Regarded as one of the world’s most stunning women, Melania Trump’s beauty routine has long sparked public curiosity, with ongoing debates about whether she has had any cosmetic procedures over the years continuing to fuel conversation.
Melania, who grew up in Slovenia, pursued a modeling career in her younger years. She has always spoken warmly about her upbringing, crediting her parents for everything they gave to both her and her sister.
She was just 16 years old when fashion photographer Stane Jerko first took notice of her. He spotted her leaning against a fence as she was leaving a fashion show at the Festival Hall.
‘By the staircase at the entrance, I saw this girl,’ Jerko recalled. ‘She was tall, slim, with long hair. I told her who I was, what I did, and why I would photograph her.’
In 1987, a young Melania made the bold decision to leave the University of Ljubljana behind and pursue modeling full time. Within just a year, she had secured a contract with a modeling agency in Milan.
Once she arrived in Milan, Melania stayed laser-focused on building her career and chose to head straight home after work rather than socializing.
‘She kept to herself, she was a loner. After a shoot or a catwalk, she went home, not out. She didn’t want to waste time partying,’ Jerko said.
Melania eventually crossed paths with well-known Italian businessman Paolo Zampolli, who played a key role in helping her obtain a work visa to enter the United States.
Even now, the former first lady continues to draw praise for her polished appearance. Experts, however, suggest her look is the result of botox, fillers, and possible plastic surgery.
‘Her face has a stony look from being overfilled and over-botoxed,’ Dr. Franklin Rose told The Skincare Edit.
‘Melania’s forehead is as smooth as a baby’s rear end, so she’s had liberal amounts of Botox for sure. Her cheeks, along with the nasolabial lines between the nose and corners of the mouth, likely have fillers. [Her rhinoplasty] is a beautiful job. Whoever is treating her now is just a little overzealous with the injectables.’
The FLOTUS, however, has denied these claims. In a 2016 interview with GQ, she also pushed back on rumors of a breast augmentation.
‘I didn’t make any changes,’ Melania said. ‘A lot of people say I am using all the procedures for my face. I didn’t do anything. I live a healthy life, I take care of my skin and my body. I’m against Botox, I’m against injections; I think it’s damaging your face, damaging your nerves. It’s all me. I will age gracefully, as my mom does.’
Makeup artist Nicole Bryl offered a closer look into Melania Trump’s beauty routine. Speaking with Women’s Wear Daily, she opened up about the techniques she used while working with the First Lady.
‘I certainly spend the most amount of time on my client’s skin. Ensuring that there is always a gentle, flawless glow and that everything is blended perfectly is a skill I never tire of perfecting. I would also say I have a gift for customizing individual eyelashes quickly,’ she said.
Opening up about her own beauty habits, Melania shared in 2012, ‘I take vitamins and use a moisturizer that’s an oxygen cream. Everything is natural. It’s A, C, and E, and I mix them together. It’s so important to care for your skin — inside and out from morning to night (especially in the night!). You need to take makeup off and moisturize!’
Celebrity makeup artist Philippa Louise also weighed in on how to recreate Melania’s signature look.
‘When you reach your 50s, makeup should be paired back and the rules in makeup application should not be broken if you want to look effortlessly chic. Makeup should empower, not overpower you,’ Louise told Hello! Magazine.
‘There’s nothing worse than looking at a complexion and seeing makeup caked on, which then emphasises the wrong areas and thus ages you. For anyone over 50 such as Melania, you can get away with a slightly heavier look for a big event, as long as it is applied in the correct way and the right products are used. Melania’s style is elegant, chic and sophisticated, and I think her makeup compliments this beautifully as her makeup artist clearly uses the correct products suited to her own skin.’
She further noted that once you hit a certain age, the principle that ‘less is more’ becomes essential to follow.
Aesthetics Practitioner and Skincare Expert Amish Patel of Intrigue Cosmetic Clinic believes it is clear that Melania puts serious effort into caring for herself, and that this plays a major role in how she looks.
‘Melania also clearly looks after herself, which is a significant factor in the ageing process. A healthy diet full of vitamins and antioxidants, drinking plenty of water, avoiding too much sugar or alcohol, and getting enough sleep play a role,’ Patel said.
