At first glance, British Filipina model Selina Tracey has the kind of breezy, sun-kissed beauty that could easily be mistaken for an AI rendering: ageless, poreless, silken haired with a wide smile, even as she glides on her skateboard against the Manhattan skyline. This is an illusion she’s happy to dispel. On Instagram, the newly minted New Yorker’s feed is filled with videos of herself repeatedly wiping out on said skateboard, then getting up and trying again. “I like to say, ‘be cringe and be free,’” Selina says of the hobby she picked up just three years ago—and her newfound willingness to try almost anything, from snowboarding to backpacking, long cycling to surfing, or simply a new shade of lipstick.
Such leaps of faith were first inspired by heartbreak, burnout with a corporate career in London, and a desire to connect with her half-Filipina roots. Before long, they’d propelled her into a new profession as a model with a beauty and wellness routine that prioritizes feeling good in her own freckled skin.
Tracey's inner glow is cultivated with the satisfaction that comes with learning a new skill, a nutritive palette of fruits and vegetables (oranges for collagen, carrots for cell turnover) and at least a bottle a day of electrolyte-spiked water. As for maintaining it, she swears by a daily double cleanse, hydrating serum, moisture-locking face cream, and a protective layer of SPF that lasts all day. Makeup leans minimal for skate days: A dab of light-reflecting under-eye concealer, a “noticeably flushed” sweep of bronze color across the apples of her cheeks and bridge of her nose, and a swipe of moisturizing lip tint that can be applied anywhere, anytime, mirror-free.
Cruising along the East River in Queens, Tracey slips on Westman Atelier's HydroBalm Tinted Lipstick in three sheer, juicy shades—Nectar, Juice, and Bob—each lending just enough color to make lips look healthier, fresher, and more hydrated. "I carry a lipstick or balm every day because it's the easiest way to feel pulled together," she says. The moisture-rich formula leaves behind the kind of effortless polish that looks as fresh for a morning in the skate park as it does walking into an afternoon casting.
Below, Selina shares the beauty staples, skate gear, and everyday essentials she never leaves home without, ideal for veteran skaters and first-timers alike.
1. Westman Atelier HydroBalm Tinted Lipstick in Bob
“This shade is a hint of color that accentuates my natural lip color perfectly. It’s creamy and moisturizing, which I really like, so my lips look hydrated.”
2. Polar Skate Co. — Emile Laurent Deck
“I love this board so much! It’s a classic, general trick board, the design is beautiful, and I love that the art is a woman feeling free on her deck.”
3. Vans Old Skool
“This is my main skate shoe. It’s important to have a very flat, stable sole. In black and white, it’s an easy classic that goes with anything.”
4. Vintage 505 Levi's
“Jeans protect me when I skate. I wear a baggy silhouette or cut-offs, depending on the climate. My favorite pair are 505s reworked from a vintage market in Bangkok—they’re two different pairs stitched together. The cut is loose enough to have a range of movement, but with a straight leg. I can still bend down to ollie in them.”
5. Ultra Violette Vibrant Screen SPF50
“I love the glowy finish of this sunscreen. It smells like roses, which makes it feel luxurious, and it's sweat-resistant, which is perfect for harder skate sessions.”
6. 187 Killer Pads Knee & Elbow Combo
“Falling is a large part of skating. These save my knees and elbows in the bowl.”
7. SAD Eyewear in Fade Gloss Black
“I have a habit of losing my sunglasses. On a recent trip, I needed some last minute. I found this pair in a local surf shop, and I'm obsessed. I even wear them hiking; the UVB protection is great.”
8. Aquamount Pro 24oz, Bottle
“I always have my water bottle on me—it’s how I remember to drink two liters throughout the day. I love this bottle because it has a MagSafe mount to hold my phone while I'm capturing content.”
9. Canon G7X Mark II
“My go-to little point-and-shoot. The flash photos are so great, and it’s small enough to fit in my bag.”
10. Kiyoko &honey Deep Moist Hair Oil
“I found this brand in Japan, and now I understand why Japanese women have such beautiful hair. I apply it on damp hair, and it stays smooth and shiny until the next wash. Perfect for when my hair's down on my board in the wind.”
