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- [00:00]
Podcast Advertiser
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- [00:34]
Host Sarah
Okay, Sarah, when I say tropical fantasy, where does your brain go?
- [00:38]
Cindy Crawford
Ooh.
- [00:38]
Host Kirby
Okay. Immediately. Ocean, golden light, and. Like I'm in a bad bunny music video. Okay, same.
- [00:47]
Host Sarah
But I also think love island. And you know what?
- [00:50]
Host Kirby
Totally.
- [00:50]
Host Sarah
Yes. Macy's is basically saying you don't need a plane ticket to live that life.
- [00:55]
Host Kirby
Okay. Fabulous. Their tropical fantasy trend is all about bringing that dreamy, beachy vibe into real life. Think she fabrics flowy silhouettes, sorbet colors,
- [01:06]
Host Sarah
a little shimmer, like Zara Larson, as if just totally emerged from the sea, but make it chic and wearable, which she does, obviously. And that's the key. It's not costumey. It's just elevated, light, radiant summer dressing.
- [01:21]
Host Kirby
I love that. It extends beyond clothes, too. So accessories, fragrance. It is a full vibe.
- [01:27]
Host Sarah
Yes. Like, you walk into a room and people are like, wait, why are you glowing?
- [01:31]
Host Kirby
It's the seashine. You can find the whole tropical fantasy trend at Macy's right now.
- [01:43]
Cindy Crawford
G l a m los angeles.
- [01:47]
Host Kirby
Hi, kirby. Hi, sarah. Welcome to los angeles. Today's guest is synonymous with the Runway, magazine covers, and one of the most iconic Pepsi ads of all time. She's a valedictorian turned supermodel, appeared in a legendary George Michael music video, and has cemented her place as one of the defining faces of her generation.
- [02:12]
Host Sarah
Not to mention she just recently dominated the Runway at Gucci and has one of the longest running celebrity beauty brands on the market. She is mother. It is a honor and a privilege to get to chat with her today. Please welcome to Los Angeles Cindy Crawford.
- [02:30]
Host Kirby
Wow.
- [02:31]
Cindy Crawford
That was an intro. Thank you.
- [02:32]
Host Sarah
Usually I would say you need no intro.
- [02:35]
Host Kirby
Right. But we needed to list everything. Yes. Because it's very important.
- [02:39]
Host Sarah
So many amazing accomplishments, Cindy, and we're not kidding. This is such a huge moment for us. We are thrilled to have you.
- [02:46]
Cindy Crawford
Thank you, Cindy.
- [02:47]
Host Sarah
We have to know. We ask all of our guests this question. What's on your face? What products are you loving? We know what's in your hair and on your body and all of the things. But what's on your face?
- [02:56]
Cindy Crawford
Well, obviously. Yeah. So I. My under. My foundation is always meaningful beauty, but lately. Do you know Patti Dubroff? Have you guys ever had her on the makeup artist, she just turned me on to Suku the pot. It has to be the pot one. And it was funny. We just did a commercial together, and that's where she was using it on me. And she kept saying, it's great for mature skin. And hairdresser and I, we were like, can you just quit saying mature skin? Just. We get it. Okay. But she's right. There's, like, a creaminess to it. So, I mean, for real life, when I'm not on camera, I. I try to keep it very minimal, but I still do. Like, I'll use, like, a brush just to dot on a little bit of foundation just to, like, even things out. I'm loving a Giorgio Armani cream blush right now. It almost looks like a lip gloss. And again, I'm. I think I'm just into the creamy textures right now for my skin at this point in my life. I love Charlotte Tilbury. Like, her eye palettes. I just think they're, like, super easy to use. Of course, I've worked with probably every great makeup artist, but I'm not a makeup artist. I'm a skin person. That was my job, is to show up with good skin. So I like that Charlotte kind of makes it simple for women. Like, it's not intimidating. I think Charlotte's makeup, I like Anastasia, of course, for brows. Like, back in the day, she's like. I remember going, she the first celebrity that she did.
- [04:22]
Host Kirby
Oh, my gosh.
- [04:23]
Cindy Crawford
And my friend Gail Elliott, who was another model, took me there. So I've known her. Actually. She had a really cool party not that long ago where it was like she was celebrating 25 years, and she had 25 women there to celebrate with her. But she kind of went around the table and said, this is why you're here. You were my first celebrity client. Or she had Oprah there. You had me on the Oprah Winfrey show, and that changed my life or whatever. And it was just a very cool way for her to honor all the other women that have lifted her up along the way. So it was really a nice thing. I mean, I'm pretty basic for real life mascara. I'm into Ilia.
- [05:05]
Host Sarah
Yes.
- [05:06]
Host Kirby
Yes.
- [05:06]
Cindy Crawford
The thing I care about mascara is the brush. And then. So I like that one. And there's also a Sarah Creel one that's like a tubing one that I like.
- [05:16]
Host Kirby
We love her.
- [05:16]
Cindy Crawford
Yeah. I think the, like, those real makeup artist formulator lines are really interesting.
- [05:23]
Host Sarah
What about your lips?
- [05:24]
Cindy Crawford
I usually use a pencil. It could be a Charlotte and then a Gloss, like a MA gloss is probably. Glosses are all over because, like, every time I feel like if you're going to an event, the makeup artist like, here, take this with you. And then I. So I have a great collection of, like, lip glosses. So again, I'm not, like, brand picky. And it also could be high or low. Like, I'm not like a snob. Like, I use CoverGirl mascara or Chanel. It doesn't matter to me. It's just like, does it work?
- [05:52]
Host Sarah
Right?
