Beauty Secrets From a Russian Supermodel
Following Ralph Lauren’s Spring 2015 show, we asked Russian model Anna Selezneva, the face of Midnight Romance (the label’s latest fragrance), for her backstage beauty secrets, the best Russian bathhouses to visit, and the key to winning her heart.
What is the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for you?
A few years ago in Moscow right before Christmas, I got a delivery and somebody sent me this huge, amazing Danish pine—it has this blue color—and actually I have no idea who it was from. And I tried to find out from all my friends, but I never found out who sent it!
Who do you think it was?
I have no idea. The deliveryman told me it was from Santa Claus.
What would it take for a man to sweep you off your feet?
I would say he would have to tell me how beautiful and amazing I am every day! [ laughs]
You don’t have anyone knocking down your door telling you that already? I can’t believe it.
Not really. Not yet!
Where do you typically apply perfume?
Mostly on my pulse points, so basically it’s wrists and right behind my ears.
What do you like most about the new fragrance, Ralph Lauren Midnight Romance?
Well, first of all, I’m very honored to be the face of such a brand as Ralph Lauren, and it’s something new—very young and feminine. I love the beautiful contradiction of the notes in Midnight Romance: the floral peony [note] smells like spring to me, but there is also a mystery and sensuality with the black vanilla, which [lends an aspect of] masculinity in a way.
What is your first fragrance memory?
I was about maybe 8 years old and a friend of my mom’s went to Paris and she brought back Dior Poison. That was the first time I really went crazy for a scent. Oh, my God, I flew somewhere away from this planet when I smelled it! It was so sweet, deep, and rich—just something unbelievable. I remember I didn’t close the bottle properly and I spilled all the perfume and my mom was mad at me.
Well, at least now you can replace it with Midnight Romance. Have you picked up any beauty tricks backstage?
I don’t get to see how [the pros] do my makeup because I’m usually sitting with my eyes closed, but the hair I can watch. I see them create the styles and find out the products they use to get the texture. I’ve been working so many years with so many amazing and super-talented hairdressers.
Do you have a favorite?
I think Luigi Murenu is amazing. I also love Sam McKnight—he’s so good, I love the sensuality and simplicity of his work. Orlando Pita is great. And from America, I like Oribe and his hair products—he’s just beyond good.
What is your go-to product from his line?
His dry texture spray works really well on blond hair. My hair is very soft—it’s like baby hair, really. I have lots of hair, but [my strands] are very fine. I really need something that thickens it. But my daily routine is mainly from Leonor Greyl—I’ve been using the seaweed and honeysuckle volumizing shampoos, and I’m so happy with them because they’re great for the scalp and both leave my hair healthy and shiny.
Have you picked up any interesting products during your travels for fashion weeks and photo shoots?
The first thing I picked was Bioderma [Micellar Solution]. I have very sensitive skin, and with all the makeup and brushes, this stuff really saved my life. I discovered Leonor Greyl in Paris while I was living there in 2008. And when I go to Asia—like Bali or Thailand—they have great citrus peels. Last time I was in Bali, I was at the Maya Ubud [Resort & Spa] and brought back products to give to my friends.
What about in Russia? Any secret beauty spots I should know about?
I like going to the bathhouse. In Russia, it’s a very big tradition. There are two in Moscow [that I go to]: One has been around for 135 years. And the second one is basically like a brick oven. They make it hot—all night long they put wood in the stove—and then the construction of the room itself is very different. You go upstairs and there is a wooden platform with gaps to let the steam through. Nowhere else in the world has anything like this—the temperature goes up to 110 degrees.
How long do you stay in there?
Not longer than five minutes. That’s my maximum. It’s so good for your skin…it’s not like a steam room, which is always the same temperature—there’s circulation, so the air is clean. You have to come to Russia and try it—it’s impossible to explain!
I remember backstage at Ralph Lauren, you and makeup artist Tom Pecheux were raving about a special face oil.
It’s called Micro Vita A-C-E and it’s pure micro squalene oil. It has a superthin and light texture but is still very moisturizing.
Is there anything else you do to keep your skin clear and bright?
I try to drink lots of water, and once a year I take coenzyme Q10 for a month, which is very good for the [vascular] system and skin.
Are there any beauty secrets that your mother or grandmother passed down to you?
Yes, my grandmother always told me to rinse my hair with chamomile. It’s a natural lightener for blonds.
Seeing as you’re quite the frequent flier, what is your must-have product when you’re traveling?
Hurraw! lip balm from American Apparel. The vanilla and grapefruit flavors are amazing.
Who is your beauty icon?
Oh, that’s very easy: Sophia Loren. I think she’s one of the most beautiful, gorgeous women. I love that dark look.
I suppose even supermodels want what they can’t have.
