7 January: Selena talks about earliest experience with make up and improving her self-esteem in the new interview with InStyle

Selena talks about her earliest experience with make up, self-esteem and social media in the new interview with InStyle.

InStyle: What are some of your earliest memories with makeup?

Selena: At the age of 7 I was already working and in the hair and makeup chair. Even then I noticed certain trends and how I didn’t match them. That made me question my own beauty, which is a huge part of why I created Rare Beauty. I wanted quality products that I feel confident and comfortable wearing. But more importantly, I wanted to change the narrative and knock down dated beauty norms.

InStyle: What was the defining moment that drove you to create Rare Beauty?

Selena: I just felt like the beauty space started to get really crowded with a lot of unrealistic messages. I had a moment where I was like, ‘I’m not a makeup guru or the most incredible makeup artist, but I want to get involved.’ I couldn’t have been luckier with my team because everyone knows our mission. We want to make quality products, but we want there to be heart behind it.

InStyle: What has it been like transitioning to the business side of beauty?

Selena: It’s been a learning process, but really wonderful because I have incredible people that have guided me through it. It feels really empowering to be able to have a say over everything that goes on in my company. I’m not afraid to ask the silly questions in order for me to learn more about it. I feel in control and I’m definitely proud of the work that we’ve done.

InStyle: What have these past two years been like for you?

Selena: I became aware that my little world is complicated, but the picture is much bigger than the stuff I deal with. I have problems with depression and anxiety, and I found it difficult for me to be me. I didn’t want to post anything on social media because I realized that I was in a situation where I was extremely blessed. What could I possibly post or say? Then I had the idea of inviting multiple people to be on my Instagram to tell their stories.

InStyle: You’re one of the most followed women on Instagram. How does social media play a role in your self-confidence?

Selena: At one point Instagram became my whole world, and it was really dangerous. In my early 20s, I felt like I wasn’t pretty enough. There was a whole period in my life when I thought I needed makeup and never wanted to be seen without it. The older I got, the more I evolved and realized that I needed to take control of what I was feeling. I wanted to be able to look in the mirror and feel confident to be who I am. Taking a break from social media was the best decision that I’ve ever made for my mental health. I created a system where I still don’t have my passwords. And the unnecessary hate and comparisons went away once I put my phone down. I’ll have moments where that weird feeling will come back, but now I have a much better relationship with myself.

InStyle: There is an abundance of celebrity-founded beauty brands right now. Where do you hope Rare Beauty fits into this conversation?

Selena: I hope that it can be a brand that people trust without it being led severely by my name. When I see makeup artists having the [Rare Beauty] blush or the lip souffle on photo shoots I get so giddy! To see that happening is one of the coolest things. Hopefully this brand can be around for a really long time that people go back to — not because it’s mine, but because of the product.

InStyle: How do you set boundaries?

Selena: I’m a big believer in therapy, and I always feel so confident when I’m taking care of myself. If I’m not in the best headspace and my friends invite me out, I won’t go. I’ve lost my sense of FOMO, which I’m proud of. Sometimes I push myself too much, and it catches up to me. But I try to balance out everything as best as I can. I like to be there for my friends and celebrate everyone. But I have to make sure that I’m OK, you know? Because if I’m not OK, I can’t be OK for other people.

InStyle: What does your ideal day look like?

Selena: I like to give myself an hour to wake up and have my coffee. [laughs] Then I go to boxing, which has completely changed my life and body. It clears my head and helps me let go of stuff. I like to wash my face with the Tatcha cleanser and then use the moisturizer. Sometimes I’ll do a mask, like the SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Masque or one for my hair from K18, which makes me feel like a grown woman. [laughs] I love a five-minute cold shower to reset my mind.

Selena: Also, I’m obsessed with soft things. I just went to the Ugg store for the first time and fell in love. I was on cloud nine buying sweats, socks, and blankets. To me, there’s nothing better than wearing your favorite cozy outfit, sitting by a fireplace, and having a tea moment. I’m like an 80-year-old woman. [laughs]

InStyle: What else are you most ambitious for?

Selena: Changing the narrative of mental health and creating a curriculum that hopefully can be implemented in schools or a system for resources that are easily available. [Mental Health 101 can be found on the Rare Beauty site.] I’m just so passionate about that, and I think I will continue to be for the rest of my life. Especially since the pandemic, there are so many people I know who craved help but had no idea how to get it. I have big aspirations for that field and really want to implement more education behind it.

Source: www.instyle.com