Ashley Graham on her top tanning tips, post-partum hair loss hacks and how she uses affirmations to beat insecurities
Model, author, TV personality, body positivity activist and all round glow goddess, Ashley Graham is a role model for doing it on your own terms, and we all have to thank her for her sterling work blazing a trail for inclusivity in the beauty industry. Memorably appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swim, just one of the many redefining beauty standards moments in her career.
The funny, down-to-earth, 33 year old is also mum to Isaac, with partner Justin Ervin, a cinematographer whom she met at church. And in her typical honest, open way, she tells it how it is when it comes motherhood, happily sharing her body transformation and post partum hair loss journey.
It’s fair to say we are big Ashley stans, so we were delighted to chat via Zoom for her episode of Beauty Spy. As usual there's no holding back as she shares her masterclass to achieve the ultimate glow and how she tans those hard to reach parts, a subject she is passionate about in her role as St Tropez Global Brand Ambassador. Plus she spills on her must-have hair and skincare stash and the wellness and beauty rituals she swears by.
The best beauty hack I've ever figured out is to use an eyebrow pencil as a lip liner.
"My favourite is from Revlon, it's called Brown and it's so good as a lip liner. You just kind of have to smudge it around a little bit."
"Prep and a mist is the key to the ultimate glow."
“First and foremost, make sure you exfoliate in the shower. Don't use an abrasive soap. Then you're going to want to moisturise your hands, your feet, your elbows, your knees. Also, the [St Tropez Self Tan] Purity Face Mist is the best way to reach your hands and your back. I never knew how to get to my back until I started spraying the Mist."
My hair must-have for my postpartum life where all my hairline fell out is ...
"The Kerastase [Initialiste Scalp Concentrate] Serum really helped. I'm still on a hair journey because it's all growing back, but it's growing back and that's the most important thing."
My daily wellness ritual has to be prayer time.
"Everybody has something different - they meditate, they work out, they have quiet time. For me, it's about prayer. It's about speaking out loud, and it's something that I can do for myself every day, even if it's just five minutes."
"Affirmation can beat insecurities".
"We live in a world where we're being thrown who we should be, what we should be saying to ourselves and how we should be acting. But I think the way to combat that is through true affirmations and knowing what your mantras are - your mantras for the day, for the week and everything. Acknowledging that it's always changing and evolving around you."
Next up we take a peek inside Ashley's beauty stash for her hair, skin and fragrance must buys...
St. Tropez Tan x Ashley Graham Ultimate Glow Kit, £38, Boots
"Not only does my self-tanner from St. Tropez give me the ultimate glow, but it also hydrates my skin because there's so many yummy ingredients in it like rose hip, and vitamin E that moisturise me at the same time. It's super hydrating, and it really dries instantly, so you're going to want to move quickly with it. That's why a little bit goes a long way. Love a multitask."
St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Face Mist, £17.60, Feel Unique
"I never knew how to get to my back until I started spraying the Face Purity Mist. It's the best tanning hack for your hands and your back. I like to spray the Face Purity Mist after I put on my serums and my lotions... This is a must, must, must. I use this every single night before I go to bed. It is just phenomenal when it comes to keeping up my tan and I feel like I don't really use foundation as much when I'm actually staying up on my Face Purity Mist."
Revlon Colorstay Brow Pencil, £6.99, Boots
"The best beauty hack I've ever figured out is to use an eyebrow pencil as a lip liner. My favourite is from Revlon. It's called Brown and it's so good as a lip liner. You just have to smudge it around a little bit."
Eucerin Aquaphor Soothing Skin Balm, £9, Feel Unique
"My biggest beauty thrill is definitely Aquaphor. I use it on my elbows, my heels, my lips. I think it's so multipurpose-ful, and they even make it for babies, so Isaac loves it, too."
Byredo La Sélection Florale, £78, Space NK
"My favourite fragrance right now, it's anything from Byredo. I love all the little mini travel sizes that they have. I throw one in my travel bag, in my purse. I have one my vanity. I mean, I just love to have different scents kind of always around me."
Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Combination Antioxidant Vitamin C Serum, £140, Look Fantastic
"It's so good. I like to put this on under my sunscreen because I feel like it activates it."
Dermophisiologique Chrono Age Sun Cream, £35.50, Dermophisiologique
"My favorite sunscreen is Dermophisiologique. I like it because it's white, it's super protective, but when it goes on, it's super clear."
Intelliwhite Cocobrite Coconut Oil Toothpaste, £14.15, Intelliwhite
"I've used this so much that I just ordered some more, but my dentist actually made this amazing toothpaste. It's coconut oil based and it's called IntelliWhite. Her name is Dr. Jablow. It's truly phenomenal, and it makes my breath smell really good."
Revlon SkinLights Face Glow Illuminator, £9.99, Feel Unique
"I put this all over my skin, and then I put my foundation on. I can also put this all over my chest and my shoulders. I love it. It's a glow for all day on top of my already St. Tropez glow."
Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, £15.50, Beauty Bay
"At night, Mario Badescu. This is my favorite drying lotion for acne. I feel like now with the masks, forget it. I've got zits all up and down my cheeks. I've never had this before. Hopefully it's over soon, but in the meantime, Mario Badescu."
Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Leave-In Defining Creme, £18.50, Cult Beauty
"A new hair product that I started using, it's called Briogeo. It helps really define my curls and I just put a little bit in when it's wet. I let it air dry, but I also use it in Isaac's hair because he has the same kind of hair texture as me. Love this stuff and it smells really good, too."
Kérastase Initialiste Advanced Scalp and Hair Concentrate, £39.90, Look Fantastic
"The hot hair must-have for my postpartum life, where all my hairline fell out was definitely this Kérastase serum. It really helped. I'm still on a hair journey, but it is growing back and that's the most important thing."
