DIRECTOR: Clarence Fuller CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Michelle Plantan PRODUCER: Maggie Flynn ASSOCIATE PRODUCER: Sam Schultz
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: Andrew Patrick SOUND MIXER: Dennis Schweitzer PHOTOGRAPHER: Paley Fairman
PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT: Samantha Dong CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Katrina Symonds PHOTOGRAPHY PRODUCER: Hillary Comstock
GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Stephanie DeAngelis
($55)
Kora Organics Superfood Dietary Powder
($58)
Kora Organics Noni Glow
Body Oil
($68)
Kora Organics Noni Glow
Face Oil
($50)
Kora Organics Luxurious Rosehip Oil
($48)
Kora Organics Heart Chakra Aromatherapy Oil
($34)
Kora Organics Balancing
Rose Mist
It’s early afternoon, and the L.A. sun is beaming down its signature golden-infused light on the doorstep of Miranda Kerr’s newly
minted Kora Organics office in Santa Monica (we’re the first to see the fresh design).
by sacha strebe
Miranda Kerr Is Still Working Out the Mom/Life Balance Too
We have to remember
say no.
it's okay to
ing—
task
Multi
with a face mask on.
I’m known to do a Pilates
workout
On her beauty routine:
“I use all my Kora Organics products and credit it for the health of my skin. In the morning, I use the Kora Organics Foaming Cleanser, Energizing Citrus Mist, Hydrating Day and Night Cream, Eye Cream, and Tinted Day and Night Cream (a healthy alternative to foundation). I use the mist as a toner and also throughout the day to keep my skin hydrated. At night, I use the Cream Cleanser, Balancing Rose Mist or Calming Lavender Mist (I alternate), Soothing Day and Night Cream, and the newly launched Noni Glow Oil—it contains high levels of antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and vitamins and minerals to smooth, nourish, hydrate, and brighten the skin. I use the Age-Defying AHA Exfoliator once or twice a week and also apply the Hydrating or Purifying Mask twice weekly, depending on what my skin needs. Sometimes I apply the purifying mask on the T-zone and the hydrating mask on the cheeks, neck, and décolletage.
“I also dry-brush each morning. It’s a great way to get the circulation going and remove dead skin cells. I start with my feet and legs and work my way up in quick gentle strokes. I like to apply the Noni Glow Body Oil prior to brushing, and then shower. The hydrating and nurturing oils stay on the skin, and it leaves my skin feeling super soft.”
On her exercise regimen:
“Depending on my schedule, I make it a priority to work out four to five times a week because I feel much better for it. It’s also a great way to manage stress. My exercise routine varies each day, depending on how much time I have, but I try to do at least 20 to 30 minutes of exercise because it optimizes my energy levels.
“I like yoga, Pilates, swimming, resistance training, and if I have a shoot coming up, I target specific areas. I also love walking our dog, Teddy. Skipping [jump rope] is also a great and fun workout. Exercise shouldn’t be a chore, so I find if I choose activities or exercises that I enjoy, I’m much more inclined to keep it up. For me, consistency is key. Keep active each day, and walk as much as possible.”
On what she eats for breakfast:
“It changes daily, but we generally start with an organic cold-pressed green juice, some fresh fruit, such as papaya, watermelon, or kiwi, and then anything from gluten-free toast with avocado and eggs to oats with a little cinnamon or my gluten-free pancakes with maple syrup for a treat. I also love to drink tea. I have a special teacup (it’s one from the collection I designed for Royal Albert) that I have my morning tea in, so it’s like a little ritual each day. If I’m traveling, I also take the teacup with me so it feels like I have a little bit of home with. We use time in the morning to connect and discuss what we all have planned for the day. I generally check my son’s homework and talk about what he’s learning at school.”
“Turn the Wi-Fi off, and don’t take phones or laptops to bed.
Your bedroom should be your sanctuary and a calm space. I also like to have a cup of calming tea, take a bath, and do a meditation to help unwind.”
On her tip for getting more sleep:
“I usually wake up around 6 a.m. and try to do a morning meditation before my son wakes up at 6:30. I take a quick shower and then throw some clothes on for the morning school run. We have breakfast together, and then I drop him off at school by 8 a.m. I generally do a morning workout once I get back home or go straight into my Kora office for meetings, depending on the day.
“In the evenings, we have dinner as a family around 6 p.m., and then I read books with my son and get him to bed around 7 p.m. After he’s in bed, I spend quality time with my husband or catch up on work emails. Before I go to bed, I usually like to take a bath to relax, as well as do an evening meditation.”
On her morning and evening routine:
Rapid Fire With
Miranda Kerr
Shop
the Video:
about
moderation
all
I’m
“We buy mostly organic and sustainable food and cook our meals from scratch so we know exactly what’s on our plate. We have lots of healthy snacks ready, such as vegetables and homemade hummus, so we’re not tempted to snack on less-healthier options. We encourage exercise and more green time over screen time.”
