Meredith Duxbury wears Necklace Gucci.
Five years ago, Meredith Duxbury squeezed 10 pumps of foundation onto her face and blended it in with her bare hands. The video, which divided the internet, helped kick off a new genre of beauty content, less tutorial, more ASMR, where the appeal was as much about the sound and the visceral overload as the finished look. But whether the TikTok stunt was a perfect accident or coordinated chaos, it proved the 27-year-old had the viral goods. She’s since turned that notoriety into a flourishing modeling career, walking for Demna’s New York City Gucci show, and is about to release Get Ready with Meredith, her first beauty book with Rizzoli. Love it or hate it, something’s working.
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What’s a beauty treatment you’d never do again?
I’m really not a fan of the snail mucin. It rubs me the wrong way.
Do you take peptides?
I don’t. Honestly, I’m the most simple wellness girl. I probably should do more, but I’m just rocking and rolling with life.
Drugstore or luxury?
Drugstore. You don’t need a $75 mascara.
What’s your workout routine?
I like a good Pilates.
Dress, Scarf, and Necklaces 7 For All Mankind. Watch OMEGA.
How much do you spend on skin treatments?
I don’t really get facials or lasers that often. I do spend on Botox.
What’s a procedure you’ll never try?
Veneers. Let’s keep some personality and not morph into the same person.
What do you think about younger people getting surgery and injectables?
Younger and younger is a little scary. I’m all for letting people do what makes them feel good, but don’t be too hard on yourself. You’re perfect.
Who’s your dream celebrity date?
Jacob Elordi, or Sombr—he’s so cute, but he’s too young. But I would love a rock star boyfriend.
Have you ever turned down a ridiculous amount of money?
Unfortunately, I have, for a Botox deal.
Dress and Earrings Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello.
When do you get nervous?
I despise public speaking and I get really nervous on dates. Thinking about it scares me.
Is going viral a skill or an accident?
It can be a skill and an accident. For me, it was definitely an accident at first, but then you have to keep going. You have to keep up with the algorithm.
When was the first time you felt really famous?
When Selena Gomez was asked, “Who is your favorite TikToker?” She said, “Meredith Duxbury,” and I was like, “What? She knows my name. That’s crazy.”
What’s your most impulsive purchase?
I’m a very impulsive person, but I would probably say this Cartier watch. I was hungover and I think I was just looking for some sort of cure.
Dress Jean Paul Gaultier.
Rich or famous?
Rich, because you can just go off and enjoy your life alone. Famous people can’t go to the grocery store.
Lose your makeup bag or lose your phone?
I feel like it’d be nice to lose my phone. Sometimes I don’t even want to be on it.
Why did you write a book?
I wanted to create something tangible for my audience that’s engaging and hands-on. So much of the content I serve my community is digital, so I want them to feel like they’re part of my world without having to scroll.
What do you think about on the runway?
I think about not tripping or falling. The first few runways I completely blacked out from being so nervous, but recently I’ve been able to feel more present.
What’s the least glamorous part of modeling?
The waiting. On long shoot days you’re sitting for up to three or four hours. Oh, and the blisters.
Dress Hervé Léger.
What’s a modeling myth you’d like to kill?
That if you’re short you can’t walk runways.
How do you procrastinate?
Playing with my golden retrievers, eating, and scrolling TikTok. Oops!
Block or mute?
I’m kind of toxic, so I’d say mute.
What’s the most controversial take in your book?
That clean girl makeup is boring and over.
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Hair: Ben Jones using Oribe Hair Care at The Only Agency.
Makeup: John Wilger using NARS Cosmetics at Opus Beauty.
Nails: Leanne Woodley using Chanel Le Vernis at See Management.
Photography Assistants: Rebecca Steighner and Cecilie Mengel.
Hair Assistant: Marin Mullen.
Makeup Assistant: Aidan Rodriguez.
Fashion Intern: Emi Taylor.
On-set Production: Tashi Bhutia.
Production Assistant: Giselle Quinones.
Production Intern: Henry Moder.
Location: Tribeca Journal Studio.
