From toothpaste to eye masks, model and muse Zaina Miuccia describes the beauty products that have impacted her life
Beauty Biographies is a weekly column where we ask some of our favourite people to reflect on the beauty items that have influenced their lives and have a sentimental place in their heart. From their grandmother’s perfume to the eyeshadow they wore to their first dance, these are the products that have had a significant impact on them and that instantly transport them back to a particular time, place, or person.
You probably know her as @larrydavid420, the Instagram account whose mixture of fashion, humour and adventure has amassed a following of 32k, but Zaina Miuccia is so much more than an Instagram it girl. A model with the personality of a stand-up comedian, when she’s not reporting on Frieze Art Fair for Vogue or featuring on the cover of Dazed alongside Vivienne Westwood and her band of rebels, Zaina is taking acting lessons, travelling between her two homes of West London and Lagos, and consulting for Diesel. One of the best-dressed people in London, Zaina inherited her spectacular style from mother and fashion icon Salamatu Gbajabiamila (check out this orange Molly Goddard dress Salamatu wore on her last birthday, for example), and her own modern beauty sensibility has caught the attention of the fashion industry with Vogue’s Edward Enninful and designer Mimi Wade counted among her fans. From bleaching her eyebrows to dying her hair lime green, Zaina is not afraid of a bit of beauty experimentation. Here she talks us through the products that have had an impact on her life.
Marc Jacobs and Stella McCartney Perfume
For my whole life until about last year my mother's signature scent was a mix of Daisy by Marc Jacobs and a Stella McCartney perfume in a purple bottle which I can’t remember the name of. She would douse herself in Daisy and then spritz with the Stella and always smell AMAZING. She taught me that scent is a personal thing. This also may have just been her not wanting to share with me but I would steal her perfume formula anyway until I eventually branched out and found my own scents. Which are amazing, which I won’t share! (Yet) I do wear a lot of Byredo.
Get it here: Marc Jacobs Daisy and Stella Eau de Parfum
Toothpaste
Toothpaste on pimples and spots. My mother also taught me this, it works. A dab on an unsightly spot overnight and it’s gone in the morning (basically). It might tingle a touch but that’s when you know its working. Having spent a lot of time travelling and between Europe, the Caribbean, and the States I have found that travelling can seriously wreck your skin if you’re not careful.
Cooling Eye Masks
Drinking water is super important but another aid is a cooling eye mask. I really like ones by SKYN Iceland, they look like chubby Nike swooshes. You just peel off the sticker and place them under your eyes after washing your face to add moisture and avoid dark circles around the eyes. You can wear them anywhere and it's like a portable spa for your face.
Get it here:Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels
Mascara
I don’t wear a lot of make-up so I like to make a bit of impact with my mascara. I tend to use Bourjois Volume Glamour Effet Push Up in Ultra black for a bit of everyday luxury.
Get it here: Bourjois Volume Glamour Effet Push Up
Sleep
Sleep is great for the body. I read somewhere that there is a growth hormone that is released during sleep so I think that’s enough of a reason to sleep as much as possible. Do your bit to support the growth of your glamazon limbs. (I’m actually an insomniac I just know sleep is good for you).
If you are having trouble sleeping try this: De Mamiel Anchor Balm