Q&A: Stephanie Seymour for Estée Lauder’s Re-Nutriv Ultimate Diamond Dual Infusion

Legendary supermodel Stephanie Seymour has been revealed as the (spectacular) face of Estée Lauder’s recently reformulated Re-Nutriv Ultimate Diamond Sculpting/Refinishing Dual Infusion, a stellar serum that amazingly improves on the original with the addition of Black Diamond Truffle extract. Lauder scientists brilliantly developed the Black Diamond Truffle into an extract that when added to the original, already popular formula is skincare perfection. From when nature’s rare treasure is first born to finished elixir, each precious drop of the Black Diamond Truffle Extract is 10,000 hours in the making and results thus far have been outstanding.

But back to Seymour, who’s face was on my walls in the early nineties like a rock star, and who today still has all that it takes to most definitely be called ‘super’.

What does Re-Nutriv represent to you?

There’s a wonderful history to the Re-Nutriv line and I feel it epitomises Estée Lauder’s perception of what women wanted in her day and what we still want today – to take care of our skin and use luxurious items.

What is your first memory of Estée Lauder?

My mother was a beauty maven, and, when I was 13, she told me she wanted me to be the next Estée Lauder model. At the time, I think Karen Graham was the only representative of Estée Lauder, and my mom would tell me – “you should be the next Estée Lauder model.” When I got the call from Estée Lauder – the first thing I did was call my mother and she couldn’t believe I remembered what she used to say to me. I am so happy I could make not only my dreams come true, but hers as well.

What does beauty mean to you?

Beauty is to understand what your strengths are: if you have a great mouth, play it up; if you have beautiful hair, do not cut it off. It’s not just one thing, though. As a model you are constantly judged for your exterior, but I think who you are as a person—and also the way you take care of yourself and how you respect and appreciate other people—is most important.

What is your skincare routine?

I’m most specific about my nighttime routine, but, during the day, sunscreen is 100 per cent the most important thing on my mind. When I was growing up, my mother was all about sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen! All my friends were getting sun burnt I was not allowed to. I wasn’t even allowed to get a tan.

At night, I try to exfoliate, usually with an exfoliating cleanser, every other day. In between, I use just a basic cleanser. Then I apply a serum. I’ve been using the new Re-Nutriv Ultimate Diamond Dual Infusion serum recently. From there, I apply a moisturiser and eye creme. I also like to do a mask at least once a week.

What do you like best about new Re-Nutriv Ultimate Diamond Sculpting/Refinishing Dual Infusion?

I feel so luxurious when I use the new serum. I also love the packaging, but it’s not about that, it’s about what’s in the product. I love the way the two elixirs are separate and then merge together. Every woman should treat herself to luxurious formulas that not only feel incredible, but also show results. I love how my skin looks with the new serum.

Do you have any tips on how to apply Re-Nutriv Ultimate Diamond Sculpting/Refinishing Dual Infusion?

My tip would be not to forget your neck. As a younger woman, I neglected this area and I’ve paid the price. After I mix the product together in my hand and apply over my face, I make sure to put it also on my neck and décolleté. The serum isn’t greasy, so you can use it morning and night. I love the smell in particular – it’s so fresh!

How has your beauty routine evolved as you’ve gotten older?

I try to let a lot of things go. I think I look good for my age. I’m never going to look like I did ten years ago or ten years before that, but I don’t think I want to. I’m happy being the age I am. But I think as you age, taking care of yourself is really key. It’s so beautiful to see a woman that’s aged naturally.

How do you feel about getting older?

I try not to think about it. I try to just take care of myself. It is what it is. We all age. But this is a beautiful time for women—whether you’re in your late thirties, forties, fifties, sixties—women really blossom. To look through fashion magazines and only see twenty year old girls…even when I was twenty years old I didn’t get that. I always liked the diversity and I’m glad the public is responding to that.

What is some beauty advice that you would share with other women?

I’ve realised now that you don’t look healthy and glowing unless you take care of yourself. This is something my mother taught me – you don’t just put one cream on and think it’s going to work. You’ve got to do it every night, body treatments, beauty treatments. This is one of the reasons why I respect my mother so much. You use the right, beautiful products on your face, you get facials, you exercise, you eat right – I look at my mother all the time and say I wish I was like her, but I continue to try so that’s the most I can do.

How do you indulge yourself in your free time?

My biggest indulgence is taking time for myself. Taking time to get a facial or go shopping for beauty products because as a mother I feel guilty doing that. I’m sure it’s because I had such a great mother who was with me 24 hours a day. She did teach me to take care of myself, and that is my greatest indulgence and when I do that I feel like myself. I feel human again.

 When do you feel the most beautiful?

I feel beautiful when I’m happy. I feel good when I go to bed. No matter what happens to me in the day I like to wash my face and put on something pretty so that I go to bed feeling good about myself. I don’t ever go to bed with something horrible on my mind or feeling bad about myself. I try to resolve it before that so that when I wake up the next morning I’m not burdened and I can feel good about myself again.

What do you do to stay in shape?

I swim, ride and do Pilates – and I do a lot of gardening, which can be a pretty good workout. I just do a little bit every other day, around 30 minutes. I don’t mind having a feminine figure, I like the female form and I don’t want to look cut – I just want to feel good and stay toned. If you do have curves –and after four children, I do have them – I think you have to embrace them. It’s a big part and one of the beauties of being a woman.