Ellie Thumann
We had such a fun meeting up with Sports Illustrated cover girl and bare beauty Ellie Thumann when she recently stopped by for some NY fashion week festivities. We hung mostly in her hotel room in Brooklyn for our shoot and Ellie threw on some sweats and jeans that speak her cool style. She chats with us about her interest and support of Glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer she lost her grandfather to about a year ago. She also gives us some info on her NYFW events, being part of the Sports Illustrated fam, the blessings of good genetics, workout/diet/style and a lovely list of her beauty bare essentials. Ellie you’re a true example of beauty that goes beyond skin deep.
The Bare Magazine: please share some highlights of your trip to NYC for New York fashion week?
Ellie Thurmann: One of the highlights was my boyfriend coming into the city to surprise me! It made so many of my events and high pressures social settings feel so much more peaceful, and it meant so much to me. I loved attending the MaxMara event in SOHO and connecting with cool people in the industry there, as well as attending the Chanel diner which consisted of the cutest theme with diner food, Chanel’s new fragrance, and a matcha truck! I also got to wear Chanel which was an honor!!!
Bare: with your modeling and influencing work do you like being a part of partnering with other creatives/designers to support and spotlight their work?
ET: Absolutely, I think that it is so beneficial to not only me, but different people in the creative/designer space being able to collab together. You can bring both your talents which is something so special about this industry! I have met some of the most unique people through doing this! There is room for everyone to shine, and I think some of the most special moments are when people can come together to highlight their own unique abilities.
Bare: what do you love about being a part of the Sports Illustrated family and what is it like shooting with them?
ET: It gives me purpose and makes me feel so fullfilled as it’s something that has been a dream of mine for years. Their entire team truly feels like a family and always have me cracking up and feeling my most confident. I was so nervous about shooting with them at first, but by the end of it, I understood the feeling that all the other girls have described, which is feeling so empowered and comfortable!!! It’s been the biggest blessing to me!
Bare: your skin is gorgeous! over time have you learned some great skincare tips and tricks? Please share any knowledge and favorite products!
ET: A huge part of it I blame on genetics – both my mom and grandma have amazing skin. Focusing on sunscreen while growing up on the West Coast was super important, as well as finding a consistent routine rather than trying to venture into multiple different products. Sticking with the brand La Roche Posey has done wonders for my skin. Also, finding a good eye cream and never traveling without a heavy moisturizer on me helps so much! I also think investing money into facials! I’ve really been trying to go monthly, and I have seen such a difference with that, especially with having to wear so much make up and doing a lot of travel. It really helps my skin feel better!
Bare: how do you stay in such great shape? What are your main diet staples and workout routines?
ET: I really focus on Pilates and getting my steps in outdoors. I have never been into heavy weight lifting or high intensity classes. It just personally has never made me feel my best and I feel so empowered when I’m doing Pilates or a mat exercise!
I’ve never followed a strict diet because I’ve always enjoyed eating healthy, and I think by looking at it in a positive way like that, it makes it a lot better on my own mindset and makes eating healthy super enjoyable!
Bare: describe your personal style currently? Are you excited for fall clothing?
ET: I think my style is a little bit all over the place, but I’ve learned to take pride in that over the last few years. I love dressing up and feeling super girly in a pretty dress & heels, but at the same time, I love wearing baggy pants and a fun trucker hat. I dress for comfort, and I think with that sometimes I might look a little silly, but I’ve learned to really be comfortable in my own skin and found that baggy jeans or parachute pants are truly such a go to for me! A street comfy style is how I would describe my personal style!
Bare: please name some of your favorite style/beauty icons and why.
ET: I have always looked up to the Hadid sisters. I think they have amazing street style, they seem like really genuine girls, and they always have an amazing no make-up, make-up look. That is something I really admire. I think they have mastered street style which is also something that I really resonate with!!
Bare: what are some of your side passions and please share some of the work you do with mental health awareness.
ET: One of my side passions is working with Gray for Glioblastoma which is a nonprofit that is dedicated to raising awareness about Glioblastoma. I lost my grandfather to this cancer about a year ago, and I have connected with Kate, who is a college student who has also been significantly affected by Glioblastoma, and with that we have been able to work together to do workout classes in Charleston to raise money for the organization and we’re planning so much more! Another side passion of mine is talking about mental health. Whether it’s talking about different organizations in my videos or showing my own vulnerable moments with panic attacks or anxiety, I think I can help people not feel so alone and help break the stigma around it.
Bare: when you experience down moments, what lifts your spirits and helps you get back into a good positive space? do you journal or have self care rituals?
ET: I tend to get down on myself a lot, and I think I can be very hard on myself. Things that always help me are talking about it with my friends and family. For me, bottling up any emotion, good or bad, can be really challenging and I feel like I can’t get it off my chest until I can talk to people. If I can’t do that immediately, I think having my journals always helps me because it can really help getting all your scattered thoughts into one place and kind of organized while you’re feeling a certain way. I also love to read and go on my therapy walks with my therapy headphones, which is what I jokingly called the headphones that I bought at the beginning of 2022 when I was going through a really hard time. Since then, they have traveled the world with me and whenever I’m feeling anxious, I put on my headphones and feel so much better.
Bare: please list your top 5 bare beauty essentials.
Ilia beauty eye cream
Photos and makeup: Tina Turnbow using Ogee
Hair: Matthew Monzon using Oribe
Ellie wears her own clothing
Shot at Hotel 1 in Dumbo
Founder & Editor in Chief - The Bare Magazine