- [05:53]
Host Kirby
Yeah. Cindy, you mentioned the mature skin talking to Patty. What are your thoughts or, like, your relationship with that? Because we talk about it all the time on the podcast, how there is a negative connotation to describing an older as mature skin or an aging woman. What are your thoughts on that?
- [06:12]
Cindy Crawford
You know, it's better than the alternative. That's what I always say. Right? Like, aging is such a privilege. And so while I also like when people are like, you look great, and you're like, thank you. And then they have to add for your age, you're like, you didn't need to add that part. But, I mean, I get it. I've probably been guilty of it myself. So I think, look, I don't even think it's people only that are in the public eye. I think women have a very complicated relationship with their feelings about even before aging. It's just with our faces, with our bodies, how we are so hard, how we judge ourselves. And I always try to, like, remind my friends when I hear them, like, saying negative stuff about themselves, it's like, why don't you talk to yourself the same way that you would tell me, why don't we treat ourselves the way that we build up our friends, like, oh, my God, I love your haircut. Or, that's such a cute top. Like, we don't do that for ourselves. And even though it sounds kind of cheesy, I. I do talk to my kids a lot about how important, like, positive self talk is. Like, and you guys mentioned the Gucci show. Like, at one point I was like, why the hell did I say yes to this? You know, because it's a lot of pressure. So even myself, like, I had to go through it in my head. And also just like, I. I'm not 20, and no one expects me to look the same way as I did when I was 20, so why am I putting that pressure on myself?
- [07:32]
Host Sarah
Totally.
- [07:33]
Host Kirby
Yeah.
- [07:33]
Host Sarah
And also, I just have to say, the Gucci show, the biggest headline was that you were there and walking in it.
- [07:38]
Host Kirby
Okay.
- [07:39]
Cindy Crawford
So, well, and the scariest thing was, and I don't think I've told this publicly yet now, because I haven't really done anything, was my shoe fell off under the dress right as I started walking out. I wasn't on camera yet. It didn't totally come up, but it was kind of like a pump, and my heel came out, but it wouldn't go back in. So I was just like, okay, am I going to have a Cinderella moment here? Maybe I'm going to lose a shoe. But no one could see my feet. So I just really. All I thought about that whole walk, and it was quite long because you went like, here, here, here was, please just shoe stay on. And I knew I only had to do it once. There was no finale. So that was a gift.
- [08:15]
Host Kirby
Man, what a pro. Yeah, what a pro.
- [08:17]
Host Sarah
It's like you've done it before.
- [08:19]
Cindy Crawford
I've never had. You know, there's those famous things where you see, like, Naomi Campbell the one time when she walked off the end of the Runway. Thank. I've had, like, little things, but I've never, knock wood, had a major, like, Runway fiasco. And I was like, please don't let Times Square Gucci be the time.
- [08:38]
Host Kirby
No. She only makes headlines for being super hot and fab. Okay, so you did turn 60 this year. Happy birthday. What do most excited about for this decade?
- [08:48]
Cindy Crawford
I think this chapter. This next chapter for me is really. I mean, I still work, and my husband asked me the other day. He's like, do you still, like. Do you still like it? And I said, I do. First of all, I'm friends with a lot of the people that I work with, so that's my social group. But also, I'm good at it. I've done it a lot. So, yeah, I don't look the way I did when I was 20, but I still, as you guys know, because we did a little shoot together. Like, I know how to do that thing in front of the camera. Right? So that's fun for me. Plus, I get to travel or whatever. But I think going forward, it's like, yes, I will still continue to do the things that are fun, and my kids are, like, pretty much adulted. And so it's like, a fun chapter for me and my husband to kind of be like, oh, we can just have fun again. And kind of like the. The daily responsibilities of parenting are behind us.
- [09:44]
Host Sarah
Was there a moment in your modeling career where you realized that you had become a brand and not just a model?
- [09:51]
Cindy Crawford
Hmm. There wasn't, like, A moment. But I do remember at one point, probably around 30, like, when I would interview an assistant, I would say, look, we all work for Cindy Crawford, including me. Cindy Crawford is a thing. It's, like, created. It's. It's after hair and makeup. So I said, like, I. I work for that, too. Like, we all have to be on the same page working for that. But at the same time, like, I think my brand is so close to who I am. It's not like I didn't create a Persona that is very different than Cindy the woman. And in fact, I've tried to incorporate so many of the things that authentically are part of who I am in my life. So even, you know, when I had kids, I was doing stuff with a company called Baby Style and, you know, incorporated that or when I really got into fitness, it was like, that became part of my brand because I wanted to share that, like, with other women. So. Yes. And my brand is really just Cindy. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- [10:57]
Host Kirby
What do you think people misunderstand most about being a supermodel in the 90s now that it's, like, romanticized? I mean, there definitely is conversation, I think, on TikTok, like, exposing, like, just the conversations around, like, what that was like. And we've had models on before, and, you know, with America's Next Top Model, even that, like, documentary coming out, like, you see, like, the behind the scenes, like, the reality of that. But what do you think people misunderstood about your era?
