Apr 14, 2007

Barrymore couldn't resist CoverGirl status

Associated Press

Drew Barrymore grew up with tear sheets of models such as Cheryl Tiegs, Rachel Hunter and Christie Brinkley plastered on her bedroom wall like wallpaper. Come January, another young girl can do the same with Barrymore's photo.

Barrymore is becoming the newest CoverGirl model and spokeswoman, joining a stable that over the years has included her former idols and, more recently, Queen Latifah, Molly Sims and Rihanna.

CoverGirl scheduled a news conference in Los Angeles on Wednesday to officially announce the partnership with the actress whose films include "Charlie's Angels," "The Wedding Singer" and "Music and Lyrics."

This is a two-way deal: Barrymore isn't just appearing in ads, she's co-creator of them - her first foray into commercials. Before any wardrobe or beauty decisions were made at Monday's print shoot, Barrymore said she was consulting on the concept, graphics, lighting and how the photo would be cropped.

"I leave the makeup and product up to them, that's their expertise," she told the AP in a telephone interview from the set. "What I want to do is honor the tradition of CoverGirl but hopefully bring myself and my personality into it, as well as some edgy fashion-forward thinking and positivity to it."

OK, so maybe she had a few thoughts about the wardrobe. Look for her in a nude-colored dress, which, she explains, is a contrast to the bright colors often used in cosmetics ads.
"I like to be involved in every aspect. I'm a control freak, but I keep those issues at bay when I work with other people," she said with a laugh.

It's Barrymore's strength that led the company to seek her out.

"We partnered with Drew because she emulates the iconic image of CoverGirl with her fresh, natural beauty and energetic yet authentic spirit," said Esi Eggleston Bracey, vice president and general manager of CoverGirl Cosmetics North America.

Barrymore, 32, said she loved the chance to play with makeup and try modeling - "What girl doesn't fantasize about it?" she asked - but at the same time she's more of a jeans and T-shirt girl, literally what she was wearing on this day along with Vans sneakers.

Her typical daily beauty routine is a little concealer, a little brush and a smudge of brown eyeliner on the lower lashline. "It makes your eyes pop."

The first ad is for a foundation, one that Barrymore says she's amazed you can't see - even close up.

"This is a total plus. When I was in high school, there was a thing called the baseline - that meant you could see the line between your chin and your neck. I probably was a victim of that," she said. "There was a point when I was far too young and wore far too much makeup. It's a whole revolution when you learn the meaning of spot basing."

She hadn't done a commercial before now because, she says, she's not a "product pusher."
She even surprised herself when she agreed to this deal, but, she explained, the thought of being a bona fide CoverGirl still popped into her mind months after she was approached. She took that at as a good sign.

"I do always try to be myself. I hope that's why they picked me," she said. "I think you should be the best version of yourself and feel good about that."