Culture List: Salma Hayek's Favorite Things
The actress and film producer reveals her secrets of chic living.
The actress and film producer reveals her secrets of chic living.
Which artists are inspiring you right now?
Salma Hayek: Martial Raysse. He is older, one of the original Pop artists, but he's not super famous because he doesn't show or sell his work a lot. He's incredibly private, and it's painful for him to part with his paintings. I also adore Basquiat and, of course, Frida Kahlo
Do you have a signature scent?
SH: Bottega Veneta has a new perfume called Knot. It's fresh and clean but mysterious at the same time. I also like Narciso Rodriguez's—it's very musky.
Bottega Veneta Knot Eau Florale Eau de Parfum, $125, neimanmarcus.com; Narciso Rodriguez For Her Musc Oil, $156, lordandtaylor.com.
How do you unwind?
SH: Aromatherapy. There's a type of salve called Macaron that they sell at drugstores in France; if you have a headache, you just rub it on your temples. And I like to put lavender on the bottom of my feet or my daughter, Valentina's.
What is your favorite restaurant?
SH: The place that everybody should check out is in Boston. It's a small Japanese restaurant that is very hard to find, called O Ya, and it's one of the most inspiring places I have ever eaten at. And the owner is not even Japanese!
What's on your bedside table?
SH: Right now I have a beautiful bouquet of flowers that my husband sent me because I was feeling a bit under the weather. They are all white—roses and peonies.
What's the secret to a great dinner party?
SH: I don't do this anymore, but when I was young and insecure about my cooking, I had a great trick: I would always start the meal with tequila soup, which is made with chicken broth and a touch of tequila and lime. And then everyone would get a little tipsy, so if I messed up the rest of the dinner, they wouldn't care and wouldn't remember anyway!
What film do you never get tired of?
SH: I'm not one of those people who watch the same films over and over, but one I've seen countless times is Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet, because I was very hands-on in postproduction. And I don't normally like to watch my own movies, I promise you! Each time I see it, I'm moved by something different, much like every time I reread Kahlil Gibran's book, which was the inspiration.
Do you have any guilty pleasures?
SH: I make popcorn and put this Mexican hot sauce on it called Valentina—the same name as my child! It's so good.
Which songs do you have on repeat?
SH: "Riptide," by Vance Joy. I have an eclectic taste in music. I've always loved Fairouz, this very old Lebanese singer. Her voice really penetrates. And you have to check out Stromae—he's Belgian—who has a very catchy song, "Formidable."
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