The actress tells PEOPLE all about her exciting new beauty gig

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Anne Hathaway is Shiseido’s new ambassador
PHOTO: COURTESY OF SHISEIDO
Anne Hathaway is having the best time ever.

From commanding the red carpet in scene-stealing style to fronting campaigns for Bulgari and Versace, the Oscar winner is everywhere right now. And her streak just got even hotter with a major beauty contract now in her powerhouse portfolio.

Hathaway is the new celebrity ambassador for Japanese skincare brand Shiseido’s Vital Perfection product range, a pinch-me moment for the star who says she’s “thrilled” the brand thought of her.

“I feel like I’m punching above my weight class with this one,” she tells PEOPLE at a New York City party celebrating her partnership. “I’ve known about Shiseido as a company since I was first starting out as an actress. I worked with a makeup artist who used Shiseido products on me, so I’ve always known their quality.”

For Hathaway, learning more about Shiseido’s legacy has been an invigorating experience.

“It was amazing to realize that a company so timeless, so synonymous with excellence and care and thoughtfulness could want me,” she shares. “It was an incredible compliment and I decided to say yes before they changed their minds.”

Anne Hathaway is Shiseido’s new ambassador
COURTESY OF SHISEIDO
Anne Hathaway on Her Fashion Renaissance: ‘I’ve Never Had This Much Fun’
Shiseido’s Vice President Echo Lo said teaming with Hathaway was an organic fit from the beginning.

“Anne collaborated with us through the entire creative process to craft Vital Perfection’s personal expression,” she shared.

Anne Hathaway is Shiseido’s new ambassador
TAYLOR JEWELL
To achieve her glowy complexion, the star turns to two products over and over again: Shiseido’s Vital Perfection Uplifting Firming Cream ($140) and Uplifting and Firming Eye Mask ($85), the latter which has become a go-to for traveling.

“I didn’t know that there was skincare specifically designed for skin in its fifth decade,” Hathaway, 40, tells PEOPLE. As she looks ahead, she says, “I’m thrilled to have that extra little bit of support.”

Anne Hathaway Says She’s ‘Really Switched on by Gen Z’ When It Comes to Style
While the star says she doesn’t adhere to a singular beauty philosophy, she does have one style mantra she returns to time and time again: “Don’t take it too seriously!”
Hathaway works closely with her “dear friend,” stylist Erin Walsh, on all her show-stopping carpet looks, including the incandescent, golden CD Greene gown she wore to celebrate her Shiseido ambassadorship.

“We both believe that style is an expression,” Hathway says of collaborating with Walsh. “When I get to be with Erin is when I get to play. And I trust her, which makes me feel like I can be braver.”