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Being a supermodel is in Kaia Gerber’s blood — after all, her mom is Cindy Crawford. The 20-year-old model (and the spitting image of her mother) is a face of YSL Beauty, as well as a new product from the brand that’s set to be announced in January. While she loves her job, she also has an exceptional sense of humor about it. We caught up with Gerber and heard about her Instagram friend crush, her favorite films and the best thing she’s stolen from her mom’s closet.
When did you know you wanted to be a model?
I don’t really remember an exact moment that I realized I was interested in it. Growing up, I knew that my mom did it, but I didn’t realize that it was a job. Like, I suppose, everyone takes their picture sometimes… But when I first started to do shows, I got into the artistic part of fashion and how it brings people together from all over the world. It felt like this bridge between everyone.
What’s the best work advice you’ve gotten from your mom?
Always be on time. It’s a gift and a curse, because now I’m the most punctual person. It does not matter what is happening. I will be on time.
That’s such a good quality. Are you a morning person?
I think it applies to every job. I am, I wake up so early.
How did you get started working with YSL?
I’d been working with Tom [Pechaux, global beauty director for YSL Beauty] a lot during shows and different shoots, and I always really admired him and I loved the way he did my makeup. I found while doing shows that they [often] choose one look, and then they kind of just do it on everyone. But I think makeup is very personal. And I found working with Tom, he always made each person feel special, like the makeup was designed for you. And so when I started working with YSL, it was also a way to grow our relationship. Now I’ve been working with them for maybe three years and have been able to evolve with them. I feel like I’ve gotten to grow up with these very cool brands that I admire so much.
What’s the desert island makeup product that you can’t live without?
Touche Éclat — I will say it a million times. If I have room for nothing in my bag, that is the one thing that I put in there because it’s just my lifesaver. I love it very much.
What has Tom taught you over the years?
Tom gives very good face massages before and after he does the makeup. A lot of people do their makeup and they’re like, ‘I don’t want anything to touch me.’ But Tom always goes in with his hands after, and kind of like settles it into your face a bit more and makes it look a little bit slept on or lived in. And I think that adds a lot of life to it. So I’ve adopted that into my own routine.
What’s something you do for self-care?
An under-eye patch is kind of my best friend, or any kind of face roller. I put them in a mini-fridge, which is kind of embarrassing, but it was a gift, so I don’t feel that bad about it. But truly, it feels so good. I could do that for hours.
What’s the last skin care product you finished?
The Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask — it’s very good. My lips get very dry in the winter, especially.
OK, some rapid-fire social media questions. Who’s the last person you followed?
Emilia Jones, a wonderful actress who is in a movie called “Coda” that just came out.
What’s the last post you saved?
Hmm, it was definitely a meme of some sort. For sure… Oh, you know what? It was a quote. Today is John Cassavetes’s birthday. And Criterion posted a picture of him with a wonderful quote by him about love. And I sent that to someone.
Who on social do you wish was your best friend?
Celeste Barber!
Oh, that’s such a good one.
I really want her to be my best friend. I think my mom met her and I was so jealous.
Have you ever been “Celeste Barber-ed”?
Yes, I have. It happened recently — I think I have a few times. But one just happened recently. My mom sent it to me, and I was like, ‘Oh my god, I feel like this is this is making it.’ I think I dropped my phone. And everyone was like, ‘Oh my god, what? what? what?’ And I was like… ‘Um, Celeste Barber basically made fun of me. And that’s all I want.’ I love what she does because it’s self-deprecating, but it’s very grounding. And it’s kind of an amazing breath of fresh air from the usual fashion and Instagram obsession with perfection that a lot of people have. Celeste Barber is a way to kind of just get away from all of that.
What’s the last post you saved for yourself?
Probably a recipe of sorts. Oh, you know what? It was another Criterion post.
You’re a big film person?
I’m a massive film person. And it was Gloria Grahame in “A Lonely Place.”
What’s your favorite film?
“That’s so hard. One I saw recently that’s definitely up there is “C’mon C’mon.” I thought it was brilliant and amazing. Everybody should see it. Of all time? I think that’s almost impossible. I really love any Gena Rowlands, John Cassavetes… So, like, “Opening Night.” “A Woman Under the Influence,” I think, is a perfect movie and a perfect performance. I could go on forever.
What’s the best thing you’ve stolen from your mom?
This leather Alaia coat that she has had forever. And I asked her to borrow it one day, I think when I was 14, and she never saw it again. It’s very good and it holds up very well. And it’s even more special now, I think, than ever.
Is there a meme that you feel describes your life right now?
I’m so happy you asked this. Yes, it’s a picture of a cut. And the cut says “crippling anxiety.” And then there’s somebody putting a Band-Aid on the cut, and it says, “that’s just showbiz baby“. And I refer back to that meme probably more often than I should.
What do you want for the holidays?
I want the time to read an entire book in one sitting.
Do you know what book?
I just got this book called “The Body Keeps the Score” that I’ve been wanting to read for a long time.
What’s the last thing you bought based on an Instagram ad?
My mom sends me kitchen appliances sometimes to help me with my cooking, so… some sort of an air fryer or cooking device.
