*Welcome to Lessons In Cool, a new series all about the people we’re constantly inspired by. They are tastemakers, curators of style, thought leaders, and well, just cool. *

Charli Howard is the ultimate multi-hyphenate. She’s a model/author/brand founder, but she’s also a champion of body positivity, inspiring her nearly 350K followers to love and celebrate themselves. All of this makes her very cool in our book. We last caught up with Charli when she was launching Squish, a collection of skincare products that includes reusable under eye masks and bejeweled zit stickers, and we’re excited to hear more about her beauty must-haves, go-to cocktail, and the advice she’d give her younger self.

Name & occupation:

Charli Howard, model, author and founder of Squish

First thing you do in the morning:

I HAVE to have two cups of tea before I start my day. It just feels weird otherwise.

Biggest challenge?

Having to balance my work and time effectively.

Last person you texted:

My agent, Jordan, about a Squish party I'm planning!

Most scrolled app or site:

I hate to say it, but Instagram. (And at the moment, AirBnB, to find a cute holiday on the coast!)

What are the 5 beauty products you can’t live without:

• Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream as an overnight face mask (I also love the smell!)

• Squish Flower Power Acne Patches for an overnight zit

• Jones Road Start-Up Kit for my every day, non- make-up looking routine

• It Cosmetics CC Cream with SPF 50

• Lancôme Hypnôse Volumizing Mascara

Your fashion/style icon?

I love all the glamorous, vintage film stars from the 50s.

Your go-to:

Breakfast: A bacon sandwich on multigrain bread with Japanese Kewpie mayonnaise. (Japanese mayo is a game changer!) Lunch: Chicken caesar salad Dinner: Red wine pasta. The best one I've ever had is at D.O.C in Brooklyn, a cute Italian spot that my business partner, Ben, introduced me to! Cocktail: Porn star martini. (Though I am more of a bellini girl myself.)

Advice you’d give your younger self:

Keep the faith and ignore anyone who tells you your dreams are too out of reach. If I'd listened to everyone who told me I'd never make it as a model, or that I was "living in a daydream" the whole time, I wouldn't be doing the job I love now.

What does “cool” mean to you?

People who do what they want, without fear of judgement, and without hurting people in the way.