Isabella Moore
Photography Michael James Rooke
Isabella Moore
Model, Operatic Soprano and Brilliant Human.
Instagram: @isabellamoore_
The West Auckland raised talent, of kiwi and Samoan heritage, set out early to achieve great things. Training in Operatic Soprano, Isabella completed her master’s degree in Cardiff, before heading to San Francisco for a post-graduate diploma in Voice Performance. In 2014 a shift was on the horizon when she was scouted at a local Auckland shopping mall by Ursula Dixon, of Unique Model management. Going on to sign with global giant IMG Models and MiLK Management London. The rising star is now catching the attention of the world stage for more reasons than she originally intended.
Instagram @isabellamoore_
BC: What is your morning/evening skincare regime
Isabella: I love skincare and making sure my skin is feeling and looking healthy and hydrated so I’ve tried and tested many different products.
“ I tend to slightly change up my regime depending on the condition my skin is in. ”
MORNING
At the moment in the morning, I cleanse with Manuka Doctor ApiNourish Hydrating Cleanser (which I find unlike other cleansers that can leave you feeling dried out leaves your skin feeling soft and hydrated) then I use their Age-Defying serum, which is my ultimate favorite product since I discovered it at the end of last year. My skin feels so smooth and it also smells amazing. I also really love The Ordinary’s ‘Buffet’, which I sometimes use on a shoot day to prep my skin. I always finish off with an SPF moisturizer! I have two faves: Mecca ‘To Save Face’ SPF30 Facial Sunscreen (which is great for underneath your make-up and t’s also really good for the humid NZ air because it’s lightweight) and Manuka Doctor’s ApiNourish Revitalising Day Cream SPF15 (I find this one better for the cold and dry weather in London as it’s a little heavier than the Mecca Sunscreen and more hydrating/rich).
EVENING
Day to day I normally wear a little bit of concealer, mascara, brow gel and blush! So, to remove that I use Nivea micellar water. I have a rather large collection of The Ordinary products (they are so affordable and effective!) so I decide what product to put on depending on how my skin feels e.g. Niacinamide (blemishes), Hyaluronic Acid (hydration), Matrixyl Peptide Formulation (reduces the appearance of wrinkles), etc. I often use their Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion in the evenings and once a week I’ll use their Lactic Acid to help smooth the texture of my skin. I’ll follow one of those up with Essano Rosehip Moisturiser if I feel like I need extra hydration!
Splurge/save products
If I’m feeling boujee and like I want to treat myself, I will splurge on Sunday Riley’s Good Genes and maybe their night time retinol oil, Luna. They are both AMAZING… but very pricey. I think Luna costs around $160 NZD for 35ml. I had to stop buying their stuff because it was eating away at my bank account. Thank goodness I discovered The Ordinary! Their stuff isn’t necessarily as potent as Sunday Riley products and you do have to experiment a little more and see what works for you but, their stuff saved my skin and my money.
Can’t live without products/ treatments
I love my Manuka Doctor Serum. I think it really has helped keep my skin looking healthy and feeling great! Also sunscreen/moisturizer with SPF! SO important to protect your skin. I don’t have many regular treatments, but if I were to have any, I’d opt for a lash lift and microdermabrasion! I haven’t really tried much else, but I’d love to one day.
Has the industry changed the way you take care of your skin
Definitely! I’ve learned the importance of taking care of my skin because makeup goes on much easier when you’re skin is in good condition. I used to use makeup to cover up/change my face and how my skin looks, whereas now I believe makeup is more about enhancing my natural features! Personally, I think that less is more. Models are often told to go to castings without any makeup and for a little while I felt quite self-conscious without it, but those ‘makeup-less’ castings slowly made my self-confidence grow and I now feel good with very minimal make up these days, especially since I’m taking better care of my skin.
Do you use sunscreen every day in the summer? What do you use?
Always! Like I said before, I highly recommend the Mecca sunscreen range as they offer SPF30-50 and it is also hydrating and smells great.
“These days I think less is more”
What’s the favorite makeup look you have had done for modeling jobs
DIFFICULT QUESTION! These days I think less is more so, I’m really loving the ‘no make up’ makeup look. My favorite style is any kind of glowy, flawless skin look accompanied by either natural luscious wavy locks with a bit of volume or slicked back/wet look hair. Recently on a shoot, a MUA did a really nice brown/bronzy subtle smoky eye, and I have to say I thought it really made my eyes pop.
