If the name Paloma Elsesser doesn’t ring a bell, her portraits from Glossier’s 2017 “Body Hero” campaign should. Eight years ago, the model’s nude image was plastered on a building on Spring Street in New York. “I did this to show that being fat isn’t a burden,” she wrote on Instagram. “Being fat isn’t ugly or shameful.” First spotted on the platform by the makeup artist Pat McGrath while still a student at the New School, Elsesser went on to become the first curve model to win the British Fashion Council’s Model of the Year award. She’s walked a Victoria’s Secret fashion show, racked up covers on British and American Vogue, and had a 30-second cameo in Uncut Gems with her friend, Julia Fox. Surprise, surprise, she has flawless skin and a flawless skin-care regimen, and says her feet are pretty spectacular, too. Elsesser, 33, shares her nighttime routine, complete with a mattress from Sunset Tower and cool, crisp sheets.
When do you start getting ready for bed?
Some people leave room for a two-hour wind-down, let the products marinate, that whole thing. That’s not my story. I don’t have stringent sleep hygiene.
What does your nighttime skincare routine look like?
It oscillates between being very intensive and hyper simple. Last night, I was super tired, so I just washed my face with Vanicream, used an exfoliating toner, a Korean moisturizer from a brand I’m obsessed with called Histolab, and Vintner’s Daughter’s Active Botanical Serum.
When I’m feeling crazy, I’ll use MBR’s Starter Facial Booster after the Vanicream or Dr. Shereene Idriss’s Soft Wash Complete Daily Cleanser. Then I’ll use Environ’s Body EssentiA kit, but on my face. Sometimes I don’t put on their oil, and instead just use their Derma-Lac lotion. It has vitamin A, which is helpful for a bunch of stuff. Then I’ll go in with the SK-II Pitera Facial Treatment Essence and either the Laneige Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer or the Shani Darden Sake Nourishing Essence. The Histolab Water Max Hydrating moisturizer comes next; it’s this really bouncy, non-comedogenic product. I top all of that off with the Vintner’s Daughter oil. I’ll also use a Laneige lip balm or Dr. Idriss’s Barrier Baste Lip Basting Duo. I try to go from thinnest to thickest with my products. I believe in that.
Do you eat or drink anything?
Sometimes I eat a melatonin gummy. If I’m feeling really sleepless, I’ll drink valerian root tea.
Do you read or watch anything?
I either read a book or scroll on TikTok, which is demonic and bad for my brain. Reading is really helpful. It regulates my nervous system so much and allows me to be tired.
What’s one thing you have to do before bed?
I have to lotion my feet—the whole foot, even between the toes. I’m extremely sensorially and auditorily sensitive, and dryness is a big one for me. If my feet or hands feel dry, it drives me absolutely mental. I’d like to shout out the fact that so many places have hand lotion now.
Do you add any steps before a shoot or event?
I like to use an exfoliating pad. I use the 5-Second Daily Peel from Neova or the ones from Dr. Dennis Gross. And then I’ll mix Biologique Recherche’s Vivant mask with their VIP 02 mask. I also like the Shiseido under-eye patches. They’re really big and juicy, but not rubbery.
How do you decompress?
I love to take a shower and to FaceTime with people.
On to your pajamas…
I sleep naked, unless I’m sleeping in a bed with somebody who I’m not partnered with. In that case, I wear a cotton nightgown or cotton shorts with no top. I do a lot of topless. If I sleep with long sleeves, I feel like I’m in a straitjacket.
Are you particular about your sleeping conditions?
I’m not super precious, besides the fact that I adamantly don’t like sleeping with blackout curtains. You know when you take a nap at five o’clock and wake up and it’s dark, and you’re like, “Who am I?” That’s how blackout curtains make me feel. I don’t need the mask or the earplugs or any of the accoutrements. And this sounds really crazy, but I’m really sensitive to low or high frequency sounds. Like if there’s a weird buzzing… I’ve unscrewed light bulbs in places.
How about your bed?
Oh, I’m particular about these things. I like a soft mattress. Don’t care about my back. I have the bed that’s at the Sunset Tower, which is not as fancy as you’d think. It’s actually a Sealy mattress, hospitality edition. I hate linen. I like percale, very crispy, top sheet, fitted sheet, duvet, and I use predominantly Sferra, or sometimes Frette. And I wash my sheets and my bedding every single week, no matter what. To be fair, someone does it for me, but still.
How long does it take you to fall asleep?
It really depends. But I will say, I used to have horrible sleep hygiene, like I could live off of four hours of sleep, which is not sustainable. I can’t do that anymore, but I don’t need eight to ten. I’m fine with seven.
What’s your strangest nighttime habit?
Probably my feet lotioning.
Where is your all-time favorite place to sleep?
My bed. I know that sounds obvious, but I can fall asleep so easily there. Oh, and I also love hotels with a pillow menu.
What’s the best night’s sleep you’ve ever had?
When I’ve been put under general anesthesia.
Jeanne Malle is a Junior Editor at AIR MAIL
