Only pilots and flight attendants logged more miles in the air than Valentina Ferrer did this past summer.
First, the model traveled from her home base in New York City to Brazil for two days. Next stop: Miami. Then, back to NYC. Then France, Los Angeles, Australia, Singapore and Bali. “I love it,” says Ferrer, who has graced the covers of numerous magazines, including Vogue Mexico. “I have so much to learn from being in different cultures.”
And while she admits to a bit of jet lag, Ferrer says she’s invigorated by the fact that she spends most of these trips promoting KAPOWDER — her health and wellness company that features a variety of dietary vegan supplements to support gut health, immunity, hair and skin. She co-founded the brand in 2021 and has since launched the products at retailers, including Erewhon Market and Revolve. “I’ve always dreamed of having a global company and the feeling that I’m doing it makes me so happy,” she adds. “To see my baby in all these places gives me energy.”
But Ferrer admits that there’s no place quite like home, where she and her longtime partner, bestselling Reggaeton artist J Balvin, are parents to 2-year-old son, Rio. “My son travels a lot with me,” she says, “but I try to be here as much as possible because family is so important.”
Before jetting off on her next adventure, Ferrer shared her traveling musts with CNN Underscored.
“When you can’t sleep on a flight and don’t know what to do, just read a book and you’re good,” she says. Ferrer’s pick is this bestselling 1997 guide, in which Don Miguel Ruiz presents a personal code of conduct rooted in his Toltec ancestors.
Ferrer seals her in-flight beauty routine with a non-tinted lip mask. “It makes my lips look really healthy,” she says. This hydrating lip mask from Fenty, which features coconut, castor and jojoba oil, works to firm and hydrate lips.
Related: Paris Hilton shares her travel essentials
It’s true: Even an internationally famous supermodel goes to the local drugstore to buy ultra-tight-fitting socks to maintain good blood flow during flights. “My legs used to be so big and swollen and hurting when I landed,” she explains. “Now I don’t feel that.”?
Related: I’ve traveled to more than 50 countries. Here are the items I don’t leave home without
During takeoff and landing, Ferrer pops a few cubes of sugar-free gum to relieve air pressure-caused clogged ears. (FYI, chewing naturally opens the Eustachian tubes to allow the air in the middle ear to equalize.) “It really helps me,” she says, adding that she prefers the fruity and bubblegum flavors.
Related: Reality TV star Captain Glenn Shephard shares his travel must-haves
Pre-arrival, Ferrer also applies a layer of this oil-free tinted sunscreen that evens the skin tone and protects the skin against four types of radiation: UVB, UVA, visible and infrared. “I’m ready to go outside in the sun as soon as I walk out,” she notes.
Related: The best sunscreens in 2023, tested by editors
Alas, there’s nothing pretty about those long overnight flights to Europe. But she says placing this hydrating and moisture-boosting mask on her face for 10 minutes goes a long way. “It’s already morning when I get there and I feel fresh when I arrive,” she says.
Related: The 21 best beauty products for travel in 2023, according to experts
