Protecting yourself from the winter elements can feel like an extreme sport, one that creative, model, and intrepid outdoorswoman Emi Matsushima has been practicing since childhood. Moving every few years between Germany, Japan, Spain, and Belgium, there were a few constants: her father, a paragliding enthusiast, kept their family close to the mountains; and Matsushima kept herself covered in layers.
Now, when the Ojai, California resident is skiing the peak of Mount Whitney, swimming in snowmelt in the Sierras, or hiking in Japan, Matsushima is moisture locking her skin and keeping her freckles safe beneath a hood. “I’m drawn to mountainous conditions and I like to wear layers,” she says of sustaining days in cold climates or high altitudes amongst the sun, snow, and wind.
To protect and repair, Matsushima has assembled a robust arsenal of deeply hydrating creams, balms, and masks back home. “It feels really good to take the time to invest in and take care of myself, which, when I’m in my tent, I have to neglect,” she says.
Though always conscious of adding weight to her pack, she recently brought along HydroBalm Tinted Lipstick (in Soda and Pippi) for a hike through Los Padres National Forest. “The more swipes I do with it, the prettier it looks, with more sheen from the moisture and more color,” she says, while also keeping lips supple on the go.
Below, Matsushima shares her tips for layering clothes and skincare, her favorite ultra-hydrating lip tint, and the sun protection she never goes a day without.
1. Peak Performance Jacket
“Right now, I’m wearing this big, down, cropped, puffy Peak Performance Jacket to stay warm.”
2. La Sportiva TX4 EVO Approach Shoes
“For robust hiking shoes, I love this pair from La Sportiva, which are for technical rocky terrain. They’re super cute and come in a really great color combo.”
3. Westman Atelier HydroBalm Tinted Lipstick
“Very often, I’m in outdoor clothes or technical fabric. But putting on this one lip suddenly elevates everything. The sheer brown shade in Soda is beautiful and matches the palette of my clothes.”
4. Curél Intensive Moisture Face Cream
“When I’m backpacking, I bring a no-frills Curél cream for sensitive dry skin to use at night and in the morning. In Japanese, we say ‘mochi mochi.’ It means your skin is bouncy when you push on it. This cream makes your skin feel mochi mochi and fresh.”
5. Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen SPF 50+
“I use this Japanese sunscreen in the city or mountains. It feels like it locks in the moisture on my face from my skincare routine without being too oily or too dry. It’s the last step of my skincare every day.”
6. Oakley Eye Jacket Sunglasses
“For the last three years, I’ve been wearing Oakley eye jackets in three different colors. They are non-negotiable. They’re super light, and they fit over my eye sockets so perfectly that even when it’s raining or snowing, my eyes feel protected. If I forgot them, I would turn back.”
7. Senchi Designs A90 Half-Zip Hoodie
“I’m drawn to layers. Icebreaker has been making great merino base layers for a very long time and they’re very good to their sheep. On top, I like to wear a breathable fleece. Senchi Designs makes the best Alpha Direct Polartec. It’s very insulating but super breathable. I’m usually wearing a long-sleeve half-zip with a hood, even in the summer to protect my scalp, neck, and ears from the sun.”
8. Burt’s Bees Soothing Facial Towelettes
“If I’m hiking, there’s usually a lake around where I can wash my face. Then, I remove any dirt with these wipes for sensitive skin. The cucumber and aloe feel refreshing.”
9. CeraVe Healing Ointment
“In high altitudes or cold climates, you just feel so dry in a way that no amount of normal cream can satiate. I lather CeraVe’s really fatty ointment for chapped skin all over my body after a shower, before going to sleep. It feels so good and gives you the elasticity back.”
10. Sealson Fastpack Backpack
“Sealson from Taiwan makes very cool, stylish backpacks of all sizes. Their fastpacks look like a running vest in front, with a back extension that’s perfect for a longer day hike. Everything they make fits really well and looks great.”
