Would have been the same if Elizabeth Olsen had been cast in the now-iconic role of Daenerys Targaryen instead of Emilia Clarke? We’ll never know. But we do know that Clarke has been one of the key cast members who has made the show the cultural phenomenon it has become over the past eight mesmerising seasons.

So perhaps it was for the best that Elizabeth Olsen’s audition for the role of the Mother of Dragons was, as she recently revealed to Vulture, one of her worst — it just wasn’t meant to be. The actress told the publication that 10 years ago she read for the role of Daenerys and it did not go well. “I auditioned for Khaleesi. It was the most awkward audition I’d ever had.”

The actress says she read a monologue from the first season where the character is “making this speech to thousands of people about she’s their queen. They didn’t know if they wanted a British accent or not. So, [I] did it in both. It was terrible. Anytime someone says, ‘Bad audition story.’ That’s one I remember.”

Image credits: Elizabeth Olsen (left) Getty Images, Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen (right) Foxtel

In a recent roundtable interview with Michelle Williams, Patricia Arquette, Christine Baranski, Danai Gurira and Niecy Nash for , ’s Mother of Dragons, Emilia Clarke, revealed she was almost cast as s Anastasia Steele. 

When asked to name “one of the things you famously did not want to do”, Clarke admitted that while “Sam [Taylor-Johnson, the director] is a magician” and she “thought her vision was beautiful”, she turned down the role of Steele for a very particular reason.

“The last time that I was naked on camera on [] was a long time ago, and yet it is the only question that I ever get asked because I am a woman,” she told the publication. “And it’s annoying as hell and I’m sick and tired of it because I did it for the character — I didn’t do it so some guy could check out my tits, for God’s sake. So, that coming up, I was like, ‘I can’t.’”

“I did a minimal amount and I’m pigeonholed for life,” she continued. “So me saying yes to that, where the entire thing is about sensuality and sex and being naked and all of that stuff, I was just like, ‘No way am I going to voluntarily walk into that situation and then never be able to look someone in the eye and be like, ‘No, you can’t keep asking me this question.’”

Dakota Johnson ended up assuming the character and has played Steele for all three of the film’s installments. 

Image credits: Getty Images

If casting had taken a different path, Cole Sprouse wouldn’t have been Jughead in . It’s almost unimaginable now, because Sprouse seems like he was born for that role, but there was a time during the casting process that the role of Jughead could have gone to breakout star Chance Perdomo.

22-year-old Perdomo—who plays Sabrina’s lovable rogue warlock cousin Ambrose Spellman in —dropped this casting bomb to saying “One of my first auditions actually was for . Did some self-tapes and I got quite a few rounds and I had no idea how close I got. They kept me in mind and I had no idea until later, Roberto [Aguirre-Sacasa, creator of both and ] was like, ‘Brother, do you know how close you got?… It was almost you.’”

Despite missing out on the iconic role of Jughead, Perdomo went onto land the role of Ambrose Spellman in which left him with no hard feelings towards Sprouse.

“I’m not even mad. I grew up watching Cole Sprouse and his brother [Dylan Sprouse], and to have come close and lose it to one of the people I used to watch, it’s good,” Perdomo told .

Cult 1999 teen rom-com a modern retelling of Shakespeare’s could have looked very different with Kate Hudson playing opposite Heath Ledger.

In a recent interview with , casting director Marcia Ross revealed the actress was a leading contender for the role of Kat Stratford that eventually went to Julia Stiles.

The film put many of the cast on the Hollywood map including Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger and Joseph Gordon-Levitt and became one of the most popular movies that year. Even now, 20 years later, it still consistently makes it into the top rom-com movies of all time lists.

According to Ross, although she “loved” Kate Hudson for the role, Hudson’s mum, actress Goldie Hawn, was the reason Hudson didn’t play Kat. Per the interview, Ross says “Her mom [Goldie Hawn] didn’t like the script for her, so she passed.”

Ross dropped further casting bombshell news saying she also loved Katie Holmes, but the actress was about to be offered and they couldn’t make a decision fast enough before she signed onto the teen drama show.

