Did you know that mostĀ VMV HypoallergenicsĀ models are family members, good friends, work colleagues and real fans of the brand?
MeetĀ Mariza Hourani, a Lebanese-British-Spanish-Philippine stunner whoās also my longtime bootcamp trainerās daughter. Her dadās seen me balloon through pregnancies and work myself to a purple-faced mess to get fit again. He trained my dad through his recovery from stem cell transplants and chemo, and still trains my energizer-bunny of a mother in her 70s. Marizaās mother is one of the nicest, most creative women I know and does pretty much all my kidsā birthday parties plus crazy-good, crazy-healthy eggplant salads and hummus.
Weāve been friends, is what Iām saying, and Iāve been witness ā often through stories shared mid bootcamp (usually when her dadās trying to distract me from my lack of oxygen) ā to Marizaās growing up.
Mariza was also my now-3yo sonās first crush. The photo below shows him at a few months old clinging to her. Seriously, this continued a good, long time. He refused to be removed from this happy hugging. And who can blame him?
LAURA: Your dadās punished me for years and I still remember our first workouts. When did you first āmeetā VMV?
MARIZA: VMV has been a part of my life since I was a kid as I had very sensitive skin growing up and most other brands didnāt have anything hypoallergenic! I used to have the worst lip problems ā I couldnāt even smile without them bleeding. Without VMV, I really donāt know how different my life would be.
L: Ouch (the bleeding) but nice to hear (that we could help š What are your biggest skin concerns or skin goals?
M: As a Ā model, Iām always concerned about my complexion. I do have to be in makeup quite a lot so itās the biggest relief to be able to use VMVĀ products that donāt make me break out! I think my biggest skin goal would be to stay as youthful as can be for as long as possible. My career kind of depends on it, ha ha!
L: We can help there, too, Iām sure. Which VMV products do you use?
ā¦.. WhatĀ donātĀ I use?
L: Ok, which would you consider your faves?
M: Iām white as a snowball. Itās so bad that Iāve used the lightest shades of other makeup lines as BRONZERS. That being said, hands down my favorites are theĀ Skin Savvy FoundationĀ andĀ Illuminants PowderĀ ā you actually have my shade!!
L: What do you like about this very bare, very natural look for spring?
M: Iāll correct you right now and point out that I not only like it, I LOVE IT. So many people have the wrong idea about makeup; itās not supposed to cover up your features, itās supposed to enhance them. Thatās exactly what this look is all about. I feel so preeeeetty
L: I stand happily corrected. And for days when a bare look just wonāt cut it, what makeup looks get you jazzed?
M: Iāve always been into the pin-up look. Sexy, classy and timeless all in one.
L: Taking note of that for aĀ future shoot. How would you describe your personal style?
M: Can we skip this question? #identitycrisis
L: Wait till youāre in your 40s. How do you keep as fit as you are?
M: Iām fit?? Hahaha! I try my best to get a jog in whenever Iām not busy with work š
L: Whatās your favorite activity to keep healthy?
M: Sleeping. Hands down. Youād be suprised how crucial things like this actually are until youāve been deprived of them.
L: Totally agree with you.Ā Didnāt think of sleep as an activity until my first experience with a newborn. Whatās it like having a trainer for a dad?
M: I would be nowhere in my career without him. Heās been my biggest supporter and closest friend. Friends fight, A LOT, but itās nothing a few burpees wonāt fix.
L: Your dad and those #)*$&Ā burpees. What was it like growing up in your family?
My life has been a fairytale š
L: Those words, just like that, are what Iād love to hear my kids say some day.
Mariza is a model and freelance writer.Ā
Laura,Ā VMV HYPOALLERGENICSĀ CEO
LauraĀ is the CEO ofĀ VMV HypoallergenicsĀ and eldest daughter of our founding dermatologist-dermatopathologist. She has two children, Madison and Gavin, and works at VMV with her sister and husband (Madison and Gavin frequently volunteer theirĀ “usage testing” services). In addition to saving the world’s skin, LauraĀ is passionate about learning, literature, art, health, science, inclusion, cultural theory, human rights,Ā happinessĀ and goodness.