Hearing Andie MacDowell call me “darlin’” with her soft South Carolina twang over a Sunday-morning Zoom was never something I could have dreamed up for myself. And then it happened. I caught up with the esteemed actress ahead of her walk at L’Oréal Paris’ Le Défilé, the drugstore monolith’s annual runway ode to women, in all their individuality and worth.
Held Monday, September 28, during Paris Fashion Week on an open-air stage between the Eiffel Tower and the École Militaire, this year’s event carried the theme “Express Your Worth,” a call for women everywhere to celebrate their freedom, confidence and sisterhood. MacDowell walked alongside fellow ambassadors including Eva Longoria and Cara Delevingne, as well as the newest addition to the lineup, Kristen Bell.
When it was time to walk, MacDowell looked every bit ethereal in a floor-length white gown with a draped satin skirt and a sleek, high-neck silhouette. Her lips, I’d bet, were stained with the $14 tint she’s currently obsessed with. Ahead, she gets candid about her runway preparation, what helps her channel goddess vibes and more.
What are the beauty and wellness habits you’ve stuck with over the years?
“I’ve always recognized how necessary physical activity is for staying strong and healthy, and I’m huge on moisturizing. My hair is naturally dry and curly, so I condition a lot and don’t wash it often. A great night’s sleep has always mattered to me, too. Beauty to me is more of an overall health concept rather than just lipstick—but I do love lipstick."
What does your everyday makeup look like right now?
“I love filling in my eyebrows. As you age, you need to, because they thin, so I love a great shaped eyebrow. I love fun things too, like a little bit of burgundy mascara, or something just a little out of the box, like a little color on my eyes, even a smudge of navy.”
Is there a product you can’t stop using lately?
“L’Oréal has these wonderful lipsticks—Hyaluronic Tint Lip Stain Serum ($14)—that tint and moisturize with the same little pump. They come in different shades, and they’re beautiful. That’s my new jam.”
Le Défilé is built around the idea of a woman’s worth. What does worth mean to you at this stage of your life and career?
“I love this year’s tone for the show. It’s all about sisterhood and embracing your own authentic self. That’s what helps you find your confidence, because you’re unique, but you’re also part of a sisterhood. It’s a beautiful combination of feminine power.”
What do you love about how L’Oréal approaches the ‘You’re Worth It’ message?
“One of the things I find so interesting about the brand, it’s not a luxury brand. It’s a brand for all people. And the public is a part of the show as well. We wouldn’t be the same without them. They give us great energy and make the whole show come alive. And the message, You’re Worth It, is for [everyone]. It’s for each individual out there to know that this is a brand that’s accessible for them. And we encourage all women to find their own sense of identity and self-worth, because everybody’s unique.”
How do you get into the right headspace for the runway?
“So much about what I wear influences how I am on the stage. If I’m wearing something super funky, I’ll be wild and funky. A lot of the time my outfit dictates my mood, because there's an essence that goes along with whatever I'm wearing.”
Is there a pre-show ritual you do backstage to feel ready to walk?
“I don’t know that there’s any ritual backstage, except for trying to just take it all in. There’s a lot of energy in the room and a lot of people around you. It’s just enjoying the moment. It’s a lot happening over a few hours, dressing, waiting and then embracing your moment, and also embracing each other, applauding each other and excited watching how everybody takes the stage. We’re not back there meditating. I’m just looking around the room at everybody, taking it all in and happy to be there. I don’t want to miss anything.”
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
