Vanity Affairs: Creative Nikki Cruz Shares Her Detailed Beauty & Wellness Routine

Welcome to Vanity Affairs—a series where we document the beauty routines of notable people.

There are some people who have an I-can’t-put-my-finger-on-it kind of glow—a certain je ne sais quoi, if you will. You know the ones—their hair falls just right, their skin is dewy but never shiny, and they seem to exude confidence.

In the interest of public service, we’ve set about tracking down these actors, influencers, models, founders, entrepreneurs, musicians, spokespeople (and more!!) to find out their secrets. Have you got your pen and paper ready?

Previously, we’ve spoken to Jemyma Kavanagh, Melanie Grant, Rozalia Russian, Lara Fells, Jules Sebastian, Georgia Fowler, Jonathan Van Ness and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. 

Today, we’re taking a peek inside the beauty and wellness secrets of Perth-based creative, Nikki Cruz.

 Renowned industry-wide for her unparalleled creative eye, Cruz is a real triple threat—photographer, model and brand specialist. With a keen eye for the female form and how it translates through the mediums of photography and art, she is one of the most sought after influencers for a reason. 

Here, we chat to Cruz to get the lowdown on all her entire beauty routine. Pay attention, you’ll want to take notes…

“First things first, I splash my face with cold water as soon as I wake up. It feels invigorating and is an instant mood booster. I then cleanse with a cleansing balm from Elemis then apply the La Mer Treatment Lotion for some liquid energy. To me, it’s like drinking three litres of water but for my face. Hydration station all aboard! I then follow with the Elemis Pro-Collagen Eye Vitality Cream and Mecca SPF and I’m good to go.”

“Wellness, to me, is best when it’s kept simple. Even something as little as sitting outside in the sun on the grass. It’s funny to me because growing up if I was bored inside the house I was always told to go outside and I thought that was so boring, why do parents say that? And now I go outside and it makes me feel happy and less stressed and I notice that with my kids too. If we’re outside, it changes their mood as much as it does mine.”

“I don’t wear makeup everyday. I’ve become quite content and comfortable in my skin and it feels empowering to show my imperfections and show my skin. I have acne-prone skin and it gets worse when I’m stressed or not eating right so keeping my skin clear and letting it breathe is what I regularly do. However, I do wear makeup when I’m going out with my friends for dinner or for work. I like my makeup quite natural so I start with the Merit Instant Glow Serum and I always gravitate towards the Merit Complexion Stick and apply where needed or the Westman Atelier Complexion Drops. I then brush my brows with Rose Inc Brow Gel, curl my lashes, add Westman Atelier contour and blush and lastly add a lip. I’m obsessed with the new Lip Suede Matte Lipsticks from Westman Atelier paired with the Rare Beauty Lip Pencil. If I’m wanting a gloss then my hands always go to grab Rhode.”

“My hair routine is quite simple. I use shampoo and conditioner by Necessaire and the Gisou Honey-Infused Hair Oil. They just work. I’ve tried so many shampoo and conditioners and most felt like they were weighing my hair down so I’d always go back to my tried and true Head & Shoulders. So, when I tried Necessaire and saw how silky, smooth and fresh my hair felt I just knew it was for me. I’m a creature of habit so when I find something that works, I stick with it. I also recently purchased the Dyson Airwrap after much deliberation—I was hesitant at first but now I can’t live without it. I couldn’t blow dry my hair with a round brush to save my life so this tool has changed the game for me. Paired with hair oil and it is *chefs kiss* for anyone wanting salon-looking hair in 15 minutes.”

“The only body care I ever really cared about was deodorant and shaving. And for all those who want a razor that’s not your boyfriend’s and not hot pink, the Lui Razor is the best out there. But, I have been getting into body care a bit more recently. I was fortunate enough to work with a newly launched skincare brand, Nerra, for the past six months or so and I’ve been using their products and they’ve changed my view on body care so much. I’m currently doing the hamman-inspired bathing ritual. It’s four steps and I do it once a week and come out of the shower feeling like a slippery, soft seal and the feeling of doing it before getting into fresh bed sheets is orgasmic.”

“I use Jo Malone Peony and Blush Suede. I resonate with it because it is feminine but with hints of masculinity and I feel that’s how I am as a person. Floral opulence, textural and sensual, it smells soft enough for the day but seductive enough for the night.”