When Jennifer Connelly steps through the door of her suite at the Greenwich Hotel on a recent Monday morning in New York, it is practically impossible not to notice her hair. Having sheared off nearly twelve inches earlier this spring for an upcoming film role, she is still getting used to its swingy, choppy, jaw-grazing proportions.
“When I did it, I was fine. About three days later, I woke up and went, ‘What have I done?’ ” she admits, laughing. “Now I really like it.” The actress—whose latest film, Stuck in Love, arrives in theaters this week—isn’t afraid of taking a beauty risk. She plucks her thick, dark statement brows (or doesn’t pluck them, as the case may be) herself; she’s given to the occasional smoldering red lip. There is also the subject of her skin, which, at 42 years old, is enough to inspire a kind of I’ll-have-what-she’s-having reaction in pretty much anyone with a pulse. This is the one area where Connelly, who is the face of Shiseido skin care, is meticulous—sticking to a faithful ritual of cleansing, toning, and moisturizing using the company’s Future Solution LX line. “I like to find what works and then I stick with it,” she says.
Here, Connelly chats with Vogue about the other tricks—and tools—in her beauty arsenal.
The hair is great. Who did it?
It happened about three months ago now. Initially, it was cut by Mandy Lyons for a film [director **Claudia Llosa’**s untitled project, due out next year]. Then Serge Normant, who has cut my hair for years and years, did an incarnation. Renato Campora, who I always work with as a hairstylist for events, did another incarnation. And this last incarnation was done by Garren. Everyone has a slightly different take on it, which is kind of fun.
You have a nice wave to your hair. Is there anything you like to use in it now that you didn’t before?
I really like the Frédéric Fekkai beach spray. I use that and I also like the Bumble and bumble Texture cream that comes in the black tube, especially in the warmer months.
What other beauty products can you not live without?
For my daily routine, the thing I really focus on the most is skin care. I’ve been using Shiseido Future Solution LX line for a while now. I do all the steps—the cleanser, the softener, the serum, and the day cream. Then I do the same thing [in the evening] but with the night cream. It’s a nice ritual at the end of the day.
Favorite facialist?
I don’t go that regularly but I do like Aida Bicaj and Joanna Vargas [in New York City].
What about your makeup?
I keep my makeup pretty simple on a daily basis. I use Clé de Peau mascara and I also really love their concealer. When I go out, I’ll have Shiseido blotting papers, Nars lip pencil, and Nuxe lip balm in my purse—and hopefully my keys and wallet. Not that they always make it into the bag.
Do you take risks with your look before a big event or a premiere?
I’ll do a strong eye or a strong lip—but both together? Not so much. I do think a nice red lip is classic. Shiseido makes one I like called Lacquer Rouge. The color is called Drama.
You have famously great brows. Do you do anything to them?
I try and leave them pretty natural. I do a little bit of minimal brow wrangling myself. I get the strays out of the way. The only time I really shaped them was way back when I did A Beautiful Mind. They are pretty straight so it takes a lot of work to get them arched. I think that with anything, you go with what suits you. I recently filmed Noah with Darren Aronofsky. There was no makeup going on there . . . and no brow wrangling!
You are in great shape. Is there something you love to do for exercise?
The things I’ve really loved doing over the years most consistently are running and yoga. I run maybe four days a week. It’s very meditative for me and it gets my blood flowing, even if it’s for ten minutes. It all depends on how much time I have, how early my call time is, and how many times I press snooze in the morning. I’m more moderate now. The person who has been most critical for my fitness routine over the years is a woman named Michelle Rodriguez. She has a place called Manhattan Physio Group. I first met her when I had an injury years ago. She’s a physical therapist who keeps me able to do the things I love, and she’s an absolute genius. She keeps everything in check and in alignment.
Do you have a signature scent?
I don’t have a perfume of my own. For my body moisturizer, I tend to use coconut oil and shea butter from the health food store, so that has enough of a [scent] going on. My husband [actor Paul Bettany] has been wearing Neroli Portofino by Tom Ford, so I borrow that sometimes. And I love the smell of Cire Trudon’s Abd El Kader candle. That’s what I burn at home.
Are you one for manicures?
I work with Gina Eppolito on photo shoots and every once in a while when I’m going through a phase of trying to have nice-looking fingers, I’ll have her come over to the house. Usually my nails are too short for color. Mostly I’m in it for the excellent foot massage if I’m being honest.
Speaking of feet, we love your shoes.
I like these shoes! They’re Tabitha Simmons.
Are there any other recent fashion obsessions?
Lately, it seems like everything I gravitate towards is Saint Laurent.
