Model Behaviour

She’s a rebel. She’s an icon. She’s the textbook definition of the Cool Girl. We flew to London to speak to one of the most recognisable faces of our generation, actress-slash-model (not the other way around) Cara Delevingne, and ended up falling even more in love with her.

byClaire Starkey January 2017

She’s a rebel. She’s an icon. She’s the textbook definition of the Cool Girl. We flew to London to speak to one of the most recognisable faces of our generation, actress-slash-model (not the other way around) Cara Delevingne, and ended up falling even more in love with her.

For those who are not in the know, Cara Delevingne’s appeal might be somewhat of an enigma. Here is a young girl who burst onto the modeling scene in 2011, standing at 1.73m (short, by fashion industry standards) and sporting the most magnificently bushy brows. She doesn’t quite fit into the mould of traditional beauty standards, yet the hoity-toity high fashion world seemed so eager to put her in the season’s most covetable threads, including one Karl Lagerfeld, the Godfather of Fashion, who made her his muse.

For those who are in the know, it’s still difficult to put a finger on Cara Delevingne’s appeal. Maybe it’s the devilmay-care attitude, maybe it’s the silly faces she pulls, or maybe it’s the raw honesty you get when it comes to her personal problems – from depression to psoriasis, she’s bares it all so coolly and so candidly. It would not be a stretch to say she isn’t exactly what you’d expect of one of the most sought-after models and actresses in the world – unfiltered, unconcerned about keeping up with appearances and, most importantly, unapologetic for who she is, even if she doesn’t conform to societal norms.

These days, you’re more likely to see the 24-year-old on the big screen than on the runway. In 2015, she starred in her first major role as Margo in Paper Towns, a print-toscreen adaptation of a John Green (Looking for Alaska, The Fault in Our Stars) novel of the same name. Last year, she took on the role of DC villain The Enchantress in the highly-anticipated ensemble movie, Suicide Squad. This July, fans can look forward to her first foray into the sci-figenre with Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, based on the French comic series Valérian and Laureline.

Seeing how the London-born multi-hyphenate has the words “Made in England” proudly inked on the sole of her left foot, it’s of no surprise that she’s the current face of the quintessentially Brit beauty brand, Rimmel London. We sat down with her to chat about her skincare routine, fave makeup looks and, of course, how to pull off woolly brows as effortlessly as she does (our words, not Cara’s).

What do you think about everyone being obsessed with your brows?

It’s very sweet. I’m very flattered obviously, because when I was a kid, I used to be ashamed of them, or kind of scared of them – because they’re really big. So it’s very nice now, especially to inspire other girls to be comfortable with their own; I think that’s what’s most important to me.

What’s your regular brow grooming routine?

Making sure they’re in shape – so trimming them; tweezing them… and then using the Brow This Way Brow Gel to keep them in shape.

Do you have any tips for girls with fuller brows?

I say just keep them as wild as possible, but obviously not too wild. Letting their natural shape go and letting them be. Have them however you want to have them. Like, sometimes, I’ll have them completely grown out, depending how I feel.

What’s the best trick for making your eyelashes look longer, and what’s your best application?

I try and put conditioning stuff on my eyelashes. I’m lucky that I have long eyelashes – thanks to my family. I use eyelash curlers. Sometimes, I’ll put on fake eyelashes. But I always make sure I get every single hair when I do my mascara.

How do you usually line your eyes?

I usually go for a cat eye, and also use a lighter liner for the insides to make them pop. Just a little wing, but like a cat eye and then some shadow in the creases.

What’s your best ever skincare tip?

I use very natural products. I use a great thing called the Skin Goddess product line, which is all very natural, and just keeping [my skin] very hydrated – especially when I travel a lot – drinking lots of water, not picking. That’s always very key. Even though that’s hard and I do it all the time – but try not to!

What’s your everyday makeup style and what kind of products do you use to achieve it?

In the morning, I’ll just get up and wash my face. If I’ve been travelling, I’ll be tired, so I’ll use a breathable foundation and Scandaleyes Mascara. If I’m going out at night, I’ll definitely use the eyeliner as well, the bold liner, or maybe just a red lip. But it’s quite simple – never too crazy.

You’ve no doubt had countless offers to partner with cosmetic brands – what made Rimmel London the right fit for you?

I’ve got a tattoo on my foot that says “Made in England” – I’m very proud to be British and I think that Rimmel London is that quintessential, very young, English-with-a-lot-of-attitude kind of brand. The London Look is different for everyone. It’s very unique to every individual person; it’s not one special look – it’s accepting who you are, and finding out who that is and embracing that person.

How do you think social media has changed the way people feel about and interact with makeup?

I think social media is a great tool for people to learn from each other – like tutorials and doing different things with makeup, using products in different places than they should and things like that.

All makeup products mentioned by Cara by Rimmel London.

These tatts at the Met Gala are just temporary!

How many tattoos does Cara have?

Answer: 27. At least, from what we can tell from her photos. It’s not possible to list all of them down in this space, but here are some of the more well-known pieces of ink she has:

• A skeleton of a snake on her left hand, designed by Amber Heard

• Matching “DD” initial hip tattoos with supermodel Jourdan Dunn

• A wasp on her left middle finger

• Four white dots on her left ribcage, to represent each member of her family. Awwww.

• A coat of arms, with a pair of wings and a crown over a shield that bears the letter “D” on her left rib cage.

• Smiley faces on her toes, courtesy of Suicide Squad co-star Margot Robbie.

Funny face, not optional!

Get Cara’s London look

Funny face, not optional! “I just go for something quite simple, like I’ll just wear black jeans, a t-shirt, leather jacket… [for makeup] it’ll be just, like, mascara and probably breathable foundation if I’m looking tired. Messy hair, bed hair. No shoes too!”