Halle Berry has been the face of Revlon’s ColorStay line since 1996—which is difficult to believe, given that she doesn’t look a day over 30! In NYC to discuss the collection’s latest addition, ColorStay Whipped Crème Makeup (available next month), Berry’s complexion was virtually line-free. Here, we get the scoop from her on which beauty products she swears by—and how in the heck she maintains such an ageless appearance.
What’s your favorite Revlon formulation?
ColorStay is something that’s been tried and true—it’s a favorite of Revlon’s and it’s a favorite of mine. Even when I don’t feel like wearing makeup having a good base is important to me. The ColorStay foundations are great and they help my skin look natural and even.
In addition to ColorStay, what’s your secret to glowing skin?
I swear by this woman named Olga Northrup at the Kinara Spa in L.A. She knows her stuff. I’ve sent many people to her over the years—they’ll say, ‘Halle, I’ve got a bad problem and I don’t know what to do about this,’ and she’s just like Wonder Woman. She fixes it up and knows what to do for different skin types—she’s amazing. I use her whole line of products, from cleanser and moisturizer to eye cream. She’s also got this Red Carpet Facial Kit, which gives your skin a boost before going out to an event or having a special evening. It’s a light peel so you can just do it at home. Besides facials and a good skin care routine, I just try to take care of myself, eat well, and exercise. I really do believe that how you live shows up on your face.
You’re known for your pixie cut. What inspired you to grow your hair out?
Well, I’m probably not going to grow it out; these are extensions. I love short hair—that’s me, that’s who I am. I just feel confident and feel like my best self when I have short hair. But it’s fun to change sometimes. I get a little bored and, as a woman, I want to change my shoes, my outfit, and my hair. And thanks to extensions, it’s easy to do. The trick is that you have to get hair that looks like it’s actually growing out of your head—it has to be the same texture as your natural hair. My hair is naturally curly like this, so you’re not able to see where the extensions begin. My hairstylist, Sheila Stotts, did a great job.
What’s up next for you?
I’m going to start shooting a movie next month called The Hive, with Abigail Breslin. It’s actually part of the reason why I got this hairstyle. I play a 9-1-1 operator who has to figure out a way to rescue a girl that’s called in. I’m excited about the challenge. I recently had to call 9-1-1 for the first time in my life and it made me wonder—who are these people on the other side who are so calm, so together, and who know the exact things to say and how to get all the necessary people to right location? I went to a call center and you’d be amazed at what these people do and how fast they have to think and act. In order to play the role, I wanted to go away from the recognizable ‘me’ and what people associate with being me. It’s getting harder for actors to suspend the reality of who we are because we’re everywhere—the paparazzi shows everyone who we are in our everyday lives. I chose this hairstyle because it’s a bit more organic and less fussy. My character isn’t glamorous—she’s sitting in the shadows, in front of a computer screen, helping people.
As a beauty icon yourself, is there anyone you admire and draw inspiration from?
When I think of beauty icons, I think of women that are successful and strong and, because of those attributes, they are beautiful. I think about people like Tina Turner, who is gorgeous. I also think about Audrey Hepburn—she was beautiful and as she got older, she embraced aging and didn’t do things to disfigure her face and look like somebody else. Beauty is about daring to grow old gracefully, having an inner confidence, and embracing yourself at every stage of your life. That’s what I find beautiful, and I hope I’ll be that way.