Earlier this month, Gwyneth Paltrow was announced as the face of Hugo Boss Nuit perfume. In her recent and very speedy trip to Dubai, Style.com Arabia sat down with the Oscar winning actress to talk beauty, detoxes, and inspirational forces.
So, you’ve been in the region for two days now. What’s your impression of the Arab woman?
They’re very beautiful and well turned out. They all have beautiful makeup, shoes and clothes. Everybody seems very well put together.
How does Boss Nuit reflect you as a person and what type of woman do you see wearing the fragrance?
For me, the woman who wears this perfume is a person with a lot of strength. She’s out in the world, working and active but also very soft and feminine. It’s sort of the way I see myself; I have ambition and drive but I’m also a very feminine woman and I have old-fashioned values at the same time. It’s a balance between sexiness, freedom and a strong sense of self.
Were you involved in the development of the perfume at all?
No, I wasn’t involved at all. They were actually still formulating it when they approached me to be the face, so there was nothing to smell or try. They fully explained to me what the concept was – embracing all sides of a woman – and I thought it sounded really nice and I loved the concept in the advertising.
As the face of this very new scent, what kind of smells bring back memories for you?
For me, the most nostalgic smells are kitchen smells, for sure. Onions sautéing is a family smell to me. My mother always wore the same perfume for her whole life – they’ve discontinued it now, but that’s such a strong memory for me, how she smells. Also, the smells of nature: the ocean is very powerful scent for me.
Since you weren’t involved in the making of this perfume, would you consider ever developing your own fragrance with your own touch?
I’m actually so happy with how this one turned out. I don’t feel the need to make another one at the moment. Maybe one day, in a few years.
You said your mother always wore the same perfume. So, do you change yours often?
I do! I’ve always been a woman who has many different fragrances. I’ve always had a wardrobe of fragrances and I try different things. I apply them on my wrists and then I do this (laughing and rubbing her wrists on her neck).
It’s nearly red carpet season. Is there any cleansing program or detox you’re into?
I don’t really do that, especially for red carpet season; I tend to usually do it when it’s warmer. They say it’s better to do detoxes in warmer months. I actually just found one in Los Angeles and I tried all the juices and they were amazing. It’s called Red Carpet Cleanses. It was so good! But, once a year I do the Clean Program, which is something I featured on my website which is a really great detox – it’s 21 days. I do it for health rather than weight.
The fragrance is inspired by the LBD, and you’re a style inspiration for so many. So, who’s your style inspiration?
Stella McCartney is my best friend and she’s a mother of four and she has a big business and she always looks great! She’s kind of my inspiration and my fashion icon.
What do you keep in your makeup bag and what would you not travel without?
You know, I’m really not so great with applying my own makeup because makeup artists have been doing that for me since I was, like, 18 years old. But, for me, mascara and a cream blush are essential and a lip moisturizer like Kiehl’s or Vaseline.
Moving on to charity work, how did it become such a huge part of your life?
Well, being raised by my mother, she was always very involved and very political. She was out working for Obama in Ohio, knocking on doors. So I was raised in an environment of being very aware and giving back. She always had us working in the soup kitchens when we were teenagers in New York, feeding the homeless. So I grew up knowing how lucky I was and most people in the world were not born in those circumstances. I believe that’s really important in terms of feeling part of a community. It’s a very obvious part of being a woman: we nurture and help people in need in whatever way that resonates with you.
Your body is getting better year after year. So, how are you doing it?
Thank you! I’m trying! I exercise five days a week. I do dance aerobics for an hour and then 45 minutes of muscular structure work. So legs, arms and tummy, etc.
So, no fries, sweets…
Oh, I eat fries! It’s because I love food that I do this. I can’t diet! If I tell myself I can’t eat something then I’ll eat three times as much as I should – I really can’t do it. I would rather dance every single day and sweat and be able to have French fries, a baguette and cheese. Otherwise, life is just terrible!
So, if you were to give one piece of beauty advice, what would it be?
To have love. Whether it’s for your partner, your children, your mother. To cultivate love. If you love then it’s very easy to feel beautiful and validated. It’s an internal thing.
Your mother seems to have been a strong influence in your life. What kind of beauty or style advice did she pass down to you?
Absolutely none. She’s the worst dresser on earth! She has no style, no beauty routine at all! But she’s a really good person.
What are the things you value most in life?
My health, my children, my husband and my sanity! Long may it last!
Click on the gallery to see more pictures of Gwyneth’s most stylish moments.
