We see them on red carpets, magazine covers, and Instagram feeds—always radiant, always put-together. But what happens before the cameras start flashing? The morning routines of style icons reveal a surprisingly grounded approach to glamour, where wellness rituals trump designer wardrobes and self-care becomes the ultimate luxury. Let’s pull back the curtain on how some of the world’s most photographed women actually start their days.
Alia Bhatt: Mindfulness Before Makeup
Bollywood’s reigning queen doesn’t reach for her phone first thing in the morning. Instead, Alia Bhatt begins her day with 15 minutes of meditation, a practice she credits for keeping her centered amid chaotic shooting schedules. This quiet time sets the tone for everything that follows—a reminder that mental clarity is the foundation of any successful day.
Her breakfast ritual is equally intentional: a nutrient-packed smoothie featuring seasonal fruits, spinach, almond milk, and chia seeds. Sometimes she adds a scoop of protein powder, especially on days with demanding physical shoots. The actress has spoken about how this simple habit transformed her energy levels and skin quality, proving that glamour often starts from within.
Your Takeaway: You don’t need an hour-long meditation session. Start with just five minutes of quiet breathing before checking your phone. As for the smoothie, keep it simple—blend whatever greens and fruits you have on hand with your preferred milk. Consistency matters more than complexity.
Bella Hadid: The Lymphatic Drainage Devotee
Supermodel Bella Hadid has made lymphatic drainage massage a non-negotiable part of her morning routine. She uses a gua sha stone or jade roller to perform facial massage techniques that reduce puffiness, enhance circulation, and create that signature sculpted look. This isn’t just about vanity—lymphatic drainage supports the body’s natural detoxification processes and can significantly improve skin health over time.
Hadid pairs this with ice-cold water splashes and sometimes a brief ice bath, practices she swears by for tightening pores and boosting alertness. While it sounds intense, she insists the results are worth the temporary discomfort.
Your Takeaway: You don’t need expensive tools to start. A chilled spoon from the freezer works wonders for depuffing under-eye areas. Gua sha stones are affordable and widely available—YouTube has countless free tutorials. Start with two minutes of gentle facial massage, always moving upward and outward. The key is light pressure and consistency.
Miranda Kerr: Lemon Water and Gratitude
Australian model and wellness entrepreneur Miranda Kerr keeps her morning routine refreshingly simple. She starts every day with a large glass of warm lemon water, a practice that aids digestion and provides a vitamin C boost. This is followed by a quick gratitude journaling session—just three things she’s thankful for that day.
Kerr has emphasized that these rituals aren’t about perfection but about creating small, sustainable habits that make her feel good. She often prepares her lemon water the night before, slicing lemons and keeping them ready to drop into warm water as soon as she wakes up.
Your Takeaway: Keep a journal and pen by your bedside. Before diving into your day, write down three specific things you’re grateful for. Be concrete—instead of “my family,” try “the way my daughter laughed at breakfast yesterday.” As for lemon water, room temperature works if warm water isn’t appealing. The ritual matters more than the temperature.
Priyanka Chopra: Movement and Protein
Global icon Priyanka Chopra Jonas prioritizes movement in her morning routine, whether that’s a workout session, yoga, or even just stretching. She’s refreshingly honest about not always having time for elaborate routines, especially when traveling across time zones for work. On rushed mornings, she ensures she at least does 10 minutes of stretching to wake up her body.
Breakfast is protein-focused—usually eggs prepared in various ways, paired with whole grain toast or fresh fruit. She’s spoken about how prioritizing protein in the morning helps maintain stable energy levels throughout demanding days on set or during back-to-back meetings.
Your Takeaway: You don’t need a gym membership or fancy equipment. A 10-minute YouTube yoga video in your living room counts as movement. As for protein, options are endless and budget-friendly: eggs, Greek yogurt, peanut butter on toast, or even a handful of nuts. The goal is starting your day with something that sustains you.
The Common Thread: Intentionality Over Extravagance
What’s striking about these morning routines isn’t their complexity or expense—it’s their intentionality. These women have built practices around what makes them feel grounded, energized, and ready to face their demanding lives. They’ve chosen consistency over perfection and sustainability over trends.
The real luxury isn’t the price tag of their skincare or the exclusivity of their workout classes. It’s the commitment to showing up for themselves before showing up for the world. Their morning routines remind us that true glamour is built on a foundation of self-care, discipline, and small daily choices that compound over time.
You don’t need a personal chef, a dedicated meditation room, or expensive beauty tools to incorporate these principles into your life. Start with one small change—maybe it’s five minutes of gratitude journaling or a simple green smoothie. Build from there, paying attention to what actually makes you feel better, not what looks good on social media.
Because behind every effortlessly glamorous appearance is someone who put in the quiet, unglamorous work of caring for themselves first. That’s the secret worth stealing.
