September 14, 2024
Former Senior Beauty & Lifestyle Editor
Former Senior Beauty & Lifestyle Editor
Jamie Schneider is the former Senior Beauty Editor at mindbodygreen. She holds a BA in Histology and English from the University of Michigan and has had her work published in Coveteur, The Chill Times, and Wyld Skincare.
Image provided by: Nelly Moudime/mbg Creative
September 14, 2024
welcome About agingis a series that features industry icons sharing their beauty journeys through the decades as they share what makes them feel most beautiful, their biggest beauty experiments, and of course, all of their top skin and hair care tips.
The beauty industry is similar to the food industry in many ways – not only in terms of innovations like biotechnology and recycled ingredients, but also in the way we talk about food and beauty. Rich. Buttery. Fluffy. Glossy finish. That might explain the moisturizing night cream or the frosted pound cake.
The sensory experience (i.e. texture and scent) is an integral part of both beauty and food, and both categories are inextricably linked to emotion, culture and identity. We could also touch on the gut-skin connection and the skin microbiome, but that’s aside.
that’s why, Nelly MudimBeauty and food memories go hand in hand. “Food is a love language.” Polo Bar The former model told me this over the phone.
Her relationships with the restaurant industry were supported by the people she loves most. She talks about going to the market with her grandmother, taking in different smells and textures, and watching her prepare different dishes at home. She also reveals that her grandmother would frequently massage natural oils into her skin. “It was a very loving experience,” she says.
Love is a constant theme in Mudime’s beauty journey. She’s always up for some fun experimentation, from thick, bold eyeliner to homemade avocado masks, but her core values have remained the same for decades. Here’s how she infuses them into every step of the way.
Image courtesy of Nelly Mudim /mbgcreative
Current beauty philosophy
“Right now I’m at a stage in my life where less is more. I was a model when I was younger and I wanted to recreate a lot of makeup on my face, contouring and things like that,” she said.
“As I get older, I’ve started to accept myself more and feel more grateful for what I have. I’ve been blessed with such beautiful skin, so I want products that make my skin feel happy and glowing.”
“Meeting all my aunts, they have aged gracefully and embraced all the changes. We need to embrace every stage of life more. Growing older is such a blessing. Many of the people we came into this world with are no longer with us.”
On her first beauty memory
“I’m from Cameroon, Africa, so it’s a moisturizer. I think African kids can relate, especially kids who grow up in Africa. We just get different oils from different trees and nuts, and we have to moisturize our skin.”
“road [my grandmother] Using oils to moisturize the skin and touching the skin… it was really full of love. It was my first [beauty] Memories come from spending a lot of time with my mother as she was busy with work, I can see and smell myself.
“It’s a special oil. [called Black Manyanga]I just came back home after 12 years away and brought some back with me. This is the best moisturizing oil and leaves your skin glowing. I have dry skin and this really hydrates it. It doesn’t smell the best but it’s really good for your skin.”
The most memorable beauty experiments
“Growing up, one of my best friends was Lebanese, and I used sugar wax [which dates back to ancient Egypt and other areas in the Middle East]Don’t try it yourself!
Editor’s note:
Her best beauty secrets
“I’ve been experimenting with ice for a long time. It’s one of my secrets. I never pour hot water on my face. I massage the skin with ice. I read about it 15 or 20 years ago and have been doing it ever since. Something about ice makes my face feel more alive. I also end my shower with a minute of very cold water.
“I love trying to find everything. [around me]I grew up in nature, so that’s my biggest obsession. I do avocado masks, I use yogurt and honey… I try to keep it as natural as possible.”
Getting older is truly a blessing, as many of the people who came into this world with me are no longer with us.
On our changing relationship with beauty
“I’m really interested in natural beauty, but at the same time I’m really excited about the discoveries around biohacking. I feel like we haven’t fully tapped into our bodies’ potential yet. I’m going to get my first NAD infusion soon and I’m excited to try it. [technology] And let’s see how it will be combined with beauty in the future.
“I don’t know where I’ll be in 10 years’ time, but I think a consistent theme will be going back to basics and really embracing who I am. [mindset] It’ll remain, but it’ll definitely be fun to try all the new and exciting things that are coming up.”
Her health habits
“Cold showers are definitely good. Sweating out toxins is so important and with summer approaching it’s easy to do. Taking long walks is also really important. The gym also allows me to go to the sauna.”
“And I definitely drink a lot of water. I stay away from fries, which are my weakness. I stay away from sweets. It’s very difficult to do that at the Polo Bar…
“I like to have dance parties by myself in the morning. I want to see Janet Jackson, so I’ll play Janet at full volume in the morning and have a dance party. Last week it was Beyoncé. I have fun. I put on my songs and dance and sing and do things that make me happy. My neighbours might think I’m a little crazy. My boyfriend definitely thinks I’m crazy. [but] It feels good.”
Her beauty products
“I love ILIA Super Serum Skin TintIt’s so hard to find something that matches my skin tone, I don’t know how you found it but you found something that really matches my skin tone.
ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara
$28
You’d be hard pressed to find a beauty editor who isn’t in love with ILIA’s Limitless Lash. I’ve personally tried a few clean mascara formulas, but I always come back to this original . It leaves lashes looking naturally soft and fluffy, separating and fanning each individual lash for a fuller look. If you haven’t tried ILIA’s cult yet, I highly recommend giving it a go – you won’t look back.
Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Oil
$105
Infused with retinol, avocado seed oil and chia seed oil, this antioxidant-rich formula plumps skin and smooths the look of fine lines while you sleep, while blue tansy and chamomile add soothing properties to help you wake up feeling radiant and refreshed.
ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
$48
We think ILIA put skin tints on the map. Their award-winning workhorse offers flawless coverage with a breathable, skin-like finish. It’s non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, silicone-free, and has SPF 40. Seriously, what more could you want in a skin tint base?
Aesop Parsley Seed Antioxidant Facial Hydrating Cream
$77
This herbal face cream leaves skin feeling super fresh. Its rich, buttery texture is absorbed easily into the skin, leaving it feeling supple and plump. Its heavy texture has a mattifying effect on the skin, without making it look oily.
What would you like to tell your younger self?
“Experiment until you find what works for you, and don’t forget to exercise.”
“I guess I should say ‘Embrace yourself’ but I don’t. Have fun and experiment. Look, we all go through different phases. I had really thin eyebrows and my eyeliner was really black and thick… We all have those moments and I think it’s fun. It shapes who we are and makes me who I am.”
About what I find most beautiful
“What makes me feel beautiful? That’s a tough one. Let me start by saying that the last few years have been a bit tough for me in terms of loving myself. I went through IVF, which wasn’t a very positive journey.”
“I was so focused on that I forgot about myself. I didn’t feel beautiful anymore. I went home, came to terms with that journey, and decided to come back and love myself. And I think when you decide to really take care of yourself and love yourself, that’s when you feel the most beautiful.”
“I am so lucky to have such great partners on this journey. [for anyone struggling with fertility]Be kind to yourself and really take care of yourself. There are many ways to be a mother, but there is only one you, so really take care of yourself.
“We [hormone] We had dance parties while I was getting the injections. Music is therapy for me. Well, walking in the park, reading positive things. It’s important to embrace your journey, but music has definitely helped me a lot.”
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/nelly-moudime-on-aging-her-beauty-hacks-products-and-more