Irina SHAYK

MODEL, STYLE STAR, and MOM IRINA SHAYK LEARNING to LOVE on her IMPERFECTIONS for the SAKE of her DAUGHTER

- NIKKI OGUNNAIKE

When I was a young girl, I always admired my grandmother. She was my icon in basically everything. She was strong and positive and always had kind words for me. For her, it was all about natural beauty. She never wore makeup and would use this stuff from the fridge, like strawberries or cucumbers, for her face. She was always so positive and grateful for every day and was like, "Always be yourself. Be kind to people." That's what true beauty is.

Motherhood definitely shined a light on me, [like] "Oh, you're a mother, you're busy, but you still have time for yourself and you don't have to change who you are." Sometimes I wake up and I feel cute and I think, "Oh, should I put these pictures out on social media?" One voice says, "Oh, but people will say, "You're a mother." And I'm like, "But what does it mean?" My example is Emily Ratajkowski. She's always sexy and feminine and all about loving your body. Maybe I'm not so vocal about it, but I'm totally on the same wavelength: You're a mother, but it doesn't mean you cannot go outside in a tiny little skirt or put a sexy picture up.