Amanda Seyfried on Red Lipstick, Cheap Massages, and the Gift She's Getting From Riccardo Tisci This Year
By Catherine Q. O’Neill
Talking to Amanda Seyfried on the phone is a little like catching up with any other girlfriend. She’ll tell you about her birthday dinner at ABC Kitchen a few days prior, the $30 massage she’s headed to that day, and how badly she wants to chop bangs. Then she tells you that she’s getting a custom T-shirt with her dog’s face on it for Christmas—but not from her cousin in Jersey with a screen-printing business. From Riccardo Tisci. Seyfried, the glamorous and very, very real face of Clé de Peau Beauté, gave me a peek into her beauty routine.
What are your three can’t-live-without-‘em products? ”Concealer, mascara, and—oof this is tough—red lipstick. I have seven of that bright red [Clé de Peau Beauté Extra Rich Lipstick in 311] that I keep losing and finding in my pockets and in every tote. If you’re not dressed up, you can dress yourself up in a minute with that.”
What has been your favorite beauty look for a role? ”The wig in Lovelace was so fun because it was a huge permed ‘fro. I recommend anyone who’s having a bad day to go out and buy a wig like that and walk around in it. It will change your perspective for sure.”
Your skin is flawless—has it always been? ”Every month I tended to get pimples in the center of my face. I always needed that concealer stick to cover them up. But since I’ve been using the Clé de Peau skin care, I have such clear skin, it’s amazing. I don’t use foundation. It’s only been in the past four to five years since I’ve been with the brand that I’ve been able to wake up and not cover something up.”
But surely you also get facials and treatments? ”There’s this woman in L.A. that, when I go to her, I walk out with glowing skin. Her name is Shani Darden. She does Jessica Alba, and my friend Monica, who’s friends with Jess, recommended her to me. She’s incredible and works out of her house. I wish she lived in New York.”
Will your routine change for awards season this year? ”Nope. I don’t participate in awards season unless I absolutely have to. As much as I love Hollywood, I think it’s the most stressful thing in the world to be a part of a movie that’s nominated. You gotta get out there and be your most outgoing self and dress up and get your makeup and hair done constantly. I’m luckily, or maybe unluckily, not a part of a film that’s nominated this year, so I won’t have to think about it.”
Do you prefer to emphasize your lips or your eyes? ”My lips. I see a lot of women plumping their lips and I think, Thank God I was born with them, because I’d probably want to do that same. It’s kind of striking.”
Does Justin [Long] prefer the red lip, too? ”I don’t even think he notices. The thing about lipstick is you can’t really kiss anybody. I think about that putting it on: Am I OK with not getting touched for the rest of the day or evening?”
I love that you’re constantly trying new hairstyles. What has been your favorite style? ”I usually don’t have much of an opinion of what I want. Jenny Cho [my hairstylist] just does whatever she wants. She always wants to do something different—she’s an artist. What I like is a blowout. I love when my hair is smooth and I can touch it. For red carpet it’s easier to have it back.”
Do you do any special treatments? ”No. It just keeps getting ashier as I get older. I don’t really wash my hair much. In the long run, it’s better for my hair to not constantly be shampooed. I do use dry shampoo; I can’t live without it—I would have to wash it all the time. My favorite is Kevin Murphy, and I’ve tried them all. The smell blows my mind.”
Is there a hairstyle you’re dying to try? "Yeah, I would love to chop the fuck out of my hair. I want to chop it to my shoulders, and then I want bangs. But I don’t think Clé de Peau would be into anything superdrastic of a change. And I really respect them. What I plan on doing is growing my hair out a little longer. Then [hairstylist] Garren is going to cut it into extensions so I can cut my hair finally. The only thing I can do to preserve my long hair in some way is to use my own. It sucks to not have the freedom. I want it short. Every woman, every man should have the freedom to do something new with their look. It’s another accessory."
What are your favorite fragrance and your favorite smell? ”Givenchy Very Irresistible [Seyfried is also a spokeswoman]. It’s classic and really feminine, which I like. I wear it at night if I’m leaving my apartment. I don’t wear perfume when I’m at home. It needs to be used less often if you want it to maintain that feeling you get when you put it on. And fire is my favorite smell. I’ll light a fire if it’s cold out. That smoky campfire smell reminds me of being in the country. I love it.”
What is the most luxurious thing in your bathroom? ”A bottle of apple cider vinegar for my bath that I’ll take once a week. It doesn’t smell good. You pour the whole bottle in when it’s cold out. When you’re sick, it’s good for taking out whatever bug is going on. That’s the most luxurious. Besides the [Clé de Peau] La Crème.”
What’s at the top of your holiday wish list this year? ”Riccardo is making me a T-shirt with my dog’s face on it. He knows I love Rottweilers, so he’s making one just for me. At one point, they were like, ‘Should we sell these?’ But they’re just making one. I’m excited that’s an actual gift I will be receiving.”
Massage or facial? ”I much prefer a massage. In Los Angeles, I go to the Sunset Foot Spa. It’s 30 bucks for an hour, and it’s amazing. I don’t know anybody I haven’t brought with me who hasn’t become addicted.”
And where is your favorite place in New York? ”ABC Carpet and Home is my favorite place, but I refuse, refuse to spend any more money there. It’s so warm inside. I had my birthday dinner there last week. I also go to Washington Square Park to walk my dogs.”
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photo: Getty Images