Josh Hartnett and Eliza Dushku were also, according to Ross, screen-tested together for the leads that eventually went to Heath Ledger and Stiles, with Ross saying it came down to chemistry. “Julia [Stiles] and Heath [Ledger] just had the best chemistry.

It’s Tinseltown legend that had the timing worked out, Emma Stone’s Oscar-winning role as Mia in La La Land would have gone to Beauty and the Beast’s Emma Watson. Which seems unimaginable now after watching the chemistry between La La Land’s leads, Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling.

According to an interview Watson gave in 2017, she had already committed to Beauty and the Beast and said “scheduling conflict-wise, it [La La Land] just didn’t work out.” But boy did it work out for Stone.

Who is now—in a way—repaying Watson’s favour by reportedly stepping out of a great role due to scheduling issues, leaving the role clear for Watson, who is in talks for it.

The role in question is Meg March in Greta Gerwig’s all-star Little Women adaptation. Variety reports Stone was attached to the project in the role of Meg, but she is unable to play the role as she’ll be on the promotional trail for her upcoming film, The Favourite. Watson was apparently next in line and talks are happening for the Harry Potter star to join the cast which is rumoured to include Meryl Streep, Laura Dern, Saoirse Ronan and Timothée Chalamet.

Image credits: Getty Images

It seems two other stars could have been born, if things had gone a different route. Revealing that she and Will Smith almost did their own version of, Jennifer Lopez told it just never ended up happening. “Will and I talked about it and talked about developing the script. It just never took off. Projects are like that.”

The iconic role of Jack in Titanic nearly went to Matthew McConaughey.

In an interview on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Kate Winslet admitted she actually auditioned alongside McConaughey. “I auditioned with Matthew, isn’t that weird?” Winslet told Colbert. “Never said that in public before. I auditioned with Matthew, which was completely fantastic. It just wouldn’t have been the whole, Jack and Rose, Kate and Leo thing.”

In a separate interview on ’s podcast, McConaughey revealed how much he wanted the role at the time. “I wanted that. I auditioned with Kate Winslet. Had a good audition. Walked away from there pretty confident that I had it. I didn’t get it. I never got offered that.”

Now of course, we can’t imagine Titanic without Leonardo DiCaprio. 

Image credit: Getty Images

Gwyneth Paltrow revealed on her
podcast that she nearly played the role of Annie Porter in the 1994 film
. The movie is credited to propelling Sandra Bullock to fame, as she was the actress who ended up landing the coveted role. Recently, comedian Ellen Degeneres admitted that the producer of the film told her they wrote the script with Degeneres in mind for the role!

Katie Holmes was up for the role of Annette in Cruel Intentions, which ended up going to up-and-comer Reese Witherspoon.

The studio wanted Holmes for the role; Dawson’s Creek had just started on television. Screenwriter/director Roger Kumble instead wanted Vinessa Shaw, thinking that Annette needed to be played by someone “with a little more strength of character.” 

Eventually, in Kumble’s words: “And then, literally, I was hanging out with Ryan [Philippe] one night and I was like, ‘What about your girlfriend?’” Witherspoon of course agreed to the role, but only once the character was written: “She wanted to strengthen the character, and she was right. And she and I got together, and we gave Annette more bite so she wasn’t a doormat. And I’m very grateful to her for that.” 

Director and writer Amy Heckerling had her heart set on Alicia Silverstone, but the Fox studios insisted that she meet with other young actresses, including Alicia Witt, Keri Russell and Tiffany Thiessen. 

She was also scheduled to meet Gwyneth Paltrow: “Then they go, ‘You’ve got to see the girl in [Flesh and Bone].’ I never got to see her. I guess she was off on other things. That turned out to be Gwyneth Paltrow,” Heckerling told Vanity Fair. 

Angelina Jolie was also suggested for the role of Cher. Says Carrie Frazier, the then casting director of the film who worked on its initial stages: “But she was too knowing for what was needed for Clueless. Angelina never came in [to audition] for the project. I was just looking at her tape. I remember an agent pitching her, and I’m going, “No, no, no, this is exactly the opposite of what I need for this.” 

Frazier also suggested Reese Witherspoon to Heckerling. “But I did see some scenes of her and went: Wow. She’s amazing. But Alicia is Cher,” says Heckerling.

