Style Profile: Julianne Moore

Julianne Moore is a natural beauty, and yes, even though she may have been blessed with good genes, it is her self-effacing and down to earth attitude that no doubt add to her beauty.  That and her steadfast rule of sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen! 

 How many 47 year-old's do you know have graced the cover of Paris Vogue?

 
Even though Julianne works in a business that is fraught with expectations of goddess looks, unattainable physical perfectionism and a never-say-your-true-age mantra, Julianne is refreshingly à là naturàl.  Most of the time you will see papp shots of Julianne wearing jeans, jackets and Converse sneakers.  “I always say this... but it’s because it’s true: I live a very, very pedestrian life.” - Julianne Moore.

 

Julianne out and about in her Brooklyn neigbourhood, walking her pooch. 

 Julianne in casual mode (she had a brief stint as a blonde for her role in Blindness in 2007.)

You could be forgiven for thinking that her aversion to dressing up is a ruse when you see her in this month's British Vogue.  But she truly prefers an unfussy life (a woman after my own heart).

 Julianne on the cover and featured in British Vogue July 2009.
 

Julianne says that she didn’t get into the movie business for the glamour; “All I wanted was to be a regional-theater actor, to be in a company.  I thought it would be a great life. I don’t think I understood how difficult it would be.” 

Julianne cut her teeth in the soap As the World Turns, won a Daytime Emmy, and then after Hollywood came calling which led to her breakout role in Robert Altman's Short Cuts (1993).  Some of her more notable roles are: Boogie Nights (1997), The End of the Affair (1999), Far From Heaven (2002), The Hours (2002), Children of Men (2006) Savage Grace (2007).  In this time she has garnered 3 Academy Award Nominations for Best Actress.

Julianne is happily married to filmmaker Bart Freundlich, whom she met on the set of The Myth of Fingerprints (1997), which Freundlich wrote and directed.  She is also mother to Caleb, 12 and Liv, 8.  “We have a very solid family life... we’re really lucky because of what we do; our lives are so flexible.” - Julianne Moore.

 Julianne with her family.

When it comes to style, Julianne prefers elegant, tailored clothes, mostly monochromatic colours but occasionally she dazzles us with a perfectly chosen colour.  She does however have the help of designers like Stefano Pilati, Creative Director at Yves Saint Laurent since 2004.   Which I am sure makes the ordeal just a tad easier for her.

Some of Julianne's eclectic mix of red carpet looks.  I would never have thought that a redhead could wear hot pink, but she pulls it off beautifully. 

 "Julianne is the essential modern woman,” says Pilati. “She possesses a kind of beauty that is hard to find: effortless, elegant. She is as passionately accomplished a mother and wife as she is an actress — balanced, with her feet on the ground. And she is a true and loyal friend.”- Stefano Pilati.


Other favourite labels of Julianne's are Martin Margiela, Comme des Garçons, Lanvin, and Calvin Klein.  “Julianne knows what complements her gorgeous coloring and body and always looks polished, minimal, and stylish.”  - Calvin Klein creative director Francisco Costa.

Julianne prefers to simplicity and shades rather than bold colour, and even though we have seen her in some very bright colours, she feels as a redhead that it is hard to get it right.  “I’m a very basic dresser.  I’m not interested in calling too much attention to myself.  I like to look cool without being too noticeable... it’s a tricky line.”  - Julianne Moore.

Even though she may appear confident and at home on the red carpet, Julianne doesn’t love it.
“I always feel stiff! And it’s become such a big deal.  I’m telling you, people did not used to care so much.  People did not stand with their hand on their hip.  I have never gotten used to it.” 

 In Christian Lacroix at Cannes 2008 and in Yves Sain Laurent at the Academy Awards 2003.

As for Julianne's exercise regime?  Well she works out regularly but not fanatically — a few days of running, a few yoga classes a week — and skips makeup. “I think that less is better, especially as you get older,” she says. “Too much makeup on an older woman can really make you look like a freak.” 

Somewhere between the acting and raising of kids, Julianne wrote a children’s book called Freckleface Strawberry, which is about coping with teasing and finding self-acceptance.

So what does this Celtic beauty have in her make up bag?

1. YSL Besace Flap Bag in Sky Anthracite.

2. Kiehl's Original Musk.

3. Chelsea Piers bottle: "We all drink good NYC tap water at my house and carry it around in these bottles."

4. Tarte Cheek Stain in Blushing Bride.

5. YSL Luxurious Mascara in Rich Brown: "I wear mascara when I'm feeling depressed."

6. Kérastase Nutritive Masquintense: "My hair is coarse, and if I don't have a blowout, I'll pull it into a tight ponytail so it dries straight at the crown."

7. Burt's Bees Milk & Honey Body Lotion and Replenishing Lip Balm: "Our whole family loves these. With the tinted balm, my daughter thinks she's putting on lipstick."

8. By Terry Laque de Rose lip glosses: "The pink and lavender shades are closest to my natural lip color."

9. Olay Complete Defense Daily UV Moisturizer: "Along with walking on the shady side of the street whenever possible, I've been using sunscreen every day since I was 25."

Julianne on herself: "When I go to a movie premiere and have to be very dressed up, it feels like there's a disconnect between who I am and who I am dressed up.  That doesn't feel authentic to me, because I'm not that way.  I'm not particularly glamorous.  I love sweaters and jeans more than a fancy gown.  I don't feel real."

Don't ever change Julianne Moore - we love you, just as you are.

Ciao for now,
Hx
 



Sources: Harper's Bazaar, British Vogue, US Vogue, Style.com, Marie Claire and other various Google.com sources.