- [11:26]
Cindy Crawford
Yeah. And just on the. On the America's Next Top Model documentary, that wasn't reality. Right. That's television. So, like, I wouldn't say that's what being a supermodel in the 90s was like, but I think you mean, like, some of the stuff that was, by today's standards, if you judge it, you're kind of like, you get the ick a little bit. Right. Or you're like, oh, that's. Why was that okay back then? I don't. I don't go on TikTok, believe it or not, because I know I feel like I will get sucked in. So I don't really know what people say. I think I am so blessed because I did not have any of the bad sexual experience that a lot of young women had. I think part of that was because I was older when I. I had already graduated high school, gone to college. I did drop out after my, you know, halfway through my freshman year. But by the time I moved to New York, I was 20. I wasn't 15 or 16. So I had better boundaries, I guess. And, and I already had been making money in Chicago. So I didn't, I wasn't desperate. Like, I came and I could afford my own apartment. Like, I didn't need to like be desperate for everything. And I mean, I think it was really fun, but at the same time I was like the one with a book. In going back to the hotel, I never saw modeling as a lifestyle. For me, it was a job. So I definitely wanted to have dinner with the crew, but I didn't go out to the club dancing till 5am and I think. So I might not be the best person to ask because I probably didn't epitomize what that whole 90s was about.
- [13:01]
Host Kirby
No, but I think that's important to say because at the end of the day it was a job and you were very professional and that's ultimately why you have become such a big success. Right?
- [13:11]
Cindy Crawford
I definitely think that my professionalism has been a big part of my success. I mean, there's other ways to get there because there was other models who were the opposite of that and they were also successful. And there is a faction of the fashion community that loves drama. So if you're five hours late, they, they might bitch and complain about it, but actually they, they love it. You know, I was like, if I. My call time was 9, I was there at 9, but I also was leaving at 5. I didn't like the drama. So I think the types of clients that I, you know, worked with, they liked that. So like I was with Revlon for 17 years. I've been with Omega watches for over 30 years. You know, they're Swiss timekeepers. So my, the way I am works well with them. I've enjoyed like long term relationships with companies. That's just my preferred way of working as opposed to like always trying to chase like the hot new thing. I'm always like, let's. I'm not gonna just sleep with you. We're gonna get married and we're gonna commit to each other and we're gonna have a long term relationship.
- [14:14]
Host Kirby
Have you always been like this, like your work ethic and professionalism?
- [14:18]
Cindy Crawford
Yes, 100%. Like that's a very midwestern thing. Thing. And valedictorian.
- [14:23]
Host Kirby
Yeah, true.
- [14:24]
Cindy Crawford
Yeah. Although I mean valid. I mean studying I think you guys know, like some kids at school is easy for and some it's hard for. So I worked, but I didn't like kill myself to be valedictorian. It just, I was good at memorizing and I think that Makes school a lot. If you can memorize, you're much better at school. But, yeah, like, I. I've had jobs. I started babysitting when I was in third grade. I worked in the corn fields. I cleaned houses. I worked in a clothing store. I always worked, and I always needed to work if I wanted anything extra. So I think I took that with me, which was kind of people in the fashion world were a little bit like, wait, she's on time. She's prepared. She's not on her phone. That's a new thing that I think a lot of the young models don't quite get. And hopefully I've trained Kya not to be this way. It's like, if you're on your phone, first of all, it makes it very hard for the makeup artist to do their job. But also, you might be missing out on a connection or a friendship.
- [15:23]
Host Sarah
Is there anything that you've warned Kaia about since she's gotten into modeling? Because how old was she when she got into the industry?
- [15:32]
Cindy Crawford
I mean, she did a few tiny things. I mean, she did a commercial with me when she was 2.
- [15:37]
Host Sarah
Right, right.
- [15:38]
Cindy Crawford
But when I think she did something for Versace when she was in fourth grade, and then nothing for a few years. And then, like, 14, 15, they started calling me. But the good thing is they are pretty strict now about, like, 16 for, like, fashion shows and things like that. So that bought me a little time with her, because once she walked out in that Alexander Wang show and, like, in that white dress, I was like, okay, this is. This is. I can't control this anymore. I just told. I told her. Honestly, I told her the same things I told my son when he started working in a juice store, which is like, be on time, be prepared, and stay off your phone. And then in the fashion world, I guess I taught her how to treat it like a job. And, like, because there is this thing in fashion that people. You feel like everyone's doing you a favor. They're not. No one's doing you a favor. You. You sell or you don't sell. You get a magazine cover because you sell. No one's gonna give you a magazine cover because you sent them flowers. That's just not how it works, you know? Now it's still nice to send flowers if you get a magazine cover, but for her to understand that it's, you know, it's like give and take kind of a flow. It's a commodity. It's a business, and I think Kaia handles that pretty well. Yeah.
- [16:57]
Host Sarah
So Your career has been centered around your looks. Right. Like, and Sarah and I speaking with you and having had experience with you, we could tell everybody all day long, she's absolutely lovely. She acts like a real person. Right. But then they're like, but she's supermodel Cindy Crawford. And recently we saw the news that you partnered with Upnique, which I use because I have congenital ptosis.
- [17:21]
Cindy Crawford
Yeah. I. Wait, I think that I might have known that. Did you talk about it with Molly?
- [17:25]
Host Sarah
Oh, yes, I did.
- [17:27]
Cindy Crawford
Yes. I knew that. Okay.
- [17:28]
Host Sarah
Oh my gosh.
- [17:29]
Host Kirby
Great memory. Really does.
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Host Sarah
Doing the homework. We absolutely love it. But I want to ask this because you've also been open about Botox and things like that. Right. How do you feel about the discussion around facelifts? There is so much conversation around, is there a right age to get a facelift? Should you be doing non invasive stuff if you want a facelift? I feel like now in the past two years. And granted you said you haven't been on TikTok, but because of TikTok, facelift is a conversation that I think 20 year olds are thinking about at this point.
