MODEL, AUTHOR, NATURAL BEAUTY EXPERT, TELEVISION HOST/PRODUCER
By content editorial director photographer
In the eighties and nineties, Dawn Gallagher was on the cover of hundreds of magazines around the world. Her modeling career was something many girls only dream about. “At 16, I was watching a parade in shorts, flip flops and a t-shirt. A modeling scout approached me and said, ‘I think you have the potential to be a model.’ He gave me his card. My brother and I thought he was crazy.”
“OUR BEAUTY WITHIN IS OUR ESSENCE. IT’S WHO WE ARE, OUR STRENGTH, OUR CONFIDENCE, OUR INTELLIGENCE.”
“Two months later, I read a newspaper article about the same scout, who’d discovered Kim Alexis and Beverly Johnson. I still had his business card, crumpled in one of my drawers. My parents called him, and I did a photo test shoot. I really enjoyed modeling. It was a great opportunity to travel around the world for free.”
As Dawn travelled and pursued her modeling career, she became interested in every culture’s definition of beauty. “At first, my interest was just for my own vanity. Coming from the world of modeling, everything was about cosmetics and makeup, but I wanted to know their natural ingredient secrets. I began keeping a journal of my conversations with women in different countries. I would ask them, ‘What makes you feel beautiful?’ ‘What beauty secrets do you have to share?’ or ‘Why is your skin so gorgeous?’ The women in Tahiti had beautiful hair. I discovered they used coconut oil as a beauty product, plus they ate and cooked with coconut every day. I learned there were so many inexpensive things you can do in the convenience of your home.”
In 1998, Dawn’s first book, Naturally Beautiful, was published by Rizzoli Universe Publishing. “Now there are a lot of these types of books, but then, it was a new concept. It did really well, and I was on all the talk shows, Regis and Kathie Lee, Good Morning America. I discovered I loved being on television, talking about beauty, and I learned how to sell.”
After Dawn got married, and her daughter was born, she did another book, Nature’s Beauty Secrets. In this book, she takes readers to five star resorts around the world and shows them how to create their own spa treatments at home. From there, Dawn became brand ambassador for Sanctuary Spa on QVC; she represented Savannah Bee’s 100% bee products and did three television pilots. WebMD did a series of 10 online episodes with Dawn about creating spa-like beauty treatments at home.
“I see my future on television and the internet and building an infrastructure and a portal with my website. I’m working on creating a television show called The Beauty Within. Our beauty within is our essence. It’s who we are, our strength, our confidence, our intelligence. It’s our life experiences. That’s what beauty is to me. It’s not a physical feature, the right lipstick, or did you get your eyes done. It’s about who you are and sharing your experiences.
I like women who are gutsy and go-getters, not afraid to take risks.
with Dawn
MOST IMPORTANT SURVIVAL SKILL
Knowing how to travel around the world safely and not in an expensive way.
ON SUNDAYS I LIKE TO
It’s usually a family day. I like to do things with my six-year-old daughter. We’ll go ice skating, to a movie, or we’ll go to the Children’s Museum of Art. She’s a real artist.
EUREKA MOMENT
One of my biggest moments has been that instead of worrying, I wonder. Whether it’s finances, things with my daughter, I want to get into that space of wonder because then it opens up all possibilities. Let life unfold as it should.
THROWS YOU OFF YOUR GAME
I’m learning I can’t control people, places or things. If my computer breaks down, I have to remind myself that I can’t control things.
MOST TREASURED POSSESSION
If the place was on fire I’d grab my Chanel bag my husband gave me for Christmas and my phone.
CHARACTERISTIC YOU LIKE IN OTHER WOMEN
Intelligence, experience. I like women who are gutsy and go-getters, not afraid to take risks. They just embrace life whether it goes good, or it goes sour, and take that chance.
WHAT ARE YOU READING
I’m big on spirituality so Eckhart Tolle. I’m also reading A Path Appears. It’s about the changing of the guards and the new world order; what’s going to happen as far as philanthropy helping people with businesses. They’re doing a PBS documentary on it.
GUILTY PLEASURE
Chocolate. I love, love chocolate. The good chocolate though, like really dark, deep chocolate.
EARLIEST MEMORY OF MAKEUP
I was probably 14 and found some blue eyeshadow. It was so bright. My dad was horrified, but I thought I looked great. He said “Take that off. You’re not going outside looking like that. You’re not wearing makeup. You’re too young.”
HIGH OR LOW MAINTENANCE
Mid-maintenance. I can rock the Four Seasons or the Ritz, where they’re waiting on us hand and foot, then I can go into the jungles of Africa and be perfectly fine.
STYLE NOW VERSUS 20 YEARS AGO
I was still modeling pretty much full-time then, and wearing the latest trends. It was all about how I looked, my appearance and being fabulous. Now it’s about comfort because my feet hurt, so I only want to wear comfortable shoes. During the day I like to be casual, but at night, a whole other creature comes out. I like to really go all out. I like to look like old Hollywood, so I do my hair extensions and false eyelashes.
BLING
I like to mix expensive with jewelry like these Indian bracelets I bought for a dollar in India.
FAVORITE DESIGNERS
I’m not so much about labels as I am about what looks good. What’s interesting; what’s fun. I do like Rag & Bone, and I love cashmere sweaters from Ralph Lauren.
MISSING FROM YOUR CLOSET
Probably more Chanel. I love Chanel jackets.
DEFINITION OF LUXURY
Staying at the Ritz. People giving you drinks and asking if you need anything. You feel like you’re in a storybook. You’re a princess in a fairytale because it’s just so extraordinary.
NAKED TRUTH
It’s when my daughter tells me something from the heart. It comes from an innocent, sweet place. It’s not mean or critical. You’re not trying to hurt the person, just trying to speak from your heart.
SKIN DEEP
It’s the beauty within, your inner essence, who you are as a person. It’s your soul journey.
CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT BEAUTY PRODUCT
Mascara because it really brings out my eyes.
BEAUTY ROUTINE
I like to mix ice with herbs and do a facial. It tightens. It lifts. It’s almost like having a mini facelift in the morning.
HOW DO YOU STAY IN SHAPE
I ran the New York City Marathon the year before, but this year, I’m finding I like to do more yoga. I don’t take elevators, but walk up the stairs, even if it’s on the 15th floor. It’s so great for women’s hearts.
FACELIFT OR BOTOX
A lot of 40 plus women want to know what I’m doing to keep my skin so young because I don’t do Botox. I don’t do facelifts. I don’t do anything. I always tell them hydration, hydration, hydration.
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