alessandraambrosio / Instagram
The pressure to post the perfect selfie is officially at its peak. Couple that fact with a bathing suit and skin that hasn’t seen the sun in months (thank you, Polar Vortex) and you’ve got yourself a serious summer challenge. Despite the multitude of filters available (glow-inducing Hefe included), I have yet to find one that makes me look like Alessandra Ambrosio in a bikini. Here, the Brazilian super shares her secrets to the ultimate beach body and the top tricks for faking one—no app wizardry required.
—Amber Kallor, Style.com
You’re one of the most coveted bodies in the business. Is there anything special that you do before a big shoot where you know you’ll be in a bikini?
I try to do cardio and toning exercises like Pilates and Spinning classes. I also drink a lot of green juices and coconut water. I eat pretty healthy but keep it light. I live in L.A., and there is a place near my house called Pressed Juicery, so I get juices from there—like the green ones plus ginger or ginger with lime.
Not that I would ever dare to keep pace with you at Spin, but what is your go-to spot?
I love SoulCycle. I love everything about it—it’s only forty-five minutes, it’s a great workout, you sweat a lot, they play the music really high, and it’s almost in the dark [save for the] candlelight. You can get the most [out of a workout] in such a short amount of time and have fun with it. They have [locations] in New York and L.A., so it’s easy because I’m bicoastal and I can go to any of them.
Aside from Spinning your bum off at SoulCycle, do you have any other secrets for taking a flattering bathing suit selfie?
It depends upon what you want to feature, but a tan is always good. I would always start with that. If you’re pale, it doesn’t look as good. I always start with a tan to hide all of the imperfections. There are also a few little tricks: If you want to cover your belly and show more cleavage, do the Marilyn Monroe pose—it hides your stomach and all you see is the cleavage and the shape of your body. Or if you like your butt, then you do a three-quarter [turn] to the back so you see a lot of your bum, not so much of your front. For a tiny waist, good posture and sucking in your belly is best.
How do you prep for the beach? Is there anything you do to protect your skin and hair?
I love the Victoria’s Secret Sun SPF 25 —it’s a great number because you get a little tan but you’re protected, and it’s a spray lotion, so you don’t get your hands all messy. They also have this beautiful tinted self-tanning lotion, so you can see where you apply so you can do it yourself—I do that before a swim shoot. And for hair on the beach, I put something on that protects and conditions, like oil or a repairing kind of thing. At the end of the day, I use the Victoria’s Secret beach hairspray to make it move and look natural.
What type of oil do you put on your hair?
So Sexy Detangler —it’s always in my bag. I have at least ten bottles between Brazil, California, and New York. It has a little oil in it, and you spray it into your hair after you go into the water because the salt makes it hard to [comb] through it with your fingers.
Do you have any other beach bag essentials?
Sunblock, a hat, a nice cover-up, lip balm, and sunglasses.
How do you repair your skin post-sun and -sand?
I love masks. I travel a lot, so it depends on how my skin feels. After the sun, I use a cucumber mask with aloe vera because it’s soothing and moisturizing for the skin. There’s a nice Chanel one that I use and all of these organic [versions] that smell amazing.
Of all the locations you’ve shot at in your career, which is your favorite?
I really like St. Bart’s. I’ve also been to Los Roques in Venezuela with Victoria’s Secret—that was one of the most beautiful beaches. When we shot in Venezuela, it was just this little piece of sand and a tiny village surrounded by water. When you arrive, it almost looks like you’re landing in Tahiti because the water is so amazing and there are all of these sand banks—it’s pretty surreal. St. Bart’s is always fun because there is amazing shopping and food—it’s so glam and tropical. I always pick up avocado oil there.
Wearing makeup to the beach: Yes or no?
I think if you want to do makeup, then do a little creamy bronzer during the day, but leave it at that. Or maybe just an eyelash curler. I wouldn’t do anything more than that because otherwise it makes a mess. At night, you can always do a little bronzer and maybe some eyeliner.
