Skin Deep: For Diane Kruger, It’s All About Her Brows and Matte Red Lipstick

The actress Diane Kruger, 39, has a full slate this summer with roles in "The Infiltrator," opening July 13, and "Disorder," which will be released in the United States by mid-next month.

Ms. Kruger is known for her beauty, but she grew up in Germany in a household where, she said, "talking about your appearance wasn't encouraged." Now, with home bases in Paris and Los Angeles, and frequent flights to New York for work, she has amended her beauty and fitness regimen here and there. Still, Ms. Kruger said, she's more European in her sensibilities. See what she's using.

Skin Care

I usually start the day with this face wash from Uri age. It foams, and you can find it at the French pharmacies. I've been using it for at least five years. Then I use a toner from Kiehl's. It's the blue one, a classic. Right now because it's summer, I've been using Chanel Hydra Beauty serum as my moisturizer. And I always wear sunscreen. The one I'm using is also by Chanel, and it's SPF 50 but really light.

For eye cream, it depends. If I use one, it's by Uriage. This routine works for me. I tend to break out easily, so I stick with what I've picked up over the years.

I'm probably more European in my thinking because of where I grew up: the "less is more" philosophy. My sunscreen habit is from living in L.A., though I don't like to be tan like some of the people there. And when I go to New York, all the women are so on top of it. They have their dermatologists they see for this and that. I can't keep up. I don't even pluck my brows.

Photo Beauty products used by Ms. Kruger. Credit Guia Besana for The New York Times

But I will do a gommage, or an exfoliating scrub, by Sensai. It's cool: It's a dry product, you put it on your face and it works. I do it once or twice a week.

Makeup

It depends on the state of my skin. If it's a good day, I'll just use a Clé de Peau concealer under my eyes and on any blemishes. If it's not a good day, then I do a BB cream or the tinted moisturizer from Laura Mercier. If I'm going out, then it's the Chanel Vitalumière Aqua.

It's interesting, because I do both American movies and French independent films — I'm currently shooting a movie in the South of France — the difference with makeup. In American movies, especially the big-budget films, they definitely want the leading lady to look as good as she can. The French are always about being real, and less is more. Sometimes I have to fight to cover up my pimples.

Usually, though, if it's not work, I just do a brown mascara from the drugstore. But I always do a brow, even during the day. I use an ash color pencil by Chanel. My brows are naturally pretty thick, but I like to accentuate them because I think they give me character and frame my face. I don't need as much makeup if I do my brows.

For night, I don't like black on my eyes, but I'll usually do a dark brown liner, like a cat-eye. I don't know why, but when I'm in Paris, I tend to do just eyebrows and a red matte lip. I love the MAC Ruby Woo, and I have a bunch of different reds from Nars.

Fragrance

I wear Calvin Klein Beauty. I used to be the face of it, but I'm not anymore. I like the idea of smelling the same for a long time. Before, I wore the Burberry scent for five years. I've been on Beauty for about six years now.

Hair

I'm a natural blonde but not a very pretty blonde, so I used to get lots of highlights. Then I had to do a reddish thing for a movie, and I haven't done anything to it since. Now it's growing out, and I think it's the nicest color I've ever had. The red kind of washed out, the old highlights have come through, and my natural roots are out. It's darker than it usually is, and I'm loving it.

For cuts and color, I have someone in Paris, David Mallett, and someone in L.A., Vanessa Spaeth, who is a freelancer and is really good with blondes. L.A. blondes are often too white. In New York, I go to Serge Normant.

I often use David Mallett products. He has a r eally beautiful repair mask. I also love the Christophe Robin rose shampoo, and sometimes I use his oil on the ends of my hair. For styling, I like Ouai dry shampoo and texturizing spray. I love the smell. And I also love Oribe products.

Other Services

I do massages. I prefer more of a Thai massage, something that's more energizing. I've tried acupuncture but just can't get into it. I'm not a spa junkie.

Diet and Fitness

I eat everything in moderation — I don't like junk food anyway — but I do exercise a lot. I'm probably overdoing it. I used to be a ballet dancer, but then for years I didn't work out. As I got older and felt I needed to get toned and all those things , I started going to the gym. I also like to be outdoors, to cycle and hike. But now that I'm exercising, I can't just go two or three times a week. Suddenly it's working out every day for an hour and a half.

Paris is actually terrible for exercise. Twenty years ago, when I first moved here, there was nothing. It's gotten better, but the equipment is often really old. It's harder to find good classes. For sure, L.A. and New York are fitness havens.

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