Monster. Mother. Soldier. There isn’t a role Charlize Theron can’t nail. That extends to beauty idol too: The South African native, 43, has been the face of Dior J’adore perfume for 13 years and counting. Compared to her Oscar-winning performances, being the face of a long-running perfume campaign might seem trivial—trite even—to some, but Theron sees the role as another way to use her platform to explore “what it means to be a woman in this day and age,” as well as foster conversations about femininity and representation on-screen.

For our December 2018 issue, we caught up with the star to talk everything from her magic brow product to how the beauty industry is finally making some much needed change. Pull up a seat.

Tell us about your first scent memory.

Watching my mom apply fragrance in that very specific way women did in the seventies: behind her ears. There was something in the way she moved that made me think, One day, when I do that, I’ll be a woman.

You’ve said the idea of what it means to “be a woman” has been an important message of your campaigns with J’adore through the years. What do you think it means to be a woman today?

I think it’s as complex as it was in 2004. But solidarity is really important right now. We’re at the precipice of something really big happening, for us and for future generations. And I really believe that women are in solidarity with each other all over the world. [Why is why I think] it’s an incredible moment in time to be alive and to be a woman.

How have beauty conversations changed throughout your career?

There’s now a demand from the public [for more representation]. It’s made brands realize they don’t have a choice in the matter. But once they went there, [many found it] was actually incredibly lucrative. Once you widen the small idea of what [beauty traditionally meant], you reach a much wider audience. And those are the women who are really living in this world.

Honestly, I’m surprised that this hadn’t been done centuries ago. Why did it take us so long to say, “This is our value—take it or leave it”? Sometimes it feels like we’re still talking about caveman stuff.

Speaking of transformations, you’ve made a lot of them onscreen. Is there one that stands out?

Furiosa in Mad Max: Fury Road. She wears only one thing the whole movie, and we didn’t want people watching to get bored. I didn’t want to get bored of it. But that whole look became part of my skin by the end of the shoot. It felt like the harness was a part of my body. I was also a new mom then and the shaved head was so easy. I was living in the desert with my new baby, and I could just take a shower, walk out, and it was great. I loved it.

As a busy mom, how do you prioritize self-care?

I really enjoy a facial every two or three weeks. I go to Mila Moursi in L.A. There’s also a Korean hot springs that I’ve been going to for probably 25 years. I steam, I sit in the water, I get a body scrub. It’s not fussy or fancy. Sometimes, if one of my kid’s aunts want to hang out with them or take them to a movie, I’ll be like, oh, I’m going to go to the hot springs right now.

What’s the rest of your skin care routine like?

My skin always comes alive after exfoliating and moisturizing. I’m one of those people who are open to whatever friends are loving, but I always go back to Dior’s Prestige line, especially its hydrating serum.

What look makes you feel best?

Jeans, T-shirt, and a blazer. And for beauty, my go-to—when I feel my prettiest and most authentic—is usually just a nice brow, a good lash, a little bit of bronzer, and a lip balm. I love Creme De La Mer’s balm. That’s kind of all I do. I’m not a big eyeliner or eyeshadow person, but I like taking care of my brows.

What are your best brow tricks?

Listen, I’m from the nineties! We did that thin-eyebrow thing for a really long time there, so I’ve been on a journey trying to replace those brows for a long time. Castor oil has been unbelievable at helping to bring them back. You can just pick it up from a pharmacy. I use it on my brows, my scalp, and my lashes. It’s changed my life.

Watch Theron’s ad for Dior J’Adore below.

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