“I’m from Holland, but I’ve lived in New York since I was 16 because it’s obviously really important for models to be based here. Every night there is a little party to go to—you have to go out to show your face. Right now it's pretty crazy because it’s Fashion Week, but usually I never really feel like going out on weekends. I much prefer having dinner and meeting friends; I don’t necessarily need to be at a nightclub. Tonight I’m going to Jourdan Dunn’s charity event, Cell for Gratitude for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, which is a nice balance of the two.
GETTING IN THE MOOD
Usually before I go out, I just like to be home and have a glass of wine and some chips—not a full meal or I’ll get tired. My girlfriends will come over and we'll catch up, we sit outside on my patio, just to chill out and get into the mood. I love soul music—those ladies! I listen to soul singers, and I feel like I gain some peace of mind.
STYLE
During the day, I’m super minimalist in my dressing, especially when I’m working. I’ll wear jeans and a t-shirt or something else really comfortable because if you go to the studio, they might spill makeup on your clothes. But when I go out, I love to dress up—vintage gowns and heels and jewelry. The older I get, the more accessories I put on. You have to keep it interesting. My dress tonight is Acne and I’m wearing a little Jean Michel Cazabet pointy pump.
SKINCARE
When you model, you pick up tricks all over the place, but you can really only rely on yourself when it comes to skincare. Just find what works for you. For instance, I don’t really wash my face with a product before I go out—I just end up red and irritated. But I will use SK-II Facial Treatment Essence as toner. You know it’s an awesome brand because makeup artists have always used their products. Their Essential Moisturizing Cream and Skin Signature Eye Cream are also really good. Sisley is the bomb, too. Their Eye Contour Mask is great.
I also love Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist. It’s all natural and organic, but I’m not super strict about that stuff. I think it all depends on how your skin reacts to things. I just stick to my regime and that works for me!
HAIR
I take really good care of my hair because it’s been damaged from shoots and things. Once they bleached it like six times in one sitting! After all that, the hair just breaks off. I’m not Brazilian, I’m not born with flawless hair. So I use Kérastase Bain Force. It’s really good for weak and damaged hair because it builds up the outer layers.
I usually just let my hair air dry and don’t do much to it—maybe I’ll put it up in a bun. I have a lot of hair that’ll curl if it’s humid, but it’s very fine so it doesn’t have a lot of body. I spray it with Kérastase Resistance Volumactive Spray when it’s wet, which is like a leave-in conditioner. It just gives it a little bit more body and more texture.
I also use coconut oil to make it shiny and get a little waxy texture depending on the look. Klorane Dry Shampoo is also obviously a must. And I use L’Oréal Elnett Hairspray to finish everything off.
NAILS
I’m a manicure queen—you’ll never see me with chipped nails. I use Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil, I never cut them, and I don’t get them done—I always do them myself. Max Factor has amazing nail polish. Right now I'm wearing the Glossfinity in Lilac Lace.
MAKEUP
I never use foundation, even if I’m going out. During the day, I have so much makeup on for work, I need to let my skin breath. If anything, I have the Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage, just if I need to cover up or even things out a little bit. I always carry it around just in case I need a little touch up, because you never know!
But I am big on luminizers and highlighters. The Max Factor Skin Luminizer Foundation [ed note: not available in the US] it’s super light and gives you a little glow. Pat McGrath introduced me to the Madina Milano Chic & Shine Stick, which is actually the best. It makes your skin look beautiful and glow-y and natural. The Nars Multiple in Copacabana is also really good because the Madina one is really hard to get. Or even just some Rosebud Salve on the cheekbones for some shine. Sometimes I’ll do a little MAC Bronzing Powder, instead of blush to do some contouring on my face and for a healthy glow.
And no matter where I’m going, I can’t leave the house without brushing my eyebrows. I use Anastasia Beverly Hills Perfect Brow Pencil. I don’t need it that much but just to fill in a little bit. If they’re good, leave them, embrace them. The pencil just sharpens the shape a bit more.
The eyes are what seals it for me—I am really good at eyeliner actually, because I used to do it on my top lids every day. And then I use Max Factor Xperience Volumizing Mascara and I feel like I really look like a movie star.”
—as told to ITG
Rianne Ten Haken photographed by Tom Newton.
I love her in his shows
