In the fast-paced world of fashion, finding balance can be challenging. Sudanese-American model Anok Yai has emerged as an influential voice, championing the importance of self-care and body positivity. After being named the 2025 Model of the Year and conquering numerous runway shows, Yai also faced personal challenges, undergoing multiple lung surgeries that transformed her perspective on health and wellness.
“After my recent healthcare journey, I’ve really learned to listen to my body. Your body is always communicating with you and sending you signs, and I’ve stopped ignoring them,” Yai shares. She emphasizes the importance of treating your body with respect and care, assuring that it reciprocates this attention.
Her dedication to wellness is evident in her latest collaboration with Rhode Beauty, highlighting meaningful skincare rituals. The brand’s new offerings, including the Caffeine Reset sculpting face mask and Peptide Lip Boost, reflect Yai’s commitment to self-care and can be purchased starting February 9. Below, Yai shares valuable insights into her beauty routines, exercise habits, and life lessons that keep her grounded both on and off the runway.
Why was Rhode a brand you wanted to work with?
Anok Yai: Rhode has always felt honest to me. It’s taken a very simple and fresh approach to skincare. The campaigns are always so beautifully and intentionally done, plus I love Hailey so working with the brand was a no brainer!
What was the experience of filming the campaign like?
Anok Yai: Hailey and the team were so incredible to work with for this campaign, we all had so much fun on set. I got on skis for the first time in Big Sky, Montana! For a first timer, I think I did pretty good!
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
Anok Yai: The first thing I do when I wake up is set up my red light therapy and go back to sleep for 30 minutes. After my red light therapy, I like to play a movie while I start my skincare routine. I’m obsessed with skincare, so my list of products is quite long, but my non-negotiables are a chemical exfoliating mask, five to ten minutes of gua sha, another face mask, and always sunscreen.
Favorite step in your morning routine?
Anok Yai: Using a face mask has always been my favorite step! The Caffeine Reset sculpting mask is so refreshing and such a great way to start the day. As long as my skin feels clean, hydrated, and glowy, I feel good starting the day. On days when work is hectic, having a face mask in my bag is a huge lifesaver.
What’s the best makeup tip you’ve learned from backstage at shows over the years?
Anok Yai: Skin comes first. When your skin is cared for, everything else looks better; that’s what I love about Rhode. Makeup should sit on top of healthy skin, not hide what is underneath.
What’s one lesson that’s guided you in unexpected ways?
Anok Yai: After my lung surgeries, I’ve learned to appreciate my body more because it has gone through a lot. I now treat my body as a separate entity – I take care of her, and she takes care of me.
Do you have any pre-show rituals?
Anok Yai: Detoxing and hydrating my skin in the lead-up to shows is essential. I do a lot of facials to help repair my skin from the stresses of constant makeup. I’ve started doing infrared sauna treatments, and I’m obsessed. I’m always working out, but a month before the shows start, I try to prioritize and focus on a clean diet.
What’s the weirdest thing you pack when you’re traveling for fashion week?
Anok Yai: Whenever I go to the airport, I have to have a baby set of my skincare routine, a packet of pickles, and Acai Berry Vitamin Water. For some reason, my skincare works better on a plane (I swear!). As for the pickles and vitamin water, I don’t know where it came from, but no matter what country I’m in, I will search the entire airport for them before I board.
What’s one thing you want people to know about you?
Anok Yai: I want girls to be inspired by my journey – I’m a girl from humble beginnings. Hard work, strong self-worth, and determination have gotten me to where I am today. I have always stayed true to myself.
What are you toasting to in the next phase of your career?
Anok Yai: I’m toasting to growth and stepping into new horizons. I have a lot that I want to do in my career, and I’m excited to continue on the journey. I look forward to expanding my artistic expression and showing the world a different side of me, so please stay tuned!
Caffeine Reset and Peptide Lip Boost will be available for purchase on February 9 at 5 PM GMT at rhodeskin.com and then online and in-store at Sephora UK on March 26.
