In terms of the celebrities we want as our real-life best friends, Jourdan Dunn pretty much tops the list.
She’s honest about her emotions and mental health on social media, she’s a hard-working mum to her eight-year-old son Riley, and she gave the best acceptance speech when she won the Entrepreneur Award at last year’s Glamour’s awards.
“You have to think of the possibilities because anything is possible,” she said. “I’m a girl from Greenford who got pregnant at 19 and I’m here in front of you guys. ”
Sure, we loved Jourdan before that speech. But ever since, she’s been our number one gal. So we were delighted when we got the chance to catch up with the funny, clued-up, down-to-earth 27-year-old. We talked girl squads, skincare tips, motherhood, and her brand new partnership with smartwater…
“Without my mum, I don’t know how I’d raise my son”
Juggling a career and motherhood can be tough for any woman, but when it comes to flying all over the world for her modelling career, Jourdan relies heavily on her support system. “My mum is amazing, she loves looking after Riley in London while I’m abroad,” she says. “I honestly don’t know what I’d do without her. I’m a mother before I’m a model, but the balance can be so hard to get right.
But when I’m away, Riley and I schedule FaceTimes all the time. He didn’t used to like it when he was younger – it was hard for him to see me on a screen but not be with me in person – but now he has his own iPad, he’s always video calling me for a chat. I miss him, but I like to show him the importance of working hard and doing what you love. ”
“Every woman should have a network of other strong women around them”
When we chatted to Jourdan about her BFFs in the industry, especially fellow supermodel Karlie Kloss, she can’t contain her joy. “It’s so important to surround yourself with like-minded women, that are going out there and being total bosses – it inspires me to be a better me. Karlie may be younger than me by exactly two years – the models share the same birthday on 3 August, but I really look up to her and she’s everything to me. Women need to support and encourage other women. There’s nothing sadder than tearing each other down. ”
“As a woman, there’s always pressure to look a certain way”
“Especially in this industry, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel the pressure,” she admits. “It’s hard, and I think all women go through it, but we just have to try not to compare ourselves to the images we see. I know more than anyone that most of these photos are edited and filtered in a certain way, which is why it’s important to be as real as possible with each other. If not, you’re being true to who you are. ”
“The one thing that can instantly lift my mood? Food!
As a woman who has been open about her mental health battles, what does Jourdan do to inject some happiness in her day-to-day life? “I’ve been feeling a bit miserable and sh*tty lately, so my best friend took me to my favourite food spot – The Fat Crab in Harrow – and I just ate loads of crab, prawns, clams, and had a glass of wine. Food, laughter and great company makes me happy. ”
“Staying healthy is so important, too”
“Riley has sickle cell anemia,” Jourdan says, “so making sure we lead healthy lifestyles is incredibly important to me. It’s one of the reasons I partnered with smartwater – it’s so pure and something I always gave to Riley to keep him hydrated, so it’s important to me personally. Honestly, with my job, I’ve really learnt throughout the years that it’s so important to stay hydrated to look and feel my best. I’m obsessed with smartwater, from the clean taste down to the fact that is 100% recyclable! ”
“I rely on my brother to kick my butt in the gym”
In between modelling and motherhood, it’s surprising that Jourdan has time to hit the gym but she makes it a priority. “With my schedule, no two days are the same so I don’t have a set routine, I just try and integrate exercise wherever and whenever I can! Yoga and Pilates are great for both body and mind, then I’ll try to get in a boxing session with my brother Antoine at KOBOX as he definitely doesn’t go easy on me, which I need sometimes. I’m also really into Barre at the moment, it’s a killer workout. ”
“I’m focussing on my wellness regime to beat tension”
As well as keeping her body fit and healthy, Jourdan likes to keep her mind healthy, too. She explained: “I love yoga and meditation to cleanse my mind, body and soul. In my job it can often build up a lot of tension in my body and a need to recharge my mind so I find this really helps. I went on a wellness retreat at SHA in Spain in April, instead of Coachella, and it was honestly the best decision, I really needed it at that time and felt amazing when I left. ”
“I love fried chicken”
Spicy chicken wings are my cheat meal. Or any of my mum’s home cooked food. If we’re really going for it with a full day then maybe some KFC.
“My go-to beauty hack uses simple storecupboard ingredients”
Jourdan’s all about keeping things natural at the moment, and her skincare is no different. “I actually make my own mixture of rose water, witchhazel and aloe vera, this is to hydrate my skin. Then, twice a week, I’ll make my own face mask at home,” she says. “I’ll mix up yoghurt, honey and a few teaspoons of turmeric – it’s my favourite spice as it’s anti-inflammatory and great for acne, dull skin and tired eyes. ” She has a word of warning, though: “Do it on a night in and double cleanse afterwards, as it can stain! ” she laughs.
She also preaches the benefits of a thorough Korean beauty regime, adding: “K-Beauty is everywhere now! I love that it’s spread to the UK over the past year. I love the face masks, there’s so many different ones using natural ingredients like Ginseng and Aloe Vera with the aim of moisturising, hydration, toning! The list is endless. ”
If she is buying her beauty products, Jourdan isn’t afraid of a budget buy. “I love my Maybelline highlighter, it’s the Master Strobing Liquid and it’s great for a summer look to accentuate your cheekbones – and it is under £10! And Carmex lip balm, always! ”
Jourdan Dunn is the new ambassador for smartwater UK. Find more information at cocacola. co. uk
