There’s something undeniably magnetic about Amy Adams. Since her breakout role in 2005’s Junebug, the five-time Oscar nominee has proven to be an on-screen chameleon, taking on such disparate roles as a plain-faced nun (Doubt), a tiara-topped princess (Enchanted), and, of course, a disco-era swindler dripping with glamour (American Hustle).
Not surprisingly, Adams will soon be extending her range even further. She plays the artist Margaret Keane opposite Christoph Waltz in Tim Burton’s Big Eyes, which is set for release later this year, and she is gearing up to reprise her Lois Lane in the upcoming Man of Steel sequel. On the heels of a marathon awards season, wrapping up with the Oscars on Sunday, Vogue caught up with the actress in Los Angeles, where she’d finally had a chance to unwind: “I’ve been able to be with my daughter [three-and-a-half year-old Aviana] and get a couple good nights’ sleep!”
You’ve been a fixture on the red carpet this year. Are there certain things you do to stay camera-ready, whether a ramped-up exercise regime, regular visits to a facialist, or just singing in the shower to stay sane?
Well, I do sing in the shower, so you’ve outed me! Definitely exercise—that probably is the most important thing that I do for myself year-round. It keeps me grounded if I’m feeling overwhelmed.
You trained as a ballet dancer growing up. How has that shaped your approach to exercise, posture?
I wish I still had my dancer’s posture—I have to remind myself! I have actually been strength training, using light weights. I work out once a week just to maintain my muscle mass; that’s important as the years go by, as a woman. But I really like running. I try to walk or run a mile a day, if I can.
What was the inspiration behind your Oscars look on Sunday?
I tried the dress [a deep blue Gucci Premiere] on, and the tailoring was so impeccable that I fell in love with it. I love glamour—but I love simplicity. It had this fifties silhouette, yet a very modern sensibility.
Who did your hair and makeup?
For hair, I worked with Renato [Campora], and makeup with Stephen Sollitto. To some degree, I have input, but at the end of the day I leave it to the artist to [do] what they feel. I work with Steve on a regular basis.
As the face of Eau de Lacoste perfume, you’ve had a close look at the world of fragrance. Were you the sort of kid who played dress-up with your mother’s perfume?
I definitely tried to get into my mom’s beauty products. I was one of seven children, so she had to guard anything that was hers! She used Maxim’s, I remember that; she still has it.
Do you vary your perfumes depending on mood and time of day?
Sometimes. I do like to put on more of a warm fragrance for special occasions or for nighttime. I started working a couple of years ago with Eau de Lacoste, and I just love the flexibility of it, that it feels clean. It doesn’t have the presumption that it’s going to leave a trail, which is always important to me—to be subtle.
Does a scent need to match your personality?
For me, it has to sort of coordinate. There are fragrances that I love that I can never identify with. I’ve definitely made that mistake and then have been like, Who am I trying to be? [A perfume] can definitely alter your personality. I know when I’m working on a role sometimes I’ll associate a fragrance with a character.
Did you do that with American Hustle?
I was wearing Jovan Musk—no, I’m kidding! I didn’t, actually, for American Hustle because there was so much going on with everything else. I probably just ended up smelling like self-tanner all the time, to be quite honest.
I’m guessing that’s one of the rare times you’ve been tan?
Yes. It’s one of those things that I would love to maintain, but it is a full-time job and it is very messy. People who do it all the time must just burn through sheets!
Tell me about your beauty essentials.
I’ve become quite a La Mer devotee. I’ve tried other things, and I just keep coming back to it because it seems to repair the dryness in my skin. I really love a tinted moisturizer. I’ve used a couple different [ones]—Jouer and Laura Mercier and Kiehl’s. I like to play with makeup. I feel like after I use it for a while, I want to try something new. Except you go back to your classics, like BADgal lash mascara by Benefit. It just works on me.
Any lip products?
I like the [Smith's] rosebud balm, in a tin. I’ve got my daughter hooked on it now.
You’ve become known for your plunging necklines, between American Hustle and a few red-carpet dresses, like the two-tone Valentino at the Golden Globes. Has that always been part of your comfort zone?
I’ve [worn them] before. It’s funny because I became very self-conscious about it and was like, maybe I should stay away from it! It’s just that I had done it in American Hustle; I think people needed a break from my bosom. [laughs]
What is your natural hair color?
It’s kind of a strawberry blonde, but like most blondes, the blonde has gone kind of ashy, so I assist it with the red.
Have directors been particular about the shade?
Yeah, David [O. Russell, of American Hustle] saw her being this darker red. He thought it was really powerful, like she just was on fire. He said, “I want it to feel like a cape,” so I grew it out for quite some time.
Everyone’s been so mesmerized by the hair in that film. Did you feel like you spent half your time on set in [hair department head] Katherine Gordon’s chair?
You know, I tried not to complain because Christian [Bale] had to walk around with that comb-over for three months, and Bradley [Cooper] spent three hours in curlers, so I really did not have it that bad! It sort of went along with her character, and it was really fun to get to play with that.
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