The Glowdown: Elsa Hosk on Skincare, Sleek Buns and Sleeping in Makeup

Welcome to The Glowdown, the series where we dive into the beauty secrets of our favourite celebrities as they get real about their routines and non-negotiables, exclusively with us. Join them as they sit in our beauty hot seat and we fire off a round of quick questions, giving you never-before-shared insight into the products they can't live without, their secrets to getting red carpet–ready, beauty pet peeves and the genius tips they've picked up along the way. This is no-holds-barred beauty at its finest.

This month, we sat down with Elsa Hosk. The 36-year-old Swedish supermodel and fashion brand founder boasts a cool 8.6 million followers on Instagram and has just been announced as the ambassador for TheSolveMD's debut line of SPF formulations. Fusing sun protection and skincare to target a range of concerns, Hosk tells us how meaningful it is to partner with a brand that's all about innovative, high-quality skincare. We were keen to ask her more about her go-to SPF products alongside her skincare and makeup tips and tricks.

Which beauty product gives you the biggest mood boost?
A tinted lip balm! It instantly makes me feel more put-together. Plus, I can’t stand how my lips look without a little hint of colour.

Could you talk us through your skincare routine?
In the morning, I cleanse, apply a serum, moisturise and finish with Sunsolve ZnO+ Mineral Care SPF 50. At the moment, I’m using the Correct + Fade formula to help with pigmentation. At night, I always remove my makeup, cleanse, apply serum and lock it in with a rich moisturiser or night cream.

You’ve got a spot. Are you team pop it or team leave it alone?
Team leave it alone, for sure.

You only have one product to use for the rest of your life—what is it?
Can I pick two?! Sunscreen and lip balm!

What’s the best piece of beauty advice that you've ever received?
Don’t compare yourself to others!

It’s a bad hair day. What do you do?
Throw it into a sleek bun and call it a day!

What’s your signature fragrance?
Whatever [my partner] Tom uses! I love a men’s fragrance.

Strong lip or a strong eye?
Strong lip.

You’re having your nails done. What’s your go-to colour?
A soft pink or nude [nail polish]—something timeless and natural.

What’s your beauty philosophy in a sentence?
Take care of your skin and let your natural beauty shine through.

What’s your favourite lipstick colour?
I love a darker liner with a [lip] gloss—perfect for day or night. The Make Up For Ever [Artist Color Pencil in] Anywhere Caffeine with a Rhode lip tint is my go-to.

What’s your biggest beauty no-no?
Sleeping in makeup.

Candles, reed diffusers or nothing at all?
Candles—they instantly make any space feel cosy.

If you could share one piece of beauty advice, what would it be?
Listen to your skin, [because] what works for someone else might not work for you. And less is more!

What beauty product do you recommend to everyone?
A good sunscreen; it’s the foundation of healthy, glowing skin. [All] of the Mineral Care SPFs from the SunsolveMD range look good on their own or under makeup.

Name one beauty product that's always in your handbag.
Tinted lip balm, always!

If you could steal someone else’s makeup bag, whose would it be?
Probably Hailey Bieber’s—she’s mastered that effortless, glowy look I love.

Are you team dewy or matte?
Team dewy all the way.

Describe your brows in one word:
Natural.

Your worst hairstyle (or hair moment) ever?
I tried the wet look… it's not for me. I looked like a drenched cat.

You have to wear your hair crimped or blue eye shadow for the rest of your life. Which do you choose?
Crimped.

Makeup primer: love it or hate it?
I use my skincare as a primer.

Confession time: how often do you clean your makeup brushes?
Not as often as I should… [I'm] working on it!

What beauty rule do you always break?
I rarely wear mascara.

Would you rather have ultra-skinny brows or bleached brows?
Honestly, I like both.

Which celebrity’s hair would you love to steal?
Claudia Schiffer.

Which era of beauty inspires you most?
The '90s—that natural, minimal look with a touch of glam.

Eyelash curlers: love them or hate them?
I like them if I’m doing a red carpet, but for day to day, I don’t bother.

Best beauty hack?
Using a tinted sunscreen as both SPF and a light base. It saves so much time in the morning.

What do you do in your downtime to relax and reset?
Cuddle with my daughter, go running in nature or unwind with a good show.

Shop Elsa Hosk's Favourite Beauty Products: