A Model Shares Her Best Beauty Secrets for Gorgeous Skin

For a model, taking care of her skin and keeping her complexion clear can feel like a full time job. No thanks to early call times, late night photo shoots, layers upon layers of makeup, harsh weather conditions, and the many other aspects of the job that can wreak havoc on their money makers. And, though we all may like to think that models are immune to things like breakouts, blemishes, and dull-looking complexions, they, too, can experience—and may even be more susceptible to, thanks to the nature of their jobs—blemished skin. This is why models are often known for their stellar—read: diligent—skin care routines. Lucky for them, they have an inside track to some of the best in the business when it comes to skin care and beauty tips and lucky for us, we are about to be let in on their secrets. We turned to Christen Harper, a seasoned model who know her way around both the catwalk and taking care of her acne-prone complexion, both on and off duty. She sounds off on her pre-photo shoot skin care ritual, daily routine, why she does not leave the house without a jar of coconut oil, and more, ahead.

HOW SHE USES SKIN CARE TO COMBAT HER BUSY SCHEDULE, HEAVY “PHOTO-READY” MAKEUP, AND LONG PHOTO SHOOTS:

“Many don’t realize how little control models have when it comes to what they are wearing and what is being done to their makeup and hair. Sometimes products don’t agree with our skin, but have to be applied for a specific look. Photo-ready makeup is generally very heavy and when it is applied day-after-day, it can take a toll on your skin. My skin is prone to breakouts, so after I wrap a shoot, the first thing I do is take off my makeup with a makeup remover wipe—so my skin can breathe. As soon as I get home (no matter how tired I am), I make sure to thoroughly wash my skin, tone, and apply a facial oil.”

Harper is right—taking off your makeup before bed is absolutely vital if you want to maintain a clear-looking complexion. You can keep a pack of makeup remover wipes on your nightstand to help you get the job done when you’re too tired to go through the motions of your full routine. We share some of our favorites, here.

WHAT HER EVERYDAY SKIN CARE ROUTINE LOOKS LIKE:

“In the mornings, I keep it simple. I wash my face with Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser and apply an organic almond and rosehip facial oil [to my complexion]. At night, I use coconut oil to remove any stubborn makeup left over from a shoot, then wash my face with cleanser. I try to exfoliate a few times a week—without overdoing it—and will either use a cleansing brush or gentle scrub. If I have any acne spots on my face, I avoid exfoliating the area, so that it can continue to heal. For these breakouts, I like to apply a spot treatment on the area before bed, followed by eye cream, and an organic facial oil.”

Compared to a 10-step skin care routine, Harper’s morning and evening routines are relatively simple. If you’re looking to revamp your daily regimens and want to opt for a simple, minimalist approach when it comes to your own skin care routine, peep our guide to minimalist skin care, here.

HER PRE-PHOTOSHOOT SKIN CARE RITUAL:

“If I have time the night before an important shoot, I like to do a sheet mask to get my skin hydrated and prepare for the next day. It’s also a nice way to pamper yourself and rest before a big event.”

Like Harper, we love prepping our skin for hydration with sheet masks. Check out some of our drugstore standbys, here.

ON DAYS WHEN SHE IS NOT IN FRONT OF THE LENS:

“I try to spend as much time as I can without makeup on, so that my skin can breathe. If I feel like I need to be a little more put together—on the weekends, or for lunch plans—my go-to look is a swipe of tinted brow gel, some mascara, and a pop of lip salve.”

THE INGREDIENT THAT SHE CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF:

“I love coconut oil and use it for almost everything. It’s great for makeup removal, as a face mask, or to give my skin hydration after being out in the sun. Keep some in a small jar to throw in your purse—or, beach bag—as you never know when you might need some extra moisture.”

It should come as no surprise that coconut oil is one of our favorite skin care ingredients. For more ways to incorporate the nourishing skin care oil in your daily regimen, peep eight coconut oil skin care hacks, here.