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    Exclusive: Pamela Anderson On Beauty, "Baywatch," And Feminism

    "I don't know if I ever really felt beautiful."

    BuzzFeed Fashion caught up with Pamela Anderson at an event for Obliphica Professional, a haircare line under the direction of celebrity stylist John Blaine. She spoke about her changing self-image, female empowerment, and how annoying beauty makeunders are.

    When in your life did you first feel beautiful?

    Pamela Anderson: Well, it wasn't today (laughs). I'm kidding. Oh, god, I don't know if I ever really felt beautiful. I always feel like I don't — I don't, really.

    Who do you admire in the media today, style- and beauty-wise?

    PA: I love Sophia Loren, Brigitte Bardot, Ursula Andress, Raquel Welch. I love those kind of timeless beauty icons...Marilyn Monroe. Dita Von Teese!

    You're something of a beauty maximalist. So do people ever try to make you under?

    PA: Actually a lot of people, especially when I was on Baywatch. They were insisting that I didn't wear eyelashes, but I said, "I have my look, this is what I'm comfortable in." Sometimes my eyelashes would roll up onto the beach and that's all that would be left of me. But I was determined to be glamorous. Oh, I loved it, I LOVED it. I thought, "If you're going to be on TV, and if you're gonna be out and glamorous, the natural look can stay at home. If we're gonna do this, let's have fun with it!" I actually just did a shoot lately, and they took all the makeup off and put me in a ponytail, and I said, "Well, OK, we'll try that."

    How did you feel about it?

    PA: Well, everyone was happy about it and liked it, and so, well, we'll see what it looks like. It was Mario Testino, so I can't argue with him! And he loved it, so, we'll see.

    So people try to tone down your sex appeal because you're known for being so hot?

    PA: I don't know if it's because I'm so hot, but they definitely try to tone down my sex appeal. I think it's time, though — you know, you grow up and you change your look. I feel different from how I did in my Playboy days. Now, I think I'm in charge of toning down my look or not. I feel like as I'm getting older, this is my version of toned down (gestures to hair and outfit). I like it.

    Do you consider yourself a feminist?

    PA: I do, actually. I do. I think I'm in control of what I do and what I've done. I think that's the ultimate feminine power. Do as you want. Be who you want to be, and not for anybody else. As days go by, women are more and more empowered.