How 6 Up-and Coming Victoria’s Secret Models Prepared for the Most Important Fashion Show of Their Lives

This week, 52 of the world’s most beautiful women descended on Paris for the 2016 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. There are some familiar faces—Adriana Lima and Alessandra Ambrosio, for example, have each walked more than a dozen shows—but there are also a group of newcomers making their debuts. Here, 6 stand-out rookies reveal how they prepared from the show, from the moment they found out they were selected.

Lameka Fox

How did you find out you were going to be in the show? I found out two days after the callback. My agency totally caught me off guard. I thought I was taking some digital shots, but when I walked in the room, everyone was there with cameras and balloons. My jaw was literally on the floor. You can watch the video on my Instagram!

What did you do to physically prepare? A lot of working out and making sure my skin is clear by visiting my dermatologist, Dr. Colbert. He’s based in Manhattan and he is literally a miracle worker. Also, I go to Amoy Couture in New York City and get keratin treatments every few months to keep my hair silky smooth. Kuki is the absolute best!

Did you add anything into your exercise routine? Barre. It was a bit hard to get into but it’s now one of my new favorites.

What other types of exercise did you do? I love yoga because it brings together the mind, body, and soul. To step it up a notch and prep for the show I did a lot of Pilates and Barre. And squats with a medicine ball!

What’s your pre- and post-workout routine? Please wash your face and DO NOT under any circumstances wear makeup to the gym. I can’t stress that enough! After, I love the sauna. There is nothing better!

Have you changed your diet at all? I believe in balance so I try not to restrict myself. I don’t want to have an unhealthy relationship with food, so I follow a 7-day rule where I eat clean and then on a day of my choice I have a treat.

After the show, will you take a break? I think I’ll definitely tone it down but I believe in the mental benefits as well as the physical benefits of working out so no breaks here!

Any advice on training like a VS model? I love JoJa’s workout account. All of the models post really good tips and they’re all different. I think the best thing is to find something you actually like to do so you enjoy it and it doesn’t feel like a chore.

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Georgia Fowler

What did you do to physically prepare for the show? I love to exercise and work out year round, but have upped the intensity in the lead up to the show. I gave myself fewer rest days and worked the tush extra hard! I’m not really one to primp and preen, but I did treat myself to a facial at JTav and have been using these amazing Skinney chemical peel pads to exfoliate my body for added glow so the spray tans go on smooth!

Did you add anything into your exercise routine? Before the show I’m trying to stretch more because we want to look long and lean. Patience isn’t my forte, so I struggle a bit and would prefer to be on the boxing bag sweating.

What are your favorite workouts? I try to do something different every day. I mix in working out with my trainer Rob, SLT Pilates, Boxing at Overthrow and taking a cycling class here and there. I’ll also do my own weight training at Equinox. The best moves are anything with ankle weights that lifts the butt.

What’s your pre- and post-workout routine? Deodorant! A shower.

Have you changed up your diet at all? I’m always pretty healthy because it makes me feel good and I don’t ever feel like I’m on a diet. That way it’s more a way of life. I try to eat 80% veg, 10% lean proteins with 10% fats. I avoid dairy (which is easy as it makes me feel sick). And in the lead up to the show I’ve been stricter and have avoided sugar, alcohol and grains.

What’s your routine like the day before the show? The morning before I’m going to get my workouts out of the way, so in the evening I can have a light dinner with my mum and dad. Maybe a stretch, a warm bath and hopefully a very early night!

After the runway, will you relax your exercise regimen? I’m definitely going to enjoy a wine and a good burger, but then I’m flying from here to Australia and will likely be there for the rest of the holiday season. Naturally my workouts will lessen in intensity, but the lifestyle at home is very active and I’ll be swimming and going for walks all the time. However, I enjoy the gym so I will try get to one when I’m free.

Any advice for aspiring models? My advice would be to mix up your routines. Not only does it keep your body guessing but it stops working out from becoming an arduous chore. Also wear your workout gear all day so you have no excuse to get your butt to the gym last minute (I’m so lazy, if I was wearing a cute outfit I would never want to change out of it and sweat).

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Lais Oliveria

How did you find out you were going to be in the show? I was in bed after a crazy day of work and was expecting to know the next day if I would be walking the show. Then I got a call from my agent and she asked if I was sitting down. I said, “No, I’m laying in bed.” She said: “Even better, because you got the VS show!!!” I literally threw my phone and started jumping on my bed!

What did you do to physically prepare? I love Soul Cycle, running outdoors, and lifting weights once in a while. I also like jumping rope when I’m traveling for work and have limited space.

What are your favorite workouts? Soul cycle for sure! I love to meditate as well, it’s a great workout for the mind.

What’s your pre- and post-workout routine? I never workout with makeup on. Glossier’s Milk Jelly cleanser is great to remove every last trace of makeup. Coconut oil works magic for a quick massage and you can just wipe it off with a hot towel. I also drink vegan protein as a pre work out and dig into a delicious Açai bowl after my workout. After, I mix Mayan clay with Organic Apple Cider Vinegar to make a mask. It was passed down in the family by my great grandmother. I don’t use a lot of make up when I’m not working but I swear by the Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Balm. Dr. Hauschka’s Rose Day Cream (light) is a great moisturizer. Its light but keeps my skin hydrated all day.

