A true modern-day multi-hyphenate, Miranda Kerr is a mother of three as well as being a veteran supermodel and the founder and CEO of Kora Organics – while being a beauty icon and wellness inspiration to many. All of which appear to come naturally to the star, who unapologetically embraces who she is while encouraging others to celebrate their uniqueness. In a world where wellbeing is increasingly commodified and celebrity beauty brands launch week-by-week, Kerr’s personal and professional authenticity sets her – and her business – apart. From yoga and meditation to affirmations and crystal healing, she’s been invested since childhood. Now, Kerr’s beauty philosophy features in the school curriculum throughout her native Australia (via her published books for youths), while her mindful beauty brand – one of few that are certified organic and climate neutral – harnesses her holistic approach for a global customer base.
In the days following her 40th birthday we spoke to Kerr (who was pre-coffee, and mid-celery juice) about her uplifting outlook, and the beauty and wellness routines that underpin it.
On ageing being a privilege…
“I just turned 40 and I'm feeling great. Age is a privilege, and we need to try to change the outside opinion in the world of ageing; there's so much obsession with youth, but it's important to really embrace getting older.
“My grandmother, who I feel was one of the most beautiful women, had that sparkle in her eye that lit up the room when she walked in. You didn't notice her wrinkles because of the energy that she had. Beauty is so much more than just skin-deep, and when you're comfortable in your own skin, and in your soul and spirit, that is what really shines through the most.
“At the same time, when it comes to skincare, there are things that we can do. My aim is to give the skin the nutrients it needs so it can be vibrant, and the best it can be. I basically want to be a grandma with great skin!”
On avoiding comparison and embracing who you are…
“When I was a little girl, my mum had this pillow that read ‘shine your light’, and my beauty mantra is that your heart radiates through your eyes and your smile. To me, that's what true beauty is. We all have something beautiful to offer. And we're all unique. And that is something that I really try to embrace and encourage others to embrace as well. I wrote books Treasure Yourself and Empower Yourself for young women, which they put in the Australian school curriculum. What I tried to say is that every woman is beautiful in their own way, just like every flower is beautiful: you can't compare a rose to a sunflower or daisy because they each have their unique beauty. A rose can sit there as long as it likes going, ‘I want to be a sunflower’ but at the end of the day, by embracing itself as a rose, it will really shine brighter. So that's my philosophy on beauty: don't try and be something else – just embrace what you are and let that shine.”
On her signature beauty look…
“I guess my signature look is kind of fresh-faced, glowing skin with a little blush. I’m obsessed with blush. I created one with RMS Beauty, which we named Heart. And I like one from Tower 28. I always put blush on my eyes; I like having the cheeks, eyelids and lips all in the same tone. It’s quick and easy and you need that when you’re a busy mum!
“I also use the Kosasport Lipfuel Hyaluronic Acid Lip Balm in shade Pulse. And I sometimes like to pop on a red lipstick – it’s like colour therapy if you’re feeling tired. I really like the RMS Beauty Wild with Desire Lipstick shade RMS Red.
“For my hair I like to have like a bit of a curl. But I often will just pull it back into a sleek bun. I like my natural colour and just add little bits of blonde to highlight the face. When you're younger, they get kind of naturally sun-kissed somehow – but now I’m a big hat girl.”
Kosasport LipFuel Hyaluronic Acid Lip Balm
RMS Beauty Wild With Desire Lipstick
Tower 28 Beauty BeachPlease Luminous Tinted Balm
On beauty sleep and early starts…
“I try to go to bed early. If I can I get eight hours sleep that's a dream, but it ranges between seven and eight on a good day. I wear the Oura Ring because it helps track sleep, and your heart rate and all of that. I really love it.
“I wake up every morning at 5am with my husband – he's an early riser. And so in the morning, I have that time to myself to do a little self-care and my skincare routine before the kids wake up.”
On morning meditation and gratitude practice…
“First, I try to do a little meditation and yoga, depending on how I feel. I've been meditating since I was 18. I've learnt Transcendental Meditation and Kriya Yoga Meditation, but sometimes I'm just too much in my head and so I need to put on an app. I use Insight Timer, which has different guided meditations, from a five- or 10-minute meditation or deeper ones which help if I can't sleep.
