ELLE meets Elle at a penthouse in central London. When we arrive she is busy doing one of the things she does best – modelling. She’s the face of Revlon’s latest launch Age Defying foundation with DNA Advantage, which is the reason we’re here. Looking as glamorous as ever in skinny black leather jeans, leopard print shirt and the fiercest studded Louboutins, annoyingly (and unsurprisingly) she’s every bit as glamorous in real life.
What do you do to stay healthy? Diet, detox, supplements…?
I eat organic, locally sourced food wherever possible. I don’t like to have chemicals in my body at all, so I don’t drink, smoke or take drugs, not even Aspirin. But not because I’m trying to look good, it’s because as I matured I realised what I put in my body really affects the way I feel.
You’re known as ‘The Body’, what do you do to keep fit?
Sport’s a big part of my life. At 13 I started to swim an hour everyday, I did it for fun and I raced. I’ve gone through phases where I’ve only worked with my trainer James Duigan, gone to Bikram yoga, run everyday, played tennis, surfed or snow skied or hiked. Basically, what I’ve found is that if I can commit to doing 45 minutes of movement per day I feel better. I’m spinning at the moment and I went through a surfing thing last year! The consistent thing in my life is my trainer, I’ll talk to him and get informed feedback, but the best feedback is the way I feel.
How do you fit it all in?
I have a diary that schedules in personal things, giving them as much importance as business appointments. So, parent-teacher nights, meetings for Revlon, gym, dinner with friends, taking the children to school - it’s all scheduled in the diary.
Ah yes, the school run! It’s had a lot of attention in the press, what do you make of it?
The press are so interested in the school run and it’s really amusing. But the reality is I work in the fashion industry and when I drop my kids off to school I’m dressed for my working day. I don’t dress for the school run, I dress for my day. As a working, present parent I’m also dropping my kids off at school, I’m not sending a driver or a nanny (which I don’t have). I feel, rather than dissecting what I wear, the real commentary is that women can do both – work and be a present parent.
So what’s your beauty regime?
I don’t often wear foundation during the day, but in the evenings or when I’m working I wear foundation and try to keep it really light; what I love about this Revlon one is that it’s an active moisturiser and a foundation, as well as a sun block. It’s revolutionary skin care and makeup in one. I add a bit of cream blush, lush lashes, lip gloss and that’s it.
What’s your most important beauty ritual?
The most important thing for me is scrub. I have a scrubbing mitt and I buff my whole body and face everyday twice a day, in the shower in the morning and bath at night. And then moisturise; the texture of skin is really important.
What beauty secrets have you learnt from your time as a model?
Less is more. It’s the simple stuff we forget, even if you have a fantastic product like the Age Defying, if you don’t drink lots of water there’s no point. I challenge any woman to drink 3 litres water everyday for a month and sleep for seven hours a night, that she won’t lose weight, look better and feel better.
What’s your biggest indulgence?
I travel a lot with the children, in the UK schools break every 6 weeks. We often travel to Africa, Australia, California, Miami. But not always on big budgets, we camp or have adventures around London; I remember travelling round the US in an RV for example! I hope by showing the boys different cultures and ways of life, they’ll have a global perspective. Also, travel inspires me with my designs for Elle Macpherson Intimates; in fact my next collection is drawn from by my travels to Africa and Hawaii.
Finally, it’s often said that when you reach a certain age you need to choose between face or figure? What are your thoughts?
I don’t think it’s about choosing between the two, but choosing between the inside and the outside. Treat the inside right and hopefully the outside will follow. I am not the sum total of the way I look.
Elle is the face of Revlon’s Age Defying foundation with DNA Advantage, out October 1.
If you’re inspired by Elle’s travels, check out our Travel channel…
Want to get fit? Head to fitness section for fitness tips from James Duigan’s colleague Dalton Wong…
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