It’s hard to look at the cover of a magazine and not feel envious of the model’s flawless skin. It’s easy to dismiss this as airbrushing or just good genetics (although those certainly do help). However, the truth is that models generally have rigorous beauty regimens that keep their skin glowing despite the copious amounts of makeup that they wear for shoots, long hours, numerous plane rides, and incredibly early mornings.
How do they do it? We asked the gorgeous model Nathalie Dahn to share some of her best beauty secrets with us – and they’re easy and inexpensive tips.
Back To Basics
Nathalie’s number one tip for looking your best is to take care of your body, mind, and spirit at a fundamental level. “It’s important to satisfy your basic human needs,” she explains. “Get the right nutrition, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep. Glowing skin is a sign of health and vitality, so you need to take care of yourself to look your best – not just for your face, but your entire body.”
Beauty Bites
What you eat can profoundly affect the way that you look, so it’s essential to feed your skin with the right nourishment. “Be sure that you are getting sufficient, high-quality vitamins in,” Nathalie says. “I like to add a lot of greens to my diet, nuts and oils in small doses, and plenty of vegetables. Pickled things, like sauerkraut and kimchi, make a great almost-zero-calorie snack – and a cup of tea or coffee can help comfort you and tide you over to your next meal as well.”
What To Stay Away From
Of course, healthy and nutrition isn’t only about what you do eat – it’s also about what you don’t eat. “I tend to stay away from sugar because it stimulates the part of your brain that causes cravings,” says Nathalie. “I also stay away from dairy because it makes me tired. Packaged and artificial foods are also something you should definitely stay away from – there is nothing good or helpful there.”
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
It’s not just about what you eat (or don’t eat), however. Nathalie also emphasizes that adequate water intake is essential for beauty. “Wrinkles become a problem when your skin is dry,” she explains. “Hydration prevents this from happening – and this prevention is key to keeping your skin looking good.”
Get Your Day Off To The Best Start
“I always start my day off with a green juice and warm lemon water to detox my body,” Nathalie explains. “I also love fresh fruit in the morning, especially berries, since this will get your system going. Another great way to start the day is with some oatmeal or eggs since the protein helps to keep you full.” Nathalie also advocates intermittent fasting, if done correctly.
Keep It Natural
When it comes to the practical aspects of skincare, Nathalie is a firm believer in staying close to nature. “I am a big advocate for keeping things natural, so I will always try to use a natural alternative to creams and other products where I can,” she says. “Chemical products might make you look instantly good, but then it wears off, and you need more, which creates a cycle. For longevity, I definitely think it’s better to go the natural route.” To this end, Nathalie recommends honey masks, rose water sprays, and oils – including Vitamin E oil, walnut oil, and olive oil.
Have A Good Skincare Ritual
According to Nathalie, taking care of your skin is something that needs to be done every day consistently. “Cleanse every night, but do so gently. In fact, double cleanse if you have been wearing makeup. After a shoot, I sometimes need to triple cleanse!” she says. “At night, before I moisturize, I like to use a steamer to open my pores. You can also do this with a hot shower or warm facewash. In the morning, I use cold water to close all my pores to prevent chemicals from my makeup getting in.”
Don’t Neglect What’s Beneath The Skin
Nathalie also emphasizes the importance of nurturing your mind and soul. “It’s not just about your body, your face, or the way you look – it’s about how you feel mentally and spiritually as well,” she says. “For this reason, I start every day by thinking about what I am grateful for. I also consider who I am going to connect with that day, and in what way. Meditation is also essential to a healthy mind and body – along with yoga. To be beautiful inside and out, you need to consider all these various aspects.”