6 Chinese Models Share Their Hometown Beauty Secrets: From Egg-White Face Masks to Peach-Blossom Nails
APRIL 17, 2015 3:04 PM
by LAURA REGENSDORF
Next month, when the parade of Met Gala attendees streams through the latest Costume Institute exhibition, “China: Through the Looking Glass,” they will be met with a visual feast that spans centuries and continents. A slinky one-shoulder dress by Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent calls to mind a Qing Dynasty court robe; a voluminous Roberto Cavalli design reinterprets blue-and-white porcelain. Of course, China has supplied the fashion world with more than just inspiration: An increasing number of today’s most sought-after models call the country home. With that in mind, we tracked down six runway favorites, from all-star Liu Wen to newcomer Luping Wang, to talk about local beauty traditions and the skin-care lessons passed down from mothers and grandmothers.
JING WEN
This cinematic beauty from Guangzhou has the face for a wide-angle lens—strong brows, pillowy lips, hair that cascades over the shoulders. Now based in New York City, the 21-year-old has walked in a number of directional shows in the past few seasons, including Valentino, Louis Vuitton, Marni, and Proenza Schouler for fall.
What’s your first childhood beauty memory?
When I was a little girl, I liked to smell my mother’s hair. It was very clean and thick, with a delicate fragrance.
What’s the best beauty lesson you learned at home?
My mother and grandmother would often have to remind me to keep my nails very short and neat. They believed food for cosmetic effect is better than beauty products—for example, some soup with red dates. Being influenced by mom and grandma, I will often drink some good-for-the-skin soup or herbal tea.
Can you define the Chinese beauty ideal?
Most people don’t like too-thin girls, and a lot of women like skin that is very white.
Who are your beauty icons?
Gong Li and Maggie Cheung are my favorite Chinese actresses! I hope when I am 50 years old I can also be so elegant and beautiful.
Any favorite products from back home?
These are five classic Chinese products: Bee & Flower hair products; Helen Ou Dabao SOD honey moisturizer, Pechoin cream, Longliqi snake oil, and Liushen Florida Water.
And her Louis Vuitton Rei Kawakubo Monogram bag is sick.
Can't wait to see her later on today at the LV Cruise show.
