Esther Kamatari, the Burundi princess, was one of the first black top models to walk the Paris runways after she was exiled from her country Burundi in Africa and moved to live in the French capital. She is a writer, model and is known for her humanitarian commitments, especially to those related to women’s rights. Last year, Kamatari was announced to be the new ambassador of Guerlain, the beauty house with which she shares common values. Cherishing legacy, the culture of beauty and the promise of creating exceptional products that make every woman feel beautiful, we can allow ourselves to say that she is the perfect match.

Azyaamode had the chance to have a conversation with the Burundi princess and here’s what she had to say about her career and her relationship with the house.   

As a princess, how did you get the inspiration to become a model?

It was a matter of survival. I arrived to France from Burundi and I didn’t know anyone. I was sure that in France I wouldn’t meet any Burundi people because most of them travelled to Belgium after the assassination of my father and the fall of our monarchy. I started to work in the fashion industry because I wanted to eat and survive. I wasn’t aware that I was the first black model to walk the runways, we usually become aware of what we are when we look back to see what had happened and how. At the time, there were no modeling agencies back in 1971 and 1972. Designers like Jean Paul Gaultier and Armani didn’t exist; it was an era of Haute Couture when Dior, Lanvin and Saint Laurent existed. We used to arrive wearing a white blouse and sit in a model cabin waiting for the stylist to call us. In this field, we were able to travel everywhere in order to showcase the French Haute Couture and I was the black model among 12 girls.

How did your relationship with Guerlain start?

The relationship with Guerlain started like it did with you. Your encounter will definitely mark something in my life. Our whole life is all about encounters if we pay attention to them. My story with Guerlain is like a love story. The first time you meet someone, you see each other and get a feeling of attraction, then a smile. The second time you meet each other, you try to get closer through your discussions, then you start to realize that you share common values. This is how it all started.

What is your vision for modern beauty?

First, I would say that the beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. We can both look at a painting and while you might like it, I might not. So beauty is subjective and depends on your vision. I say that today, we realize that beauty is universal. There are many beauty standards, not just one. In the past, they used to give us a beauty model. They used to say that a beautiful woman has blue eyes, blond hair, she had wonderful skin and when we saw her, we used to wonder, “why am I not beautiful?” We compare ourselves to her. White skin was a reference and African woman started to wear wigs and discolor their skin in order to become white. Today, beauty is yours and is mine regardless of our skin color and hair. It’s mine, and I beautify and highlight it. Beauty has become available for all. My message would be to be yourself, get the best of each culture but don’t change yourselves. Highlight the beauty of what you have and be proud of yourself.  

As Guerlain's spokesperson, what are the values you share with the brand?

It’s the transmission of what is beautiful. You think that I am a beauty ambassadress and I will speak to you of your skin and tell you that you should take care of its beauty because it is the mirror of your age. It’s the art of beauty and bringing out your emotions. Every person is unique, so it’s all about the value of elegance, external and internal beauty because I think that beauty is a right for all of us.

If you are to give the modern woman the most useful beauty tip, what would it be?

Our beauty routine should comprise half an hour in the morning and half an hour in the evening. We should at first remove makeup residues with a beauty cream, which should not penetrate the skin, so we remove it immediately then rinse. Obviously, we remove the mascara and all the rest and we rinse. Then we apply a little amount of the beauty foam, which resembles to the one used by men, with a gesture that goes from the inside to the outside because we should be gentle when taking care of our skin, and rinse. Afterwards, it’s time to use a lotion. Orchidée Impériale nourishes your skin. Once applied, pat on the face so your skin absorbs it. Massage your face and you will feel that your skin is hydrated. The next morning, you follow the same beauty routine of cleansing. At this point, you will realize that the cotton you are using is clean. Apply the lotion. If your country’s weather is dry, you can apply Orchidée Impériale before you tackle your makeup. This way, you will be nourishing your skin all day long. We should dedicate some time to take care of ourselves and if we don’t, we will regret it later. Don’t forget that your neck is the most rancorous area and there is an Orchidée Impériale Neck & Décolleté cream for it.

Can you tell our readers about the most important steps in your beauty routine to achieve healthy and beautiful skin?

I always start by using the Abeille Royale Gel Mask which repairs the wrinkles before they appear on the outside. Once I apply it, I use my Lingerie de Peau Foundation. I collaborated a lot with Guerlain to have it, it’s in fact like your lingerie; it’s your own. This means that nobody should use it but you. Then I move to the brow pen, and since I believe in simple beauty, my makeup routine only comprises my Lingerie de Peau Foundation, Maxi Lash So Volume mascara, L'Art Du Trait eyeliner, and brow pencil.

What are the essential Guerlain makeup products you use regularly and which ones would you recommend to our readers?

In addition to the ones I mentioned before, I use Guerlain’s masks, Orchidée Impériale and Abeille Royale, from time to time when I have night flights. I remove my makeup and apply them.

Visit the Photo Gallery to view Esther Kamatari’s beloved Guerlain beauty marvels.

Mirella Haddad