Ben Affleck and Zach Braff were also considered for the role of Josh, which ended up going to Paul Rudd and Sarah Michelle Gellar was offered the part of Amber, but they couldn’t come to an agreement with the television series she was on at the time,
All My Children. 

Jennifer Lawrence originally auditioned for Twilight’s Bella Swan but the role went to Kristen Stewart. 

Molly Ringwald was the first choice for Pretty Woman. When she turned it down, Julia Roberts was cast. But Julia Roberts passed up on The Blind Side, which won her replacement Sandra Bullock an Academy Award.

Neither Sandra Bullock nor George Clooney was the first option for Gravity. The original leads were Angelina Jolie and Robert Downey Jr. When Jolie passed it up, it went to Natalie Portman before Bullock. 

It was meant to be for Johnny Depp and Captain Jack Sparrow. Jim Carrey turned down the lead role in Pirates of the Caribbean because filming clashed with Bruce Almighty. 

Nicole Kidman pulled out of Mr and Mrs Smith and Brad Pitt reportedly demanded Angelina Jolie to replace her. And to think we may never have had Brangelina. 

Gwyneth Paltrow was James Cameron’s original choice for Rose DeWitt Bukater in Titanic. Until he found Kate Winslet. A year after Titanic’s release, Paltrow starred in Shakespeare in Love, for which she won an Oscar, but her role was initially offered to Winslet. 

Lindsay Lohan declined the role of Jade, the stripper, in The Hangover, because she thought the film ‘had no potential’. Heather Graham scored the part instead. Lohan also almost played Regina George in Mean Girls but it was recast with Lohan as Cady Heron and Rachel McAdams as George. Amanda Seyfried also auditioned for the role of Regina George. 

What’s more, McAdams won the part of Allie in The Notebook over Jessica Biel, Reese Witherspoon and Britney Spears, who all auditioned. Yes, we’re thankful it turned out the way it did too. Lohan and Cara Delevingne both picketed for the lead role in Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, which went to Vogue cover model Mia Wasikowska.

Hilary Swank was first attached to Dallas Buyers Club until Jennifer Garner was hired. Brad Pitt and Ryan Gosling had both considered the role that scored Matthew McConaughey an Oscar nomination. Swank was more lucky when she scored the lead in Million Dollar Baby after Sandra Bullock left when production was delayed. The title role earned her her second Best Actress Oscar. 

Before Rooney Mara landed the role of Lisbeth Salander, Natalie Portman, Ellen Page, Carey Mulligan and Scarlett Johansson auditioned to be The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Director David Fincher said Johansson was brilliant but ‘the thing with Scarlett is, you can’t wait for her to take her clothes off’. 

While Mulligan won the coveted role of Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gatsby, competition was stiff; it reportedly included Blake Lively (who was in a relationship with Leonardo DiCaprio during the audition process), Keira Knightley, Michelle Williams, Abbie Cornish, Amanda Seyfried, Natalie Portman, Rebecca Hall and Johansson – the latter turned it down for We Bought A Zoo. 

Anne Hathaway won the part of Alison Scott in Knocked Up but abandoned the project due to creative differences. Apparently, Christina Aguilera refused the second offer because she wanted to focus on her music. Then came along the perfectly-suited Katherine Heigl. 

Will Smith snubbed both Neo in The Matrix and Django in Django Unchained, roles that ultimately went to Keanu Reeves and Jamie Foxx, respectively. 

Helen Mirren pulled out of Precious so Mariah Carey stepped in just days before filming. 

Toni Collette declined the role of Bridget Jones because she was performing on Broadway and Renee Zellweger was cast after a two-year search. 

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Breakfast at Tiffany’s author Truman Capote envisaged Marilyn Monroe as Holly Golightly for the screen adaptation but she turned down the part because her acting coach said playing a call-girl was not good for her image. Her replacement Audrey Hepburn won multiple acting nominations.   

Although now we can hardly distinguish Sarah Jessica Parker from her character in Sex and the City, Carrie Bradshaw was first offered to Dana Delany, who turned it down. 

Her brother’s rule-breaking marriage to a woman with a complex past paved the way for Princess Märtha Louise of Norway to marry author Ari Behn one year later. Her brother having subverted protocol, Princess Märtha Louise didn’t hesitate when Behn proposed to her, despite the media’s critical view of the writer.

