Julie Delpy

Not that the 44-year-old beauty needs much to look presentable. Her delicate features and soulful mien have captivated filmgoers for over three decades, beginning with her breakout role in Europa Europa (1990) and carrying through Richard Linklater’s Before Sunrise trilogy, which earned Delpy, who co-wrote the latter two scripts, respective Oscar nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Having attended her fair share of film premieres and awards ceremonies over the years, Delpy is bemused by the fuss made over the red carpet nowadays. “[When] I started in France, things were much more low-key. You could call Dior or anyone and they would lend you a dress.” she recalls. “Now if a dress has been worn you can’t wear it again. I personally don’t care if I wear the dress that 10 people have worn already. I’d be happy to.”

Below, further evidence that Delpy isn’t the sort of actress you’ll find fretting about her close-up.

VIOLET GREY: WHAT IS YOUR DAY-TO-DAY BEAUTY REGIME?
Julie Delpy: I really do the minimum because I don’t like when people wear too much makeup so I’m going to put on...what is it, the thing on the eyelashes, I forget the name of it…

V.G.: MASCARA?
J.D.: Mascara! I’m going to put on mascara. I’m going to put lipstick and a little blush on the cheek. And if I have a pimple I’m going to cover it. And that’s it. I’m not going to do anything else. I’ve been faster in the bathroom than any of my boyfriends. Even the least vain ones.

V.G.: WHEN YOU GET READY, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU PREFER IN TERMS OF AMBIANCE?
J.D.: For a few years, I would always put on the song “Waters of March”. It’s a Brazilian song that they turned into an American song. It’s very pretty and very happy. And I used to listen to that every time I got ready to go out.

V.G.: WHO DO YOU FIND MOST BEAUTIFUL?
J.D.: I think Marilyn Monroe is probably the most beautiful woman in the world.

V.G.: WHAT MADE HER BEAUTIFUL?
J.D.: Nothing is more beautiful than what children have in their face, something completely naive. Maybe it was completely fabricated with her but it looked very real. And that kind of childlike quality made her really radiant.

V.G.: WHEN DO YOU FEEL THE MOST BEAUTIFUL?
J.D.: It’s usually when I feel my face is clean, my hair is pulled back, I’m wearing things that are comfortable. It’s when I feel that I’m without artifice. It’s more a question of feeling clean and neat.

V.G.: ARE THERE ANY PRODUCTS IN YOUR COSMETIC WARDROBE THAT YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT?
J.D.: I love to have a good colorful lipstick in my bag. For skincare, people give me stuff and I love to try and mix everything. I actually never wear the same cream for more than a month. Chanel. Kiehl’s. The Lab, which is I think a Spanish brand. And I like all sorts of French pharmacy [products], like La Roche Posay.

V.G.: WHAT MAKES A GOOD DATE TO AN EVENT?
J.D.: A friend with whom you can joke around and have fun.

V.G.: WHAT IS THE FIRST PRODUCT YOU PUT ON IN THE MORNING AND LAST PRODUCT YOU PUT ON AT NIGHT?
J.D.: I wash my face every morning with soap and the last thing I put on is some kind of night cream, whatever one I inherited that day.

V.G.: DO YOU CHANGE YOUR BEAUTY ROUTINE AT ALL FOR SUMMER?
J.D.: [laughs] I didn’t even know people did that.