We stole tonight's post from makeup.com. Tory Kirby, the editor of makeup.com, did a great interview with our spokesmodel Arlenis, so we thought we'd share it with you. Arlenis has been one of our spokesmodels for two years and she's just amazing. She truly loves Lancome and she's one of the most charismatic, kind people around. I remember when Arlenis came to see us for the first time at the New York offices. She didn't speak a word of English, but she had the most beautiful smile I had ever seen. Today, she's fluent in English and she's considered a supermodel. Not too bad!
Enjoy the interview. Leave a comment by Wednesday night and we'll pick one at random to win all of Arlenis's favorite products!
Celebrities may be “just like us,” but models often are not. Ask them for their beauty secrets, and their answers are typically “water,” “sleep,” or the especially aggravating, “I never wear makeup, I wash my face with Dial, and I don’t own a hairdryer.” Not exactly the kind of practical advice that the rest of us can adopt. But yesterday, I caught up with gorgeous Lancôme spokesmodel Arlenis Sosa and discovered that not only does she wear makeup, but she loves to swap beauty secrets. How refreshing! Another real-girl quality to love about her: She exercises. I caught up with her right after her Pilates class in NYC and talked tips, products, and why she swears by honey as a skin remedy.
What’s the best trick you’ve learned backstage? “During the shows, it’s almost impossible get enough sleep. A makeup artist once taught me a great trick for relieving puffiness: Wrap a few ice cubes in a washcloth, gently glide it around your face and eyes for several minutes, then drape a warm washcloth over your face for a minute. It’s so simple, but it really makes a difference.”
What’s the one skin product you can’t live without? “I love Lancôme Tonique Radiance Clarifying Toner. My skin doesn’t really feel clean or fresh until I use it! It takes off any makeup residue after a shoot or show, and it calms my skin when it breaks out or gets irritated. I grew up in the Dominican Republic, and my mom always used natural tonics to cleanse her skin. This toner reminds me of the native tonics that mom my uses.”
What makeup do you have in your bag right now? “I always carry Lancôme Hypnôse Drama Volume Mascara and Lancôme Ôscillation Vibrating Mascara. When I’m going out, I like to layer them. I use Ôscillation first to makes my lashes look fuller, longer, and more curled, then I brush Hypnôse Drama on top to make them look really thick and sexy.”
Wow, a model who actually wears makeup when she goes out! What else do you use? “At night, I like a sheer lip color, so I actually pat Lancôme Color Design Cream Blush in Retro Rouge, a deep red, on my lips, then dab the clear Lancôme Juicy Tubes gloss on top. This gives my lips a bit of color and sheen, but it still looks natural.”
What about for your eyes? “I like to draw a thin line of Lancôme Le Crayon Khôl Waterproof Eyeliner in either black or dark blue along just my bottom lash line to make it look more defined. Then I brush a black eye shadow—I often use Lancôme Color Design Eye Shadow in It List—in the crease of my lid to add a little strength. This makes my eyes look sexy without seeming like I have on heavy eye makeup. If I’m going to a really formal event, I’ll also use Lancôme Dual Finish Powder Makeup on my face to cover shine and Lancôme La Laque Fever lip gloss in Spot Pink. I layer it on top of the Retro Rouge cream blush on my lips—this way, you get rosiness plus brightness.”
How do you unwind? “Once a week, I get a mix of shiatsu and Swedish massage. I like the really deep kneading! I prefer to do my own facials, though, because I know my skin so well.”
You do your own facials? “Yes! My mom taught me how to: I mix together a little honey, brown sugar, and splash of water in a bowl, scrub the mix on my face for a minute, then leave on like a mask for 10 minutes. After rinsing, I drape a warm towel over my face for a minute or so. It’s a sticky process, but it makes my skin look so fresh and healthy afterwards.”
Who has taught you the most about beauty—your mom or makeup artists? “My mom has taught me the most about skincare, but the makeup artists I’ve worked with have helped me understand cosmetics. Tarek Abbas [a Lancôme national makeup artist] taught me the trick about using cream blush on my lips and showed me how to choose a lip color that works with my skin tone. He’s so great—he’s always teaching me something new!”