They united at Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway, in a wedding attended by both European and British royalty. Princess Märtha Louise arrived with her father, King Harald V of Norway, in a simple sleeveless gown layered with a Swarovski crystal-encrusted coat by Norwegian designer Wenche Lyche. The bride also wore a sparkling headpiece – Queen Maud’s pearl and diamond tiara. After a kiss on the balcony of the Stiftsgården Palace in Norway, the couple hosted a private reception at the palace where the bride removed her coat for the evening reception.

Although they’ve since divorced, Princess Märtha Louise and Ari Behn’s wedding was one for the history books. Scroll through to look back on these royal nuptials.

The princess leaves the royal residence with her father King Harald V for her wedding.

The couple wave to crowds as they walk to Stiftsgården Palace after their wedding ceremony.

Emerging on the balcony of Stiftsgården Palace to greet the crowds below.

The bride wore a coat dress by Norwegian designer Wenche Lyche and Queen Maud’s pearl and diamond tiara.

The couple share their first kiss as husband and wife.

The couple wave to crowds of well-wishes as the royal family looks on.

The bride and groom at their official evening reception where Princess Märtha Louise removed her coat to reveal a simple slip dress underneath.Click Here:

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24th May 2019

When it comes to making money from a “family business” the Kardashian-Jenner crew are certainly one of the most high-profile families succeeding in this area. 

Matriarch Kris Jenner took her second-born daughter’s, Kim Kardashian West, five minutes of fame and turned it into a multi-million dollar empire in large part via their long-running reality TV show Keeping Up with the Kardashians, now in its sixteenth season.

This is one woman who knows how to build a business from their existing family “assets” and the rest of the Kardashian-Jenner girls — Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, Kylie and Kendall — have all taken their cues from their business-savvy mum, building successful businesses in their own right. Kim Kardashian West and Kylie Jenner with their rival beauty brands, Khloé Kardashian with her denim label, Good American, Kendall Jenner with her modelling career and Kourtney Kardashian with her executive producing on their reality show and also all the endorsement deals she has thanks to her famous last name.

Indeed in this family, no family member is not a potential revenue stream, including the next generation of Kardashian-Jenners. According to US Weekly, Kylie Jenner, Kim Kardashian West and Khloé Kardashian have reportedly filed to trade mark the names of their children for “multiple business purposes including a clothing line, toys and skincare products.”

Kylie Jenner, 21, has a one-year-old daughter, Stormi Webster, with rapper Travis Scott and her name is reportedly on the trade mark documents along with the theme name of the tot’s out-of-this-world first birthday party, Stormiworld, which references her dad’s, Travis Scott, Astroworld album and tour. 

Three of 38-year-old Kim Kardashian West’s children with Kanye West — North West, 5, Saint West, 3, and Chicago West, 1, — are also on the trade mark application. As is True Thompson, 10 months, who is Khloé Kardashian’s daughter with Tristan Thompson. 

No news if Kourtney Kardashian’s three children with ex, Scott Disick, are also included.

Per Us Weekly back in 2015, Kylie Jenner tried to trade mark her first name but was rejected when our very own Kylie Minogue took her to court over it and successfully had the trade mark application rejected. Will history repeat itself with this trade mark? Only time will tell if any other Stormis, Chicagos, Norths, Saints and Trues of the world decide to take on the might of the Kardashian-Jenner crew.

Updated May 24, 2019: Following the birth via surrogate of Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West’s fourth child, Psalm West, on May 9, E! News reports the couple have filed a trade mark application for their new family member. The trade mark application was reportedly filed on May 19, one day after Kardashian West announced her son’s name to the world via Instagram.

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Image credit: Getty Images. 

Modern ways of working have seen us wear our busyness as if it were a badge. We’re overleveraged, overworked, over-tired, and quite honestly, over it (or is that just me?). And while success, like a pair of vintage Levi’s, is not one size fits all, it’s no lie that so many of us are burning the candle at both ends in order to hit certain inconceivable pressures: get promoted, increase your bank balance, improve your home life, achieve an inbox at zero – we could go on for days.

