Getting Gorgeous with Kimora Lee Simmons

The entrepreneurial mom of three—and master of multitasking—shares her secret beauty weapons

Kimora Lee Simmons is best known for her bodacious style and wicked sense of humor. But she’s also the founder of Shinto Clinical, a new skincare line that blends ancient Asian ingredients with Western bioactive technology. Here, she gets real about beauty, motherhood, and the merits of multitasking. —Melissa Schweiger

Has your beauty routine changed since becoming a mom? 

Motherhood changes everything, as we know. Things that seemed our divine right as women—like a long, hot shower or a facial—find themselves in the “would be nice” pile. I've been promoting Shinto and speaking to women from all over the world, and I believe that skin care is not a luxury, but a necessity. As women, we have to do this to take care of ourselves. 

What’s your go-to date night makeup look?

I'm a little addicted to the cat eye right now. My date night makeup is typically feline-inspired to create a sultry, slinky look. I like a defined eye and a rational approach to eye shadow. Just a little drama for after the sun goes down.

What beauty products do you never leave home without?

My purse will always have several tubes of lip gloss, Shinto Clinical's Watch Your Tone anti-aging peptide toner, and my Chanel quilted makeup bag. I bring the whole cosmetics department with me because you never know. I grew up as a model and you always had to be ready. It's a habit that's hard to shake. You never know when you'll have to switch it up!

What made you want to get into the beauty business?

Working as a model for so many years, I've used every product out there. I found myself consistently underwhelmed by products that overpromised and under delivered. Knowing I wasn't alone, I determined that it was time for me to try my hand at a beauty line for all types of women.

Tell us more about Shinto Clinical! 

The products combine ancient techniques and ingredients from Eastern skin care regiments with the best in bioactive advancements from the West. In combining the two, we can target the two culprits of premature aging—inflammation and dehydration. We developed an exclusive complex Omegapearl-18 that boosts hydration in the skin and reduces the inflation that contributes to the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

What are your favorite products from the line?

Some of my favorite products from the Shinto Clinical collection include our Micro Manage instant microdermabrasion treatment. It uses the same medical grade magnesium oxide crystals used at professional spas and dermatologist offices. It's a great way to give yourself a Hollywood glow at home for a fraction of the cost. And then there’s the Smooth Answer moisture boost cream, which increases hydration in the skin by up to 400 percent in less than two days. 

How can moms make themselves look glamorous when they only have about five minutes to spare?

Oooooh the five-minute challenge. You ready? Give yourself a Micro Manage scrub and follow up with Smooth Answer. Get yourself some eyewear with large frames, grab some lip gloss, do a little eyeliner—a faint suggestion only. There. You're ready.

You clearly have a lot on your plate, what’s your secret to balancing work and motherhood?

Everyone has to define their own version of balance. I focus on what's in front of me and always prioritize my kids. Scheduling is an ongoing challenge, I won't lie. I'm a notorious multitasker. I say notorious because I find myself in preposterous situations. Just last week, I was teleconferencing with a buyer in Asia during my daughter Aoki Lee's karate tournament. We do what we have to do, right?