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BEAUTY
it was the natural next step to do my own thing. Now I call the
shots, which is the best but also a lot of work. When something
is successful, that’s on me; and when something fails, that also
comes down to me. [laughs] Being the founder of a company
is 24/7, and you get out what you put in.
CC: I totally agree. I started in 2001, and it’s like going to busi-
ness school. We have board meetings four times a year with all
the financial guys. I had a chemical-engineering scholarship
and studied math but never business math. It took me a while
to find my voice in those meetings, but, eventually, I realized
that I am the world expert on Cindy Crawford. No one knows
more about my brand than I do, and Meaningful Beauty is a
part of that. It was empowering, for me as a woman, to find my
voice at a boardroom table.
RHW: That’s definitely something I’m in the process of [figur-
ing out]. Right now it’s about hiring a great team.
CC: You have to be a mentor for them, then let them fly and not
micromanage. For example, I hate just saying no—I don’t think
that’s helpful. I explain why it’s a no. Then, hopefully, I’ll see
what I explained reflected in the next thing that comes to me.
RHW: You can probably speak more to this, but isn’t it most
rewarding to see somebody wearing a product you’ve designed
or promoting something you’ve endorsed? I’ve had a lingerie
and beauty brand in the U.K. [Rosie for Autograph at Marks &
Spencer] for the past seven years, and when I’m in London,
without fail, a woman on the street will flash me her bra.
CC: It’s true. One of my most memorable Meaningful Beau-
ties—that’s what I call people who use my products—was a
woman working at TSA at the airport. She wasn’t wearing any
makeup, and she was like, “Look at my skin! Do you know how
old I am?” It makes you feel so good. Only when you take the
time to reflect back do you think, “You know what? We started
this from nothing. That’s pretty cool.”
RHW: Yeah, as a working mum, having many plates spinning
at once...there are days that can be really challenging. Then
there are days when you truly feel like a badass.
CC: The real badass thing, Rosie, is getting up the next
morning after you’ve had that bad day. I think that’s when
all women are badasses.
Having successful careers in front of the
camera wasn’t enough for these supermodels,
so they capitalized on their fashionable
wisdom by starting their own brands. Rosie
Huntington-Whiteley, founder and editor in
chief of the beauty website Rose Inc., talks with
Cindy Crawford, co-creator of the skin-care
line Meaningful Beauty, about blazing the trail.
ROSIE HUNTINGTON-WHITELEY: The first time I saw
you was at Nobu in Malibu. I’d gone in a T-shirt and sweat-
pants. Then you walked in, one of my all-time icons, so elegant
in great jeans and a beautiful blouse, with classic hair and
makeup. Heads turned, and I thought, “That is a super-
model.” Then I thought, “I can never again go to a restaurant
in sweatpants”—and I never have. [laughs]
CINDY CRAWFORD: I saw you in Heathrow Airport,
and I thought I’d discovered the next great model. [Fashion
photographer] Mario Testino was on our flight; when he
greeted you I thought, “I guess I’m not the only person to
realize this woman is gorgeous.”
RHW: Thank you. I’ve had 16 years in the hair and makeup
chair! And I’ve learned so much from the artists [I’ve worked
with]. Over the years I would get asked about my beauty and
wellness regimen, and when I shared information on social
media, I saw the response it was getting. I wanted to take
what I was doing and build the website along with an engaged
community of avid beauty lovers. It was about democratizing
beauty and sharing my access, which is so similar to your
point of view [with Meaningful Beauty].
CC: I’ve always loved modeling, but when I was 35, I had
been with Revlon for 17 years. My contract was up for renewal,
and I thought, “Maybe this is the time to do my own thing.”
I’d been working with [cosmetic doctor] Jean-Louis Sebagh,
who taught me a lot about taking care of my skin. If I did
something with him, it would be a way to share the access I’d
had. Especially at 35, you start realizing, “I’m not going to
be able to avoid this aging thing.” So Meaningful Beauty was
born out of that relationship.
RHW: I’m an ambitious person, and I love to learn, so for me
Meaningful Beauty
Revive & Brighten
Eye Masque,
$52/30 pairs; ulta
.com. Amazing
$32; amazing
cosmetics.com.
CINDY’S PICKS
Giorgio Armani Beauty
Luminous Silk Foundation, $64;
giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com.
Bioderma Sensibio H2O, $10/
250 ml; amazon.com.
ROSIE’S PICKS
