Audrey Hepburn, Mia Farrow, Winona Ryder, and Audrey Tautou—just four of the handful of women in Hollywood who have carried a cropped cut like no other. We’d like to add to that list Loan Chabanol, an up-and-coming actress, artist, and model with a gamine look that could only hail from France. In her first feature appearance she was cast alongside Woody Allen in Fading Gigolo, and shortly thereafter she nabbed a role opposite James Franco in Third Person. In 2015 she’s starring in The Transporter Legacy with Game of Thrones’ Ed Skrein. Not bad for a Parisian trying to make it in America. With Chanel (a house that dresses her often) and L’Oréal Professionnel (for which she is an ambassador) already members of her fan club, we can only imagine that the rest of the world will follow suit. Here, Chabanol shares her styling tips for short hair, the skincare staples she swears by, and the one beauty secret she’s keeping to herself.
Photo: Getty
What do you love about having short hair, and what do you loathe?
I cut my hair really short about five years ago—I’d always had long hair before that. When I first had it cut, I felt like a new person. Since then, I can’t let my hair grow longer than my jaw; short hair has really become a part of who I am. I love having short hair. I’ve always felt more feminine as a short-haired girl. Nothing to loathe about it!
Some people say that short hair can be limiting; how do you keep it interesting?
I love playing around with my style. Having it short and spiky is fun, and when it’s longer, you can add a glamorous touch to it. Slicking it back is also very sexy.
What are your go-to styling products?
I love the L’Oréal Professionnel Mythic Oil for gloss and shine, and L’Oréal Professionnel Perfect Texture for adding [movement] to my hair.
Photo: Courtesy of L'Oréal Professionnel
You dabbled with red hair for your campaign with L’Oréal Professionnel. Since the color is notoriously high maintenance, how did you care for it?
I loved having the copper color for the It Looks campaign. It was brilliantly rich and intense. I used the L’Oréal Professionnel Vitamino Color shampoo and masque to keep the color looking vibrant for longer.
Why did you decide to go back to brown?
Well, I am a natural brunette! I feel like changing my hair color is almost like becoming a new character, and sometimes I just like to be me.
What are your go-to French beauty products?
I love [Bioderma] Crealine H2O, Avène Soothing Moisture Mask, and Idéalia Life Serum from Vichy.
What is your favorite feature to play up on the red carpet?
Lips are my favorite. I love Chanel lipsticks, particularly Rouge Allure Velvet.
Since French women are notorious for not gaining weight, how do you stay in shape?
I eat healthy and as much organic as I can, although I do still love chocolate! I do yoga three times a week, too.
What is your biggest beauty splurge?
Usually it would be a fragrance that I love.
Photo: Getty
Do you have a signature scent?
I do, but I like to keep it secret!
You’ve played opposite Woody Allen and James Franco. Did either of them teach you any beauty lessons?
I had so much fun with Woody Allen. He honestly made me laugh a lot. That might be the best beauty lesson ever!
How is acting similar to modeling? How is it different?
It’s very different. I can’t really associate acting with modeling. Acting is a true form of expression. As a model, I often felt like a hanger and that I wasn’t really looked at for being myself.
Photo: Getty
Who is your beauty icon, and why?
Meryl Streep. She is beautiful from the inside, you can tell. I can only wish I’ll be like her when I reach her age, to just embrace life experiences and feel beautiful about myself.
Since you’re also an artist, what are you working on in the studio?
I’m working on a children’s story at the moment. I have always loved animation and fairy tales—they really inspire me. They’re my breath of fresh air.