Inside Miranda Kerr's gentle approach to beauty, motherhood and business
‘It's something that I would never change’
Lifestyle
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From skincare to fashion, to walking down the aisle, Aussie icon Miranda Kerr knows how to do things in style. Here’s what she told me about beauty, love, and living with gratitude.
Bar generation alpha, there isn’t an Aussie who doesn’t know the name (and face of) Miranda Kerr. In fact, proudly standing as the First Lady of Snapchat for the past decade, it’s likely even the kids are familiar with her cover-worthy dimple.
Since the age of 13 (being the 1997 pick for Dolly Magazine’s model search), the Gunnedah-born icon has walked among the beauty and fashion industry’s elite. She’s arguably Australia's most recognisable face, having worked with the world’s most prestigious fashion brands and minds – even donning Victoria’s Secret’s $2.5 million Fantasy Bra down their 2011 catwalk extravaganza.
Unlike supermodels of late, Kerr’s fast success in the industry wasn’t a side effect of nepotism, but rather a combination of her willingness to work hard, her sweet girl-next-door charm, and her resounding ability to remain grounded - even as the dollars, luxury campaigns and high-profile relationships came rolling in.
Now, after nearly three decades of runways and front page splashes since her first magazine shoot, Kerr’s career and life have pivoted immensely. Though she still finds herself in front of the camera every now and then, the supermodel largely keeps herself occupied chasing after her four sons with husband Evan Spiegel and running her organic skincare empire.
Busy as ever after the birth of her fourth son earlier this year, Kerr graciously joined me from across the world to chat about all things wellness, motherhood, and the latest addition to her highly-praised cosmetics line.
Though only officially jumping back in front of the camera recently, Kerr’s ‘time off’ since the birth of her baby earlier this year wasn’t exactly as tranquil as you’d imagine, “When you have your own business and then you have four kids, there really is no maternity leave, but it's okay, it's all wonderful. It's something that I would never change because I feel very blessed,” she says.
Taking one look at Kerr’s glowing complexion on Zoom (a medium most of us would agree rarely shows off our best looks), the effectiveness of her award-winning skincare line – KORA Organics – speaks for itself.
The brand's latest drop – a certified organic Active Algae Calming Cleansing Balm – is Kerr’s latest obsession, combining the model’s love for aromatherapy, clean beauty and plant-based science.
“It has pineapple enzymes in there that gently exfoliate and remove the impurities from your skin without stripping it, and it has the microalgae in there to enhance your skin’s clarity and balance the oil levels,” explains Kerr. “And what I love, is that you don't have any residue afterwards and it's not stripped, it's just beautiful.”
"It's gentle enough to remove your eye makeup, and sometimes I'm so exhausted by the end of the day, I will sit in bed, I have my pumps on – I'm still breastfeeding and pumping – and I'll just bring my little drawer with me and I'll wear a face towel and I'll just cleanse my skin and melt away the day,” she says. “And then I just feel so much better after that.”
Using the balm myself all week, it’s not hard to imagine why Kerr can’t go a night without it. Like most of the products she launches with KORA Organics, the cleansing balm is hinted with the most delicious blend of aromatherapy profiles – rose, geranium and basil – that immediately calm the soul.
KORA Organics Active Algae Calming Cleansing Balm, $62 from koraorganics.com
How the supermodel feels about getting older
As one of the most decorated supermodels of our time, it’s easy to imagine Kerr’s approach to ageing is riddled with apprehension and evasion. After all, when one's youthful glow and signature smile have propelled them into the top ten list of highest-earning models year after year, it must be hard not to let their identity and sense of fulfilment get totally wrapped up in their looks.
But for Kerr, getting older (and wiser) is a prospect filled with nothing but gratitude and acceptance, as each year ahead offers her an opportunity to experience the world once again through her sons.
“The other day I was driving the boys to school and I was just saying how amazing it is,” explains Kerr. “It was just interesting kind of reflecting on the fact that they have all these wonderful life experiences ahead of them, and it's fun for me to be able to experience that through their eyes.”
Still, though aging doesn’t scare Kerr, it doesn’t mean she won’t keep taking care of her body, mind and complexion, “One thing I'd say now, and I mean it wholeheartedly, is that I want to be a grandma with great skin,” she jokes.
After all, according to Kerr, attractiveness isn’t rooted in a person’s perfect pose or pout, but rather their sense of purpose and confidence, “To me, that's what's really the most beautiful thing; when you see someone living their passion.”
Mothering with mindfulness
Just like their mother’s impressive resume of travel and career highlights up her sleeve, there’s no doubt Kerr’s four sons – one whom she shares with ex-husband Orlando Bloom and her three little boys with Spiegel – have an exciting life ahead of them. But glitz and glamour aside, what Kerr hopes to impart to her children as they grow up is simple.
“My husband and I feel very strongly that kindness is so important and for them to have good manners and be grateful,” she shares. “And having that attitude of knowing that life really is a gift and our health is a gift and our body is like a temple and we need to make conscious decisions.”
Teaching her sons how to take care of themselves – body, mind and soul – from a young age is especially important to Kerr, who herself has a passion for all things health and wellness.
“I try to teach the kids that food is fuel, so what we put into our bodies is either going to make us feel like super energised or it can actually make us feel like depleted and icky,” she explains. “And my teenager is trying to rebel against all of my healthy habits at the moment, but the younger ones, they're a little more influenced by what I'm putting on their plate.”
While it’s hard to compete with the enticing pull of sugary snacks and school canteen treats, her oldest has always shared an appreciation for mindfulness with his mother, “Flynn kind of learned to meditate when he was like very young, and my little guys, they all have learned T M Meditation and they all have their own mantra.”
Kerr’s parenting style – calm and gracious – is grounded in routine, with calming music, family dinners and night-time habits helping her stay connected with her boys and husband amidst the chaos of life.
As for herself, there are a few non-negotiables she will always find time to include in her day for the sake of her wellness.
“I have 32 ounces of celery juice every day – I've been doing it now every day for probably at least five years,” she says. “It hydrates you internally and you can see it in your skin and it just helps with digestion.”
“Another thing is really, no matter what, I cleanse my skin before I go to bed. It doesn't matter what time of day or night it is, I will make time for my skincare routine,” adds Kerr.
Though I could have picked Kerr’s brain all day, we quickly inched close to her four hungry boys’ dinner time, with the LA-based model coming to the end of her work day as I began mine here in Sydney.
But before wrapping up, I took the opportunity to ask Aussie icon about some a little more personal – because when you’re given one-on-one time with someone like Kerr, you’d be a fool not to make the most of it.
Despite her astronomical rise to fame and the unrelenting attention placed on her every move, Kerr’s seven-year marriage to tech mogul Evel Spiegel is defined by the groundedness and the strong connection the pair share – an impressive feat compared to other star-studded unions.
Having recently gotten engaged myself, I asked Kerr for her biggest piece of advice before I head down the aisle next year. Her answer reflected her approach to most things in life; be present, be connected, and don’t sweat the trivial stuff.
“It's not necessarily about the dress it's really about the love that you share,” she says, getting slightly teary as she reminisces about her 2017 nuptial with Spiegel. “For us personally, we wanted to have a small wedding so that we could focus on each other.”
“At the end of the day, everyone's there for you and to support you and your love. And so stay connected and remember that's what it's all about.”
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