David Slijper for Harper’s Bazaar UK
It’s not merely her angelic aesthetic that makes Rosie Huntington-Whiteley a beauty idol, the English model and actress has a mind, as well as a face, for beauty. Photoshoots are daily life for the star where she’s absorbed endless insight from industry experts, so it’s no wonder we all want to buy into her high-profile cosmetics collection for M&S (which she has big say over). Her latest collaboration is with one of her all-time favourite products, Caudalie’s iconic Beauty Elixir – a “spa in a bottle”, as she describes it. The multipurpose skin-setter-and-refresher is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a special edition design and Huntington-Whiteley fronting it, so we took the opportunity to probe the star on allher skin secrets. Here they are:
1. Try and have regular facials
“Skin is something I really work on and pay attention to. I’m lucky that I get to see facialists on a regular basis so I get to discuss any skin concerns I have. A facialist is a real luxury and an investment, but I think if you can at least see an expert a couple of times a year and get a good routine recommended by them to take away and use at home it would make a big difference.”
2. Let climate dictate your skincare
“I have combination skin. In LA the climate is dry so I find that my skin needs more moisture, but it can become oilier in a more tropical place. If I’m not eating as clean or drinking as much water I find that I get a bit more congestion or look a bit duller. As women our bodies are changing all the time with our hormones so I end up adjusting my skincare accordingly.”
3. The morning pore-tightening trick
“I run a basin of warm water and let the steam open up my pores and I’ll wash away any sleep. Then I’ll wash my face with a foaming cleanser. Afterwards I’ll rinse with cold water to tighten the pores up. Then I’ll give my skin a spritz of the Beauty Elixir, which is so rejuvenating and awakening.”
4. You don’t have to apply moisturiser all over
“Sometimes a moisturiser can be a little heavy for me, so one thing I say is that you don’t need to put it all over your face, you can just put it where you need to. For me it can just be my cheeks or forehead.”
5. Never forget SPF
“SPF is one thing as I’m maturing that I’m trying to pay attention to. One of the great things is that when you put it on your face you can just rub it onto the back of your hands after [to prevent sun damage].”
6. Detox with a mask
“My two favourites are Caudalie’s Instant Detox Mask, which is excellent after a long flight or when I feel my skin needs a detox, and the Glycolic Peel which is excellent for exfoliating and rejuvenating the skin. I love this after work when I want to get rid of any impurities that have been sitting on my skin.”
Image by Getty and @rosiehw
7. Exfoliate in the evening
“I always prefer to exfoliate in the evening, that way my skin has a bit of time in a clean environment to rejuvenate – I don’t love the idea of exfoliating and then putting make-up straight on.”
8. Water, water, water
“One of the most life-changing things for me was reading a book called You’re Not Sick You’re Thirsty, written by a doctor. He says that a lot of the ailments, allergies, sicknesses and aches and pains we experience are driven from not being hydrated enough. So I tried drinking two-three litres a day and the difference has been just enormous. My energy levels, my skin, my digestive system – it’s endless. I rarely get sick now and if I can feel something coming on I drink water. The first thing I do when I open my eyes in the morning is glug it back and it helps to get everything moving in the morning. You get excited when you see the results of something, and certainly something we can all afford to do is drink water.”
9. Have a pick-me-up product
“I discovered the Beauty Elixir ten years ago backstage at a fashion show, I went and bought a bottle and since then it’s been one of the key products in my skincare routine. I have one in my cabinet at home and I travel with a mini bottle so my skin doesn’t get so dehydrated on flights, I have one in the car for hot days and one in my gym bag, too. It’s just one of those fantastic pick-me-up products that you can use to refresh your skin and set your make-up. It’s meaningful for me to work with a brand I’m a true fan of, and whose products I actually use and can talk about.”
This article originally appeared on Harper’s BAZAAR UK.