And with that our time is up, and suddenly the supermom switches
into supermodel mode. Kerr is a true mompreneur who is still figuring out how to juggle her personal and professional life, but she does
it all with a smile on her face, and in parting, she reminds us, and any new parents, ”don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
Even though Kerr’s life is far from average, it’s comforting to hear that even a celebrity hasn’t perfected work/life balance yet. In fact, the busy mom has found that the best lessons are those our children can teach us. The biggest one for her has been seeing Flynn grow and develop his own personality. “There is nothing better than picking my son up from school and seeing his little face light up,” she says. “It is joy and love in the purest form. I think the most challenging part is the responsibility of raising a child to be the best versions of themselves, to have courage, manners, and to be kind. Thinking back, the sleep deprivation for the first year was pretty challenging, but being a mother is my biggest honor and joy; the sleepless nights were well worth it.” Hear, hear.
If there’s anything that being a mom has taught Kerr, it’s to be present, as well as planning and prioritizing her time. So what does that look like? “It’s important I put down my phone and connect with him and ask how his day was, what he did, and anything new he learned,” she explains. “It’s so easy for us to get caught up in trying to do 100 things at once, but they know when you’re distracted, and as adults, we know how it feels not to be heard. So it’s important to be present. I have explained to my son that we need to work to provide for our family, and he understands that concept now that he’s a little older.” So how does she get more done in less time? Multitasking. “I’m known to do a Pilates workout with a face mask on,” she laughs. “Honestly, it’s all about planning and scheduling everything in.”
“But it has become easier with time and learning to prioritize and not overcommit myself,” she adds. “We have to remember it’s okay to say no.” The one thing that doesn’t become easier, however, is “being away from Flynn,” she admits. “I try to minimize my travel as much as possible. When you become a mom, the most important thing is your child, and you try to work everything in and around what is best for them. The first few months (and years) are a huge adjustment for any new parent, but I was lucky in some respects that my job has flexibility. I wasn’t governed by working 9-to-5, so I could ease myself back into everything, and I had a supportive, respectful, and understanding team.”
The last time I interviewed Kerr was for the Kora Organics launch in 2009. I was one of just four journalists who were invited to join her and her mom, Therese, for an intimate high tea at her Sheraton Hotel room in Sydney. So it’s fitting that the next time we meet is for the brand’s nationwide expansion into Sephora stores, including the reveal of three new products, Noni Glow Face and Body Oils, Noni Glow Skinfood Supplement (a powder version of the Noni fruit juice she swears by for a flawless complexion) and Heart Chakra Aromatherapy Oil, which she spent two years perfecting.
She’s acutely aware of how different this setup is compared those of other new moms who have to transition back into working life, but her message is still the same. “Just be kind to yourself, and don’t put too much pressure on yourself,” she urges. She also stresses the importance of finding balance and taking some time for yourself every day. “Whether it’s exercise, reading a book, or 10 minutes of meditation, it’s important to look after yourself and have some ‘me’ time to avoid burnout,” she says.
Naturally, Kerr is in a particularly jovial mood about the launch, but she doesn’t take all the credit. “It’s a team effort,” she says. “We often say ‘teamwork makes the dream work.’ That said, I am very detail-oriented, and I’m across every facet of the business, from formulations, manufacturing, and packaging to sales and marketing,” she explains. “What I love about having my own company is that I learn something new every day, and it’s very rewarding to see all of our hard work and planning come to fruition. We’ve found that once people try our products, they never turn back. My vision is to make Kora Organics a household name on a global scale.”
But Kerr is taking her time. After becoming a mom to her son, Flynn,
six years ago, the model has scaled back her work commitments significantly, but even still, “it’s a constant juggle,” she says of her transition from working woman to working mom.
We were all staring down at our smartphones when she appeared with her perfectly coiffed caramel labradoodle, Teddy, bounding in right behind her. She looked every bit as flawless as you’d imagine. The small-town girl from Gunnedah, Australia, is one of the world’s highest-paid models for a reason. Kerr’s skin is like pure porcelain; it’s smooth and glossy with just a hint of makeup (she casually tells me she applied it in the car on the way here); her hair is slightly damp yet miraculously frizz-free, despite letting it air-dry (“I just scrunch Aveda Be Curly, $25, into the ends after towel-drying it,” she spills nonchalantly); and her wide-set blue eyes are particularly bright today (that pre-wedding glow perhaps?).
It’s the week before her wedding to Snapchat’s co-founder and CEO, Evan Spiegel (“no one
is supposed to know that,” she remarks with a wry smile), and her publicist has given us a tight schedule of only two hours to shoot our video, photo shoot, and interview with the world-renowned supermodel, mom, and beauty entrepreneur. Our crew is anxiously (albeit patiently) waiting for her arrival. Everything is ready; the cameras are in position, and the lighting is set to “glow" (as we’ve been told that Kerr is meticulous about lighting).
On keeping her family healthy:
and don’t believe in depriving myself.