Jeannie Bourke, owner of Venustus salon in Sydney’s leafy suburb of Paddington, is one who knows this narrative all too well. She treats a string of CEOs, celebrities, mothers and high-powered executives (sometimes a combination) all suffering the 2019 health conundrum that is burnout. You might be familiar with it yourself: tiredness, mental exhaustion, and your shoulders reside somewhat around your ears, rather than the southern end of your neck, as nature intended.

Regardless, it’s not for everyone to pack up shop and relocate to an organic compound in the Byron Bay hinterland. A burgeoning career or busy-but-beautiful home life might be the reason you get out of bed every day, but that’s not to say you can’t inject moments of respite into your life. As the experts say, you’re no good to others until you’ve affixed your own oxygen mask first, right? Bourke is an advocate for these little moments – things you can incorporate into your day to keep your cortisol at a reasonable level – in this modern era, anyway. Read on for all her wisdom.  

Have a plan for moments of intense stress

Alanis Morissette got it absolutely right when she proclaimed that traffic jams are commonplace when you’re running late. However that was 14 years ago. Now, you’re running late to an important meeting while your phone rings, your inbox buzzes, and your mum keeps texting you about the dog. Bad days at work, family issues – whatever it is, have a plan in place for moments of intense stress or panic, especially if you’re prone to losing your cool. Bourke recommends essential oils as a ritualistic way of calming down. A few drops of her S.O.S roll on blend is designed for exactly this. Pop it on your wrist, and take a few deep breaths. You’ll calm down and make much more logical decisions than if you just spiral.

Practice gratitude

Sounds woo-woo, but the truth is that being able to work, or live a busy life is an incredible privilege that many don’t have. When you wake up in the morning, Bourke recommends writing down, or verbally stating a few things you are grateful for. If you’re stuck, here are some thought-staters, courtesy of Bourke: “I am grateful I have a healthy body that works, eyes that can see, and ears that can hear.”

Run a hot bath 

Gwyneth Paltrow knows the restorative powers of a good bath, and frankly, so do we. Add whatever you like to yours – Epsom salts, bubbles, or essential oils are a nice touch. If you don’t have a bath, a few drops of essential oil in your shower will still turn the experience into something a little more luxurious. Eucalyptus is zingy and fresh, while lavender is warm and soothing  before bed. Be sure to follow it up with the Venustus Belief Organic Body Serum, and a spritz of Muscular Spray mist if you’re neck and shoulders are desk-job collateral.

Carve out some time for yourself

In following on with the oxygen mask analogy, sometimes it’s essential to block out two hours on a Saturday for strictly yourself – we’re a few weeks out from half-way through the year, so no doubt you deserve it. Venustus is Bourke’s Sydney salon, and it’s the closest place we’ve found to heaven on Earth. If you’re a sceptic, be open to the crystals and sage upon arrival. But these aside, her Om Massage is one of the most luxurious treatments available – think intuitive therapists who know exactly where the knots are, heavenly organic oils worked in to tired limbs, and a feeling of bliss post-treatment.

While small, half an hour, or even a few minutes to decompress each day can be worth it’s weight in gold. Trust us. 

Want more tips to help you keep up with your busy life? Vogue Codes 2019 is around the corner. Head to vogue.com.au/vogue-codes for the program schedule, and ticket sales.  

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24th May 2019

Marissa Cooper dying in Ryan Atwood’s arms on The O.C. was a heart-wrenching moment. The scene played out in a typical-but-entertaining fashion: the troubled teen lovers were run off the road by Cooper’s drunken ex, Kevin Volchok, while on the way to the airport. Atwood pulled Cooper’s body from the wreckage before the car burst into flames, and then proceeded to hold her tenderly until she died in his arms – cue the sobs. It was an iconic moment in television, but apparently, it wasn’t originally meant to be so tragic.

Actress Mischa Barton, who played Marissa Cooper for the duration of the show, has spoken out this week about her part in the ending. In an interview with the New York Times, Barton explained that she felt her character had endured enough, and killing her off was the only viable option. “She’s one of those burnout characters where I don’t know how much more we could have done with her anyway,” Barton told the New York Times.

