Paris-based actress Lou de Laâge has landed the ultimate beauty role as the face of Givenchy Live Irrésistible Blossom Crush. Editor Trudi Brewer discovers a star in the making.
The latest addition to the Givenchy fragrance family is Live Irrésistible Blossom Crush, a collision of fresh florals and bittersweet cocoa beans. The face behind the fragrance is Lou De Laâge.
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To say Lou de Laâge's star is on the rise would be an understatement. At 28 her exquisite beauty and raw talent have already earned her many accolades, including a César nomination and a Lumières Award in 2014 for her work on the film Respire (Breathe). This success was quickly followed by a Shooting Stars Award for her role in Italian drama The Wait with Juliette Binoche. Fast-forward to 2018 and, while not her first cosmetic contract (she has endorsed campaigns for French beauty brand Bourjois), her most recent role is for luxury brand Givenchy. Editor Trudi Brewer finds out what it takes to be the face of a fragrance.
What does this role for Givenchy represent to you?
A new adventure, a new world to explore. I’m curious by nature; I follow my instincts. When someone comes to me with a new proposition, I listen to my heart to see where a project might take me and what it might create. Recently, I’ve only played dramatic roles in films, so it was tempting and enjoyable to step into a more light-hearted kind of world for a while, one focused on beauty and joy. I approached this new commitment to Givenchy as a magical interlude.
What was it like shooting the advertising campaign?
We tried to convey the idea of freedom, spontaneity and freshness; to evoke a moment suspended in time, an exceptional moment of letting go and giving way to joy. I searched inside myself to find this tight thread that vibrates between childhood and adulthood. This fragile tension which makes us more beautiful when it unleashes all its fantasy in us.
What does Live Irrésistible Blossom Crush perfume mean to you?
It's a happy coincidence. One of my friends wears Live Irrésistible Eau de Parfum. The fragrance was therefore already very familiar to me and associated with happy memories even before I was invited to become the new face of this line. I like floral scents; they remind me of holidays as well as moments of calmness and joy.
“Recently, I’ve only played dramatic roles in films, so it was tempting and enjoyable to step into a more light-hearted kind of world for a while, one focused on beauty and joy.”
Do you wear perfume regularly and what does it make you think about?
Perfume brings back a memory of the past. For example, this reminds me of my grandmother who always used to wear perfume. It's lovely to meet someone who is wearing perfume, I see it as a form of generosity. I began my relationship with perfume quite late. My mum rarely wore perfume and, for a long time, I never really thought much about wearing perfume or makeup. Then, during adolescence, I started looking for perfume for myself, and I was, first of all, attracted to powdery scents. I think that came from my grandmother; I was looking for a scent that was similar to the scent of her makeup powders. Now, I don’t think it’s essential to wear perfume every day. But when I do wear it, I always choose the same perfume. It’s part of my identity and I find that reassuring.
What is your beauty ritual?
Actresses’ skin often suffers from the effects of numerous makeup sessions and makeup removal. But it's important to let your skin breathe. I don’t wear much makeup, so my ritual is very simple: I cleanse thoroughly (because we live in polluted cities) and use a gentle makeup remover and a good moisturiser. I recently discovered Ravintsara essential oil, which I use as soon as I feel a bit tired or start to feel ill. I only wear lip balm occasionally. I noticed that using it too regularly dried out my lips. If I need it, Homéoplasmine cream is a safe bet. If I have to wear makeup, I apply a thin line of eyeliner and a bit of mascara to the upper eyelashes because I want to keep my eyes looking natural. I am 'very French' in this respect: I find I look better when I apply makeup and style my hair without it being too noticeable.
Who is your muse or your source of inspiration?
I’ve never been a fan of one star in particular even though I admire some of them a lot, like Romy Schneider, Gena Rowlands and Charlize Theron, for example. Juliette Binoche is one of the actresses I enormously respect. Apart from being a great actress, she is also a great woman, generous and straightforward. It is these encounters that lead to true admiration. Without the human aspect, it remains quite distant and cold.
What are you working on at the moment?
I am working with director Anne Fontaine again in the film Snow White. It's a complete retelling of the fairy tale. I am thrilled to be able to work with Anne; we get on very well. We will explore a register that is the complete opposite of what we did in Agnus Dei, a very dark film in which I played a heroic young doctor during the Second World War. This new project is taking me somewhere else; it’s much lighter. It’s so exciting to be able to go in a new and different direction with the same director.
Watch the Givenchy Live IrrÉsistible Blossom Crush film starring Lou de Laâge
The Givenchy Live Irrèsistable collection
Givenchy Live Irrésistible Blossom Crush, from $101.
This new floral is the third addition to the Live Irrésistible fragrance family. Best described a fresh floral with a bittersweet lasting aroma, the uncomplicated line-up of ingredients includes rose and peony mixed with the delicious warm scent of cocoa beans and sexy musk.
The original Givenchy Live Irrésistible Eau de Toilette, from $109, is lighter and less heady than its sister scents, blending crisp pear, raspberry and rose, with a hint of woody musk to make it last.
The second interpretation, Givenchy Live Irrésistible Eau de Parfum, from $109, is sweet and addictive thanks to the scent of madeleine pastries, cherry, almond, orange blossom, rose and a base of warm tonka bean.