Valentina Ferrer, The Powerhouse Influencer Turned Wellness Entrepreneur

How to best sum up Valentina Ferrer? Miss Argentina 2014. Major model and influencer (1M Instagram followers). Along with her partner, Colombian singer J Balvin (a cool 51M Instagram followers), parents to two-year-old son Rio… oh, and the latest Tiffany & Co brand ambassadors. You know, the usual for a woman who has only just turned thirty. In amongst her whirlwind existence, Valentina was diagnosed with coeliacs disease. This diagnosis renewed her focus on her health to such an extent that she went on to co-found Kapowder, a wellness brand made right here in Australia. Here, she tells us about her blissful childhood in Argentina, why her family’s support was what gave her the confidence to travel the world, and her secret happy place (hint: its not as glamorous as you might think!).

“I grew up in Argentina, and had a very fun childhood that revolved around nature, sports and, most of all, spending time with family.

I believe my early years shaped my life in a tremendous way and helped me develop into the person I am today. That is especially true when it comes to the importance I place on wellness, staying active, and my loved ones.

Leaving my family behind in Argentina and travelling the world was a very challenging time for me.

That eventually meant moving to the US to work on my dreams, which was scary as I knew absolutely no one. However, it was ultimately an amazing experience I would never take for granted.

Knowing I had my family’s support made an enormous difference in my outlook. I think some key factors in how we move through challenges are the passage of time, gratitude for the good and the bad, and having patience and perseverance.

I never had a specific career goal, but thought my work would ultimately involve entrepreneurship.

I think landing in the world of wellness was very much shaped by all my travels, and learning from different people and different cultures.

I feel so glad that my job allows for me to learn, create and innovate. The worst part about what is otherwise a wonderful career and life is that I am still based so far away from my beloved family.

I start every morning with my maté, the traditional South American herbal drink, and have breakfast with my baby Rio before he goes to school.

Then I do my skincare routine, take my Enlighten from Kapowder and then off to the gym I go!

My skin regime varies a bit depending on the amount of time I have.

I usually start with Tatcha The Rice Polish, then apply a hydrating mask, Vital Hydra Solution, from Dr. Jart. I like to keep these in the fridge for a cooling effect. Once that’s removed, I spray my face with Mario Badescu Facial Spray With Aloe, Herbs & Rosewater, and pop on some Auteur Definitive Eye Cream, which is one of my ultimate favourite products.

I love when my face glows and looks very glazed, so I like to use the C.E.O. Glow Vitamin C + Turmeric Oil from Sunday Riley. Then I move on to my Definitive Restoration Cream from Auteur, which is another great product of theirs. It locks in all the hydration. When it comes to face creams, what is key for me is ‘the thicker the better’!

Last but most important is SPF – I like a tinted one, and alternate between Heliocare 360 Color Gel Oil-Free SPF50+ and ISDIN Fotoprotector Fusion Water Magic SPF50.

My mom has a very simple approach to beauty. She was never into makeup products or skincare routines. I think I have showed her all the secrets she has, haha!

For my everyday face, I like to keep it easy and start with a tinted SPF. I then put on a little bit of Benefit’s Hoola Matte Bronzer, curl my lashes, brush up my brows and use a little bit of the Benefit Benetint Lip & Cheek Tint as a blush. Then I finish off with my Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil.

If I am going out at night, I will take things up a notch. I love to use my Chanel Healthy Glow Foundation Hydration and Longwear, as it’s light and feels so smooth and beautiful on the skin. I add in my NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer to cover any little blemishes. I find the the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette so useful, as it comes into play for my contouring and even as eyeshadow.

Estée Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Mascara is my holy grail for lashes. For the lips, the lip liner I use the most right now is the Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil. I’m currently obsessed with Givenchy Rose Perfecto Liquid Lip Balm – it’s so hydrating, plus it doesn’t feel sticky which is great.

Usually when hairdressers see my hair they assume it’s thin, but once they start working with it they realise that there’s a lot of it and it’s actually very thick and full.

I do lots of hair masks, mainly from Briogeo and Amika, as well as the MOROCCANOIL Restorative Hair Mask. I also love my Moroccanoil Brumes Du Maroc Hair & Body Mist – I actually never leave home without it.

I think when you feel good inside you feel the best outside.

I love to cook; nothing brings me more joy. Not many people know this about me, but I could spend hours in the supermarket – seriously, a very excessive amount! It’s pretty much my favourite place to be, haha.

I eat a lot, minimum five meals a day. I very much enjoy a good meal, whether it’s fish, chicken, a delicious steak with veggies… I’m getting hungry just talking about it. And of course I love to use my favourite products from Kapowder, which are Enlighten and our probiotic/biotin Saviour.

I also enjoy going for long walks, doing Pilates, and just staying active overall.

We are (hopefully!) all going to grow older, and I want to enjoy the process.”