THE INSIDER: SCARLETT JOHANSSON

In Dolce & Gabbana's ad campaign for their new Perfect Finish Creamy Foundation and Passion Duo Gloss Fusion Lipstick - both hit stores this month - Scarlett Johansson's striking beauty is amplified by makeup artist Pat McGrath. Here, Scarlett talks about her retro-inspired images.

What did you most enjoy about this latest D&G shoot? How was it different from past shoots for the brand's beauty collection?  It was like making a little mini movie. Stefano and Domenico had this whole unbelievable story behind the shoot - she lives in Sicily and her husband's left her and she's now waiting for her lover. It was all so unbelievably glamorous and Fellini-esque, like they're making a Bertolucci movie or something.  To me that's fun because it's a part of playing dress-up.

Did you pick up any application tips or tricks from Pat on set?  Pat does a lot of old school tricks like using the concealer brush around the lips to really highlight the shape of the lip and stuff like that. And she'll completely finish one eye and then do the other side which, to me, is really interesting because it's almost like she knows exactly how she wants it to look so she's able to complete the look on the other side. I don't know what her theory is on that but it's brilliant. And I find it does help, when you're doing eyeliner to totally complete one eye, like, the finishing touch, and then do the other one because then you have a reference, almost.  

Do you prefer to play up your eyes, lips or cheekbones? What are you most comfortable applying/doing yourself?  I think it depends on the occasion, but I do think it's nice to have a pale lip and a smoky eye or perhaps a little flick of eyeliner and a red lip. I like to mix it up depending on what I'm wearing and also what my hair color is!

See more Scarlett in our October issue, on stands now!