- [18:03]
Cindy Crawford
That's insane. I hate that. Actually, the thing about Upneek, just to circle back to that, like, to me, Upnique is like a great product, especially for people who don't want to do surgery, right. For people who don't know, it's a product that helps. Like I call it the problem of aging. But like for someone like you, it's. It's not where your, your upper eyelid just feels like a little heavy. Like I started noticing in pictures. And a dermatologist had told me about this product, Upneek, and, and then when I got in touch with or the people from Upneek got in touch with me to work with them, they explained that a doctor who was an ophthalmologist developed the product actually for his mom because she didn't want to have surgery, but she just had heavy upper eyelids. So for me, Upneek is a product that I would recommend to anybody because you can just stop using it if you don't like it. You can use it every day if you want. You could use it for special events if you want. So I love a product like that because it's a, it's not a big buy in. Right. There's so many interventions like you can do now. And I mean, I've definitely tried like some of the lasers or PRP and that kind of stuff. Facelift. I have kind of a pact with a friend of mine who's a makeup artist or was a makeup artist. She's kind of retired now. Her name's Sonia Kashuk. She used to have a big. She's one of my oldest friends. And we're like, we're not doing it right. We're not doing it not. I mean, I think to each his own. Own. I'm kind of. I feel lucky that my husband is very, very against it because he's like, you look beautiful.
- [19:31]
Host Sarah
Why?
- [19:31]
Cindy Crawford
You know, he doesn't even like makeup. He preferred me to wear no makeup. So I kind of like. Then I'll be like, but she looks so good, or whatever. And then I'm like, okay, wait. Remind myself.
- [19:42]
Host Kirby
No.
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Cindy Crawford
So I don't. I don't know. Like, I. It's probably not something that I follow. Like, even on my algorithm on X or on. On Instagram. I think last. Everyone got inundated with it last year with Kris Jenner's. Right, Right. And I'm friendly with Kris. She looks amazing. Is there a rite A. I mean, certainly not 20, I'll tell you that much.
- [20:01]
Host Kirby
Right.
- [20:02]
Cindy Crawford
I even tell people, don't color your hair till you have to. I'm like, you guys, there's time for that. Like, I. I would do nothing. You really don't need to do anything till you're at least 40. But I would say push everything as late as you can because you're going to be tied to it then. So I guess that would be my opinion. But I think, look, the whole thing about female empowerment is doing what makes you feel good. And I used to. My aunt was an esthetician, and she would say, if it bothers you, it bothers you. Like, it doesn't matter if your friends tell you it looks great. If it bothers you, it bothers you. And if you want to and if you have the means to address it, then that should be up to you.
- [20:43]
Host Kirby
So true. So I'm sure you learn a lot from Kya, like, her just being in that world now, and she's probably on TikTok and seeing all of these different treatments you can get. And I'm sure her friends are trying things. Is there anything that you ever, like, sort of not warn her about, but, like, advice you give her? I mean, she's stunningly gorgeous and perfect and needs nothing, but, you know, even just in this world that we're in, we're just influenced by people.
- [21:09]
Cindy Crawford
Yeah. I think that is probably that. What I say is, like, look, you are naturally beautiful. And I would just encourage her to lean into that, like, because otherwise everyone starts looking kind of the same. And so I'm like, you made it because you had your look. I'm a fan of less is more, and she's her own person, and she gets to make her own decisions, like I do. I'm like, she knows. I'll be like, don't over tweeze your eyebrows because you won't have any eyebrows when you're older. Which I did not. But, like, you know, I have friends who there was, like, a period when it was really thin eyebrows, and they never grew back. And, I mean, maybe they will come up with a way. They probably do do transplants or something now for eyebrows.
- [21:53]
Host Sarah
Oh, they do.
- [21:54]
Cindy Crawford
Yeah.
- [21:54]
Host Kirby
But people are shaving it down now and, like, plucking it all the way.
- [21:59]
Host Sarah
Anderson, brows are back, babe.
- [22:00]
Host Kirby
Skinny is in again.
- [22:01]
Cindy Crawford
Shaving is fine. I guess the plucking is what gets you into trouble.
- [22:05]
Host Kirby
Right.
- [22:05]
Cindy Crawford
I've done shoots or shows where that was the look. And then you would, like, bleach them, and then they would put like a kind of like a waxy concealer on them. You can get that look with, but you can never get it back.
- [22:17]
Host Sarah
Yes. If you're plucking, it's gone forever.
- [22:20]
Cindy Crawford
So, yeah, like, something like that. I would be like, whoa. You know? But then again, it's like, sometimes you don't take the advice that your mom gives you, so.
- [22:27]
Host Kirby
Right.
- [22:27]
Host Sarah
I'm actually bringing this up because I had this treatment.
- [22:30]
Cindy Crawford
Yeah. Okay.
- [22:31]
Host Sarah
A few years ago, one of your contemporaries, Linda Evangelista, discussed a bad experience with coolsculpting. I also had a bad experience with cosculpting. And there's clearly this pressure now for women in the spotlight to present a certain way. You kind of hit on it in the previous question. Have you ever been tempted to get cosmetic surgery? Like, was there ever a moment, clearly, you just said that you were. You. That's not the route you want to go.
