New interview of Olivia by Bee Shapiro and portrait by I Tiner for The New York Times! Read the interview below and take a look at the high quality photo by clicking on it!
When I meet Olivia Wilde in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, I find her in a big bay window seat at one of her favorite local spots, the sunlit Maison May café. She orders a latte, we spill out the contents of her bag to talk about her favorite things— including the beauty essentials from natural skin-care brand True Botanicals, for which she is chief brand activist—and we immediately get deep into politics. If I walked away from my conversation with her thinking one thing, it was this: Even in a world getting exponentially more informed every day, Wilde makes smart, involved, and well-read look cooler than ever.
Skin Care
I do enjoy the ritual of my morning. It helps me wake up psychologically as much as physically. I wash with True Botanicals Hydrating Cleanser — it’s really gentle. Then I spritz on some of the Nutrient Mist. Of all the True Botanicals products, it’s one of my favorites. It always smells amazing. I use the brand’s face oils, too. If I’m having breakouts, I use the one they have for clearing up skin, and then the tinted SPF. If I’m running around, I like Ursa Major Essential Face Wipes because they clean and moisturize at the same time.
I’ve been on a search for natural deodorants that actually work. I have two I feel I can rely on: Soapwalla and Agent Nateur.
Another thing I’m a huge believer in, in terms of body care: I’ve been using this body lotion that has CBD from marijuana. It’s called Lord Jones, and I discovered it through my friends in L.A. Recently I did a play on Broadway for six months, and my body was wrecked. My neck was really tight. The CBD has relaxing benefits, and the idea is to avoid using too many painkillers.
Makeup
I really like the Glossier Stretch Concealer. It has nice coverage, but it’s not cake-y and blends really easily. Then I do a tiny bit of eyeliner. I’m always looking for natural makeup that works, and I finally found a natural eyeliner I like. It’s the W3ll People Expressionist liner, and it stays on. That’s my litmus test. I have Kjaer Weis cream blush, and I do my eyebrows with the Kjaer Weis eyebrow powder and brush. I also like pencils. The Marc Jacobs eyebrow pencil is really thin and can mimic natural hairs. You don’t want that painted-on look.
Mascara, I bounce around. I don’t have a fave. Lately I have eyelash extensions. I’m wrangling two kids, two dogs and a job. If there’s a step I can skip, that’s great.
Hair
I had really long hair, and I cut it for work, so I’m learning the short-hair thing. I do a half-up topknot every day — I’m so lazy. I don’t really do a lot of straightening or blow-drying; I run a glossing cream through it. Frédéric Fekkai is good, or the Davines Oi oil, which is for damaged hair. I use Christophe Robin Moisturizing Hair Oil with Lavender for my super-dry ends. Kérastase Elixir Ultime oil cream is also great. Otherwise my hair doesn’t do anything.
For shampoo and conditioner, I use True Botanicals. The conditioner works even on my Brillo pad mop of overdyed hair. It has been platinum blond and inky black in one year. This conditioner actually makes it feel pretty silky.
Fragrance
I love Le Labo for fragrances and room sprays. I have Figue for room spray and candle and Patchouli for fragrance. I love essential oils and masculine, woodsy scents. I love anything with patchouli, tobacco and sandalwood.
Other Services
I do acupuncture, and I’m a big believer, but I was late to the game. I go to Modrn Sanctuary in NoMad. That place is a magical one-stop shop for wellness. I see Shari Auth for acupuncture. They also have physical therapy, a chiropractor and a salt room that looks like it’s out of “Blade Runner.” It’s just salt in there, and it’s super-dry. I haven’t done the room yet, but I’m looking forward to it.
Diet and Fitness
My diet is a total mess. I’m a New Yorker, so I eat out too much. In the winter, especially, I love heavy, rich, decadent meals. I’d rather eat more and have to work out a little more than not eat what I want to eat.
Tracy Anderson, it really does work. It’s so, so hard. I had to shoot a movie three months after having my daughter, and going to Tracy a couple times a week really helped me. I learned to love it. I am so weak right now, but when I do jump back in, I’ll go there.
And I love yoga. I like Y7, and it’s good for the independent-minded yogi who isn’t there for group therapy. They turn up hip-hop really loud. They’ll blast A Tribe Called Quest. And it’s about 90 degrees in the room. When it’s super-cold out, it’s a necessary visit.
I also love to dance. I’m lucky that my sister-in-law is one of the best dancers in the city. Her name is Kristin Sudeikis, and she teaches at Broadway Dance Center and a few other places. She has a Friday night dance party that is amazing. It’s a really good workout but also a scene.
by Bee Shapiro / The New York Times
