Alexa Chung has officially reached icon status. The British TV presenter-turned-fashion designer has been a trend setter for over a decade, a fact that was cemented when legendary British brand Mulberry named their 'it' bag of the Noughties after her. But, for us, it's always been about Alexa's timeless beauty looks.
From her signature, ever-evolving shaggy fringe, to mastering the elusive art of perfect winged liner every time, and never being without a failsafe red lipstick, the ex-model has got her go-to beauty formula down.
ELLE caught up with Alexa to discuss her minimalist (and idiot-proof) beauty routine, the products she splurges on and how Classic FM gets her through these stressful times.
I hit the sack at...
...around midnight or 1am by the time I’ve made dinner, run a bath and watched TV.
I get up at...
...10am. My alarm goes off at 9am most days, which feels outrageously early.
My make-up routine...
...takes 10 minutes. I start with a hydrating moisturiser, such as Augustinus Bader. Then I curl my lashes, put on concealer and Code8’s Radiate Beauty Balm – it’s idiot-proof. To extend that routine, I’ll do my brows and add mascara and eyeliner. If I’m in the design studio, I just try to look presentable.
My exercise routine...
...doesn’t really exist. I was going to the gym at least twice a week pre-pandemic. Now I do a group workout with friends. We do a load of squats, sit-ups and planks.
When I look in the mirror...
...I’m drawn to my eyes. They’re a good gauge of how exhausted I am.
My worst beauty habit is...
...popping my spots at the wrong moment. I get really beastly ones that are like volcanoes.
Tell us a beauty secret…
...I’ve honestly pickled my face via whisky but aside from that, I love a jade roller or an ice bath when a make-up artist does my face.
The last beauty item I bought was....
...some stunning toothbrushes from Curaprox – they come in really fun colours.
My greatest beauty discovery...
...K-Beauty. Its skincare is great.
The best beauty advice I’ve ever received was…
...I’m not an advice gal, sorry. I was thrilled when eyebrows came back, I think that helped out a lot of people.
My fridge is always filled with...
...Babybels! I also have some bone broth that my boyfriend bought, but it’s disgusting.
My mood is...
...bummed out, to be honest. I’m wearing a shit outfit – my house is freezing, so I’ve got two jumpers on.
The craziest thing I've done in the name of beauty is...
...once, I really needed my fringe cut back in, so I let someone I didn’t trust do it. It was cut too wide, and there was no going back.
I deal with stress...
...by running a bath with lavender oil and lighting my Byredo Altar candle, or cooking while listening to Classic FM. It makes me feel like a classy person living in Oxford. I lived in a state of perpetual stress for a number of years and now I’m out of it. In older age I’ve learnt that exercise is really good for your mental health for sure and not taking on too much, it’s ok to say no. I used to feel indebted to people to make plans but now if I’m tired from work I just cancel and most people are actually relieved, instead of bringing bad vibes to the pub.
My biggest beauty indulgence is...
...buying beauty products at the airport. It’s astonishingly expensive. I always buy a stunning Sisley SPF, then get agitated when my friends use it all up.
Vanity to me means...
...there’s a fine line between self-care and vanity and I think it’s important, having watched so many series of Queer Eye, to work on yourself. Even applying make-up in the morning – it makes you feel good because you’re centring yourself.
The last beauty treatment I had was...
...A Tata Harper Gua Sha facial that I loved from a really lovely place in Marylebone.
Alexa Chung is Code8 Beauty’s brand ambassador.
Alexa's Beauty Essentials
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