- [22:56]
Cindy Crawford
I mean, like, I mean, I feel so bad for. Cause Linda had an autoimmune thing and then had a terrible reaction to it. And, you know, here you are trying to do something to boost your self esteem, and it actually makes it worse. So, like, that. That would. I'd be like, no, no cool sculpting for me. You know, I. I feel sorry for these. You younger women and then the generation even younger than you guys. Right. There's so much pressure to be perfect. We didn't have that, really. Like, we were allowed to have bodies. It was like, don't get me wrong. They retouched in the, in the 80s and 90s, but it wasn't like a full body retouch. If you had a pimple they would take it out or you know, hair out of place maybe. But it wasn't like they painted a picture of you. So no. Like coolsculpting. I never thought about, I mean, but I exercise. I guess I'm lucky. I have decent genetics and I mean tempted. Yes. I, I like everybody. You look at someone, you're like, they look really good. What did they do? But then you see other people and you're like, is it worth the risk? You know, and I, I think my, my self talk is all about like obviously trying to take care of myself and accept that, you know, we all age if we're lucky.
- [24:19]
Host Sarah
Right.
- [24:19]
Host Kirby
Are you very regular with like your dermatologist appointments?
- [24:23]
Cindy Crawford
I mean staticians, dermatologist. I mean I only really go to like once a year.
- [24:29]
Podcast Advertiser
Right.
- [24:29]
Cindy Crawford
Like for mole checks.
- [24:30]
Host Kirby
That's more than some people.
- [24:31]
Cindy Crawford
Okay. That I'm very. She's always like, I hope this tan isn't real. Like she says that to me every time. I'm like, sorry, Dr. Wu. It's Jessica Wu.
- [24:41]
Host Kirby
Yes.
- [24:42]
Cindy Crawford
Amazing. Yeah, I'll do like. No, I'm not. To be honest with you. I used to be really. I used to go to Christina Radu all the time for facials and that's when I was working a lot and, and my skin was younger and I really needed the cleaning and the microdermabrasion more. Now I don't like that kind of a facial so much. There's actually a guy in New York that I'm obsessed with. His name is Tuyen and he does like cupping and facial massage. Massage. I feel like it's exercise for my face. But it's also really good if I have a shoot like in New York. Because 9am in New York is 6am here. So when I go there I'm usually kind of jet lagged. My face is not awake yet. And I have him come for an hour before the shoot. Shoot. And by the time he's done I'm like, oh yeah, okay. I look like myself again. Okay, good, I can go to work. Yeah. You know, because I always joke and I actually said this in the upneek thing. It's like a lot of times we have early calls and I'm like, look, they'll be like, are you okay with a 4am call? And I'm like, yeah, I am. My face. I'm not sure what time she's Ready to. She might be up by nine. Like, let's not schedule anything too, like beauty intensive at. At 6:00am like, it's just not. I could do that maybe when I was under 30. But the older I get, the more time I need for things to settle. And I don't ever. Like, I would never have alcohol the night before shoot now would never have soy sauce the night before a shoot. Like, you start to realize, like, what you could do at 25. You just need a little more sleep, a little more recovery time, whatever.
- [26:12]
Host Kirby
Totally.
- [26:13]
Host Sarah
I don't want a facial unless they're like slapping my face. I want them a face massage. That's really what I want.
- [26:17]
Host Kirby
Get in my mouth.
- [26:18]
Cindy Crawford
Actually, I want that. But that I do that one to myself. Yeah, Yeah. I don't know. It feels a little.
- [26:25]
Host Kirby
It's very personal. It's very personal. We are also facial massage. So we discuss celebrity beauty brands here ad nauseum. Like it seems like every day. When we started the podcast, actually we joked that we would like ring a bell every time a celebrity launched.
- [26:40]
Cindy Crawford
You would never stop.
- [26:41]
Host Kirby
It was. You would just be ringing the bell constantly.
- [26:43]
Host Sarah
More cowboy.
- [26:43]
Host Kirby
But you, meaningful beauty, you launched in 2004 in. That was arguably before.
- [26:50]
Host Sarah
Long before.
- [26:51]
Cindy Crawford
Long before. And it was not really social media.
- [26:54]
Host Kirby
Like, no.
- [26:54]
Cindy Crawford
Yeah.
- [26:55]
Host Kirby
And it's still going very strong. It's almost as old as your children. What do you attribute to the longevity of your brand?
- [27:02]
Cindy Crawford
The thing is, is it's very authentic. That. And I think especially now in a social media driven, you know, marketplace, like, that matters even more. It's not, it's not like someone came to me with a brand. In fact, when I was at Revlon and I'd been there a long time and I was 35 and I was like, you know what? This is the time I either got to do my own thing or whatever. And everyone thought I would do a makeup line. I'm like, but I'm not a makeup artist. Like, my job was always to show up with good skin. And Dr. Sabah had been my. My go to guy and I only wanted to do it with him. And he and I, like, I kept saying, but I just want it to be meaningful because I grew up in a blue collar family where like my mother didn't wear any makeup, had maybe one thing of like Noxzema or Nivea cream or something like that. And so I didn't come from a family where you could like, afford a lot of extras. So I think when every time I've done my own thing I've always wanted it to be accessible. Of course it's still expensive for some people, but it's not, you know, like a super high, high price thing. So I think that resonated with people. I think that the ease of a system which at the time 24, you know, or 20 over 20 years ago. Yeah, in 2004, that was newer, I think direct to consumer for that level of beauty product there. It was also like the market wasn't so saturated in dtc. It was interesting because I kind of. It was a big risk, like going from being on the COVID of Vogue and all that stuff to doing an infomercial. Like not everyone in my life thought that was a smart move. But I really wanted time to tell our story because Dr. Sabah and I had had this relationship for. I think I met him when I was 28. So it had already been seven years. And to compete with like an Lauder Lancome. I knew how much those brands spent on a one page ad in Vogue because I knew what they were paying me or other models to be in them. And I just didn't feel like we could compete in the same marketplace. So an infomercial felt like the right way for us to tell our story. And then I think it's about product. Like celebrities, your name will get people to look at it, maybe buy it once. They're not going to keep buying if they don't like the product. And I think a lot of people will look at not just my success, but so many of these brands that are like, they launch on TikTok or whatever and maybe they're big for a year or two, but if the product is not good, it goes away. I mean, we've all seen those brands, right, come and go. Like they're the flavor of the moment. So you really do have to have efficacious products that people want to buy again or else you're nowhere.
