Victoria’s Secret Angels are known for their glowing skin, luscious hair, and flawless looks, but Dutch model Romee Strijd takes a surprisingly simple approach to her beauty routine. While it might be tempting to think that her routine is full of complex steps and exclusive products, Romee’s beauty secrets are refreshingly down-to-earth. When I had the chance to sit next to her at breakfast, I couldn’t resist asking her for some inside tips on how she maintains her radiant appearance. From fragrance hacks to quick beauty tricks, here’s what I learned from Romee Strijd herself.
One of the first things Romee shared was her tip on applying fragrance. “XO, Victoria is spectacular,” she said, referring to one of her favorite scents. Romee likes something light and wearable, avoiding anything too overpowering. “I apply fragrance on my neck and wrist because those are warm areas that activate the scent,” she explained. However, the real game-changer came when she revealed that she also puts fragrance behind her ears. “It sticks there for a long time,” she added. This small but clever trick helps the fragrance last longer, and it’s something she learned from someone in the industry and never stopped doing.
Despite her constant exposure to heavy makeup during shoots and runway shows, Romee steers clear of harsh makeup removers. “I try to take off my makeup as much as possible with water,” she said, adding that she prefers Bioderma Cleansing Water because it’s gentle on her skin. “Some makeup removers are too aggressive or too oily,” she noted, and for her, simplicity is key. At night, she removes her makeup, applies her favorite Embryolisse moisturizer, and that’s it. No complicated skincare routines here – just a quick and effective regimen to keep her skin in top shape.
Romee is a fan of minimalism when it comes to her beauty routine. “My five-minute beauty routine involves waking up, giving myself a splash of ice-cold water, putting on my Embryolisse to moisturize my skin, and some Rosebud Salve on my lips,” she shared. If she needs a little extra glow, she’ll reach for Charlotte Tilbury’s bronzer and highlighter duo. Romee’s approach is all about keeping things fast, efficient, and fresh. For her, it’s not about spending hours on her look but instead focusing on a few key products that make a big difference in a short amount of time.
Though she keeps her routine simple, Romee is always prepared. “I always carry around a small Embryolisse moisturizer, my Rosebud Salve, and eyedrops,” she said. Traveling frequently as a model can take a toll on her skin, especially her eyes. “The VS Angels fly so much, our eyes get super, super dry sometimes,” she explained. Her other essentials? Charlotte Tilbury bronzer and mascara. “I really love her makeup,” Romee added. The matte lipsticks, in particular, are her favorites, helping her effortlessly touch up her look on the go.
One thing Romee cherishes about her job is the friendships she’s built with her fellow Victoria’s Secret Angels, including Jasmine Tookes and Taylor Hill. “I learn a lot of beauty tips from Jasmine—she is like an expert. She has so much makeup,” Romee laughed. Before big events or parties, she and her friends often gather to get ready together. “Me and Taylor are always like, ‘Should we get ready at your place? Can you do our makeup?’” she said. For Romee, getting ready isn’t just a task—it’s a fun, social experience. It’s a time to bond with her friends, swap beauty tips, and enjoy some downtime outside of work.
When it comes to fitness, Romee loves variety. “I really like to mix it up,” she said. Some days, she’ll do a group class with friends. Other times, she’ll train one-on-one with her personal trainer, Michael Olajide Jr., or work out solo. “I need the mix of different workouts,” she admitted. One of her favorite group classes is Aerospace, which blends jump roping and resistance training with floor sliders, making for an engaging and ever-changing workout. Barre classes, particularly The Bar Method in Soho, are another of her go-tos. “It burns!” Romee added, showing that she doesn’t shy away from a challenging workout.
When Romee isn’t on set or walking the runway, she prefers to let her skin breathe. “I try to wear as little makeup as possible on the days I’m not working,” she said. Instead, she focuses on keeping her skin hydrated throughout the day with a good moisturizer, allowing her natural beauty to shine through. “Leave it alone,” she advised. For Romee, giving her skin a break from makeup is an essential part of maintaining her healthy, glowing complexion.
Romee also had some haircare advice to share, particularly when it comes to conditioner. “I love to use volumizing shampoo, and use conditioner only at the ends because otherwise, it makes your hair too flat,” she explained. Romee’s current favorites? John Frieda’s shampoo and conditioner, along with the Victoria’s Secret Volume shampoo. Her styling routine is just as simple: after blow-drying her hair, she puts it in a bun for an hour before letting it down for soft, natural waves.
Romee Strijd’s beauty secrets may be straightforward, but they’re incredibly effective. Her approach to beauty is all about balance—whether it’s applying fragrance strategically, keeping her makeup routine under five minutes, or maintaining healthy, voluminous hair without overloading it with products. While her career as a model has given her access to some of the world’s best beauty experts, Romee proves that the simplest routines can sometimes be the most powerful. Her philosophy? Less is more, and staying true to yourself is the key to looking and feeling your best.
As one of Victoria’s Secret’s most popular Angels, Romee’s beauty advice comes from both experience and a genuine desire to keep things real. In a world full of complex beauty routines and ever-changing trends, her simplicity is refreshing. And whether she’s on the runway or off-duty, Romee Strijd embodies a natural, effortless beauty that’s as inspiring as it is achievable.