Most brands are starting to introduce ethically sourced products, is this something that is important to you
Yes. Knowing a brand’s products I’m using are sourced in a sustainable way that keeps environmental and social impacts in mind is so important. I could definitely get more information and do more research into the various brands I currently use. I would also love to see brands try out different packaging methods that use less plastic and are less wasteful e.g. If you could go to a store and refill a container you already have rather than buy a new bottle/package.
You have trained for years as an opera singer and came into modeling later in life (in model terms) have you enjoyed this transition?
I really enjoy do modeling, but how I got into it more regularly after my operatic training wasn’t the easiest transition for me. My passion has always been singing/opera and after multiple failed attempts at getting into international young artist programs (paid internships) with opera houses abroad, I had lost a lot of self-confidence. Modeling was kind of my savior at the time, as I was getting a good amount of work and the industry seemed to really value my modeling work/ability! This gave me the confidence boost I really needed and in turn, my singing anxieties started to fade and now I feel ready to take on the opera industry again while continuing with my career as a model! At the end of last year, I began modeling in the UK and Europe as well as singing for quite high profile events in Auckland when I came home for Christmas so, I’m very grateful and have to say I am really loving my singing/modeling journey so far.
“I’ve realised that the only person whose opinion really matters is my own. ”
As an opera singer, you are considered a youngster but as a model, you aren’t, how does it feel to be ‘older’ in this industry? (Ps you still look 20!)
HAHA! Why thank you. 😉 I do sometimes feel like I’m behind the game as I’m often modeling with or casting alongside girls who are 12+ years younger than me… but I know that my life experience and also my performance experience are a huge bonus. Sometimes, I feel I have a different attitude going into modeling jobs because of my age. I am really grateful to have the job and it’s also still rather new to me, so I still feel excited to be there. I can only speak for myself, but when I was 18 I was extremely self-conscious and would not feel comfortable stripping down to lingerie and being photographed for fear of being judged. At 29, I 100% have more of a #yolo ‘self-love’ attitude towards it all. As I’ve aged, I’ve learned I am the only me in this world and so I should get on board, and I have! I’ve accepted me for me and learned about who I am and I’ve realized that the only person whose opinion really matters is my own.
Times have definitely changed in regards to ‘plus-size’ models, the industry is definitely more inclusive, do you ever feel you are being unfavorable compared or has your experience been pretty positive
I’ve had a rather positive experience in the industry. The only times I felt excluded have been Fashion Weeks. NZFW is the only Fashion Week to include me so far. I cast for Australian Fashion Week last year and I was ‘too big’ and I have to say I get the same vibe for London Fashion Week as I won’t be walking for any shows here. It’s like there’s still a ‘right kind of curve’ for runway and I’m not it. The industry is definitely more inclusive these days but it could still do more.
(if you find it tough in the industry with being compared, people asking you to lose/gain weight answer the next question)
maintaining your sanity, self-esteem and keeping your confidence intact is hard even in the real world, how do you keep your head straight in the fashion/beauty world
I notice that more and more campaigns are pairing all body/skin/gender types, together which is great progress and also fantastic for the consumer, how do you feel on these shoots?
Great! I love seeing diversity on shoots. It feels empowering and like the world is taking a huge step in the right direction! Everyone and everybody deserves to feel worthy and be celebrated.
“Just do it and forget what others may think!”
You have come a long way from your nervous early days of modeling, would it be fair to say that modeling may have increased your body confidence?
100%! Practice really does make perfect. I was so nervous and often awkward on set when I first started out, but I learned on the job and asked for advice from people with more experience and I increased my skill set! I also practiced on my own before work to figure out what works best for me and that preparation beforehand helped me many times on jobs. You also just have to realize that you should just do what you need to do to get the job done and get the shot. If that means making funny noises, breathing loudly, laughing out loud randomly or moving through poses/postures some people might think are weird, just do it and forget what others may think!
You are pretty handy with the makeup brush, have you picked up tips and tricks from makeup artists you have worked with
Yes! So many. I also always take sneaky pics of products I love that MUAs use on me. I mostly pay attention to the skin prep beforehand so I know how to get my skin in an ideal state before makeup application to make the job easier. I also learned about how important good brushes are! And how to refresh makeup when you’ve been wearing it all day.
What is a makeup skill you have mastered on yourself
I think I do a very good ‘casting’ make up / bare minimum make up look. I also think I’ve mastered the brows!
And a makeup skill you are yet to master
Winged liquid liner. It’s such a challenge!
What’s the plan for Isabella for 2020
I plan to live in the present and take what comes my way with open arms and gratitude because what is for me is meant for me! I hope to have more singing opportunities this year, and I also hope that my modeling continues the way it has been so far! 2020 has gotten off to a really great start and I’m excited to see what the rest of the year has in store for me!