Salma Hayek Is Everyone’s Favourite Swimwear Influencer

The internet is not short of swimsuit selfies, but Salma Hayek’s are a rare kind of #instamood. More motivational than thirst trap – although more on that later – Hayek and her leopard-print YSL halter-necks, azure-blue bathers and logoed Gucci cossies make a splash for all the right reasons. At 55, the silver-screen siren has made no secret that “the best time in my life is now”, and it shows in every viva la vida hashtag. She feels great and it radiates from within.

Hayek of course knows she’s a universal sex symbol. But her journey to becoming Instagram’s favourite Ursula Andress has not been plain sailing. At the cusp of her career, Salma dressed herself for her promo gigs because “no one thought a Mexican was going to stick around”. No matter, with an eye for trends and a jaw-dropping figure to make body-conscious fashion look sensational, some of her most memorable ’90s looks were when she went her own way. Nowadays, she’s married to one of the biggest players in fashion: François-Henri Pinault, the CEO of Kering, and having the last laugh on front rows around the world.

Speaking of Kering brands, Hayek catapulted herself from beach babe to marketing genius on social media during the House of Gucci promo trail by posting a poolside picture of her and her Gucci swimmers. The bathing costume threw shade on the cast’s red-carpet efforts thanks to its simple execution and clever framing: the nostalgic Gucci logo fashion fans went nuts for; the dripping glass containing homemade lemonade? A melted pina colada?; and the kind of sopping wet hair that mere mortals can’t even dream of pulling off. The cheeky snap reiterated that Hayek doesn’t take herself seriously (check out the pictures of her posing with her pet owl) and, as those one million likes show, people respond to this.

From one internet breaking moment to another, Salma rang in 2022 in the best way she knows how: by the sea. Her cheetah swimsuit post – a slinky Saint Laurent number that was another kerching for Kering – urged everyone doom scrolling on New Year’s Day to up the ante and pull themselves together. Or at least start Skyscanning for far flung holiday destinations. Hayek’s message, as always, was not about goals, but about being grateful and appreciating the small things in life – whether that’s a moment of serenity by water or having a siesta in a hammock.

This year, you won’t find Hayek preaching about fitness routines or sharing #OOTD shots from her walk-in wardrobe, which is inevitably stuffed to the rafters with the world’s top brands, but making time for herself. “May this new year bring you the awareness of your own strength. Happy, healthy 2022,” she told her 20 million followers. Amen to that.