As per the publication, Barton fought “tooth and nail” for Cooper’s fate, in part because she lacked approval for the alternate ending: that Cooper would ride off into the sunset (or escape Orange County to live with her dad on a boat in Greece, for those who missed it). “I just don’t think that’s Marissa Cooper. I just don’t think sailing off into the sunset’s the proper goodbye,” the actress explained.

She also noted that it was in her interest to shut down the possibility of her character returning in a later season, due to the fact that she wanted the freedom to pursue other projects at the time. “I was getting no time to do any of the other offers that were out there,” she explained.

Barton’s had a few minor roles since The O.C., but has mostly taken a step back to focus on her health after a DUI charge, a legal battle with an ex-partner, and reportedly being treated as a suicide risk. But now, the actress is set to star in the reboot of the reality TV series, The Hills.

Barton will work alongside veterans like Audrina Partridge, Heidi and Spencer Pratt, and Whitney Port, as the show details their evolved lives, and sometimes fractured relationships.

While she wasn’t part of the original reality series, it’s been said that The Hills served as inspiration for The O.C. characters and various plot lines. The Hills: New Beginnings reboot is set to air June 24, 2019. 

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Skincare trends come and go, but it’s the creams, balms and lotions that we turn to year after year that paint the clearest picture of our collective beauty needs. And it seems our skin is having a bit of a hard time. According to Mintel’s Global New Products Database, 23 per cent of skincare products launched in South Korea between January and October 2017 were designed specifically for sensitive skin, compared with 11 per cent in 2014.

Meanwhile, UK e-commerce platform Look Fantastic has seen a 71 per cent rise in searches for sensitive skin and sensitive skin products since this time last year, and Google searches for “sensitive skin” have more than doubled in the last five years worldwide. But when did we all get so sensitive?

What is classified as sensitive skin?

The defining features of sensitive skin may look similar – think redness, discomfort and inflammation – but the reasons behind these conditions can vary enormously. “I’m seeing more and more patients in my clinic who consider themselves to have sensitive skin,” says cosmetic dermatologist Dr Sam Bunting. “The hallmark of skin sensitivity is inflammation. It can be a feature of a number of different skin conditions including acne, rosacea and eczema, or it can be associated with ‘normal’ skin that burns and stings in response to common triggers like certain skincare ingredients.”

Identifying the source of your skin sensitivity is crucial when it comes to treating it, according to Dr Stefanie Williams, dermatologist and founder of London-based clinic Eudelo. “‘Sensitive skin’ is actually not a defined entity, as it can have different underlying causes which need very different therapeutic approaches,” she says. “The best option is always to see a cosmetic dermatologist, if possible, to get diagnosed properly.”

What are the contributing factors to sensitive skin?

Dr Bunting points the finger at our increasingly complicated, multi-step skincare routines for putting our skin into a spin. “So many women complain of having a cupboard full ofcreams they’ve used once. Or else they’re so scared of changing their routine, they have been using the same regime for a decade, despite their skin’s changing appearance and needs,” she says. “What’s important to remember is that skincare is not an exact science because individuals are just that: individual. What works for your friend or that blogger/model/actress you follow on Instagram has almost no bearing on what will work for you.”

Dr Howard Murad, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Murad skincare, adds that the environmental aggressors of daily life only worsen the problem. “Our modern lifestyle means we are surrounded by skin aggressors daily, from car exhausts, smoke, pollution, free radicals, sun exposure, even devices such as mobile phones,” he warns. “Sensitive skin concerns such as inflammation and irritation can easily be triggered by stress, medication, environment, hormones and overstimulating the skin, and this can be worsened with inappropriate skincare.”

Of course, the source of your sensitivity makes a big difference. Dr Williams says that while issues in rosacea-type sensitive skin can be triggered by overly rich skincare, atopic-type (eczema-prone) sensitive skin can actually benefit from the same lipid-rich creams. Similarly, hot weather can exacerbate the former, while sunshine might improve matters for the latter. Just as the triggers differ, so should the treatment.

How can you identify the correct products for treating sensitive skin?

When choosing the best products to treat sensitive skin, it’s best to go back to basics. It then becomes easier to identify the products that are exacerbating the problem. Start with a gentle cleanser and moisturiser, free from potentially irritating fragrance – search for the term non-comedogenic. Korea-born cica creams have also recently gained popularity among those with stressed-out skin. Then start to incorporate other products.

