As the wife of real estate mogul and near-Presidential candidate Donald Trump, Melania Trump leads the kind of jet-setting, private-spa-in-her-apartment existence that seems like something out of a television show. And, well, now it kind of is a television show. Tomorrow, Trump will debut the fifth collection of her Melania Timepieces & Jewelry line on QVC, featuring accessories inspired by her three favorite cities: New York City, Paris, and Palm Beach, FL. We recently chatted up the former model about her beauty routine, Botox, and the latest addition to the Trump family, step-daughter Ivanka's weeks-old baby girl, Arabella Rose.
What's your everyday beauty routine? "When I wake up in the morning, I like to refresh myself and put some tonic on—one with vitamin C—and then an oxygen cream with vitamins A, C, and E. That's very important to me so that my skin will stay moisturized throughout the day. I never go to sleep before washing my makeup off and I really nurture my skin at night."
How long have you had the same routine? "For a long, long time now. Early in my modeling career, when I was a teenager I really took care of my skin. I didn't get too much sun exposure and I moisturized."
Was that something that older models advised you about when you first started out? "No, it was more from my mother. She was always taking care of herself. That was very important and I guess she instilled that in me as well. I didn't get any advice from other models. There wasn't time."
What's the best advice your mom gave you? "That when you take care of yourself, you can take care of others. Also, regarding the skin and the body, to have some relaxation time. It's good for your mind and your skin as well."
How do you prepare beauty-wise for a QVC appearance? "I just have my hair done and my makeup done. I don't do any special style."
Do you have a favorite product? "I use many different products. I really like to mix different creams, I don't think the skin responds if [the products] are the same all the time. I really like Tammy Fender's tonics. I use a tonic with camomile after I take my makeup off. I use Lancôme eye makeup remover and makeup remover. It works very well on my skin. I have kind of sensitive skin."
Because you have sensitive skin, have you ever had a bad reaction to a beauty product or treatment? "I've had a few, yes. But I'm very careful when I'm getting facials and with what I use on my skin. If you have sensitive skin, you can really damage it. I don't do any microdermabrasion or any type of injections in my skin because I think that's really just temporary. And if the nerve system is damaged...I know some women who thought they would look much more beautiful if they had something done and then their lives were destroyed because of that."
So you would never get injections? "No. I don't get any Botox—even though it's been reported elsewhere that I've had Botox done. I'd never do anything on my face or my body. I think you age naturally—everybody's aging. What's the purpose? If you have Botox done and full lips and all that, if it makes you happy, fine. But it's not for me. I think in a very Eurpopean way. And now in Europe, more women do go under the knife and use Botox, but the older generations say, 'I will just age gracefully. I'm the age I am, and that's it.' I'm 40 year old. I don't want to look like I'm 15 or 20 years old."
Your jewelry line focuses on three cities: NYC, Paris, and Palm Beach. What's your beauty look for each of these places? "My wardrobe, my hair, and my makeup changes for all three cities. If I'm in New York, I'm going to business meetings. I do my hair, it might be up or down. For Paris, it's a little bit more glamorous. If I'm in Palm Beach, I'm playing with [my son] Baron and playing golf, so I'll have a hat on or have my hair back. If I go to lunch with Baron or with my girlfriends, I love to wear a scarf on my hair—it's a little bit chic and elegant."
I love to ask New York City women this question: How often do you get a manicure? "Once a week. Normally, on my hands I wear Essie Mademoiselle or Essie Macks. On my toes, I like Essie Macks. Also, for summer, A-list. In the winter, I like Berry Hard. I like to change it but keep it to my favorite colors. If I try something else it's usually just for a day."
Do you get your manicures at home? "Yes, I do. I have a little spa at home. I put together a room where I get massages, pedicures, manicures. It's comfortable in my own home and it's very private. It's very relaxing."
Was that one of the first things you did when designing the home? "Well, yes. I redesigned some of the rooms in the apartment, redecorating from A to Z. And I've always wanted a spa and that was not here. I need that for my busy schedule."
That sounds awesome. Does Donald use it at all? "No, he doesn't. Only I use it."
You seem to favor dark eye shadows. What's your favorite? "It's MAC, and it's black. If I put it on stronger, it looks black; and lighter, it looks grey. I don't like much sparkle on my face. I prefer stronger eyes on my face, and more natural-colored lips."
Which First Lady do you think has the best style? Jackie Kennedy really had a simple, elegant style. And she really had some amazing designers working for her."
You must be very excited for Ivanka. Have you given her any advice? "I always say to her, 'Just enjoy it.' I have a five-year-old boy, Baron—it went so fast. It seems like I brought him home from the hospital just a few days ago and he's already five. He's a little man, his own person. The boss of the house!"
What will the baby call you? "Melania. All of the other grandchildren do."
Want more Melania? Watch QVC on Thursday, July 28. Night owls can catch her from 1am to 3am EST, while the rest of us have to wait for the 7pm to 8pm slot.
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