Valentina Sampaio is a trailblazer. The 24-year-old broke new ground as the first ever transgender Victoria’s Secret model back in 2019, and then again for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue the following year. Now, the Brazilian model, who started calling herself Valentina at the age of 12, has just been revealed as the new face of Armani Beauty, joining Cate Blanchett.
On Tuesday, as part of this new ambassador role, she attended Harper’s Bazaar’s 2021 Women of the Year Awards at famed London hotel Claridge's. "The event was really amazing. To be there and surrounded by so many inspiring people being recognised for what they are doing was exciting, and seeing these women receive their awards and being chosen was so inspiring," she tells us. "It was a great night."
Sampaio wore a black velvet suit by Armani for the occasion and her make-up was done by artist Valeria Ferreira using Armani Beauty. Ferreria created smoky eyes, using the brand's Eyes to Kill Classico Mascara, and the Eye & Brow Maestro in Obsidian Black and Ambre, while lips were kept nude, thanks to the Lip Power in Androgino.
Though she wore her hair in a sleek up-do at the event, the model tells us that day-to-day she embraces her natural curls, something that has taken work. "It has taken a while for me to learn to take care of and to like my hair curly because I grew up thinking that curly hair wasn't nice. I did years of Keratin treatments to keep it straight. But now it's been four years of the transition to keep it natural, and I really like the natural texture of it." She skips conditioner and goes straight from shampoo to a hair mask. "I massage in in and leave it for at least 15 minutes."
Sampaio says that many of her beauty rituals come from Brazil. "One thing we do in summer is to put chamomile tea in our hair to bring out natural highlights," she tells us. Another is "to drink beetroot and carrot juice; it brings out a natural glow in the skin".
Her two absolutes for maintaining her healthy complexion are to never forget sunscreen (she loves to layer it with Power Fabric foundation which has in-built SPF), and always remembering to drink lots of water. "You really see it in your skin if you don't," she says.
Of her new role with Armani, Sampaio says, "It's a major milestone. One that represents a lot for me personally, also as a member of the trans community, because it is a step forward for our inclusivity. I am so grateful that brands like Armani are supporting more diversity."
Valentina Sampaio's favourite products
Armani Beauty Prima Smart Moisture Serum
Armani Beauty Neo Nude Blush
