On natural beauty with Daniela Pestova

Czech-born beauty, Daniela Pestova has been working in the world of modeling and fashion for three decades. We have seen her on countless magazine covers, internationally, including Vogue, Marie Claire, Harpers Bazaar, Sports Illustrated, and ELLE, and on the runway, most famously for Victoria Secrets. After all, she was one of the first Angels. Still in demand, Daniela is now taking her experience and sharing her point of view via a new avenue, as Contributing Editor of the recently launched Vogue Czechoslovakia We sat down with Daniela to discuss her career, taking on new challenges, and her “less is more” approach to beauty.

LM: Vogue Czechoslovakia launched last year with yourself as a Contributing Editor.  Tell us a bit about how you came to be involved with the project.

DP: Having a Vogue on the market in the Czech Republic is a big deal! A lot of people would love to work for such a prestigious publication, so I was more than happy and honoured when the Editor-in-Chief asked me to join them. We talked about what would be the best way to collaborate and decided that I would be a Contributing Editor. I write about all sorts of things, including beauty products [and much more], like my take on pop culture history and what is pop culture like today. That article was especially fun for me to do because I got to "interview" my oldest son Yanick who is exceptionally well versed on the subject (definitely more than me!)

LM: What inspired you to take the role?

DP: Like I said, being asked by Vogue to collaborate is an honour. I have been a model for almost three decades, and I still love to be in front of the camera. I also enjoy the other side of the business. And I love to work as a part of a team and to learn new things. I am not a [trained] writer, so taking on this job was a challenge. I've had many exciting opportunities throughout my career, and more often than not, I declined them. For fear of the unknown, for fear of failing. But I like to think that I have grown as a person and at this point in my life I try to be more of a "yes" person - that is, not let my inhibitions and doubts stop me from trying new things. And that was the reason I said "yes" to Vogue Czechoslovakia. The other reason was the team itself. I have worked with many of them before - they are talented, different, and curious. I think that is a crucial combo. 

Photographer: Mikael Schulz. Vogue Czechoslovakia, 2019.

Photographer: Mikael Schulz. Vogue Czechoslovakia, 2019.

Photographer: Mikael Schulz. Vogue Czechoslovakia, 2019.

LM: Your international experience with Victoria Secrets, Sports Illustrated, and many well-known fashion and beauty brands gives you a unique perspective. What aspects of this experience do you think will help you with your role?

DP: I think all aspects of it. I have come a long way. From a shy teenager from a small town behind the Iron Curtain who did not speak a word of English, to a cover girl and an Angel. To say that the journey has been interesting is an understatement. I have been fortunate because I got to work with some incredibly talented people, the top-of-the-top our industry has to offer. My quick rise was in no small part thanks to Patrick Demarchelier, who booked me for my first job a couple of weeks after my "discovery", and that was just the beginning. From photographers to hair and makeup artists, to art directors and stylists, I have had the privilege to observe and learn and grow, both professionally and personally. That is what I would like to share with others.

LM: What is your philosophy when it comes to beauty?

DP: I've always been a "less is more" kind of a person. Especially, when it comes to my beauty regime. That doesn't mean I don't like all kinds of products — quite the contrary. I love to find new products, always have. The only difference is that lately, my attention has shifted towards more natural products, things not loaded with chemicals, only ingredients that I understand and can pronounce. I like trying lotions and potions from big-name brands, but I love even more finding unknown brands. I've found several incredible products that were the labour of love of makeup artists I've worked with. Fashion stylists turned organic facial oils geniuses or ex models who moved on to create their beauty lines. It's quite fascinating that now, after several years of using mainly clean products, the minute I put on my skin something "normal", I feel the harshness.

I am really vigilant at trying to feed my body healthy foods so it only makes sense to me that I want to do the same thing to my skin.

Harpers Bazaar, 2018.

Harpers Bazaar, 2016.

ELLE, 2014.

You're an iconic natural beauty and seem to be timeless, but I'm sure you have some routine or regime when it comes to health and beauty. Can you share some of this with us.

Thank you. I think the most significant help in feeling my best is sleep. When I travel, when I'm on airplanes, when I change time zones and jet lag is a factor, I can see it on my skin. So I would say getting enough sleep is as essential as any beauty creams. 

Another vital part of my beauty regime is exfoliation (my favourite is this fantastic scrub from Kös Organic skincare) and facial massage (I use this tool by Collistar, but there are many other alternatives). I’m also a big fan of moisturizers. The more, the merrier. I love love love heavy, rich creams that make you glisten from miles away, and I'm not shy to go around looking like someone dipped me in olive oil. And a make artist in Spain has recently used these little ampules of collagen on me before she put my makeup on and I have been on a search for that kind of product ever since. Another favourite product of mine is a drugstore find. A hyaluronic serum that smooths out the skin and makes it feel nice and taut, and won't break your bank. And because suntanning is not suitable for you, but I love that summer glow, I do use self-tanning drops (vegan-friendly and organic by the Isle of Paradise) whenever I feel I need the boost.

Lately, I've been playing around with Retinol. It always scared me as I think that it could do more damage than good if not properly used. So I'm taking baby steps - just once a week and nothing too intense. I've been trying the one by Drunk Elephant, and so far I'm happy with the results.

LM: What's the best piece of beauty advice you've ever received?

DP: Don't over pluck your eyebrows!!!

LM: Social media has had a significant impact on the beauty industry. Do you use it to discover products or gain inspiration?

DP: I have a love and hate relationship with social media. I am not a fan of all these ridiculous tutorials, the over contouring or whatnot. The retouched images that have nothing to do with reality and that can do a number on a young person's psyche. I do find some of the content inspiring, though. I especially love seeing images of women that are aging naturally. As someone who has never had anything done to her face, no single botox, filler or anything of that kind, I do find it inspiring and encouraging to see that I am not alone to think that wrinkles are prettier than perfectly smooth face and unnaturally round cheeks. 

LM: We couldn’t agree more!

Interview by Linda Mateljan