“Gratitude puts everything into perspective. The way that we speak to ourselves is really important, and to be aware to pull yourself up if you’re being self-critical and try and look at things in a positive way. For example, we can look outside and say, ‘oh my goodness, I can't believe it's raining’, or we can look outside and go, ‘well, it's cosy when it rains, I'd love to be inside and I get to wear my favourite scarf’ – we can switch our whole perspective on so many things. For me, waking up in the morning and thinking of at least three things I’m grateful for is so important. Just simple things like, ‘I’m grateful that we have fresh running water’.”
On exercise at 40…
“Lately, I've been getting into weight training, which I really like. They say as you get older that weight training is important. I've been such a yogi and a Pilates girl my whole life that it's nice to balance it a little more with weights, and a little bit of running as well.”
On cold showers, celery juice and body brushing…
“After exercising I really like having a cold shower. Even if it's just turning the water to cold at the end, it really invigorates you. I also drink celery juice every morning, almost a litre. It hydrates you with electrolytes, is good for your kidney function and for digestion – it helps you have a movement in the morning. I have to get through my celery juice before I get to my coffee.
“I also love dry body brushing, and gua sha massage; anything that brings about increased circulation and blood flow and lymphatic drainage. I've been doing facial massages and body brushing since I was 18.”
On skincare starting in the shower…
“Another tool that I use a lot is aromatherapy, and I love the Turmeric Glow Foaming Cleanser in the morning, which has peppermint in it, but also Palo Santo which clears your energy. I really look forward to my routine because it feels like it gives back to me. I also use the Turmeric Brightening and Exfoliating Mask every other day. The whole experience of it in the shower is what I really like.”
On her full skincare routine…
“When I get out the shower I mist my face with the Minty Mineral Hydration Mist, then I apply our Noni Bright Vitamin C Serum, which is the only thing that’s helped me with my pigmentation. Then I put on the new Plant Stem Cell Retinol Alternative Serum, which has really helped my skin over the last six months. I’ve notice a big difference. Next I use the Active Algae Lightweight Moisturizer and Berry Bright Vitamin C Eye Cream. And then I'll put on the Noni Radiant Eye Treatment Oil and the Noni Glow Face Oil over the top and massage it in with my rose quartz gua sha. I often wake up quite puffy but that really helps reduce the puffiness and lift and sculpt your face in a natural way.”
“At night it's very similar routine, but I'll use the Milky Mushroom Gentle Cleansing Oil to wash off make-up and double-cleanse with the Turmeric cleanser. I use the Noni Night AHA Resurfacing Serum – not the vitamin C – and the Turmeric Glow Moisturizer instead of the Active Algae. And then something that I think is underrated is our Noni Glow Sleeping Mask. I put it on every night after the rest of my skincare is absorbed. It is locks everything in and you wake up with really plump and juicy skin.”
On traditional retinols vs natural retinols…
Kora Organics Plant Stem Cell Retinol Alternative Serum
Kora Organics Plant Stem Cell Retinol Alternative Serum
“Traditional retinol serums have made my skin feel dry, red and irritated, and so I was looking for a more natural alternative. We used bakuchiol and to amp it up even more we included alfalfa extract – which is another really great retinol alternative – and acai stem cell extract. The combination of those makes it like a five per cent retinol serum.
“There was a study published by Cambridge University Press showing that organic farming means that you get up to 60 per cent more antioxidants. When you grow over and over on the same soil, like with traditional farming practices, the soil gets depleted. But with certified organic farming, strict guidelines dictate that you must give soil time for the nutrients to re-establish, so you grow on other soil that is nutrient-rich, meaning you produce the higher yield of antioxidants. So it was a no-brainer to make a certified organic retinol alternative – because it's much more powerful that way.”
On having a 'celebrity' beauty brand…
“I started Kora Organics in 2009 and invested all my money in it. It's still 95 per cent mine and I'm CEO, not just the founder. This is not just someone putting their name on a product.
“That’s why I have my name on the back of the products because I want them to long outlive me. This brand stands alone with or without me, I'm just here because I'm passionate about it.”
On the power of crystals…
“I was so in awe of crystals as a child, then when I was a teenager I came across this crystal store on holiday and I felt like I had walked into Wonderland. Now I take a crystal with me everywhere I go, especially rose quartz which is all about nurturing your heart and encouraging humble self-love, self-esteem and forgiveness. Every single one of Kora’s products in the manufacturing process touch upon rose quartz crystals, and I want people to feel that loving energy when they use them.”
On what she’d tell her younger self…
“One thing I would tell myself is ‘health is wealth’. So, take care of yourself because if you don't have good health, how can you enjoy anything else?”
