Mena Suvari Talks About "Beauty Shop"

Mena Suvari on Working with Queen Latifah: “I had been a huge fan of the “Barbershop” films and was really excited they’re finally doing the female version. She just was wonderful. I remember going in and meeting Bille [Woodruff, the director] and then later coming back and meeting her. And it was a little intimidating. I mean, she’s fabulous, but just so cool and just made the set so relaxed. She’s so supportive of everything that we did and was really just like we were all there together and just one of us. There was never any kind of hierarchy on the set.”

On Playing a Paris Hilton-like Character in “Beauty Shop:” “Well, yeah, I could see that and I kind of mentioned that in one interview - and she’s going to come kill me. She’s going to come after me now, send people after me, but she didn’t get the boob job. It’s not the same. But I guess the really long blonde hair is somewhat similar. I kind of wish Joanne had a little dog that she brought around everywhere. That would be kind of cool. But Joanne is like the stereotypical female ideal. Not that I agree with, but the super blonde big breasted… I mean, Joanne is just completely skewed. Her whole mentality is like, ‘Well, I’ve got to get these boobs,’ and it’s all about her just getting everybody’s attention.”

Spending Hours at a Beauty Salon: “No matter how much I try to get out of there quicker, I just always end up being there for a long part of the day. Especially when I was blonde. My God, I’d have to go every two weeks and it was just like the color and the toner and then washing and just crazy. So there were many times where I’d bring things to read or things to do and we’d just never get past that because I would always just be talking with my stylist about like everything, about her baby and what we’re going to do and all kinds of stuff. I’m just there for a long part of the day. I just have to book that whole day out if it’s a salon.”

Going from Blonde to Her Current Brunette Hair Color: “I’d say I went five months ago. When I worked on this film, I worked on another right afterwards where I had to be blonde, so I was just gone for so long and I really just wanted a change, so I just decided to do it, just change it up. It was not working for me. Too blonde. This film is like blindingly blonde.”

The Best Beauty Advice: “My mom is obsessed with Aloe Vera. It’s all about Aloe Vera. Like first thing out of the shower, Aloe Vera, Aloe Vera. So I remember that was something that I took upon very young. I love to do it as natural as I can. I don’t try to pile it on. I feel like I get enough of that when I’m working or going to an event or something like that. So it’s just nice to be really fresh and clean, with a freshly washed face.”