Following Kate Moss: From model to wellness guru and entrepreneur

Kate moss has been the face of British beauty for more than 30 years. As a teen, she fronted Calvin Klein’s iconic Obsession campaign; by her early twenties, she had become our biggest modelling export; and for many years, her ‘London look’ was a powerful influence on a generation of young women’s make-up choices. She brought a cool insouciance to the glamorous gang of '90s supermodels, becoming synonymous with festival chic and inspiring the ‘bed-head’ look that has arguably kept the dry-shampoo industry in business for decades. At every stage of her career, Moss has been the mistress of her own style.

"The British beauty aesthetic and culture is all about celebrating and embracing your individuality—it’s what makes someone unique," says Moss, speaking to Bazaar from her Cotswolds home. "That’s why I love Jane Birkin and Julie Christie—they are iconic, natural British beauties." 

Moss may be best known for the free-spirited hedonism of her younger years, but her latest foray into beauty—last summer, she launched Cosmoss, a brand inspired by ‘life’s modern journey’—feels more attuned to an era characterised by the pursuit of good health and spiritual fulfilment. For the cynics who might find her transition from party girl to wellness guru hard to accept, Moss explains, "I still like to have fun, but I also like to look after myself. It’s this ethos that seems to resonate with people and is what they love about Cosmoss. My brand is all about balance." Her lifestyle, since leaving London for her Grade II-listed home in the village of Little Faringdon, reflects this. Moss, now teetotal, regularly practises wild swimming and transcendental meditation (although she does still smoke and, as Diet Coke’s ‘creative director’, presumably isn’t averse to the odd caffeinated beverage). "My garden at home in the country is such a special place for me," she says. "It’s my happy, sacred space, where I come to meditate and get grounded. I like to lie on the grass, burn frankincense and listen to music. It’s so peaceful." 

After more than 37 years spent on the catwalk, behind the lens, and under the lights, it’s no wonder she felt the need for some serenity. "I reached a point in my life where I wanted more balance," she explains, citing her ‘spiritual guide’ Victoria Young as a huge influence. "Cosmoss is a genuine reflection of my own personal wellness journey—a curation of products, rituals, tips, and tricks that I use every day and rely on to feed my soul and bring balance, inner peace, and joy.’ 

For her followers, the route to that ‘inner peace’ comes by way of a box of Cosmoss Dawn Tea (an invigorating blend of hibiscus, bay leaves and ginger) and a spritz of Sacred Mist, infused with her favourite essential oils: bergamot, jasmine, and tonka. "My morning starts with a pot of tea before a 10-minute meditation," says Moss. "I then wash my face with the Cosmoss Cleanser, follow with the moisturising face cream, and complete my ritual with a generous spray of Sacred Mist all over my body for an instant sense of calm." For a more intensive self-care routine, she uses her Golden Nectar face oil with a gua sha tool. ‘It’s the perfect combination for lymphatic drainage and de-puffing—I’ll use smooth, sweeping strokes down the neck and along the cheeks to take away any facial tension," she says. "I also ingest a couple of drops of the oil, either on their own or in a green juice." 

This isn’t the first time Moss has brought her entrepreneurial spirit to our beauty shelves: she has put her name to numerous perfumes, including Kate by Kate Moss, Lilabelle, and Vintage Muse. She attributes her know-how to her early modelling experience, which introduced her to some of the best names in the beauty business. "I spent a lot of time sitting in the make-up chair, and learnt from some amazing experts," she says. "Charlotte Tilbury taught me about manifesting and believing in myself. If you believe enough, the universe will deliver." 

Perhaps what is so appealing about Cosmoss—and its creator—is that curious blend of the whimsical and the down-to-earth; the big ideas and the quick fixes. "I try to live in the moment and focus on the now, to learn from mistakes but not dwell on them," she says. Spiritual guides aside, there is a welcome sense that if Moss can pivot to wellness with a Diet Coke and a cigarette in her hand, so can we all.

This article first appeared in Harper's Bazaar UK in June 2023.