Fresh from promoting her new movie, Sentimental Value, at Cannes Film Festival, we caught up with Elle Fanning.
Here she talks about why Cannes means so much to her, reminisces on the childhood movie that changed her, plus she reveals the beauty heroes she’s been loving both for the red carpet and at home, as a L’Oréal Paris ambassador.
Who is your beauty icon and why?
I have a lot, but I always say Grace Kelly as my number one, because, oh my gosh, if I scroll on my phone, any photo of her, I will stop and look at it and gawk.
When do you feel most beautiful?
When I feel really full and creatively happy, and when I’m hanging out, laughing with friends and family — the people I love. That’s when I feel I can truly be free and I don't feel like I'm being confined at all.
What is your ultimate pinch-me moment from your career?
Being a jury member at Cannes in 2019. That whole experience of getting to be in the room with those filmmakers and discussing and debating - it made me feel like they cared about my opinion.
I was quite young at the time, but they allowed me to be the ‘the voice of the youth’ in the room, and I was very respected. Looking back, I think it gave me a lot of confidence.
What changes would you like to see in terms of how women are represented both on screen and within the wider industry?
I think while there’s been so much progress, you need to be open to having honest conversations about representation. Sometimes, being shot by a male director, the male gaze means they don't quite understand women’s struggles, or they’re shooting in a way that isn’t quite complex enough, or is playing into cliches. I think that it's so important for young girls to watch things that they can relate to.
I remember seeing Virgin Suicides directed by Sofia Coppola when I was 13-years-old, and it inspired me so much. It helped me get through my adolescence. The next generation of women need to be empowered and feel they can see themselves being represented so they know that they can do anything.
What are the five beauty or wellness items in your beauty cabinet at home that you couldn’t live without?
From L’Oreal, it’s got to be the Volume Million Lashes Panorama Mascara (£10.39, lookfantastic.com). I desperately need it to lift my lashes. Plus, the Elvive Hydra Hyaluronic conditioner and shampoo are in my shower right now.
I also love the Revitalift Filler 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum (£31.99, boots.com), and a sheet mask to depuff. Gosh, I needed that at Cannes in the mornings! I like to run ice over the top of it.
Is there a single beauty trend or trick people do that you love?
I love having faux freckles applied. I have them on right now. Because I've been in the sun a little bit, my natural freckles are out and it really enhances them.
Are you a ‘scent person’, what memories or feelings does it evoke?
I am quite sensory — some smells take me all the way back to having sleepovers at my best friend's childhood home. Right now I’m wearing the Rabanne Fame fragrance (£85.32, boots.com).
What do you do, or where do you go when you need to find headspace?
The bathtub! I think that's where I do my best thinking. I take a bath every night. It's very important for me to decompress, daydream and just relax.
Where will we see you on-screen next?
I have a lot of projects I’m working on at the moment! I have a film called Sentimental Value that was in competition at Cannes this year, which will be coming out soon. Also, one called Badlands, which is a part of the Predator franchise that I'm very excited about . It comes out in November of this year, and it's different for me because it's a big action role.
And I'm also working on a TV show that I'm producing with my sister Dakota, called Margo's Got Money Troubles for Apple TV.
