Exclusive: Anne Hathaway on What Perfection Means to Her
To Anne Hathaway, radiance goes beyond age. Here, she shares more about her partnership with Shiseido and its Vital Perfection range
When she’s not busy at events, on set or at premieres promoting her latest project – She Came To Me, which has since secured an interim SAG-AFTRA agreement, Anne Hathaway spends her time prioritising her skin. And it shows. The actress, who is fast approaching her 41st birthday this November, barely looks a day over 30 thanks to her good genes, lifestyle choices and consistent beauty routine.
“I have really sensitive skin, so I have to make choices daily to keep it from getting stressed out and reactive,” says Hathaway when asked about her approach to skincare. “I have learned to be gentler to myself, especially in the last few years and I find it helping with all that. I have found that I enjoy being consistent and caring toward myself and my skin rather than veering from emergency to emergency.”
Because of this, it’s not really surprising that beauty conglomerate Shiseido chose Hathaway to become the face of its Vital Perfection skincare range, in which the actress was part of the process every step of the way. The main idea behind the line? Radiance going beyond age.
Below, Hathaway walks us through the creative process behind Vital Perfection, shares what perfection means to her and gives us an insight into her personal skincare regime.
Congrats on becoming Shiseido’s global brand ambassador! What was your experience like working with a brand of such a long-standing history?
Thank you! Shiseido has an extensively rich history of 150 years in research and craft, and I am excited to be working alongside a brand with such a rich heritage. I have to say the longer I know them, the more my esteem grows. I am so thrilled to have been chosen to represent Shiseido.
How do your values or beliefs align with that of the brand?
I think it is amazing how Shiseido has existed as long as it has and is still on the cutting edge of scientific skincare research. It is a brand with such a rich and innovative history and heritage. Shiseido’s continuous strive to discover and create new innovations and solutions in beauty mirrors how I approach my own work and greatly inspires me.
You were involved in Vital Perfection’s creative process from the beginning. What was the experience like?
It was very difficult to sum up a person and a product in a sixty-second story and our first attempts were understandably not a perfect fit, which is okay. With this amazing opportunity to reach a global audience, we kept developing our respect and understanding for one another in the process.
On a Zoom call, the light from a chandelier that my husband and I had purchased ten years ago was behind me on the screen. As the creative team and I spoke on the call, I noticed that the light would shoot out from behind it each time I moved my head. To be honest, I probably just needed to clean the camera on my computer; we've all been there. But it produced such a lovely effect that I was inspired.
We had been on this call for close to two hours at that point when I asked if anyone else noticed what was happening. To my surprise, everyone said – in a very genuinely engaged way – that they could see what I was seeing. And I started playing with the light, to show them what that might look like, and I asked them if playing with light, shadow and the prismatic reflection of light was something that interested them, as it did me.
An authentic excitement began to fill the Zoom and ideas started pouring out of everyone. Suddenly, on this international call to discuss a Japanese product for a film that would star an American actress, we found ourselves collectively inspired and connected by something genuinely universal: Radiance.
We realised we had our idea. Radiance goes beyond age. It's a current that runs through all our individual lives. It's something that uplifts and illuminates. Radiance is something that is welcome and whose appearance is a gift. It's exactly what Vital Perfection is designed to do. So then, one day in late January of this year, we had one of the most magical days on set I've ever had as the idea of reflecting radiance was realised.
It was a well-proportioned room, with light, shadow and texture elements like water and air, to play in. There were some feathers which were great and lots of glass with a sublime and superbly talented crew steeped in their craft, which made it all possible. It was a vibe and I am really proud of the film.
It took time, care, patience, persistence, light, shadow, love, and most crucially, play. It was not perfect at first, but we found the perfect film for us over time. Even though it was for an ad campaign, it meant so much more for me. It was this wonderful creative process and I'm so proud and grateful to have been a part of something that I feel is so beautiful. We were able to unleash our potential together.
What is your favourite product from the range?
The Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Cream has become a staple in my skincare routine. It leaves my skin refreshed and lifted, and I love the fragrance!
What does perfection mean to you when it comes to beauty?
I think perfection, for the longest time, has meant something outside of yourself that you must change yourself to achieve. The thing about it being a skincare is that as long as you put it on, you've made it perfect for you.
Walk us through your beauty routine. What do you tend to prioritise nowadays?
A skincare routine is personal, but I found that a great quality moisturiser is crucial. I love the Vital Perfection Uplifiting and Firming Cream which I use at night. Firstly, it has a rich yet smooth texture and pleasant scent with deep hydration, which is unique to Vital Perfection. The Uplifting and Firming Day Cream has SPF 30 sun protection, which is a must!
In the evening, I use the Vital Perfection Lift Define Radiance Face Mask, which immediately leaves my skin radiant and refreshed. In addition to that, I think the pure retinol in Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Express Eye Mask, and the Intensive Wrinkle Spot Treatment make all the difference. I saw it from the first time I used it and loved waking up with extra rejuvenated, hydrated and glowing skin.
How do you prep your skin for long days on set?
Drinking water and staying hydrated is so important. I believe that my skin looks its best when it’s nourished, which starts from within. Sunscreen is also important. I love spending time outdoors but try to avoid excessive exposure to the sun.
Lastly, what do you do to unwind when you’re off-duty?
Jumping jacks, push-ups, deep breaths, eye masks, a shot of espresso and lots of water.
