Welcome to Take the Edge Off, a series that breaks down the beauty and self-care routines of influencers, CEOs, experts, and celebrities. Find out how they unwind and decompress, while taking a closer look at the holy-grail essentials they’re currently raving about.
When it comes to beauty, supermodel Bella Hadid radiates it from the inside out—and not only because of her wellness brand, Kin Euphorics. “Beauty comes from within, so the best way to express inner beauty is through love and compassion,” she tells Bazaar.com. “When you’re gentle and nice to yourself, that radiates through.” It’s not easy for many people to allow themselves a little grace, but it’s a self-care practice Hadid aims to regularly prioritize. As part of her daily routine, she looks to the sky each morning to put things in perspective for herself.
“I always say that first thing in the morning, you have to start your day by staring at the sun,” she told us several months ago. “When I was going through a difficult time, I would pull myself out of bed, open the blinds, and then just stare at the sun. I try and look at little things in a joyful way."
Ahead, the runway star and Charlotte Tilbury muse shares a short list of the must-have products and activities that help give her a feeling of ultimate woosah, from classics of feminist literature and bundles of sage to frequent horseback rides that double as workouts. Read on for just about everything Hadid uses to Take the Edge Off.
What are you reading these days?
Women Who Run With the Wolves, by Clarissa Pinkola Estés, which I’ve just started a few days ago and am loving already!
Clarissa Pinkola Estés Women Who Run With The Wolves: Contacting the Power of the Wild Woman
Clarissa Pinkola Estés Women Who Run With The Wolves: Contacting the Power of the Wild Woman
What are some of your go-to bath and/or shower products?
I love Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Liquid Soap in the lavender scent, Vegamour everything, African black soap, plus sesame seed oil and coconut oil to make my hair masks. I always use masks to slick my hair back, so I have a wide variety of options I’ve created over the years to choose from.
Do you have a favorite hand sanitizer, soap, and/or cream right now?
I love using coconut oil on my hair and body, or really any kind of nut oil on my body.
Do you ever light a candle or stick of incense to decompress? If so, what are some of your favorites?
My friend Kai has the best Mongolian incense. There is something about blessed natural embers burning in a home that just makes for a perfect, calming setting. I also love the OGs: palo santo and sage.
After a particularly long or stressful day, what’s one of the first things you do to relax or feel more grounded?
Being around my horses after a long day is a kind of peace that most other things just can’t bring me. I love spending time with my family and my close friends that I can just simply be myself around. I like to put my feet in the grass, make a picnic, or take my puppy for a run. Anything in nature makes return back to myself and balance.
How does horseback riding specifically play a role in your overall self-care?
I love being at home with my loved ones and the fresh air and my beautiful horses. My favorite fitness of all is horseback riding—it’s my workout, my therapy, my everything. You will seldom find me happier than when I’m with my horse!
What was the last beauty product you put on today?
The last thing I put on this morning was Charlotte’s new Airbrush Flawless Lip Blur. That has quickly become my go-to, and finishes my beauty look perfectly. I’m obsessed because every color I try makes me feel like a different version of myself: I can wear them blurred for a softer look, or more boldly for a stronger one. Today I’m wearing the Pillow Talk shade, which is perfect shade for a dreamy day look.
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Lip Blur in Pillow Talk Blur
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Lip Blur in Pillow Talk Blur
Are you into bold makeup, no makeup, or no-makeup makeup right now?
It really depends on my mood and what I’m doing that day. Makeup is such a representation of how you’re feeling or want to feel in any moment, so it’s very circumstantial to me.
What’s the last fitness class you streamed or attended in person?
I really try to listen to my body and do whatever it needs that day. Sometimes it’s boxing or high-intensity cardio, other times it’s yoga, Pilates, or more stretching-based, but my favorite fitness of all is horseback riding.
What’s one piece of self-care advice you’d recommend to our readers?
Self-care is so personal and can come in so many forms, so I think it’s more so about just listening to yourself and what your mind and body need in that moment. It can be a moment of quiet, a social media detox, a walk, a massage, a workout class, a delicious treat, etc. Honor wherever your intensions lie in that day.
Charlotte Tilbury's Airbrush Flawless Lip Blur is available to shop now at charlottetilbury.com, and on the Charlotte Tilbury app.
This story has been updated since publication.
Tiffany Dodson is currently the associate beauty commerce editor at Harper’s Bazaar, where she specializes in trend forecasting, building relationships with major and emerging brands, and crafting shopping stories—from holiday gift guides to product road tests. Tiffany's work has previously been featured in outlets like SELF, Bustle, and Teen Vogue, and she's been quoted as a commerce and beauty expert in publications and platforms like The Business of Fashion and NPR’s Life Kit podcast.
