James Harris/CNNUnderscored
For two-time Olympic medalist Laurie Hernandez, partnering with Olay for her latest skincare launch was a no-brainer. In an exclusive interview, the former gymnast revealed that she was already using the beauty giant’s products when the opportunity presented itself. “Before I partnered with Olay, I was using a regular moisturizer with Vitamin C, and after I used Vitamin C, my skin felt more woken up,” she said, adding that Vitamin C gives skin a radiant, dewy look. “When they reached out to me, I was like, ‘Wait a second, I’m using this.’ [moisturizer] It felt like it was already here, and it felt like the perfect combination.”
The $10 Cleansing Melts, which launched earlier this year, have quickly become a staple in the retired gymnast’s skincare routine. The products, which are sold in packs of 32, are the brand’s first “water-soluble cleanser,” according to Olay’s website. The dissolving cleanser comes in three varieties, each with a different ingredient, including hyaluronic acid, retinol, and vitamin C.
After struggling with skin problems for years as a professional athlete and teenager, the 24-year-old now keeps her skin clean and glowing with just three tried-and-true products: a cleanser, serum, and moisturizer. Hernandez says that while cleansing melts aren’t specifically designed for travel, their small size makes them perfect for traveling.
Aside from her affiliation with Olay, Hernandez will be covering women’s gymnastics for NBC and will be covering the Paris Olympics. She also recently finished her sophomore year at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she is currently majoring in theater. “A lot of people are pretty surprised that I want to act, but I’m not a big fan of acting,” she said. [my] “People around me knew,” she said, adding that if they had asked her 10 years ago, they would have said she was going to be an actress.
Now, Hernandez will be sharing her favorite beauty and health must-haves with CNN Underscored.
When it comes to workout gear, Hernandez, who is part of Nike’s Athlete Think Tank, likes to pair Nike’s biker shorts with an adjustable sports bra. The unpadded sports bra is designed for high-impact activities and is made with sweat-wicking fabric to keep you dry and comfortable during your workout, plus the bottom band has an extended hook-and-loop closure for a customizable fit.
As part of her current skincare routine, Hernandez uses Olay’s latest cleanser, along with the brand’s serums and moisturizers. The travel-friendly dissolving pads come in a pack of 32 and are designed to gently cleanse the skin and refresh the face.
Hernandez likes to use a foam roller to stretch her back and hips, especially after a long day of walking. She uses a medium-density roller by Rollga, which has grooves to prevent injury when rolling. “It has indentations where it rests on your spine, so every time you roll your back, it makes a crackling sound like a Rice Krispie Treat,” she says.
To unwind at the end of the day, Hernandez picks up his Amazon Kindle Paperwhite. With a 6.8-inch display, the lightweight reading device offers 16GB of storage for all your favorite books, a non-glare screen, and up to 10 weeks of battery life. Hernandez says he’s been working his way through the popular “Throne of Glass” series.
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If there’s one eyeliner Hernandez loves, it’s Stila’s waterproof eyeliner. This long-wearing liner dries quickly, is easy to apply, and doesn’t smudge or tug on the skin. “It has a felt tip and is super sharp, so if I want to create a beautiful, smooth cat eye, this is perfect for me. It lasts all day, which is great,” she says.
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Hernandez is a fan of the Fenty Beauty Match Stix Contour Skinstick. “This product is really good, especially because it comes in a variety of shades, and the more you tan, the more you feel like your skin tone changes,” she says. The contour stick comes in nine shades, from soft amber to caviar, and its cream-to-powder formula has a matte finish.
Stretching before bed is a must for Hernandez, and she’s particularly fond of this reversible, lightweight yoga mat from Nike. She loves its slim design and says it provides just the right amount of cushioning so you don’t feel like you’re sitting directly on the floor.
Hernandez’s toiletry bag should contain, among other items, this secret antiperspirant. The PH-balancing product prevents odor for up to 48 hours and applies clear, so you don’t have to worry about leaving white marks on your clothes.
Hernandez is a big fan of Nike’s Pegasus Trail 4 Gore-Tex sneakers. Designed for trail running and hiking, the shoes have a lightweight design and a foam midsole for comfort. They also have ankle gaiters, which Hernandez likes because he doesn’t like exposing his ankles while hiking. “It was a little hard to find a good trail shoe, but these are good,” Hernandez says. “And when I want to go for a run, they’re also a great running shoe for me.”
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When it comes to concealer, Hernandez swears by Nars, which she says is “creamy without being cakey and thick.” Designed to give skin a natural finish, the product offers light coverage and comes in more than 30 shades.
One of Hernandez’s favorite lip pencils is MAC in the color Soar. For a quick and easy lip look, Hernandez applies a dab of ChapStick, outlines her lips with the pencil, and blends them together.
