How to Look Perfect While Traveling, According to Alexis Ren

Gigi. Gisele. Kendall. Naomi. Bella. And now, 19-year-old model Alexis Ren. The Santa Monica native has now joined the ranks of ridiculously-beautiful humans invited to sit for fashion photographer Mario Testino’s Towel Series. She’s been featured in campaigns for Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, and Diane Von Furstenburg. But modeling, in a traditional sense, isn’t what made Ren mega-famous. Like, 10 million social media followers famous. Instead, it was her starring role in viral travel videos that improbably cobble together the appeal of Go Pro adrenaline junkie-ism, a Nicolas Sparks movie, and Caribbean cruise promo spots. Even more improbably, Ren always looks camera-ready, whilst being swallowed up and spit out by waves and trekking through remote jungles. So in the wake of what could be considered her biggest accolade yet—her Towel Series debut—we quizzed the up-and-comer about how she pulls it off:

Her biggest beauty secret: "My hairstylist, EJ Hagen. He’s my L.A. secret. Most colorists don’t care about the long term health of my hair. They don’t think, ‘She’s in the sun a lot, maybe we shouldn’t use bleach.’ He’s the first colorist that’s actually told me no. Many times. I need people like that in my life."

The one product she wears five different ways: "I put Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Poured Crème in Moonstone everywhere: I use it as eyeshadow, at the inner corners of my eyes, on my cheekbones, at the bow of my lips, and above my brow. It’s gorgeous. I love the idea of your face looking like a glazed donut you want to just eat."

How she looks rested—without sleeping: " is my go-to to make myself look awake. It’s my it bae because it’s water resistant, it doesn’t make me break out, and it’s the perfect color for my cheeks and my lips. When I’m traveling and exhausted, having color in my face makes a difference."

What she’ll never let show on camera: "My face is literally three shades lighter than the rest of my body. I always wear . I don’t tan my face ever, because I don’t want sun spots. I always have to warn makeup artists, because if they match a foundation to my face alone it looks really weird."

How she keeps her body photo-ready: "Coconut oil is my best friend—I put it all over my body every night. And in the morning, I wash it off so I’m not all greasy."

Photo: Benjo Arwas

Her surfing essentials: "My hair’s very dry so I have to put coconut oil in my hair and braid it before I go out so the salt water doesn’t dry it out. I also use Clarins Sunscreen Care Oil Spray and use tons of Kiehl's SPF Facial Fuel UV Guard sunscreen; I hate when my hair and body get sun damaged."

The mascara even a tidal wave can’t wreck: " keeps my eyelashes curled and doesn’t come off while I’m surfing. And Clinique makes the best makeup remover I’ve ever tried. By far."

The most adventurous thing she’s done: "There are so many! Skydiving was amazing, it’s a rush."

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More beauty products that will help keep summer alive all year round:

1. 25 Beauty Gifts for Your Inner Mermaid
2. Why Tan-Luxe Is Our New Favorite Self-Tanner Brand
3. The 10 Most Popular Salt Sprays on the Internet

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Her geekiest travel habit: "I love documentaries and TED talks. I’ll put my earphones in and hoodie on, and watch them on Netflix. My all-time favorite TED talks are Brene Brown’s The Power of Vulnerability and Sir Ken Robinson’s Do Schools Kill Creativity."

Favorite place she’s visited: "Mykonos, Greece."

Still on the bucket list: "South Africa."

Most impressive dish in her cooking repertoire: "I know how to make an amazing egg white oatmeal pancake!"

The Ren her friends know: "I’m really stubborn, really spontaneous. I hate to sit still. But I also like to be the mom of the group. I like to take care of everyone."

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Take a tour of the Blue Lagoon spa in Iceland: