Gillian Anderson Reveals Her Biggest Beauty Lessons
In a bright, airy suite in London's Claridge's, Gillian Anderson appears. She looks relaxed against the opulent backdrop, composed, despite what appears to be a hectic morning for the new L'Oréal Paris spokesperson and a schedule that is, as I'm informed, running very behind. Dressed in a butter-hued blouse with her hair swept off her face, she wears little else on her skin save for a natural-looking tint and a slick of mascara. 'Should we get started?' I say, conscious of the short time we have together.
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And, well, there's much to discuss. In the last year alone, the actor has launched a functional soft drinks brand, G-Spot, played journalist Emily Maitlis in Netflix's Scoop, the dramatisation of the shocking interview with Prince Andrew, and assumed the role of the resilient Raynor Winn in The Salt Path, which will air next month. That's before mentioning her work as an activist and author, the latter of which saw the multi-hyphenate help bring to life the new book, aptly titled Want, which explores sexual fantasy, desire and intimacy through the anonymous stories of women around the world.
'One of the things that we learned from Want was the degree to which shame is still very much a part of women's experience, both in terms of their relationship to intimacy and fantasy and, indeed, in asking for what they want,' she tells me. 'The women who wrote in said that they felt like they were seen and heard in the process of submitting [their stories], while it also resonated with the women who were reading it,' she shared.
There is a common thread of female strength embedded in the tapestry of Anderson's life and work, whether portraying the boundary-breaker Dr. Jean Milburn in Sex Education, or the high-profile Margaret Thatcher in The Crown. It's no wonder her characters have had a profound impact. 'The character who's had the biggest impact on me as a person and my sense of self is Stella Gibson in The Fall,' she says. 'It's the way she carried herself, how she cared for herself, and how she chose to dress; it was all for herself. When I was dressing today, I actually thought, this is something that Stella would wear,' she shares. 'She made me realise that I didn't take enough care of myself and that I didn't connect myself to my sensuality and my sexuality. She helped open me up to the idea that it was in me.'
Anderson has long been speaking up about the antiquated female stereotypes that still exist in the collective ethers today. When I ask if she believes there is still stigma around ageing in the beauty industry and how, then, we can shift that narrative, she says, 'I think part of it is about seeing women of all ages represented, whether it's in in ads or in film; to see women as prominent characters, but also, continuing to empower women in senior jobs and having seats at the table in all industries. There's still so much shame, particularly for women ageing,' she shares, although she is assiduous in pointing out that progress, however small, is being made.
We discuss make-up a means of empowerment too. 'Make-up can be a political act. Whether you're wearing make-up or not, I do think it can be utilised as a very important aspect of one's expression and personality. It can feel empowering.' For Anderson, mascara is one such product. 'The only product I won't leave the house without wearing is mascara; I feel naked without it and it's such a ritual for me.'
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Skin health hasn't always been top of the priorities list. 'Skincare has become more important as I've gotten older. I was very reckless with my skin for a long time; I would fall asleep with my foundation on and not cleanse properly. It's actually been my daughter who has turned my attention to skincare, particularly cleansing and using the right moisturiser,' she shares.
I ask Anderson about the mind-body connection. 'It feels like a positive act to embrace wellness in my whole being,' she tells me. 'I've focused on meditation and yoga, and I do notice the difference when I allow myself the time to take that space and connect the mind and body.' That also means 'ingesting mushrooms', such as cordyceps and ashwagandha, 'because it really makes a difference in terms of my cognitive function'.
'I also know myself and I need to not become too obsessed [with wellness] and not allow it to take over my life. If I have time, I acknowledge the fact that I feel better for it, but I try not to beat myself up when I don't,' Anderson continues.
With two minutes to spare and her team starting to trickle in, I quickly ask, 'what's on the horizon for 2025?' And, as you might expect, more than is to be shared in the time frame: 'A big Western with Netflix called Abandons, an indie film called The Salt Path, and a drama adaptation called Trespasses, ' she adds, before we swiftly part ways.
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