Last year was a whirlwind for Sudanese-American model and former Dazed cover star Anok Yai. Crowned 2025’s Model of the Year, she opened Ferragamo, Coperni and Hugo Boss, closed Ralph Lauren, Fendi, Vetements and Messika, and walked countless other shows during the SS26 season.

Amid the rush of the fashion world, Yai was also navigating a very different journey, as she underwent a series of lung surgeries, which she announced in a post shared to Instagram. “After my recent healthcare journey, I’ve really learned to listen to my body. Your body is always communicating with you and sending you signs, and I’ve stopped ignoring them,” she tells Dazed. “I now treat my body as a separate entity to myself – I take care of her and she takes care of me.”

That care carries over into her latest campaign with Rhode Beauty, which brings a similar attentiveness to skincare. The launches, fronted by the supermodel and available to buy from February 9, include Caffeine Reset, a sculpting face mask, and Peptide Lip Boost, a plumping lip mask that gives an instant glow. Here, Yai shares her thoughts on the campaign and lets us into the rituals that keep her grounded both on and off the runway.

Why was Rhode a brand you wanted to work with?

Anok Yai: Rhode has always felt honest to me. It’s taken a very simple and fresh approach to skincare. The campaigns are always so beautifully and intentionally done, plus I love Hailey so working with the brand was a no brainer!

What was the experience of filming the campaign like?

Anok Yai: Hailey and the team were so incredible to work with for this campaign, we all had so much fun on set. I got on skis for the first time in Big Sky, Montana! For a first timer, I think I did pretty good!

What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?

Anok Yai: The first thing I do when I wake up is set up my red light therapy and go back to sleep for 30 minutes. After my red light therapy I like to play a movie while I start my skincare routine. I’m obsessed with skincare so my list of products is quite long but my non-negotiables are a chemical exfoliating mask, five to ten minutes of gua sha, another face mask and always sun screen.

Favourite step in your morning routine?

Anok Yai: Using a face mask has always been my favorite step! The Caffeine Reset sculpting mask is so refreshing and such a great way to start the day. As long as my skin feels clean, hydrated and glowy, I feel good starting the day. On days when work is hectic, having a face mask in my bag is a huge life saver.

What’s the best make-up tip you’ve learnt from backstage at shows over the years?

Anok Yai: Skin comes first. When your skin is cared for, everything else looks better, that’s what I love about Rhode. Make-up should sit on top of healthy skin, not hide what is underneath.

What’s one lesson that’s guided you in unexpected ways?

Anok Yai: After my lung surgeries, I’ve learned to appreciate my body more because it went (and has) gone through a lot. I now treat my body as a separate entity to myself – I take care of her and she takes care of me.

Do you have any pre-show rituals?

Anok Yai: Detoxing and hydrating my skin in the lead up to shows is essential. I do a lot of facials to help repair my skin from the stresses of constant make up. I’ve started doing infrared sauna treatments and I’m obsessed. I’m always working out, but a month before the shows start, I try to prioritise and focus on a clean diet.

What’s the weirdest thing you pack when you’re travelling for fashion week?

Anok Yai: Whenever I go to the airport I have to have a baby set of my skincare routine, a packet of pickles, and Acai Berry Vitamin Water. For some reason my skincare works better on a plane (I swear!). As for the pickles and vitamin water, I don’t know where it came from but no matter what country I’m in I will search the entire airport for them before I board.

What’s one thing you want people to know about you?

Anok Yai: I want girls to be inspired by my journey – I’m a girl from humble beginnings. Hard work, strong self-worth and determination have gotten me to where I am today. I have always stayed true to myself.

What are you toasting to in the next phase of your career?

Anok Yai: I’m toasting to growth and stepping into new horizons. I have a lot that I want to do in my career and I’m excited to continue on the journey. I look forward to expanding my artistic expression and showing the world a different side of me so please stay tuned!

Caffeine Reset and Peptide Lip Boost will be available to purchase on February 9 at 5pm GMT at rhodeskin.com and then online and in-store at Sephora UK on March 26.