Kiwi supermodel Rachel Hunter has always been ahead of the curve, and her latest transformation is no exception. From the catwalk to the yoga mat, she’s embracing change both physically and emotionally.
As a jet-setting supermodel-turned-yoga teacher, Rachel Hunter has seen her fair share of beauty trends. But her latest discovery came from an unexpected place—the cosmetics aisle of a supermarket! While shopping in Los Angeles, she stumbled upon Kiwi brand essano, which took her back to her time filming New Zealand’s Got Talent nearly a decade ago.
“It was a sign!” she beams, chatting with Woman’s Day from her lounge in California. “I thought, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me!’ And it all developed from there.”
#1. Simplicity Meets Glamour
Rachel Hunter has long been associated with the high-flying world of glamour, but her beauty tricks are surprisingly low-key. “I always like simplicity, then you can add something a bit extravagant,” she tells us. With the pandemic causing her to spend large amounts of time in lockdown, daily self-care has become crucial.
#2. Yoga Retreats and Self-Care
From next month, Rachel’s hosting yoga retreats in Bali and New Zealand. “I’ve obviously continued with my meditation practice, but self-care can also be about our reactions or our social environments,” she explains. “A big thing for me right now is really listening to people – not just preparing my answer because that means I’m not really listening!”
#3. Embracing the Quiet Side
Rachel admits she’s “the fiery type who gets excited very easily,” but tapping into her quieter side has been helpful. “Just being more nurturing and loving towards myself – things like baths or taking the time to rub a beautiful oil into my skin. Being kind to ourselves in this time is important.”
#4. Health is Wealth
On the morning of our interview, Rachel’s sister Jacqui tested positive for COVID-19, highlighting the importance of health. “We’ve now started looking at a microscopic level at our health and our mental health, but also the environment and how we can be sustainable,” Rachel says. “It’s an incredible opportunity for us to look at things differently.”
#5. Evolution and Enlightenment
Rachel’s 2015 TV series Tour Of Beauty opened up a whole new world for her, leading her to train as a yoga and meditation teacher in India. “We’re all still finding our way,” she muses. “We’re in evolution all the time. To be stuck in any one way isn’t the best for us.”
#6. Inspired by the Next Generation
Rachel’s daughter Renee Stewart just turned 30, and the family celebrated with a party in Beverly Hills. “These younger generations now – they’re so cool and so much more evolved,” Rachel laughs. “They really want to be who they are. They’re not scared or afraid to do that.”
#7. Yoga for Body and Soul
Next month, Renee will join Rachel in Bali for a week-long yoga retreat, followed by retreats in New Zealand. Rachel credits yoga with keeping her flexible and grounded. “Self-esteem comes from a place of rest in your own skin,” she says. “When you actually feel that energy in your skin or the power of the breath in your body, you look at yourself from a much bigger, wider perspective.”
#8. Affordable Beauty for All
One of the reasons Rachel felt aligned with essano was its affordability. “I was really excited to see the rosehip oil in there, but also, most importantly, that it was available for everybody,” she smiles. “That accessibility is important.”
#9. Rachel’s Top Beauty Tips
“I always use hydrating rose toner spray and then rosehip oil every morning – not just on my face, but on my neck and legs as well because I get very dry skin. I’m also really into taking the time for bath salts at the moment. But makeup-wise, unless I’m doing a show, it’s usually just some foundation under my eyes and then mascara.”
Rachel Hunter’s journey from supermodel to yoga guru is a testament to her adaptability and commitment to self-care. As she continues to evolve, she inspires us all to embrace change and prioritize our well-being.
