Pro-Surfer Frankie Harrer’s Beauty Essentials

At age 17, Frankie Harrer is already a two-time national champion in surfing, has set National Scholastic Surfing Association records for most competitions won, and is signed to major surf label Billabong. In other words, she’s kind of a big deal. But with her laidback style and easygoing attitude, you’d never know it. In fact, when she’s not traveling, you’re likely to find the teen cooking up healthy meals in her family kitchen or hiking in her hometown of Malibu. We caught up with the pro surfer in between trips to El Salvador and the south of France to talk all things beach beauty. Read on for her fitness, diet and product obsessions (spoiler alert: coconut oil plays a starring role).

Yahoo Beauty: So, how did you get into surfing?

Frankie Harrer: My family has a house in Kauai, Hawaii, so I took my first lesson there when I was about seven. I started surfing with some friends from school and it all started happening. A few years later, I signed with Billabong, which has been great.

What’s the best place in the world that you’ve surfed?

Tahiti, for sure. It’s so beautiful and the waves are really good. The water is so blue and there are crazy reefs underneath. There are huge mountains, and it rains a lot, so the beaches have this green, rainforest-y background. It’s amazing.

Let’s talk workouts. What does yours usually look like?

When I’m home, I surf every morning and then I do a workout afterward. A couple of times a week, I go to our family friend’s [Laird Hamilton] house and we have a whole crew that does pool training. It’s a bunch of different exercises underwater – working with weights, squatting, and breath holding. And then we do an ice tub and sauna. I also do gym workouts at home and swim a little bit. When the waves are good, I’ll surf twice a day!

And what about your diet?

I’m actually transitioning away from being a vegan right now. I talked to some nutritionists and they recommended that I incorporate a few animal products into my diet for energy. I’ve been experimenting, and doing it slowly. I think that’s better than just jumping in and having a big steak. But, I feel pretty good and it’s definitely easier to have fewer restrictions when I’m traveling.

Most mornings, I’ll have a big smoothie bowl. I’ll put bananas, berries, some maca, spirulina, and other superfoods in. Sometimes, if I’m doing a hard workout, I’ll put some plant-based protein powder too. Then, I top it with berries or any other fruit that’s in season and some nuts too. It’s really good. I’m addicted.

For lunch, I cut up whatever’s in the fridge and just throw it together. It’s a kitchen sink salad. I do different dressings and try to incorporate good fats, like avocado. Now, I put some protein like egg or salmon as well. I still do vegan a lot of days though, so then I’ll put some beans to add substance.

My mom cooked for the family forever, but now it’s kind of a fun thing that I like to do with my younger sister. We take over the kitchen!

Do you have any favorite blogs for recipe inspiration?

There’s this blog called Oh She Glows, that’s sort of a vegan blog that I read. Mostly, I just look at healthy cookbooks and stalk people on Instagram and screenshot the dishes I like. I’m not good at following recipes exactly, so I read them and then create my own versions.

And what beauty products are you using right now?

I really like natural products. I try to stick with them as much as I can. I’ve been using some things from this Italian company called Radice, which are vegan and super natural. And I have some stuff from Simply Divine Botanicals that I found at this juice place in Hawaii. I really like their Rose du Jour cream and their eye cream – it’s called Pack Your Bags They’re Leaving, which is funny. They’re cool because they have very clean ingredients.

I’m also a big fan of coconut oil. I never use other moisturizers really. I just go to the store and get the same one that I use for cooking. I keep one in my bathroom and one in the kitchen. I put it in my hair too, just to help put some moisture back. I’ll do a little Argan oil too, but nothing fancy.

For sunscreen, I use an amazing one called Shade. A local guy from Malibu started the company and it’s so good. That’s all I need.

I don’t really wear makeup everyday, because it would be annoying to take it off and put it back on. But when I do, I like MAC. I use their tinted moisturizer, some powder, some blush, and a little mascara. I’m not so good at applying my own makeup, so I keep it really simple.

Being in a bikini is pretty much your job, how do you keep yourself feeling body confident?

I think every girl, regardless of age or what her body looks like, has some little things they would want to change. Nobody is perfect, so it’s important to be happy with what you’ve got. Be confident. That’s the most attractive thing you can do.

You’ve had an awesome career so far. What’s up next?

My goal right now is to qualify for the World Tour. That’s kind of what I’m working on for the next couple of years. But, I mostly just want to have fun. It’s important for me, and for everyone, to remember to live in the moment. I’m doing what I love, so we’ll see what happens!

All photos by Nick Green.

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