Even if you haven’t watched an episode of Bravo’s Summer House, you’ve heard the name Mia Calabrese. She’s well-respected in the real estate industry and has become a fan-favorite on the reality TV series as the Season 10 newcomer rallying behind fellow castmate Ciara Miller.
As a woman always on the move, Calabrese has gained hundreds of thousands of followers on social media, with fans drawn to her beauty and fashion style. Many want to know how the Chicago native keeps her skin flawless, especially during hot summer days. In this interview, courtesy of Walgreens, Mia shares her favorite products, a beauty trend that should stop immediately, a fashion trend she enjoys, and what’s next after winning over Bravo viewers in her first season.
This interview was edited for length and clarity.
Lashaunta Moore: Protecting your skin is a year-round process, but in the summer it needs extra care. What are your must-have products for the season, and how do you maintain your routine on the go as a real estate powerhouse and now a reality TV star?
Mia Calabrese: First of all, thank you for saying that. Number one, Walgreens Hypochlorous Face Spray. It’s amazing. When I’m in real estate, a lot of times I’m on construction sites. So it’s like dust particles and debris just hitting my face all the time. When I walk out of sites or on a sweaty, gross New York day, I love using this spray because it kills bacteria and just makes me feel clean again. I’m also obsessed with the aloe vera spray, for a few reasons. The gel sometimes can be too messy. This is a lot more convenient for me, and I can just throw it in the bag, and I don’t have to worry about it spilling.
Are there any beauty trends you avoid, or hacks you’re skeptical of? What about a fashion trend you’re absolutely loving right now?
MC: So there’s this new beauty trend that I’m hearing that people aren’t wearing SPF. I don’t know who started that. Please do not listen to them. Wear SPF. There is a picture that went around, and it was like viral. It was a woman who was a truck driver, and one side of her face looked like it had been in the sun for years. The other side of her face was a lot more smooth. She never wore SPF on this side or on her face just in general. The sun gives you wrinkles. The sun not only causes wrinkles but can also cause cancer. Wear SPF. Whoever told you to stop, don’t listen to them.
I love a jort, a jean short. I grew up around all boys, and I was a hand-me-down kid. So I wore my brother’s hand-me-downs. A lot of times I was wearing his jean shorts, his basketball shorts. I always loved a baggy short. And now that they’re cool, I’m obsessed with wearing them. Love it.
What are your top tips or products for keeping your makeup looking fresh all day?
MC: A setting spray. Like, a good primer and a good setting spray. I use L’Oreal Infallible Three Second Setting Mist. This will keep your makeup steady all day. I’ve gone through, I don’t know how many bottles of this because it’s my tried and true.
Do you have any summer rules for maintaining peace during the hot and humid season?
MC: Be as prepared as possible. If you’re not prepared, find your nearest Walgreens so that you become prepared. Whether you need water, snacks, makeup, SPF, a hairbrush, a flat iron, a curling iron, you need to be prepared for the summer.
Summer House fans are calling you the best addition to the show since its debut in 2017. How does it feel to receive such overwhelming support, and what are you looking forward to next?
MC: I’m forever incredibly grateful for everyone that watches Summer House, and that has received me so well and has been so supportive. I will forever be grateful for people like that, that say things like that about me. It’s very kind. I just want to have fun this summer. The last few months have been really heavy at times because of a few people that used to be my life, but I’m excited for this summer to just have fun.
Header image credit: Kareem Black/ Bravo
