O, Canada! May you forever be ahead of your contemporaries when it comes to the quality of your rappers, the attractiveness of your politicians, and the coolness of your inhabitants. When it comes to the latter, model Meghan Collison is #1.

The sweet angel is a 70s dream come true (see here and here for evidence), vying with fellow TF dream girl, Emily Labowe, for most on-point Jane Birkin lookalike. In tandem with her life/creative partner, Spencer Cope, she provides our eyes with an endless stream of inspiration. From the obvious (that 10/10 face), to her creative offshoots (gothic face painting), you can bet we’re there every step of the way, soaking it all in.

We had a chat with the porcelain dream about what she puts on her face, working with Steven Meisel, and finding beauty in the strange. Go deep on her life below. Thanks, Meghan!

Talk us through your morning beauty routine.
After rinsing my face with water and patting dry, I like to quickly apply MAC Studio Fix Powder with a brush before applying mascara to my top and bottom lashes. Right now I’m using Le Volume De Chanel. I also like L’Oreal’s Mega Volume Miss Manga mascara. I’ll fill in and gel my eyebrows with Physician’s Formula’ 4-in-1 Brow Boosting Kit, if I feel like it. Sometimes I’ll add a little “Emily Grady Dodge” tinted lip balm in Cassis. If I know I’ll be outside all day, or if it’s really sunny in general, I will apply a sunscreen. I’ve been using the Mad Hippie brand, which contains zinc oxide. Throughout the day, I’ll spray Soley Organics’ Nærd tonic on my face. It’s an Icelandic brand that is incredible! It smells yummy, is refreshing, and helps keep my skin moisturised. That’s pretty much it! It all takes me about 5 to 10 minutes.

Is your nightly routine any different?
Before bed, I like to wash my face using Neutrogena’s Oil Free Daily Scrub. I then take a cotton pad and use La Roche-Posay’s micellar water to clean a little deeper. I have acne-prone skin, so I also apply La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar Duo acne treatment to my chin and my forehead areas. After that, I add my secret foot cream (yes, foot cream) to under my eyes. I finish off by spraying my Nærd tonic on my face, and then I’m all ready for sleep.

Is there a makeup look you like to wear when you go out?
I love to wear just red lips and a little bit of powder. MAC has a nice shade called Satin. I also like a winged eyeliner 60s look if I have the patience. I use Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner by Bobbi Brown.

What are some important lessons you’ve learnt over the years?
The power of positive thoughts. I believe you attract what you think. It took me a long time to realize this, but once I did, my life completely changed for the better. You are who you think you are. Love yourself.

What do you like to do on a Friday night?
I love going to comedy shows in NYC! It’s such a fun date night—there’s nothing better than a good laugh. I also like a low-key Friday night—cuddling my cat and watching a good show.

What does love mean to you?
Love is loyalty, trust, communication, laughter, adventures, and snugglesssssssss.

Do you have a certain pre-shoot/show ritual you use to prepare mentally and/or physically?
Sometimes, if I feel like I didn’t get enough sleep, I’ll add The Ordinary’s Caffeine Solution under my eyes while I drink my morning smoothie. But other than that, I really love my job, and just show up as me and let the makeup artist and hair artists do their magic!

Do you prefer to wear makeup or no makeup?
I like both! I love makeup in an artistic/photography sense—it’s amazing to see how it transforms in the hands of a talented artist. That being said, I don’t love liquid foundation for every day. I prefer minimal makeup for days where I’m just being myself. I also love how clean, moisturised skin looks. It’s all wonderful.

Tell us about your favourite shoot. What made it so memorable?
I have had the privilege of working with so many amazingly talented people. One of the most memorable shoots that comes to mind was for Vogue Italia. The story was called Vogue Patterns and it came out in December of 2007. It was shot by Steven Meisel, with makeup by Pat McGrath, and hair by Guido Palau. Everything about it was incredible. They covered my body in tattoos, and I was lying in amazing patterned fabric. Steven Meisel even released a limited edition puzzle of my image from the shoot. It was such an honor to be a part of!

Of all the hairstyles you’ve had over the course of your life, which one made you feel most like yourself?
For the majority of my life, I have had straight across bangs, which is a look I love! But it’s always good to switch it up. Right now I’m growing my bangs out, and going for a long, middle-parted 70s look. I have had a short, chin-length bob, which I also loved. I can’t say that there’s a hairstyle that makes me feel more like myself, though, because I honestly liked them all in the moment.

Do you think being a model has shaped your ideas about beauty and what you consider to be beautiful?
Beauty is such a personal, special thing. I’m sure, on some subconscious level, it has been shaped by my job, but I like to think I’m open-minded about there being beauty in everything. I love strange beauty, especially. People and things with asymmetry, or something so rare you can’t help but look a little longer than you normally would.

Words, Madeleine Woon. Photography, Abbey Drucker.