Soon to star in the latest 007 film Spectre, HELLO! beauty editor Nadine Baggott gave Lea Seydoux a licence to spill… and she happily revealed all about her style secrets, fragrance favourites and glamorous go-tos.
Intelligent, well read and with an understated sense of style, Lea Seydoux has that certain je ne sais quoi that has propelled her from French arthouse cinema to Hollywood blockbusters – with a high-profile fragrance campaign along the way. As the face of Prada Candy she's all sweet smiles and flirty glances, but she'll soon be unleashing her inner femme fatale when she stars with Daniel Craig in her new Bond Film Spectre. We sat down with Lea to talk about being hot property…
Lea Seydoux is the Bond girl in Spectre
Congratulations on being cast as the new Bond girl – you must be thrilled. What can you tell us about the role?
"Yes, I feel very honoured. The only thing I can say is that the Bond girl I play, Madeleine Swann, is very different from the previous ones. That's why I've been chosen."
Everyone has a favourite Bond girl. Who's yours?
"Eva Green [who played Vesper Lynd in Casino Royale]."
You're the face of Prada Candy; what do you think of the perfume range and the new limited-edition travel-sized collection?
"I deeply love all Candy fragrances – there's something very joyful about them and they have a strong personality, as I do. In general, I look for deep perfumes with a strong personality and a lot of originality as well."
The adverts for Candy Kiss are quite cinematic. What was the idea behind them?
"Each Candy campaign tells a different but evolutive story. The first, Prada Candy, is based on a dramatic dance sequence in which Candy wants to control her own life. In the Prada Candy L'Eau campaign, Candy is the object of desire for two male characters and she doesn't want to choose between them because they're so complementary – neither Gene nor Julius would be enough to make her happy. And the Prada Candy Florale TV spot is about a moment of lightness and bliss that exudes a real sense of femininity."
Do you remember your first ever fragrance?
"Sleeping Beauty. I will always remember that scent."
The actress revealed her beauty and skincare secrets
Do your favourite scents bring back special memories?
"Ever since I was young, I've always had lots of memories linked to perfumes. My mother has always worn Trésor by Lancôme. A lot of women wear it, but for me it is strongly linked to my mother."
You're becoming a regular on the best-dressed lists. Are you comfortable on the red carpet?
"Yes. I like it because it allows me to change style every time. What I prefer on the red carpet is glamour."
Who is your favourite designer for big events?
"Prada, of course, for its modern, inventive and fanciful nature."
If you had to choose between a red lip and a smoky eye, which would it be?
"Definitely a red lip, as it's much more glamorous and feminine. I avoid eye shadow as I think it makes my eyes look small."
When it comes to your beauty routine, are you high or low maintenance?
"During the day, I try not to put make-up on, to let my skin breathe. When acting in a role, I have to wear a lot of make-up, so when I'm not working, I need to let my face breathe and be very comfortable. But when I go out, I love to use a BB cream and a lip pencil by Nars."
Lea opened up about her beauty essentials
Do you have any other beauty essentials?
"I can't spend a day without Eight Hour Cream by Elizabeth Arden, By Terry Baume De Rose lip balm and Sisley Black Rose Cream Mask."
Who is your beauty icon?
"Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. I really like 1990s beauty inspiration."
Do you follow any beauty rules?
"I always remove my make-up before bed. And I take a cold shower after a bath – it's really stimulating and it seems cold showers may even make you live longer."
What's the best bit of beauty advice you've ever been given, and by whom?
"'Pretend to be who you are,' by my father."
Is staying in shape hard work for you?
"I like sports. My role in Spectre is quite physical, which means I have to be in shape. I have a coach with whom I exercise for 45 minutes three times a week."
Lea and co-stars Daniel Craig and Monica Bellucci at the Spectre premiere
You change your hair colour a lot and even went red for the film Saint Laurent. How do you keep it in such great condition?
"I love Opalis hair conditioners. And Christophe Robin looks after my hair in Paris – he's amazing."
Have you ever secretly wanted to try a radical new cut?
"I've wanted to try very short hair – maybe even shaved."
What's next for you after Spectre finishing filming?
"I have some exciting movie projects coming up, but I'm focusing on James Bond for the moment."
Who would you love to work with and why?
"Definitely Meryl Streep. She's an iconic actor."
What's your favourite book?
"L'Etranger by Albert Camus."
Do you use social media to connect with your fans?
"I'm not sufficiently comfortable with social media tools yet, I'm a beginner, but I really would like to learn more, so I can interact more with my fans."
How do you relax at the end of a busy day?
"Going to the cinema and walking the streets of Paris."
Lea Loves:La Roche-Posay Nutritic Intense Riche, £16.50, from BootsSisley Black Rose Cream Mask, £95.50, from LibertyNars Satin Lip Pencil in Golshan, £19, from Space NKBy Terry Baume De Rose, £39, from Space NKPrada Candy Kisses, £26.50 each – a triptych of scents for summer, featuring the original Candy, Candy l'Eau and Candy Florale in limited edition 20ml travel size bottles, available from 20 AprilElizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant, £26, from Boots