Glamouria

Estée Lauder’s Carolyn Murphy: Always On Top

June 18, 2012

Carolyn Murphy to Glamouria: “I love the travel, the freedom, the education. As a result of traveling I learnt so much, architecture, literature, arts, film. The freedom is that I don’t have to work every day. I am like a gypsy.. I like that…”

Carolyn Murphy & Hayat Ammouri- Glamouria

I remember when I saw her in the magazines for the first time as the new face of Estée Lauder. I was a fan of Elizabeth Hurley at the time. At the time I didn’t even know her name until I looked for her on the Internet. But I remember thinking how beautiful she were- and beautiful she is now… very!…

She’s very natural. She speaks very soflty. She is very sweet, and she adores her daughter.

I had the pleasure of finally meeting her with a group of editors, coming from all around the world to celebrate the launch of Estée Lauder’s creams and serums Re-Nutriv Re-Creation.

Click here to check Re-Nutriv Re-Creation online.

How did you get to where you are now? Is it luck, beauty, or hard work?

Hard work, definitely. I was growing up between Virginia and Florida, and I had to earn money. My mom put me into a charm school. I was a tomboy. I was also very shy, and much more into literature and art. Then modeling agencies contacted me.

I started modeling to earn money for college. It took me a while, about 2 or 3 years to succeed. My intention was to work for money, not to be famous.

Do you still feel like a tomboy?

Oh yeah… My feet are killing me in these heels, and I had to wear make up today.

If you were at home, what would you be wearing now?

I would be gardening. This is why I have scratches, from gardening, and the rabbits, and the horses. When I am at home, I am a mother, and like every mom, I am guilty of not taking care of myself. Somehow I put myself last; but I have fun in being a mom, it’s the greatest gift in the world. When I am not working, definitely I am not a spoke woman.

My daughter gets upset because I don’t dress the part. “Mommy, you need to get out more, you need to get dressed more”; she is 11, and she is just understanding now about being a lady, and I have her in good classes like playing piano and riding horses. As for me, I am much more laid back.

Having the separation between my personal life and my work is a polarity, but also the reality. to be able to relate to women. I love walking barefoot, picking my chard and cooking it, being with my daughter and her friends.. That is what makes my soul happy. but I also have a job to do, part of it is to dress up, and get ready. That what helps me to keep myself balanced. Sometimes it’s frustrating, because people expect me to look in a certain way because of the ad campaigns, then when they see me, they go “ooohh, it’s not what we expected. You’re not that tall, etc…”

Does that bother you?

No, it doesn’t bother me. In my days, in the nineties, girls were really not this tall; they were women. Cindy might be an inch taller.. Christy Brinkley, Christy Turlington..I worked with her last week. We are women, we have a certain stigma.

You surf, you eat organic..

I don’t surf much anymore. I am much more grounded. It’s more about cooking, baking, gardening, and riding my horse. I love spending time with animals, especially here in LA.

You say you were wild.. Do you see your daughter being wild too?

No, she’s much more conservative, for now.

Carolyn Murphy: Being part of Estée Lauder is an honour,

to be part of the brand, especially this cream,

because it was Estée’s idea, the embodiment of the brand.

You have been with Estee Lauder for around 11 years. Could you share with us a special story with the company?

I will tell you the story of when I first found out that they chose me to represent the brand. I had met Aerin before at an event, and she was so easy to talk to, and we got on really well. Two years later, they wanted to test me for the products. I was 30 pounds overweight, I was breast feeding.. I just had my daughter 5 months ago! My agent said they don’t care. Aerin also just had a baby. So I came to LA in February 2001, and I had my first test. Aerin and I both had our infants, and I was nursing during the test shots. But this is how we bonded. Yes it’s a business, and a client to work with, but I grew up with the brand, my nana and my mom used the products… My 11 years with them have been so surreal.

I was known in the modeling circle, and I was on Vogue, but I was also very quiet. I would do my job and go home at night when I am done. and I think the brand was looking for someone like that.

You have a tattoo?

I do, and Aerin loves it. I was 25 and I got a tattoo. I managed to fall in love with a surfer in Costa Rica, get married, get a tattoo, land a movie and sign a contract, all within 2 years.

Do you have to hide it?

Yes, we have to hide during the shoots.

Creativity plays an important part in your life. How do you get creative?

I just renovated a garage in my house and made it a studio for my paintings. I write a lot, so I can take my writings everywhere. Creative writings, short stories, journal, poetry.. I just decided that I want to go back to school to get a Masters degree in Creative Writings, which will take few years.

Does anyone read what you write?

No, I didn’t reach that point where I share it yet. We just shot my house for Vogue, and it was very personal for me to let them see some of my drawings.

It’s a creative side for my sanity.

What are your beauty secrets?

