Supermodel Niki Taylor has many accomplishments to her name, but perhaps most astonishing is pulling off the “Niki Six” — industry insiders’ nickname for the time she was casually on the cover of six magazines in the same month, May 1996: Allure, Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, Self and Shape. The now 46-year-old model was just 17 when she worked with the beauty brand CoverGirl for the first time — and now, as nostalgic beauty takes its hold on the industry, in April, the brand signed Taylor once again. This time, she’s the face of its Simply Ageless franchise. Taylor spoke with Glossy Pop from her home in Tennessee about becoming the brand’s iconic face once again.
How did you feel when CoverGirl asked you to sign on for a second time?
“I just I love that it came full circle. I think I first signed with them in 1992. I’d just turned 17, and then I was with them until 2000. I got to be on six covers at once in the same month. I got to be on four billboards in Times Square at the same time. I got to swim with dolphins. I got to shoot with all the most amazing photographers. I got to jump off glaciers. So, for almost a decade, I was with them.
But chapter two happened during Covid. I’ve had so many calls with [the company] and I can’t wait to meet everyone in person. I am older now. [Modeling] is a young girl’s business; it’s a 20-year-old’s business. And I’m just trying to keep up with them.”
Do you feel like that’s changing?
“Yes, definitely. And that’s what I love about CoverGirl. They are about diversity and embracing it. Because [diversity] does celebrate our differences, but it also unifies us in sharing our shared humanity. It’s so easy to divide people right now. Any message that can unite us is needed more than ever. I’m very proud to be a part of that brand and always attach my name to it. And I’m in good company. I mean, look at their roster. They have Tyra Banks, Ellen DeGeneres, Katy Perry, Queen Latifah, Brandy, Drew Barrymore. They’re also vegan and cruelty-free — I love that, and you have to vote with your dollars.”
How did “chapter two” come about?
“They reached out and asked me to be a spokesperson for Simply Ageless. I got to be on Zoom with them a few times, and they gave me some direction. But [the campaign] was shot with my cell phone. So I was the producer, the director, the stylist. I did have my friends do my hair and makeup, and my husband helped me make sure that I was lit up — or, you know, that I had the right settings on my phone. So it was a good challenge for me, but am I ready to be Ridley Scott any time soon? No.”
What beauty tips have you picked up being a CoverGirl?
“I’ve worked with some of the most amazing hair and makeup people, so I’ve always learned some cool tricks from makeup artists. Of course, my mom always told me, ‘Wash off your makeup, drink lots of water and hydrate.’ It’s always been very important to me to eat well and try to work out and fit that in and raise babies, and get good sleep — all at the same time. I can’t stress enough [the importance] of getting a good night’s sleep. My husband and I wear Oura rings to track our sleep. Also, I grew up with my mom using CoverGirl. I’ve just always had it in my bag. The CoverGirl foundation has hyaluronic acid in it, which I love.”
