Maria Sharapova talks about being a mother for the first time, breastfeeding and the role that beauty plays in her life
Maria Sharapova talks about being a mother for the first time, breastfeeding and the role that beauty plays in her life
It's dinner time in London, Maria Sharapova is multitasking with intermittent phone calls and a four-month-old baby who may-or may not-be ready for bed.
"I really hope you will hear me," the 35-year-old apologizes profusely and unnecessarily. "I'm sorry if it was loud.”
This summer, the former tennis professional, model and longtime spokesperson for many brands (Porsche, Evian and Pala to name a few), became a mother for the first time with the birth of her baby Theodore. Pregnancy is, for the most part, something she's kept close-announcing the arrival with fiance Alexander Gilkes on Instagram a few days after reality-but something she said she's been "dreaming about" forever.
"I wanted this for a really long time," she shares. "But I'm still trying to figure out the balance. As soon as I think I have something, I realize that I don't!”
Congratulations on becoming a mom. You have worn a lot of hats in your life, and now you have a new job. Which is the hardest?
It's hard! I think it depends on where you are in life; I can't compare them. I was really ready for motherhood. It was something I had dreamed of Forever. I have a really good relationship with my mom-we're really close and share a lot-and I'm an only child, so I felt like I was ready to have a baby of my own and pass on my own experience.
I'm really excited to watch this little boy grow up, although this is still very difficult because I'm mostly still trying to figure things out! Every day is a new day and every time you think you have something, you realize that you don't. There is always something new to learn, about him and about yourself. This is incredibly beautiful, but also challenging.
The sport is very challenging, too, because it keeps your feet on the ground every day. In particular, as it was for me, tennis was something that I had to play every week, and whether I won or lost in one week, I had to turn around and prove myself the next. It was very demanding-you could never feel too comfortable or confident in what you were doing. I don't know if this is the best answer, but both roles are very difficult, but in different ways.
Part of your "biggest" career is also being a model, but what role has beauty played in your tennis career?
It was actually a big part, mainly because I spent a lot of time outdoors! I was born in Siberia in a very cold town, but I started training in Florida when I was only six years old—and I was always under the sun.
From that first day my mom and I got there, she was very adamant about making sure I applied and reapplied the SPF. I remember thinking, " Wait, why do I need this at such a young age?"But she always reminded me of the basics of aging and skin cancer.
Maria Sharapova talks about being a mother for the first time, breastfeeding and the role that beauty plays in her life
Of course, when you are young, you have great skin, you recover very quickly and you don't have a lot of wrinkles-and you think that this will be the case forever. But something did not "stick" with me that prevention might be smart.
Skin care wise, I instilled all these little routines as I got older. I was always on the road, but when I had all my little beauty things with me, I actually enjoyed the Traveling Part—it was always a "treat" after a long day. I used to take masks with me, and on my days off it would be part of my rest and recovery, which is very important in my sport. I liked to build in these little "face days" and other Simple Skin Care things. I have always made time for moments of wellness in my career. It has always been a very big part of it.
Which specific brands are you relying on?
I had a hard time finding the right sunscreen because I was constantly sweating when I was playing and exercising. He will get into my eyes, and this obviously does not look great. I must have tried dozens of sunscreens—I was spending many hours at Sephora and came across supergub! When they were in their second year. I had my manager at the time reach out to them, not knowing anything about the company, but to tell them that I literally had tried everything, and sunscreen was the only one I could compete with and be wearing. Then I became an investor! That was back when they had like 10 employees, if that's it. This was actually my first investment.
I think what people forget is that it's not just about applying SPF, but reapplying it after leaving the House. When I talked to Holly, the founder, she told me that her goal is to get people to wear SPF in the winter months. When she said that, it was as if mom's words came along with hers and I was like, "Well, this is a dream team here.”
Other than that, when I travel, I always like Barbara Sturm masks. They're in small packages, which I really like. I think the best sheet mask on the market is from 111Skin. Before going to an event, it is a must. I use biological research products as well. I like their masks. Toner B50 is amazing! I know everyone uses it, but I love it and it works well on my skin. I went with my mom to get a facial by them in Paris a few years ago and left saying, " Well, that's a facial! This is the real deal!"I felt what the face should feel like. The way they use their hands is magical.
How to change your routine with the baby?
My routine is mostly to pray, " please make this nap good, so that I can have a really good morning!"But he's actually a very good sleeper. I've been lucky with that.
I also think that a lot of any routine is the way you eat. Since I'm breastfeeding, I'm always hungry. I think everyone treats their body differently after giving birth, but I feel like I should always eat now, which was not the case during my pregnancy, so it's all an interesting balance.
Now, I feel like I constantly have to make milk [laughs], so I need food! It's a strange balance and I'm still figuring it out, but your health always starts with what you eat. It's difficult, but I tried to make it a habit to have a really good morning breakfast. Usually, I'll make steel-cut oatmeal, I'll chop some fruit and add some flaxseed and chia, and a little honey. This is pretty much the start of my day.
In terms of beauty, it all depends on how much time I have. I'm not too fussy with things and I'm very much of a mindset, if something works really well, I keep using it! I really like Joanna Czech's new line; I like her serum, which I apply just before the SPF-it looks like a glowing primer. It's a really great combo. I also like the therabody facial massager. It sculpts and removes puffs like no other device I've ever tried. I have him sitting at the coffee table next to my nursing couch for rare, peaceful minutes in between feeds.
What am I using?
There are a lot of items from the Barbara Sturm line that I still like. It's like an easy, on-the-go font. At the end of the day, I'm really very slim. Even now, when I go to events when someone does my makeup, I always say, "Please do the makeup I'm going to do, but I can't do it!"[Laughs] I will never be able to do it myself, but I want it to look like I did it myself!
I have been in the public eye since I was very young. What are the biggest things you have learned that you will pass along to your son?
I think that being yourself is ultimately the best advice. I've tried to carry that with me; I've tried to never pretend to be someone I'm not. I think authenticity-especially in today's society where we are bombarded with so many influences—is the key. All these different influences, good and bad, can very quickly make you want to try to be something that you are not. It is important to know who you are and to know what you like about yourself, what you want to say, unlike what others want you to say. And continue to be curious. I think this is very important in life. Never be the smartest in the room, always give yourself room to grow. These two things are the biggest.
What are you excited for next as the year closes out?
This has literally been the fastest year of my life. It's as if we retreated, and it's over. I am excited about this stage of motherhood. I feel like I'm just getting through the first few months of a little baby's life. It feels a bit like an alternate reality and now I feel, "well, this is life. He's here.”
I'm excited to see the next year unfold and to also see how I find my balance with work. Now, when I get out of the house, I really think twice if the place I'm going to is somewhere I really need. I'm interested to know what choices you will make with this work-life balance. It's never going to be 50-50, I know that already, but I'm excited to step into it because I really don't like the work. I also love my family. I know a lot of women face it—there is this unique challenge of finding the right balance that suits your family. I don't know the secret, but I'm ready to work on it.
Source: newbeauty