Allure.com — Action star Chris Pine is willing to train with weights, give up pasta, and slather his body in makeup for a role. But he won’t touch his eyebrows. “When I first started out, everyone thought they were too much. In my first job, they dyed them. Then another tried to pluck them, and that looked awful. Now I won’t let them touch my eyebrows,” says Pine. The actor and new face of Armani Code fragrance hopped on the phone to tell us about the rest of his grooming routine.
You’ve been rocking a beard lately. What’s your typical grooming routine like?
“I really like the ritual of shaving. I like getting the perfect brush and finding the right sandalwood soap. The act of shaving, though, is not fun. I like beards and the ease of them.”
How do you groom a grown-out beard?
“It’s about finding the right beard brush. I was out of town recently and got a shoe-brush polisher for my beard. It’s a bit rougher than usual, but it’s good at shaping it. I could talk beard all day.”
You have to wear makeup a lot for your job. Anything you do to keep your face clear?
“I have such awful skin; it doesn’t matter what magic serum they think they’re putting on—I’ll usually break out. For me, it’s good to wash my face afterward and take a washcloth to remove the residual makeup before I end up on the couch. I’ve used Dr. Hauschka for years.”
Any products you’ve stolen from the women in your life?
“Argan oil. A woman was putting oil on her skin after a day in the sun, and we got to talking. It’s great for your skin and hair.”
Any favorite treatments?
“Massages, for sure. I like a deep sports massage—a casual beating up. I try to get them whenever I can, usually more if I’m getting in shape for a role.”
You’re the new face of Armani Code. What do you like about that fragrance?
“I like that it’s complex and builds and shapes itself as you wear it. It’s got a lighter, floral top note, then nice base notes. I’m a big fan of sandalwood and tobacco smells and what it becomes toward the end.”
Do you remember your first fragrance?
“It was when I was 13 or 14 and starting to look at girls. I remember it was all about what the girls are going to like. As I got older it became more about what I was comfortable in. The big ones when I was a kid were CKOne and Cool Water. Those were the jam.”
What makes a good fragrance?
“It should be an extension of yourself—like a good piece of clothing or a well-tailored suit. It’s something that either defines a part of you or all of you.”
How do you like a woman to smell?
“It’s more about how she wears a scent. I like a fragrance that you notice and want to find out more about—get a bit closer. I don’t want to walk in and be jolted awake by someone’s smell. Naturally, I like smoky, woody, earthy scents.”
Have you ever had to get a spray tan or wear body makeup for a scene?
“They’ll usually give you a once-over with sponges and dark makeup to make you look less Waspy. I don’t think twice about it. It’s part of the gig, and having a tan certainly makes you look better, even if it’s gross.”
What’s your go-to diet and exercise routine for getting in shape fast?
“It depends. For the last Star Trek, I wanted to be a bit bigger and chunkier. I ate a lot and worked out religiously. I do yoga, boxing, circuit training, and weight lifting. I have a high metabolism so I always have food in my refrigerator and pack snacks with me.”
Any indulgences you give up?
“I couldn’t eat as much pasta as I normally like to eat. It’s all about a high-calorie diet and not a lot of empty carbs. But it’s not like I’m getting into jacked Wolverine shape. I cheat all the time.”
