A few months ago, the first print-ad images for Angelina Jolie’s Mon Guerlain campaign were released, and I was unimpressed. Thankfully, I thought the first commercial from the campaign was really good. Angelina twirled her way into making me think that I would maybe like to sniff Mon Guerlain. In any case, Angelina is donating all of the money from this contract to charity, but she’s still promoting the contract like everything else. She gave an exclusive and lengthy interview to Hello Mag where she talks about the scent, her children, her late mother and more. The whole piece is absolutely worth a read – go here. Some highlights:

Why she agreed to do a Guerlain contract: “Because it was a brand my mother loved, and that I knew from my childhood. It spoke to her, as it does to me, of beauty, history and quality. It’s the oldest perfume house in the world, from France, a country I love and feel to connected to and spend time in. As I talked to Guerlain about the artistry they devote to the making of the perfume and the way they work in communities, sourcing their ingredients, the pieces came together and I felt we were a match.”

What her mother used: “My mother was a very natural woman. She never spoiled herself, never wore make-up, and wore modest jewellery, but she always had a few special items for when she wanted to feel like a lady. One of those special items – and I remember it because it seemed so elegant – was her Guerlain powder (Ladies in All Climates). I think it speaks of all women having those few special things that make them feel feminine. And so when I was a little girl, I would associate Guerlain with that.”

Meeting with perfumer Thierry Wasser, who created Mon Guerlain. “We met in Cambodia and spoke about wanting to create something that would be elegant – like Guerlain – and something that I could truly stand by. I needed to be sure it was a scent I loved, or I would not encourage other women to buy it… I love the lavender and jasmine mixed with the sandalwood. I don’t like perfumes that are too strong or sweet. I like a fragrance that is earthy and sensual and can be worn at any time.”

Whether her beauty regimen is high or low maintenance. “Low. Six kids and no time.”

Her signature make-up. “Under eye concealer to cover dark circles.”

Her fearlessness about ageing: “Maybe because my last decade has included many health scares and a focus on raising children, I am simply happy to be healthy, and above all that the children are healthy. There is nothing else to fear. It makes life clear.”

We need a more beauty diversity: “Of course. Our diversity is our strength. What a dull and pointless life it would be if everyone was the same.”

How she defines femininity: “I think it is personal to every woman. So many women I know are so completely different from each other. My daughters are. There is no simple description. It is that mystery and diversity. But I suppose femininity is that softer side of ourselves, that we all like to indulge at times.”

Her humanitarian work informs her artistic work & vice versa: “As it has been in my life for many years, one feeds the other. It is a joy to be an artist but it doesn’t mean very much unless that work is somehow useful in some way and contributes to others. I am very fortunate that I have the ability to be able to do creative work that can in turn fund development programs and help other people, because just being creative or just making money adds up to a very empty life if it has no purpose.”

Where she sees herself in 10 years: “I imagine I will spend my days traveling from country to country to visit our children, who I expect will live around the world. I think some will be interested in the international work I do, and I would love to partner with them as I continue. I imagine I will be less involved in film and be focused more on family and foreign affairs.”

What makes her truly happy: “The sound of Zahara’s laugh. She is one of those people who laughs with her whole body. Completely open and full of joy.”

[From Hello Magazine]

Hello also asks her about where the Guerlain money is going, and she basically says that it’s going towards the foundations she already has set up in Cambodia, Ethiopia and Namibia. In Cambodia, she funds a TB program, in Namibia, the foundation does a lot with conservation and wildlife sanctuaries and more. As for the rest of it… I like the story about her mom and the Guerlain powder. I like her vision of herself in a decade, fading away from Hollywood but leaning in even more to her humanitarian work. I like that she seems to throw a little bit of shade at people who are “just being creative or just making money” because they have “a very empty life if it has no purpose.”

Screencaps from the ‘Mon Guerlain’ commercial.