While Karlie Kloss has access to the all the designer bags and jewelry in the world, the one embellishment she turns to when she wants to make a strong impression can't be seen.
"Fragrance is such a powerful accessory. Even if no one else knows I am wearing it, if I get a whiff of it in the middle of the day it's a wonderful reminder," she tells ELLE.com. "It's such a strong sense when you identify [a scent] with a person or emotion." As a young girl, she'd steal spritzes from her older sister's perfume. Now she's loving Carolina Herrera's newest scent, Good Girl.
The fragrance, which comes in a stiletto-shaped bottle and took four years to perfect, was created by perfumer Louise Turner and features a mix of tuberose, jasmine, tonka bean, and cacao. The combo is meant to evoke women's "good" and "bad" sides—both of which Karlie says she embodies as the face of the campaign. "It's about this duality of this independent, strong woman who is also feminine and multifaceted," she says, "I really identify with the character." After all, who better than the supermodel slash tech mogul slash NYU student slash expert baker to represent modern womanhood?
Before the launch party at Herrera's New York showroom, we sat down with Kloss to chat more about her good—and bad—beauty habits, her workout routine, and the valuable makeup lesson she learned from Pat McGrath.
1. Get inspiration for your beauty looks from your location.
"New York City is eccentric and electric, so I feel like in New York I am a bit more daring. When I am walking the streets here, anything goes [whether] you want to dress up or go more casual, or wear heels or sneakers. When I am in Europe I am more formal, and in New York I like to be more adventurous. In beauty, I would say especially in New York, I love to do a colorful lip. I love to experiment with a red lip, a pop of color."
2. Even supermodels have "bad" beauty habits.
"This really annoying pimple popped up this weekend. It doesn't matter how much your mom tells you not to touch, it stares at you! So I picked at it and three more showed up."
3. A solid nighttime skin care routine is key.
"I always go to bed with a clean face. At a runway show, or photo shoot, I wear a very thick layer of makeup and it's really important to me that I remove that and cleanse. For my nightly routine, I remove makeup with L'Oréal's micellar water to remove makeup or anything on my skin. Then I clarify with the Clarisonic brush—even if it's maybe not doing anything, it feels good. Then, I love using argan oil that isn't too fragrant on my hands and face because my skin gets destroyed otherwise."
4. A good, varied workout plan builds confidence.
"I like to do anything that has to do with strength training, like a workout with a lot of reps and light weights or ankle weights, and doing exercises that use your body weight. I like cardio and switching it up with light weights. I find that that kind of duality in your workout is super effective. When you incorporate light weights in your workout it builds more muscle, which burns more calories even when you're resting, and I feel most confident when I feel strong."
5. Nails deserve a little more love.
"Overall, to be honest, I am pretty low-key with my beauty routine. I really care about nails and just moisturizing them with olive, argan, or coconut oil. I use it on my cuticles to keep them hydrated. We use our hands for everything, so don't forget your cuticles!"
6. Indulge in treatments every now and then.
"I love a facial. I go to Joanna Vargas. I take enjoyment from having a professional pop a zit. They know what to do, especially when you've been so patient and haven't picked at a zit. I go once a month."
7. Pat McGrath knows best.
"I've gotten to work with so many greats—Diane Kendal, Dick Page—and I have picked up so many little tricks by osmosis from each one of them. I feel like Pat McGrath really taught me how to do my brows and she said at one point, 'Your brows should be like sisters. They're not identical twins. They're related, but not twins.' I try to keep that in mind. I have learned so many little tricks along the way, but for the most part figuring out your face and what you like best."
8. Less is more.
"I have a uniform if I am going to class, work, or lunch with a friend: I do a light coat of mascara, BB cream, a little bit of concealer on a spot, lip balm, spray perfume, and I run out the door. I really keep it simple. I feel most confident when I wear more minimal makeup and that beauty and confidence comes from the inside. So whatever you can do for yourself to really nurture that, that's when you really look your best."