“An all-physical SPF is best if your skin is super-reactive, so look at those formulated with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Wait a week and if all is well, it’s time to consider your actives. There is one key message here: one at a time,” advises Dr Bunting, who suggests niacinamide as a good starting place as it’s known to improve skin’s protective barrier function. “Start using smaller amounts less frequently (applied over moisturiser, if you’re worried) and build up the amount and frequency gradually, until you’re at your skin’s limit, or you’re using it daily.”

And whatever new products you’re trialling, Dr Murad has one useful tip to ensure you avoid a skincare disaster. “If you have sensitive skin, I recommend spot-testing any topical agent to the inside of your upper arm first before applying it to your face,” he says. “This area mimics the skin on the face in terms of sensitivity, but it can also be discreetly hidden if there is some sort of a visible reaction.”

Discover some of ’s favourite products for treating sensitive skin:

Avène Skin Recovery Cream. 

Kiehl’s Centella Sensitive Cica-Cream. 

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser. 

Murad City Skin Broad Spectrum SPF 50. 

SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Mask. 

Ren Evercalm Anti-Redness Serum. 

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% +B5. 

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Image credits: Courtesy of Moët & Chandon

Fireworks, lavish music, and glittering pyramids of champagne glasses: these were the sights and sounds that decorated the French night sky as Moët & Chandon threw an exclusive soirée in celebration of the 150th anniversary of its signature champagne, the Moët Impérial. At the newly-restored Château de Saran, nestled in the heart of the province of Champagne, celebrities and VIPs alike gathered amongst its lush vineyards to toast the maison’s historic milestone.

The brilliance of the party’s location was mirrored in the sparkling presence of some of Hollywood’s brightest stars. Actress Natalie Portman was a vision, wearing an elegant, sleeveless gown of white lace (above), while fellow actress Uma Thurman wore a sophisticated all-black ensemble, with a bardot neckline and tulle skirt. British actor Douglas Booth looked striking in a navy suit and mustard tie, and supermodel Kate Moss donned a cream, tie-waist jumpsuit with a plunging neckline for the evening’s festivities (above). Australia’s own modelling talent, Jessica Gomes, also made an appearance.

Renowned tennis legend Roger Federer, who has been the brand’s ambassador since 2012, was also present to pay homage to the iconic champagne and its legacy of elegance. “I am thrilled to be here in Champagne to toast Moët Impérial, a symbol of global success,” he siad. “At this splendid family château, a grand new symbol for Moët & Chandon whose ‘family’ I am honoured to be a part of.”

Renovations of the Château de Saran, a property of the maison since 1801, have been four years in the making. While its origins as a hunting lodge speak to its verdant surroundings, its eventual transformation into a family residence has shaped its rebirth as the ‘Château de Famille’, a building the brand hopes will foster an atmosphere of hospitality, luxury and relaxation.

After a cocktail party held inside, guests moved to the house’s vineyards to partake in a seated dinner. The meal was prepared by three Michelin-starred French chef Yannick Alléno, who has been a brand ambassador since 2014, and guided by chef Dominique Crenn, owner of the three Michelin-starred restaurant Atelier Crenn in San Francisco. Throughout the evening, Moët & Chandon also served its celebrated champagne to guests from limited-edition anniversary bottles. As fireworks illuminated the sky, a live musical performance from British singer-songwriter Freya Ridings marked the close of the evening. Scroll through to see pictures from inside the event below.

The Château de Saran

Natalie Portman

Kate Moss

Uma Thurman

Derek Blasberg

Rocky Barnes

Pelayo Diaz

Douglas Booth

Xin Wang

Freya Ridings

Eleonora Carisi

Jessica Gomes

Roger Federer

Benoit Gouez

Stephane Baschiera

Philippe Schaus

Kate Moss, Uma Thurman, Roger Federer and Natalie Portman

Roger Federer, Uma Thurman and Natalie Portman

The Château de Saran

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman

Jessica Gomes and Rocky Barnes

Freya Ridings performing at the Château de Saran

Fireworks above the Château de Saran

Fireworks above the Château de Saran

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