reese witherspoon 2019

Reese Witherspoon Is a Boss

How the actress is single-handedly changing the face of Hollywood

You might be surprised to learn Reese Witherspoon was a bit of a rebel growing up. Behind that angelic face and molasses drawl, America’s sweetheart had a thing for questioning the status quo. “I spoke up when I wasn’t supposed to, and in high school I’d get in trouble for challenging authority figures,” she says. “I just always believed that pushing the edges of things is what moves society forward.” That rebellious streak is still alive and well today. Whether it’s her involvement in the #MeToo movement (she’s been outspoken about sexual abuse in Hollywood) or the founding of her media company, Hello Sunshine, which is all about celebrating women (think the star-studded female cast of Big Little Lies), Witherspoon isn’t one to stand back and watch.

Even her beauty contract with Elizabeth Arden breaks the mould. The actress decided to partner with the brand as its “storyteller-in-chief” rather than its face when she learned about its namesake’s suffragette past. “We both started businesses, we both advocate for women’s rights. She loved beauty and making women feel good, and I really relate to that,” she says. “A big mission of mine is for women to feel seen and beautiful just the way they are.” Here, Witherspoon talks lipstick, activism and why Elle Woods is her forever inspiration.

You’ve been creating and producing a lot of your own projects. Why was it important for you to take control of the narrative?

“I was just tired of seeing women not being represented accurately on film. So many of the roles that I was reading weren’t reflective of the female experience. I wasn’t seeing female relationships, I wasn’t seeing women at the centre of storytelling that looked the way women look in the world. It was really important for me to take an active role and start developing projects that put women, all different kinds of women, in the forefront. And that also meant hiring more female directors and female writers, because the architects of those stories should be the women who live and experience those lives. It’s been enormously gratifying to wake up every day with such a mission.”

You’ve played such powerful women in your career, from Tracy Flick (in Election) to Elle Woods (in Legally Blonde) to June Carter Cash (in Walk the Line). Do you have a favourite?

“I like all of those girls! I think Elle Woods is an incredible role model for self-confidence and believing in yourself, no matter what the outside world tells you you’re capable of. She has this great internal drive. I would think about her whenever I’m trying to get motivated about things.”

“I think caring for yourself is another way to feel confident. The world’s tough; It’s important to feel like the best version of yourself.”

Who are some rebellious women you admire in the real world?

“There are so many! I love Mindy Kaling. She breaks a lot of rules. She’s like ‘Why not me? I never see myself in films so I’m just going to write a television show for myself.’ People don’t do that a lot. They complain a lot, but they don’t do a lot, so I’m really inspired by her. I also like Jameela Jamil. I think she’s really inspiring in the way she talks about body image and body positivity. I mean, I can go on and on. There are so many incredible women in the world!”

Feminism and beauty are often seen as antithetical, but characters like Elle Woods show that both can totally co-exist. What’s your take?

“I think caring for yourself is another way to feel confident. When you take care of your skin, or you feel like you put yourself together in a way that makes you feel beautiful, it gives you a confidence to face the world. The world’s tough; it’s important to feel like the best version of yourself, whatever that looks like.”

What’s your go-to makeup look when you’re looking for a confidence boost?

“I really like a strong lip colour. It pulls me together and makes me feel confident. I always have a bunch of lipsticks at the bottom of my bag. I especially like bright pinks and reds. They just make me happy.”

What’s the most Southern thing about you?

“My love of makeup. Southern women love makeup. I can spend hours at the beauty counter just looking at all the different colours and textures. I find it very creative and relaxing. And I love anything monogrammed. Right now, I’m talking on my monogrammed phone, which I carry in my monogrammed purse [laughs]!”

What are your beauty must-haves?

“I’m really enjoying the new Elizabeth Arden White Tea Vanilla Orchid fragrance. It’s got hints of vanilla, but it’s also very refreshing and contemporary. And then because I wear a lot of makeup for work and my face is on film every day, it’s important that I take care of my skin. I’ve started using retinol capsules, and they’ve really changed the tone of my skin.” 

Elizabeth Arden Retinol Ceramide Capsules, $106, White Tea Vanilla Orchid Eau De Toilette, $65 (launching soon), shoppersdrugmart.ca

    More celebrity beauty