Have you changed up your diet at all? I’ve been a vegetarian for a couple of years. This has definitely helped my skin and hair improve and I feel like I have a lot more energy.

What’s your routine like the night before the show? I get in a good cardio workout and sit in the steam room for 20 minutes. It’s such a good detox!

After the runway, will you take a break? I’ve got to be runway ready 365 days a year. But first I’ll have a giant plate of French fries!

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Herieth Paul

How did you find out you were going to be in the show? I was heading home from a job and received the special call from the agency! I literally made the car pull over so I could get out and scream and jump around!

What did you do to physically prepare? Boxing, pilates, yoga and meditation, steam rooms, facials and keeping hydrated.

Did you add anything into your exercise routine? It’s the exercises no one wants to do! Squats, leg lifts, push ups, abs and a lot crunches.

What are your favorite workouts? I’ve been really getting into boxing lately so I stepped it up a notch when I got the show confirmation. On my off days, I love stretching and strengthening exercises by practicing yoga and pilates. Lunges are my favorite, I’m a sucker for pain.

Have you changed up your diet at all? Not much at all, really. I’ve been pretty healthy! Now I’m more cautious about making sure I’m getting all the vitamins from my meals.

What’s your routine like the night before the show? Ginseng Therapy Moisture Face Mask by Ling & Luminous Deep Hydration Lifting Mask by Tatcha, meditation and lots of beauty rest.

After the runway, will you take a break? I will continue to workout but slow it down a bit for sure! I deserve a day off or two.

What’s your pre- and post-workout routine? I take off all of my makeup before working out and tone my face with Aloe Vera Witch Hazel. After, I use rosewater with cotton pads after the steam room followed with Cetaphil Moisturizer.

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Jourdana Phillips

How did you find out you were going to be in the show? My agent called me and I immediately began to cry. Luckily I was with my boyfriend so I had a shoulder to cry on!

What did you do to physically prepare? I worked out with my amazing trainer Rosalia Chann. Her fitness programs are rooted in Applied Functional Science and every experience is unique to the individual. Also, moisturize! Every day I give my face a little mini facial with my favorite creams like La Mer Face Moisturizer and serums and a mask form Origins.

Did you add anything into your exercise routine? Yes! My trainer incorporated a lot of resistance training. I have never made that a part of my routine before but I love the results! It tones and shapes me beautifully.

What are your favorite workout? Leg lifts with leg weights! Gets the booty tight!

What’s your pre- and post-workout routine? Before, make sure your face is super clean and moisturized. The sweat helps to purify for face so having makeup on keeps the body from doing what it needs to do. After, I wash my face and put conditioner in my hair.

Have you changed your diet at all? It’s not too different from what I normally eat. I try to live a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Fresh greens, veggies and no gluten! Keeping it light gives me so much energy! However, I don’t resist strong cravings for sweets because the more you resist the more it persists. Every now and then it’s good to treat yourself!

What’s your routine like the night before the show? The night before I plan to do some light exercises but not too much. I don’t want to put too much stress on the body. Before bed I will use a charcoal mask from Origins to have my pores nice and clear and moisturize. Finally, I love to meditate so the morning before I will take 20 minutes to center myself.

After the runway, will you take a break? I was in the gym every day for the last three weeks so I definitely won’t be keeping that up! However, the Victoria Secret show has made me enjoy working out often so that I feel good so I plan to do some kind of workout at least three times a week.

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Luma Grothe

How did you find out you were going to be in the show? I found out when I was on a job in Los Angeles, I couldn’t believe it! I literally had to take a break so I could jump around with excitement and celebrate. It took me a while to calm down from the news.

What did you do to physically prepare? Leading up the the show I have been training very intensely like an athlete. I have been working out 5 days a week using mostly resistance training with light weights and body weight 1-1.5 hours per day My skin is quite sensitive so I keep it very clean and my favorite mask at the moment is the L’Oréal Pure-Clay Mask. It’s really detoxifying and clears your pores.

Did you add anything into your exercise routine? The Bose ball is new to me and incorporating balance has been a learning technique that has really worked well for me to strengthen my core.

What are your favorite workouts? Using resistance bands around the legs and in general for toning is definitely my favorite and what I see the most results from.

What’s your pre- and post-workout routine? Before, I always remove all makeup to be sure your skin and pores do not get clogged. After, I’m loving the steam room at our hotel to really open up the pores, and I do a face scrub once a week leading up to the show to exfoliate and keep the skin fresh.

What’s your routine like the night before the show? I just finished rehearsal and went straight to the gym for a very intense cardio training session for over an hour. I am about to eat a high protein meal with mainly chicken breasts and green vegetables. Afterwards I will have a nice relaxing bath to get ready for bed.

After the runway, will you take a break? I’ll take a workout break from training for about a week, then get right back to it. I’ll probably limit it to 3-4 times a week than the heavy 5 times or more.

Watch runway pro Gigi Hadid teach how to walk the runway: