s about expressing yourself.”
“My mother was like me; she didn’t wear a lot of makeup,” says Rossellini. “Just lipstick, some mascara and perfume. She was wearing L’Air du Temps by Nina Ricci. My dad also wore cologne. Her name was Rose Manchester and she is very hard to find nowadays. She used to spray it on her handkerchief. To this day, if I smell any of these scents, she instantly reminds me of my parents.”
“I use the entire Rénergie line: the eye cream, the night cream, the day cream,” Rossellini says. “I use the sunscreen in the morning on my farm because the sun is very strong, especially in summer. It disappears right into my skin.”
“When I’m not working, I use just three products: concealer, red lipstick, and this brow pencil,” says Rossellini. “This medium brown shade matches my natural brow color perfectly and helps define my eye area a bit. It has a comb on the end so you can brush them and keep them in order.”
“I travel a lot, so my skin can get very dry,” Rossellini says. “I love using the hydrogel mask after a long flight. It melts right into my skin, leaving it soft and hydrated after just a few minutes.”
Source: news.google.com