“I learned everything about ‘beauty’ through the industry,” Barbara Palvin told me via Zoom on a sunny winter afternoon. The model reflects on her 17-year career and how much progress she has made since being spotted on the streets of Budapest at age 13.
She’s been called a Victoria’s Secret Angel, walked countless fashion shows from Chanel to Miu Miu and Prada, appeared in editorials for glossy publications like this one, and now, at 30, is an ambassador for Giorgio Armani Beauty.
Being a model often means working in a shared space to create that magical moment, and it’s something Palvin finds herself recreating for red carpet appearances.
“I’ve always been a pretty girl. Red carpets are my favorite events because I really like to brainstorm with my team for about two weeks before any event,” says Palvin. This ‘team’ usually consists of hairdresser Owen Gould, make-up artists Charlotte Prevel or Tobi Henney and stylist Marc Eram. “You have to give credit where credit is due. Even though we usually have similar ideas, we choose the outfit first, then send all our thoughts and meet in the middle.
From her ’60s-style Bardot updo to dark berry lips paired with a Lara Croft-style braid, it’s clear that Palvin enjoys experimenting with intricate hairstyles and flashy makeup. Ahead, she shares the beauty supplies she uses outside of work and why matte-finish makeup is often the chicer way to go.
My beauty philosophy…
“Less is more and let your inner beauty shine. I know it sounds unpleasant, but I see this in myself as well; My paintings look much better when I’m in a good mood.”
Not every trend works for everyone…
“I love that the stronger lip liner look is back, like the ’90s. One thing I never liked was clammy skin; I couldn’t get into it. I generally like a more matte look on my skin. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation will give you brighter skin, but we will always use a little matte powder on top because I prefer it that way. Some people can do it, I can’t!”
I am constantly inspired…
“Supermodels. “They’re usually in my mood when I’m getting ready for the red carpet.”
A beauty tip from my grandmother…
“I think he wanted me to drink my milk in the morning! “He always told me to drink a glass of milk to have beautiful skin.”
My current favorite beauty products are…
“I love plumping lip glosses like the new Giorgio Armani Prisma Glass (launching in April 2024). You liner and put gloss on top and it makes your lips look a little bigger.
“I usually keep my Giorgio Armani Shimmer Silk Foundation with me when I travel. I also usually bring a brown and black mascara; black for night and brown for day, so it’s more natural. I always keep lip balm with me. If you examine my bag, you’ll see that there are about five lip balms in it. My favorite is Burt’s Bees.”
My hair routine…
“I let it air dry; I don’t use heated tools unless I have to. I applied some oil to the ends of my hair. It has a dry oil spray that doesn’t make it greasy but adds shine. We also use Bumble & Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil at work because it protects my hair from heat and makes it shiny.
My wedding beauty…
“I just wanted something timeless and natural. We didn’t want to highlight my features and exaggerate them. The process was stress, stress, stress and then on the wedding day you try to calm down. And then cry! You need a lot of waterproof mascara.
Come on my scent…
“It’s actually something new! All guests received a scented candle from Jo Malone London, English Pear and Freesia as a wedding favor. Jo Malone London sent me the matching scent and I loved it. A sweet scent. I usually go for a fresher and lighter lemon scent but I fell in love with this one. That day, everyone complimented my scent and I said, ‘Now you have the candle!’ I said.
Me on the way to my wedding…
“Did you do the keto diet with Dylan? [Sprouse, Palvin’s husband] And my sister. There are many things I like; meat, fat and not too much dairy, but heavy cream and cheese. We have a gym at home, we work out together and then I would use the infrared sauna every day. Infrared sauna is so good for your health that I try to use it every day. My skin feels so much nicer from this.
My beauty advice for future brides…
“Try not to stress and sleep more. Whatever your dream wedding is, this is the day you will make that dream come true.”
In my free time…
“I binge-watch Netflix shows. I like to have something cozy in the background, like Gilmore Girls or Friends. I love holidays. My sister and I love decorating. “We put out Halloween decorations on September 1st and prepare for Christmas in November.”
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