- [29:51]
Host Kirby
Totally. By the way, those infomercials keep me company at the hotels. I feel like they're so strong.
- [29:55]
Cindy Crawford
I always see them.
- [29:56]
Host Kirby
Every time I turn on the tv, I'm like, it's my friend Cindy.
- [30:01]
Host Sarah
So you told us about what you wanted the brand to be back then and I think when it officially launched you were 38. Is that right?
- [30:08]
Cindy Crawford
I'm trying to think because I signed with them when I was pregnant with Kai. So Yeah, that'd be 38. Yeah.
- [30:14]
Host Sarah
So you know that's like close to our age now, right? Like we're a year older than that. But how has it Evolved with you? How has the brand changed with you? And what are you most proud of?
- [30:25]
Cindy Crawford
Well, I think, like, every time I have, like, a new beauty concern, I'm like, okay, guys, like, I think when I first started, because I was your age, like, probably my biggest concern then was under eye darkness and fine, like, just the beginning of fine lines around my eyes. And but then, like, as I got older, it was like, oh, wait, okay, now we need, like, we need more cell turnover. We need, like, more filling, kind of like blur products or whatever. So I've been able to, as I've evolved and have things come up, I'm able to talk to Dr. Sabah and our formulators, and it's like, okay, now this. And then when I met you guys, like, one of the big things was hair, right? Because I think every woman knows eventually your hair is probably going to turn gray or white or whatever. No one really explains that the texture changes too. And I think for me, that was a big, like, revelation. And then it was like, why can't we use kind of the same approach to hair aging that we did to skin aging? And then now we just launch body. And it's really the same thing because your skin doesn't stop at your decollete or whatever. It's your, you know, your whole body. And we have so many amazing, loyal customers like that already. Trust us. It's like, hey, we're offering this too. If you already like us, check this out as well. So I think that's been the fun part, is just growing in a very organic way that makes sense for our. The consumer that we already have.
- [31:59]
Host Kirby
Have your consumers grown up with you? Like, they bought. They were, you know, in their 30s when the brand launched, and now they're, you know, your age and obviously older and older.
- [32:09]
Cindy Crawford
We have a lot of consumers that, let's say, like our main. I don't know what the percentage is, but let's say 60% of our consumer is like 10 years older and 10 years younger.
- [32:17]
Host Sarah
Oh, wow.
- [32:17]
Cindy Crawford
So if I'm 60, we have women in their 80s and beyond, like, people that were buying it. Let's say they were 60, 20 years ago, and they've been customers for over 20 years. And we did a luncheon about two years ago, and then we had new customers, but we also had some of our OGs, and it was just amazing. And yeah, some of them are 70s, 80s, and what I love about that, and even when my grandmothers were still alive and they would call me and ask for product, it's like there Isn't an age where you stop caring?
- [32:49]
Host Sarah
Yeah, right.
- [32:50]
Cindy Crawford
Like, the phone call that I just got, she's 86 and a friend of mine, and she still calls me for product all the time.
- [32:59]
Host Kirby
So that's what that phone call was.
- [33:01]
Cindy Crawford
So. Yeah. And it was an emergency. So it's just like. It's so inspiring for me. Like, I have been spending some time in Miami and I go to this Pilates place, and there's two women there that are 85, and they're always. They're best friends and they do Pilates together. And I just. I'm like, so inspired by that because they stand up straight, they're social, they're out. And I'm like, okay, I want to be you when I grow up, you know? And then hopefully, like, I can be that for your. You know, for other people, like, that are 20 years younger than me. And you guys will be that for people that are 20 years younger than you. You know, you definitely are.
- [33:36]
Host Sarah
We literally look at you and we're like, she has her shit together. She's happy.
- [33:39]
Host Kirby
There's hope for us.
- [33:40]
Cindy Crawford
Well, because you have to show people that it's not so bad because we live in a culture that like, oh, anti aging. It's scary. Aging is terrible. And it's like, yeah, part of. There's parts of it that suck. And I've lost friends already, so I'm one of the lucky ones. Guys, like, you know, every day that we're here is such a gift. And you also have more self acceptance, I think, more wisdom. I want to be an example for Kaya. Like, no, it's great. Like, every stage of life is.
- [34:11]
Host Sarah
Yep.
- [34:11]
Host Kirby
Yeah. What is the product that they're calling in most?
- [34:16]
Cindy Crawford
I think we sell one Youth Activating Melon Serum a minute.
- [34:20]
Host Kirby
Wow.
- [34:21]
Cindy Crawford
Yeah.
- [34:21]
Host Sarah
And you're still D2C, right? Like, you're not in a retailer.
- [34:24]
Cindy Crawford
Not right now. Yeah, we. We have Amazon, of course. Like, everyone. But, yeah, we're all mostly through our website.
- [34:29]
Host Sarah
That's incredible.
- [34:30]
Cindy Crawford
I know.
- [34:31]
Host Kirby
That is amazing.
- [34:32]
Host Sarah
That is incredible. Yeah.
