My Beauty Edit: Jourdan Dunn's Secret To Maintaining Her Famous Figure

If you've ever wondered how Jourdan Dunn maintains her flawless skin and toned body, you might have assumed the answer was simply spending every waking hour running on a treadmill. But with a young son and a zealous commitment to enjoying exercise, time is of the essence for the internationally booked model. Here she reveals her health and fitness tips...

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My favourite work-out class is...

"At the moment, I'm doing a lot of barre training. Barre exercise is a mixture of yoga, Pilates and ballet. It uses really small movements but you are using muscles that you never knew existed, so it's really intense. It's all about sculpting and feeling stronger and more toned. I've been going to this great place in London, on Great Portland Street, called Define."

I also love boxing...

"I love boxing, especially because I get to do it with my brother [the Kobox fitness trainer, Antoine Dunn]. My brother introduced me to boxing at Kobox, which is such a fun environment. I step into the ring, get my sweat on and feel more energised. It's a fun way for your mind and body to let out stress."

The exercises I loathe are...

"I love anything to do with my legs, so squats and lunges I'm totally here for – they are amazing for toning – but I just hate burpees. Whenever I do a personal-training session with my brother, he always makes me do them and that's definitely my least favourite type of exercise. My brother does not care that I'm his sister when he is training me. If anything he pushes me even harder; he won't give me a day off or let me slack because he knows my potential. I do need that though."

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I get motivation for exercise by...

"focusing on the end result. I know that at the end of the work-out, I'm going to have benefited from it and I'll feel good about myself. I can't sit down and complain about my body and not do anything about it, so that's what motivates me."

To start enjoying exercise, try...

"walking into a gym can be intimidating, so why not bring a friend along and go to classes together? They'll be able to motivate you too. Also, try different classes so you discover what you enjoy; it's important for our bodies to not just do the same old thing. I feel there is no point working out if you're not trying to enjoy it. When I'm exercising, I want to be enjoying what I am doing. I used to just go to the gym and use the machines which I liked, but I need other things, like boxing and Pilates, to keep me interested."

My gym beauty look is...

"I never work out while wearing my make-up. In the beginning I used to, but then when you think about it, you're sweating and your pores are open and they get all clogged up. Now that freaks me out too much. The only product I'll make sure I have with me is an eyebrow gel to tame my brows. I love Anastasia Beverley Hills' Tinted Brow Gel, £23."

My go-to work-out hairstyle is...

"I love wearing my hair in braids when I'm boxing, or I just put it up into a bun as then I don't have to worry about it and it's out of the way."

Post-work-out, I...

"I like to use a foam roller to stop my muscles getting stiff. I like to use it both before and after my work-outs. It's important to do it beforehand as well because it can reduce the chance of injury."

My desert-island beauty products would be...

"Probably Carmex Lip Balm, £2.15. I can't stand dry lips and if I'm going to be on a desert island I could also use it on my hands, body and hair. I just hate my body feeling dry. Oh, or maybe coconut oil. I love coconut oil. I think it's a great multi-tasker. I cook with it, use it on my son and I smother my body and hair in it... but there might be coconut already on the island I could use."

My secret to flawless skin is simply...

"Everyone says it, but I think the most important piece of advice is to take off your make-up before you go to sleep. If you're going to spend an hour putting your make-up on, or 30 minutes or even just 15 minutes, you should be able to dedicate that amount of time to taking it off. That way you get rid of every bit of grit, grime and make-up off your skin." Bazaar recommends Garnier's Micellar Water, £5, for sensitive skin types.

My best bodycare tip is...

"I like dry-brushing [try Elemis' Body Brushing Programme, £37] as it's really good for circulation and it exfoliates your body, too. I think people tend to forget about their bodies. We are so focused on our faces, but our skin is our biggest organ and we need to make sure we cleanse, exfoliate and moisturise our bodies as well."

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My advice for frequent travellers would be...

"It's simple, but drinking Glaceau Smartwater, £3, and staying hydrated, most definitely. With my job, I'm always on the go and my skin can get so thirsty and dehydrated. Whenever I go to my dermatologist, Debbie Thomas, at her clinic in Chelsea, she can always tell when I haven't been drinking enough water. My skin just looks more plumped and hydrated when I drink it. I feel like you look less tired too."

My healthy-eating tips are...

"I genuinely like eating healthily but I do enjoy fried food, especially fried chicken, so it's about finding alternatives that suit me. For example, if you are a fiend for rice – and I used to adore rice – try cauliflower rice. Or, instead of doing fried chicken, you can do a baked chicken. It's all about compromise."

Wellbeing is so important to me, because...

“my lifestyle is pretty hectic and I have a lot to juggle; it’s non-stop but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Wellbeing is so important to me and fitness, nutrition and hydration are central to that. I’ve learned over the years that the key thing that keeps me going is to stay properly hydrated. I carry a bottle of water with me everywhere throughout the day, so I don't forget to drink it. With my son having sickle cell anaemia, he needs around five bottles of water a day, so it's particularly important to me."

Jourdan Dunn is the face of Glaceau Smartwater.

This article originally appeared on Harper's BAZAAR UK