Super natural beauty: Kirsten Dunst talks taking care of her body with HELLO!

03 Sept 2012

Award-winning actress Kirsten Dunst is a low-maintenance movie star – but one who loves to dress up and look her best. HELLO!'s beauty editor Nadine Baggott asked her to reveal the health and beauty secrets that keep her looking leading-lady lovely…

Kirsten, you have great skin. What's your secret? "First, I stay out of the sun. I like how it looks when someone is tanned, but it doesn't work with my skin, it’s too sensitive. And I do like natural products. I use Dr Hauschka and when I was in London I tried Eve Lom, which I really like."

As an advocate of organic living, have you tried many organic beauty ranges? "I think organic and natural is probably best. I love Yon-Ka as it has that mix of natural but it does more. For my hair I love Leonor Greyl, which is the bestsmelling hair product I’ve ever known – I take the de-frizz serum with me whenever I travel."

Do you have a daily beauty routine? "I cleanse my face only at night and use moisturiser both evening and morning. I use Dove Beauty Cream Bar and Eucerin Aquaphor Soothing Skin Balm. I also like Dr Hauschka body oils."

Which products are always in your make-up bag? "Shu Uemura brown mascara – it’s a beautiful reddy-brown that is so pretty on blue eyes – and I love Stila cheek compacts, Clean & Clear skin blotting papers, and a high-quality Shu Uemura base. Serge Lutens makes the most luxurious lipstick; I bought myself this really pretty hot-pink one. It’s the nicest lipstick, so creamy and good."

Who is your beauty icon? "Charlotte Rampling."

Who has taught you the most about beauty? "My mom. She is part owner of a beauty salon, Belle Visage, in San Fernando Valley. I get family discount rates for all my girlfriends and we have facials every two months or so."

Are you high or low maintenance? "Low maintenance, definitely. Although I do think it’s important when you go to any event and you are representing something that you look put together – it's a matter of manners and respect." What makes you feel glamorous? "When I’m taking care of my body and I can wear anything and it fits well."

Is there anything you would change about your looks? "If you’d asked me that about five years ago, I would have had a list of answers, but now I'm comfortable with what I have and I know that if I work out and stay healthy, I feel my best."

How do you keep in shape? "I go to classes in LA, but with girlfriends; so the ones that cost, say, $16. I prefer classes where you sweat, you laugh, you can go with your friends – I love them – with really loud pop music so it’s fun for an hour. I've tried Piloxing [a cross between Pilates, boxing and dance] and cardio barre. I like the dance-based workout devised by trainer Tracy Anderson – it really gets my body in shape because you're working out for an hour and a half. I also walk a lot when I’m travelling, exploring new cities. I'm not a gym-in-the-hotel girl, but if there's a pool I'll use that."

Do you play any sports? "I want to get back into tennis this summer. I did the movie Wimbledon, but my dad was a big tennis player and when I was growing up it was part of the family."

Can you eat whatever you like, or do you need to watch your diet? "If you're in LA it's easy to eat healthily, but I love Mexican food, too. I really believe in everything in moderation and I've never been the sort of person who diets. When I start a new film I tend to lose weight naturally because I'm focused on work. If I feel my clothes are a bit tighter then I'll cut back a little bit on carbs. But generally my body stays pretty much the same and I'm pretty healthy. It' simple – eat clean, eat vegetables. If you cut out dairy or sugar then, yes, you'll lose weight, but in the long term it's better to have a normal approach to eating."