That Luxury Called Time: Hear it from Charlize Theron

(Photos Courtesy: Ampas, Dior, Media 8 Entertainment, Paramount Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros)

I see the silhouette of a young woman walking towards me, sunlight filtering through the window behind her. As she navigates the corridor of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, men turn to look at her and, at that moment, the lyrics of a song come rushing to my mind: Tall and tan and young and lovely, the girl from Ipanema goes walking; And when she passes, each one she passes goes: ah! Only this girl is not from Ipanema, she’s from South Africa and her name is Charlize Theron. I ask her what she’s wearing, only to find out that she’s unaware of the label. It’s evident that this accomplished actress cares little about outward trimmings; she flaunts subtle makeup and is all about being a natural woman. Even her movies reflect that quality.

In Young Adult, you're sans makeup, and in one scene you've applied your own makeup. What are your thoughts on cosmetics?

Makeup is seductive; it’s used to entrap men, that’s something women will not admit, but everyone does that and that’s just God’s honest truth. I’ll set it straight for all the guys out there, if you’re wondering if there are women out there who are gorgeous all day long, it’s just not true.

Are you telling me that you're not gorgeous all the time?

I’m sorry to tell you, my friend, [but] if you’d seen me a few hours ago, you would have run!

Where were you a couple of hours ago?

I was in my pyjamas, stuffing my face with pancakes!

You are the face of Dior, for the J'Adore perfume and Huit line of watches; what do you personally look for in a perfume and what does time mean to you?

I’m not making this up because I represent their perfume, but I love J’Adore. And it’s nice that you don’t have to lie about what you represent! I also appreciate the fact that not all women have the luxury or the good fortune to wear a couture gown, but they can experience something of the luxury world through a perfume. So for me, I don’t like to wear perfume every single day. I use it on special occasions and treat it like it’s something special, and as for time, I think that it is the greatest luxury in life. It definitely is a luxury in my life.

(Read more in the May-June 2012 issue of Time 'n Style. On Stands Now!)