Salem Mitchell’s Guide to Embracing Freckles and Maintaining Knotless Braids

“Growing up, I don’t think I really had a skin-care routine,” says Salem Mitchell. “I wasn’t allowed to wear makeup—my parents really wanted me to feel confident in my skin and my freckles.” Her mom, who also has freckles, gave her a piece of advice that stuck with her: Keep skin care and makeup to a minimum. That said, the 24-year-old began cultivating her routine only after she got her big break in modeling. For her, skin care reigns supreme over makeup. Here, she shares her secrets to glowing skin along with the rest of her routine, from effortless brows to caring for knotless braids. 

Each day, Mitchell starts with Cetaphil’s gentle cleanser ahead of balancing toner by Kiehl’s. “I realized sometimes, even with cleansing, I’d still have mascara and residue in my inner eyelids, so toner has definitely helped eliminate excess dirt that I thought I got and didn’t at all,” she says. Next, she exfoliates with the Fenty Beauty lip scrub, later following up with the Laneige lip mask. Noting her penchant for products with cucumber and hydration callouts, she whips out Peter Thomas Roth’s hyaluronic-acid-infused eye patches. Tatcha’s dewy mist provides added moisture, locked in by a rich cream, facial oil, and weightless sunscreen. 

Onto makeup: Mitchell relishes a simple, three-step regimen free of complexion products to let her natural glow shine through. Glossier’s Boy Brow perfects her arches, Saie’s mascara coats her lashes, and Tom Ford’s warm brown-hued gloss accentuates her pout. Hair care is the last to prep for the day ahead. “I love having braids—its an amazing protective style, but it does still create a little bit of tension on the head, so it’s really important to make sure that I’m taking care of my scalp between [installs],” she notes, conditioning her scalp with Mielle’s sought-after hair oil and her braids with a foaming mousse. “I’m ready to go about my day. I feel amazing and beautiful, and I hope everybody else has a great day,” Mitchell says as she waves goodbye.

Below, shop Salem Mitchell’s beauty secrets.

Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser

Kiehl’s Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner

Fenty Beauty Pro Kiss’r Lip-Loving Scrubstick

Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Hydra-Gel Eye Patches

Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré

Paula’s Choice Resist Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

Tom Ford Gloss Luxe Lip Gloss

Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil

Nairobi Wrapp-It Shine Foaming Lotion

Director: Gabrielle Reich
Director of Photography: Cole Evelev
Editor: Michael Suyeda

Associate Producer: Natalie Harris
Production Manager: Kit Fogarty
Production Coordinator: Ava Kashar
Global Talent Casting Director: Ignacio Murillo