Beauty goes beyond physical appearance; it’s also about how one chooses to live life. Model Sophia Lie embodies this philosophy, emphasizing healthy skin, meditation, and balance rather than blindly following every trend. For aspiring models, modeling isn’t just about looking good—it’s also about maintaining a lifestyle that supports wellness, vitality, and confidence. Sophia shared her insights on skincare, favorite products, and the beauty standards she encounters in the world of high fashion, providing valuable advice for models at any stage in their career or for those considering joining a model agency.
When asked what she puts into beauty, Sophia explained that it’s complex. “Some of the most beautiful things I know are energy, vitality, and motivation,” she says. Beauty can be purely physical, but also comes from mindfulness and how you approach life. For Sophia, regular meditation transforms negative thoughts into inspiration, allowing her to perform better both personally and professionally.
For models with only five minutes in front of the mirror, Sophia recommends a simple but effective routine: cleanse, tone, moisturize, and apply a glow-enhancing oil. She adds light makeup—concealer, powder, highlighter, and well-groomed brows—enough to enhance natural beauty without masking it. This approach aligns with the modeling industry’s need for versatile, camera-ready skin while staying authentic.
Sophia’s skincare staples include RMS Beauty Oil, Dermalogica’s cleanser and moisturizer, and Elixir Niactil. Her top makeup products, from Shiseido lash curlers to RMS Living Luminizer, reflect a preference for organic, high-quality formulas that work well on camera. She emphasizes that models and anyone invested in modeling should prioritize products that enhance natural beauty rather than overwhelm it.
Maintaining fresh, youthful skin requires a holistic approach. Sophia stresses hydration, balanced nutrition, detox routines, and adequate sleep. She is a fan of full-spectrum infrared saunas for deep skin rejuvenation, moderate alcohol consumption, and regular self-care rituals. Models working with agencies or independently can benefit from these practices, as modeling often involves long hours and high-pressure environments.
Her signature perfume, Byredo Gypsy Water, and her holy grail tool, the beauty blender, exemplify her focus on subtle enhancements that complement her lifestyle as a model. Even experiences like experimenting with peels taught her the importance of gentle, long-term skincare—something both new models and seasoned professionals can learn from when navigating beauty trends.
Regarding today’s beauty ideal, Sophia critiques the industry’s narrow standards. While some progress has been made, high-fashion models are still expected to fit extreme sample sizes. She calls on designers and model agencies to champion a healthier, more realistic ideal for slim models, advocating incremental changes that prioritize wellness over starvation. For models, modeling agencies, and industry insiders, Sophia’s perspective is a reminder that beauty, balance, and authenticity are as essential as any runway look.