I don’t exercise enough. It’s something I need to focus on. At 38, things are starting to fall. It’s not easy as it used to be. I would say it has been a very humbling transformation. I have to work a little harder. But thank God for the Estée Lauder products. If they are testing new ones, I would be the first one to say send it to try it. I also eat well, and I drink tons of water. I eat organic, always organic and locally grown. I believe in an integrated lifestyle.

Carolyn Murphy writing on Glamouria’s wall on Facebook:
“This is Carolyn. Thank you for reading Glamouria!

Remember..beauty is as beauty does. Big hugs xoxo”

But Estée Lauder products are not organic?

No.. It’s interesting. When I spoke with Dr. Nadine years ago, I found out that a lot of the ingredients in the creams are actually organic, but they don’t label it because it’s a blend. Sometimes it is organic, and sometimes it’s not… I just want something that works…

What is your limit, how far would you go for beauty?

I haven’t done anything yet, but I am not opposed to anything that’s out there. I just see a lot that is overdone, and that’s scary. But if I need something here and there, I won’t put it down.

At one time, you went to live on a farm in Ohio. why and how was it?

It was all about motherhood and taking a step away from the industry. I needed that at that time of my life. It was my way of staying in business for as long as I have to. I did it when I took off to Costa Rica, or to the farm in New York. Going into nature and some sort of solitude is what it energizes me to come back and handle it.

Is it difficult to be in this industry?

yeah, definitely, It’s like any other job.

You never got caught in the limelight?

I dated a rock star for 3 and a half years. At that time I had a lot more attention on me, and I decided I didn’t like it. That’s why also I didn’t move forward to do films. I felt I was blessed in modeling. Maybe I was too naive and vulnerable to go into that industry. It would be frightening. I feel more grounded gardening, and living with nature the way I do.

Would you recommend modeling to girls?

I always say, make sure you finish school first. If they finish school, most probably they want to come back. I was 19 when I started, and 21 when I was working full time.

What are the values that you teach to your daughter?

Kindness is the most important thing. Be kind to herself. Self confidence and self worth, it’s very important. If she values herself, and takes care of herself, and listens to her body, then she will have a better time from the outside world come out at her.

This is what keeps young girls out of trouble, Self Love.

What are your tips to look good when in a hurry?

A good night sleep. A lot of water. Not too much caffeine or alcohol. And of course, good skin care. Creams are great, just putting them on the face, the oils, it feels great.. And I love the Nutriv concealer, because it’s creamy… And most importantly laughing. I laugh a lot with my daughter.. She makes me laugh, she’s crazy.

What do you splurge on?

Organic food. Locally raised food and books. I am a nerd. I collect a lot of first edition books. I love romantic novels, but period pieces. I think that was what helped me survive when I was younger; being able to read and have that great escape, and imagination in writing, and this is why I chose the Steigner school for my daughter. The greatest gift you have is Creativity and imagination, this is what keep you interested in life.

You said during lunch that you are a true romantic?

Yes, and I am waiting for my knight and charming armor. I would rather be home, and have my friends over than going out. I would rather date a poet.. that’s my world.

What do you look for in a man?

I would like a man to be honest, genuine and kind. I don’t think it’s too much to ask. I am definitely not this independent, make my own way woman, I have this vulnerability, and I am not afraid to show it.

Who do you admire the most and why?

I think my mom. she is a strong woman. She didn’t have an easy life. Raising me and my brother as a single mom for many years and doing a good job about it. My brother and I are decent people. She is always trying new things, growing, learning. She even went back to school and got her master degree.

Do you raise your daughter as your mom raised you?

Maybe a little different. My mom didn’t have the means. I have more.. My mom didn’t have a lot of money. My mom and dad broke off from their families to be together, since they were 15, in the sixties and seventies. My mom was a hippie, and my dad was a rebel. The women in my family are very creative and strong. My great grandma who I was named after, was not only a mother and a wife, but also a teacher, a painter, and very much into literature. I think she was a lot like a modern woman.

What would you wear if not Valentino?

I would wear vintage. It could be a vintage Valentino. I like to wear romantic dresses. I wear a dress pretty much everyday, but barefoot. I ride barefoot, and I drive my car barefoot. I like to feel… To feel the horse, the ground.. And if I am really in a bad mood, which is rare, then I wear a pair of sweatpants and t-shirt.

How do you get out of your bad mood?

I remind myself how lucky I am, or I put on a dress; and as my mom always says, a dress and a lipstick will always have us in a good mood.

What’s your favourite lipstick?

I like the pure colour red from Estée Lauder. I like Red, a classic red.

What do you wear for events?

It depends on the collections, but I love Chloe, Céline, and Valentino, the last collection was very romantic.. I also love this coat…

What advice do you have for young women?

Put yourself first, and really honour being a woman. We live in a strange world now, and the lines are getting really blurred. There is nothing more sexy than a woman who could do it all, but you don’t have to say it. Be feminine.