“I’m always trying to reach for a more vulnerable, truthful depiction of women,” says the model, mother, and filmmaker Chloe Hayward.  Born in Britain and based in Los Angeles, Hayward spent years in front of the lens as a literal poster child for perfect skin before trading the artifice of lighting and retouching for something more honest.

Now, as a director—whether for commercial clients, musicians, or personal projects—she explores the breadth of female experience at intimate range. 

Inside the Los Angeles home she shares with her husband and two children, Hayward’s beauty cabinet mirrors her kitchen cupboard: practical, plant-powered, and guided by the goal of aging gracefully without intervention. “I’ve always liked my mouth, so I try to accentuate that,” says Hayward, who counts a lush tomato red lipstick—paired with clean, freckled skin—as her no.1 pregnancy and post-partum makeup essential. “The beauty lesson I love the most is ‘to thine own self be true.’ Work with what you’ve got.” 

Just weeks after the birth of her second child, Hayward shares the rituals and products that keep her feeling boldly, frankly herself. 

Congrats on your new baby. How is motherhood the second time around?

I feel pretty great. The first time was so rough, but this time was just pure joy. Because it’s the last time—I’m not having any more kids—I want it all to go very slowly and soak it up. And I’m taking really good care of myself because I know that’s what I’ve got to do.

Which self-care rituals keep you going?

It feels like it helps recovery immensely to nourish your body with food. Mamala postpartum pouches look like the ones you give to your child, but they’re formulated for moms with kelp and pumpkin seed proteins, so when you’re lying in bed and you don’t have time to make anything, these pouches are amazing. Before she was born, I was prepping food in the freezer: bone broth and energy balls with dates, cacao, and nuts. At the side of my bed, I keep a little bowl of nuts, goji berries, and dates to eat in the middle of the night.

What do you do to feel like yourself every day?

I’m way more into my skincare now, even more than when I was pregnant. I want to slather on some gorgeous creams and masks, like the Biologique Recherche VIP 02. [Since I’m breastfeeding], the baby is right by my face and my skin and my chest, so I want to be mindful about using natural [products]. My wonderful friend Neada [Deters] has a brand called Lesse, which makes a face wash that I love to use while massaging my skin, cheekbones, and around the eyes.

I love the Westman Atelier Eye Activator serum because it’s very lightweight and absorbent. I always put a little bit of eye cream in the middle of my elevens. That’s where I seem to be aging the most. I’m 36 and I am quite proud to have never had anything done to my face.  

Tell us more about the decision not to intervene with aging—it feels rarer and rarer these days.

What’s your approach to prevention? 

I put on SPF every day, even if I’m in bed, because maybe I’ll step outside with the baby and have a little walk in the garden. Your skin is really sensitive postpartum and you can get those little dark spots, so I religiously use Elta MD SPF. I don’t know another one as good.

When you put on makeup these days, what’s the ritual? 

When I want to do a light day look, it’s cleaning up with a bit of concealer or light coverage. I want my freckles to stay visible, so I don’t wear a full face of foundation. I like to even out any [discoloration], and I put some under my eyes—you’re always tired as a mom.

I also have rosacea, which I’ve wrestled with for years. I’m trying to lower the redness on my cheeks, not add to it. To give a bit of definition, I put the Biscuit [Face Trace Contour Stick] in the hollow of my cheek. And I like to wear highlighter on my cheek, under my eyebrow, and on my cupid’s bow to bring out the tip of my mouth. I like a caramel-y Lauren Hutton-y skin. I want to look like I live by the beach.

You often wear a bold lipstick. What are your favorites?

I’m obsessed with [Westman Atelier] lipstick in this super tomato-y shade, Le Rouge. When I was pregnant and I didn’t want to wear mascara or much on my face, just minimal coverage, I was obsessed with that lipstick. It’s just a really modern, fresh red. I wear it to wake me up if I’m meeting a friend for dinner, or if I have an event and I’m wearing a simple outfit, that feels like the icing on the cake.

Do you go for any treatments in LA?

I’m big on DIY. I love to do stuff at home. I cut my own hair, my husband’s hair, my son’s hair. My girlfriends will come over and do skincare together. But the only treatment I really invest in is hair color. I go to Jen at Monarch Los Angeles. I want it to look really natural, like when I was a little girl. I’m a dark blonde [now], so I go just a bit golden honey blonde. 

What do you do to care for your hair at home?

Because my hair is colored, dry and really thick, and the water in LA is really hard, I can leave my hair for 7 or 8 days without washing it, and it doesn’t get greasy. I stopped using shampoo. For me, it’s about getting the moisture back in. I use the Davines OI conditioner. It’s really rich. And the Davines OI oil smells so good. On holiday, if I’ve been swimming, I’ll put on the Crown Affair mask on my hair, wet or dry, for as long as I can before I shower. I want my hair to look like I just walked out of the sea.

We’re sensing a theme. Is the ocean what makes you feel the most beautiful? 

After a holiday, that’s when I feel the most beautiful. You’ve got color, your skin is cleared up from the seawater, you’re moving every day. That’s when I feel visually more attractive. And when I’m interacting with my loved ones, with my family, with my husband, my children, and we’re just oblivious to the nonsense of the world and having a good time. That’s when I feel truthfully beautiful.”