- [34:33]
Cindy Crawford
And that one is just such. You know, it's with the melon leaf stem cell technology, and it just helps with hydration, but also has this hydrosome H2O, which. And I'm not, even though I did have chemistry in school, but it helps the product penetrate all the other ingredients get in deeper. So that's probably like the hero hero product that everyone loves. And you're supposed to layer, as you guys know. But when we launched serums, serums were new for the American market, like Jean Louis French. So he's like, oh, the serum creme de serum. Da, da, da. But I'm like, we have to educate women how to use serums. And I think now American women have caught up. But like, you put your serum because it's thinner underneath your moisturizer. But a lot of people just like our serum Youth activating melon serum. They like it just by itself too. It's super light. It's like your skin just drinks it
- [35:24]
Host Sarah
in, I have to say. So I was wearing it during. I'm wearing it right now underneath my makeup, but I was wearing it just during the day. And then last night I was like, I'm gonna put this on underneath my moisturizer. And I am not lying, exaggerating, or blowing smoke up your ass, because you're here. Literally, I woke up and my face was bouncy and moisturized.
- [35:44]
Cindy Crawford
That. That pillow. Yeah, that bounce back right.
- [35:46]
Host Kirby
When it comes back.
- [35:47]
Host Sarah
And I kept touching my face, I'm like, what?
- [35:48]
Cindy Crawford
Oh, I love that.
- [35:49]
Host Sarah
I was like, I have to tell Cindy I was thrilled.
- [35:52]
Cindy Crawford
So that's amazing.
- [35:53]
Host Sarah
New nightster for me. So excited. Okay, Cindy, we're gonna go into rapid fire. First thing that comes to mind.
- [36:01]
Cindy Crawford
Okay.
- [36:02]
Host Sarah
As a Midwest girl, do you have a favorite chain restaurant?
- [36:04]
Podcast Advertiser
Oh, Dairy Queen.
- [36:08]
Cindy Crawford
Okay.
- [36:08]
Host Kirby
What do you get at Dairy Queen?
- [36:09]
Cindy Crawford
I would the dipped ice cream cone in, like, the butterscotch.
- [36:11]
Host Sarah
Yep. So good.
- [36:13]
Cindy Crawford
Okay.
- [36:13]
Host Sarah
I want one so bad now.
- [36:14]
Cindy Crawford
Yeah, I know. On a hot day. One of those soft serve ice creams.
- [36:18]
Host Kirby
Nothing better.
- [36:19]
Cindy Crawford
Yeah.
- [36:19]
Host Kirby
Is there a movie you've seen dozens of times?
- [36:23]
Cindy Crawford
Probably the only movie I've seen dozens of time is she's the Man. And here is why. I don't like watching movies more than once. It's just not a thing that I do. I know. Like, yeah, you guys all do that. My kids do that. I don't like doing that. But my kids were obsessed with that movie. And I have to say, I kind of became obsessed with it too, because I remember, like, you know, when they're kids and they've already seen it 10 times, halfway through, they'd wander out and I'd be like, no, but wait, guys, this part hasn't happened yet. It was just so. I just thought it was so cute. And Amanda Bynes was so, so adorable in that. And Channing Tatum and just. It was adorable. So that's probably the movie I've seen the most times. Sorry if I.
- [37:00]
Host Sarah
That's amazing.
- [37:01]
Host Kirby
I love that movie.
- [37:02]
Cindy Crawford
That's what I was expecting. I know.
- [37:03]
Host Kirby
That wasn't. That wasn't that.
- [37:05]
Host Sarah
Way to go.
- [37:05]
Host Kirby
Okay, favorite designer.
- [37:08]
Cindy Crawford
Ooh. I mean, just a go to easy for me is Versace. It just fits. I don't. You know, it's like. It's just a good fit.
- [37:16]
Podcast Advertiser
Yeah.
- [37:17]
Cindy Crawford
Great.
- [37:18]
Host Sarah
What's your best piece of fashion advice?
- [37:21]
Cindy Crawford
Oh, I would say don't let it wear you if you can't own it, everyone. That's what people see. It's like, same with hair and makeup and everything. Like, if it's overpowering the way you feel about, like, if it's a flamboyant thing, but you're like, this is amazing, and I love it, go for it. But if you're like, oh. If you're timid at all, that is. People don't even see what you're wearing. They don't even see your hair. They don't even see your makeup. They see. See that you're not fully owning it.
- [37:49]
Host Kirby
Totally. Okay, what beauty advice gets repeated constantly that you think is bs?
- [37:56]
Podcast Advertiser
Ooh.
- [37:56]
Cindy Crawford
I heard you guys talking about water, and I was like, that. You guys think that that's like, oh, no, you guys didn't. Like when people say, oh, I just drink a lot of water and I get a lot of sleep. Because I was like, oh, good, I better not say that. She's like, that's my secret. I don't think there's any rules anymore. Like, you know, they used to say don't wear white after Labor Day, but, like, in la, I'm like, is that apply in la? I don't know. You know, I just don't think there's rules anymore, so.
- [38:22]
Host Kirby
And what may work for someone might not work for you.
- [38:24]
Cindy Crawford
Exactly.
- [38:25]
Host Sarah
Okay, so, okay, looking at your career, what moment makes you most proud to look back on?
- [38:30]
Cindy Crawford
Wow. I would say. I mean, there's so many because, like, okay, my first Vogue cover was amazing, but, like, doing Playboy was also amazing because it was taking a chance. It was doing nothing. What people thought I should do. The George Michael video was incredible. Just because. And then the Versace show that followed it just because it was so iconic. Yeah, those are kind of in the top. Top five.
