There’s no one right approach to makeup or skin care; everyone does it a little bit differently. In You Do You, we’re talking to women about what they put on their faces and bodies and why.
When Roma actress Yalitza Aparicio appeared on the cover of Vogue México in January, one piece of feedback really stood out for editor-in-chief Karla Martinez. Aparicio is Mexican of indigenous ancestry, and a reader wrote, “I never thought I’d see someone who looked like me on the cover of a magazine.” Says Martinez, who also oversees Vogue Latin America, “That resonated with me.”
Since that auspicious cover, Martinez — who spent two decades in New York working at T Magazine, Vogue and, most recently, W — has continued to innovate. Last month, Vogue México and Vogue Latin America celebrated their joint 20-year anniversary with six special covers, three of which featured indigenous women from across Latin America. Martinez spoke with the Cut about Joanna Czech facials, yoga, and the power of a good lipstick.
The first five things she does every morning: Drink water; I sleep with a pitcher of water next to my bed. Then I check my phone (sadly), brush my teeth, drink coffee, and exercise — either Tracy Anderson Livestream or boxing with a trainer.
How she stays balanced: It’s really hard. I try and exercise every day or walk at least 5,000 steps, which in Mexico is difficult.
Her best beauty advice: Always take your makeup off and moisturize. My mom always invested in good toner and moisturizer. She loves a great cream, which I think really influenced me.
What she would tell her 12-year-old self: Stay out of the sun! I grew up in El Paso and went to school in Tucson, so it was pretty hard to get away from it.
The thing she wants to believe about wellness, even though she’s not 100 percent sure it works: Still waiting for that damn celery juice to burn away my fat!
Her nighttime routine: I change it up occasionally. Currently, I’m using Vertly Face Serum, followed by Augustinus Bader Cream or Costa Brazil Kaya Anti-Aging Face Oil.
Her dream beauty mentor: Makeup artist Fulvia Farolfi — her makeup is flawless, and her skin looks great. I wish she had her own line.
The three things she can’t live without: First, yoga. I try and go more than once a week, but often I can only go once and it’s still the best hour and a half of my weekend. Next, facials from Biologique Recherche (I try to go once a month), and third, lipstick: Charlotte Tilbury’s Birken Brown and Lancôme’s Orange Sanguine.
The three words that sum up her beauty philosophy: Celebrate your authenticity! Know what works for you and highlight it. For me, that usually involves a strong lipstick.