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InStyle Magazine: BEAUTY TALK (issue with Kate Hudson on the front cover)

Jessica Alba of Dark Angel

Steve Shaw

Even though she plays Max, the genetically engineered crime fighter to James Cameron’s cult TV drama Dark Angel, Jessica Alba is not immuned worrying about her "less than perfect" body. "I get obsessive and sit in front of a mirror and get insecure about having hips, even though it’s natural and the way women are supposed to look," she says, revealing a glimpse of the human that lurks beneath her superhero façade. Then again, what Alba calls "less than perfect" doesn’t exactly match most women’s definition. In fact, to prepare for the Fox series, the 20-year-old worshiped at the altar of Linda Hamilton, working out with a trainer seven days a week to whip her physique into a hard body worthy of the Terminatrix. When she’s not kicking butt, the recently crowned L’Oreal hair spokeswoman commutes between her native L.A. and her adopted home of Vancouver, where the series is filmed. North or south, the raven-haired beauty can usually be found in the company of co-star Michael Weatherly, as the pair ready for what may be their most thrilling adventure yet—a trip down the aisle.

Let’s discuss your hair-color history.

I’ve tried everything but platinum blond. For the L’Oreal commercial I dyed it Feria Ruby Fusion, and I felt like a rock star. Everyone looks at your head if you have red hair. For Dark Angel, I had to go back to dark.

How do you care for your hair?

I wash it with Aveda Brilliant shampoo and conditioner. I use L’Oreal Colorvive oil for flyaway frizzes and a hair wax to keep my cowlick up. I hardly every blow-dry. I just put it in pigtails, braids or a ponytail.

What’s in your makeup bag?

Dermalogica intensive Moisture Balance, MAC N5 concealer, L’Oreal Translucide sheer blush in Blushing Glow, Lancome Lengthening mascara in black, and L’Oreal Rouge Pulp gloss.

Have you always liked makeup?

My mom’s a Southern girl who comes from the school that you don’t leave the house without your face on, so when I first started wearing makeup, I went overboard. I wore concealer, base, powder, eyeliner—the whole nine yards.

How do you care for your skin?

I use Dermalogica moisturizer during the day and Shiseido night cream at night. I drink lots of water, about three liters a day. I treat my breakouts guerilla-style: I soak a Q-Tip in alcohol and rub it on them to dry them out. When I’m in the sun, I use an SPF 4 on my body and an SPF 45 on my face.

Do you have a favorite fragrance?

The perfume I always wear and carry in my purse is Turquoise Perfume Oil from Sage.

Any beauty indulgences?

I spent two hours at the Sephora store in New York City with my friend Veronica. I don’t shop much when I’m in Vancouver, so I had just gone 10 months without being a girl, and then I got to go to the most amazing makeup store I’ve ever seen in my life. I’ve never seen anything like that. We both left with all these products, and I got this huge makeup kit.

How do you stay in such great shape now?

I try to work out every day for 45 minutes to an hour. I start out on the treadmills or elliptical machine for 10 to 15 minutes to get my heart rate up to 180 beats per minute. Then I do 50 lunges and crunches. Next I get back on the machine for another 10 minutes. Then I work on shoulders, biceps and triceps. I do that nonstop for four sets. When I work out, I have energy and feel good about myself.

What is your diet like?

Everyone in my family is heavily overweight. I wanted to be healthier, so I started cooking for myself when I was 12 years old. When I eat breakfast, I’ll have an egg-white omelette and fruit, or cottage cheese and a peach. For lunch, I’ll have a salad. Dinner is usually vegetables and chicken or fish. During the day I’ll have some dried fruit, or I’ll have a chocolate or strawberry frozen yogurt. I don’t really eat desserts or bread.

Let’s talk fashion.

I love Prada. I like their pants, their dresses, their shoes, their bags. I like Marc Jacobs too. For casual wear I like Juicy Couture, Diesel and Triple 5 Soul.

Who makes the best trousers?

I’m still trying to figure that out for myself because I have a booty and I have hips and it’s hard to find good-fitting pants.

Do you like to shop?

When I couldn’t afford anything, I wanted everything. Now that I have the means, I’m really picky. I like to shop for Michael, though. I just bought him a suit at Hugo Boss.

Tell me about your engagement ring.

It’s diamond and platinum, and it’s not too big, and it’s not too girly. I’m really active, and I don’t want to take my ring off when I’m at the gym or if I’m cooking.

How do you define sexy?

Everything about Michael is sexy: his eyes, his lips, his jaw, his hands, his back. Everything.