- [38:56]
Host Kirby
Okay, what advice do you have for taking a good photo?
- [38:59]
Cindy Crawford
Well, I'm not the person to ask about iPhone photos. Honestly, that lens is just like, no, it's horrible. That's why I think that that also people, they get a weird face dysmorphia because of the iPhone lens. And that's why, like, duck faces or whatever. It's like, it only looks good with, like, now.
- [39:18]
Host Kirby
What are they doing now?
- [39:20]
Host Sarah
They're doing. Oh, they're doing the pout.
- [39:21]
Host Kirby
The pound.
- [39:23]
Cindy Crawford
Oh, is that a new thing?
- [39:25]
Host Sarah
I can't even do it. Yeah, it's probably amazing at it, but, yeah, the pal is the thing, I think.
- [39:32]
Cindy Crawford
Look, if you're, like, standing with friends, like, you definitely don't want to be straight on. Like, a little shoulder in will make you look narrower. Not the chin too high. And I always say smile. But like, some people. Like, I have my sister. Chris. Sorry, Chris. But you know this about yourself. She cannot smile naturally for a picture. The second a camera comes on here, she'll be like. And I'm just like, a real smile. Like. And it's funny, my husband says that to me. He'll be like, no, a real smile. I'm like, honey, I do know what I'm doing. Like that this smile has worked for other things, but I think. I think smile. I think everyone looks better smiling. Like, I don't know.
- [40:10]
Host Kirby
Teeth.
- [40:11]
Cindy Crawford
Yeah. Like a real smile.
- [40:12]
Host Kirby
Yeah.
- [40:12]
Cindy Crawford
Yeah.
- [40:13]
Host Kirby
Okay.
- [40:13]
Cindy Crawford
Even on red carpets. I don't like this thing where you're supposed to look like. It's like. I don't know. I just. I didn't.
- [40:21]
Host Kirby
Zoolander.
- [40:21]
Cindy Crawford
That wasn't a thing when we were. When I was that age and doing that, like, the whole. That's just changed so much. So maybe my advice is terrible.
- [40:32]
Host Kirby
No, I love that smile.
- [40:34]
Cindy Crawford
Smile.
- [40:34]
Host Kirby
Give a real smile.
- [40:35]
Cindy Crawford
Yeah, smile.
- [40:36]
Host Sarah
That was the last question. But I have a personal question. If I have Cindy Crawford, I'm going to ask her this. I know you've been married for a very long time, but as a single woman in la, can you give me hope, advice, something?
- [40:46]
Cindy Crawford
Well, I will say that me and both my sisters met our husbands at weddings.
- [40:51]
Host Sarah
Okay, more weddings.
- [40:52]
Cindy Crawford
Weddings. There's something in the air at weddings. And also, if you think about it, if you're friends with the bride and she's marrying a guy, his friends might, you know, there's like, you're. They're better chances. And I think, you know, I have a couple single friends and they call it duty dating. Like, you do have to just treat
- [41:14]
Host Kirby
it like a job.
- [41:15]
Cindy Crawford
Get out there and do it. Yeah. And. And, you know, not. I think that again, because of this swiping culture, I think people don't set the bar too high, at least after one or two dates. Like, I'm not saying marry someone that you're not excited to marry, but sometimes people grow on you. Or you could meet the hottest guy ever and then he could grow not hot based on his behavior, but the opposite is also true. And I think that in this instant culture, we don't give time for that.
- [41:49]
Host Sarah
Got it.
- [41:50]
Host Kirby
Okay. Can I have one question?
- [41:51]
Host Sarah
Yeah.
- [41:51]
Podcast Advertiser
Yes.
- [41:53]
Host Kirby
Sorry.
- [41:53]
Cindy Crawford
For my personal time. That's my Dear Abby section. I like therapists.
- [41:57]
Host Sarah
Him down, please.
- [41:59]
Host Kirby
Okay, now my question as a mom of two.
- [42:02]
Cindy Crawford
Yes.
- [42:02]
Host Kirby
How did you reconnect with yourself after, like, losing your. Maybe you didn't lose yourself, but, you
- [42:09]
Cindy Crawford
know, you saw older years.
- [42:11]
Host Kirby
Zoe's five, five and three. So, you know, you kind of get
- [42:14]
Cindy Crawford
lost coming out of it. I always tell everyone you're tired until your youngest kid is three.
- [42:19]
Host Kirby
Alexa.
- [42:20]
Cindy Crawford
So, like, I was tired for five years, okay. And then all of a sudden one day I was like, wait, I'm not. I didn't even realize I was tired until I was not tired. I think that just comes in stages. Like, you obviously work, so that's good. Spending time with girlfriends. You know, I think just realizing that, like, you taking care of yourself is not selfish. Because when you take care of yourself and you feel good, like, everything else blossoms out from there.
- [42:49]
Host Kirby
Love that.
- [42:49]
Host Sarah
And she literally does it all. Like, I have a dog. Okay. She has two small children. She was working full, full time at a different company at one point before she left to be full time with me.
- [43:00]
Host Kirby
But that's because you support me.
- [43:03]
Host Sarah
Because we're wives.
- [43:04]
Host Kirby
Yeah.
- [43:05]
Host Sarah
We love you and glams. Cindy is giving us a discount code, so use code Gloss Angeles in the Meaningful beauty shop. You can get 20 off 20 off your order through the end of June.
- [43:19]
Host Kirby
Thank you, Cindy.
- [43:20]
Cindy Crawford
You're welcome. Thank you. This was so fun.
- [43:22]
Host Sarah
It was good to see you. Thank you.
- [43:34]
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