My Favourite Things: Carolina Montes

Carolina Montes, a successful luxury real estate broker, lives in Montreal but is originally from beautiful Venezuela. She’s a socialite, world traveler and complete fashionista. Her bright and friendly personality along with her infectious laugh are enough to brighten anyone’s day.  Did I forget to mention that she’s also girlfriend to Montreal Canadiens player Andrei Markov?

Carolina tells us where to get a killer blow-dry, the best make-up line and what it’s really like dating a professional hockey player…

Tell me a bit about your real estate business?

I work for a small, dedicated boutique real estate firm called JJ Jacobs. We pride ourselves on our devotion to our buyers and our full luxury service.

I started in the industry at only 25 years old, eager to learn and prove myself to the world. I had a great mentor that really taught me so much and by the time I was 27 I had around 200 condos for sale in prime locations.

Have you loved fashion and beauty from a young age?

Definitely! Looking great and always being at your best is part of the Venezuelan culture. Venezuela is known as the country that has won the most Miss Universe and Miss World titles for a reason! I grew up admiring beautiful women and wondering if one day I would be Miss Venezuela. The beauty culture is so strong that today girls as young as 15 years old are asking for breast implants.

What’s your daily beauty routine?

I’m pretty strict and every morning I follow the same routine no matter where I am. I start the day with Greek yoghurt, berries, granola and a café au lait. Once a week I use my favourite Clarisonic Mia 2 during my morning shower. I use the SHISEIDO IBUKI Cleanser but my toner and daily moisturizer is from La Prairie. I like La Prarie’s Cellular Softening and Balancing Lotion and Skin Caviar Luxe Cream in Sheer moisturiser.

Depending on the skin or weather I may use their Anti-Aging Rapid Response Booster, Anti-Aging Night Cream or the Skin-Caviar Luxe Eye Lift Cream from La Prairie as well… you could say I am obsessed with their beauty line.

Do you get any special treatments?

I’ve been to Univers NuFace in Laval a couple times to get an LPG treatment for sun spots and to give my skin a great glow. I’ve also gone to see a wonderful latin lady called Claudia Salome Cruz for cellulite treatments (514-659-3857) and used an all natural product called Herbalife for belly fat (my cousin Geomar Bolivar is a rep – 438-499-6711).

Do you wear makeup and if so what do you do?

I love makeup! My favourite concealer is from Clé de Peau. I always get it from my favourite sales rep – Latifa Rakik at Ogilvy here in Montreal. She knows all the best tips and tricks and I really recommend her.

How do you ramp things up for special occasions?

La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Sleep Mask is my current obsession. It’s an overnight treatment to deeply moisturize your skin so you wake up with an amazing glow. Before I do the mask I do a Cellular 3-Minute Peel.

Any favourite products you can’t live without?

Charlotte Tilbury’s makeup line is the best. I love her foundation, bronzer… everything is great and it’s all made in Italy. Unfortunately, we still can’t get it here in Montreal but it’s at Bergdorf Goodman in the States and Holt Renfrew, Toronto.

What is your biggest splurge?

ROJA makes a perfume called The Exclusive Aoud that is $650 for 30ml. It’s such a great smell and worth every penny.

Do you carry anything around in your bag?

I always carry perfume samples and lipstick or lip gloss by Chanel or Charlotte Tilbury.

When do you feel your best?

After a good sweat at a spinning class at Cadence Cycle with Yaron or a perfect blow-dry by Stephanie at Barberellas on Queen Mary.

Do you have a beauty philosophy?

Always be prepared – you never know whom you might meet. High heels, a good blow dry, great makeup and perfect nails are a must. Don’t let yourself go!

Do you have any favourite designers?

I go for the classics like Hermés and Chanel. I’d rather spend money on something that will keep its value and be in style forever than something that’s outdated after one season.

Do you have any favourite jewelry designers?

Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels are my latest obsessions.

Is there any music you’re really into lately?

I love dancing and Latin music always makes me happy. It lifts my mood no matter how hard my day has been.

What Montreal stores are a must-visit?

TNT or Holt Renfrew when they are having their sales are definitely on my must-visit list.

What are your favourite restaurants?

My favourite lunch place is Tavern on the Square. For dinner I am a big cook and dinners are usually at home but lately I’m really into Jatoba on Phillips Square.

Do you have any favourite take away places?

Mandy’s Salad in Westmount – I’m always there! They have amazing (and filling) gourmet salads. Don’t ask me how many calories are in their vinaigrettes though…

Do you have a favourite bakery?

I really bake pretty much everything myself. I love to cook and bake and spoil Andrei whenever I can.

Do you have a favourite salon or makeup artist?

Oh yes, definitely. My favourite manicurist is Sady at Barbarella Spa on St. Jacques – she is a master perfectionist. My nails never break, grow healthy and last up to three weeks. She is a genius. Latifa Rakik at Ogilvy is also a must-visit. Stephane at Pure is the best hair colourist. For a perfect blow dry see France Penault at Pure or Stephanie at Barberellas. 

What do you like to make at home to eat?

I cook a lot and my favourites are Moroccan tagines, osso bucco and black cod with lentils and celeriac purée.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Life just starts getting better after 27 so calm down and stop stressing out! You may think you know it all but… you don’t. Just follow your instincts and you’ll be OK.

What’s the favourite thing about what you do?

I love meeting all sorts of wonderful people that teach me something new every day.

Do you have any rituals that make you feel amazing?

I love to travel! Every time I’m going through a rough patch I find a reason to escape. I am especially in love with the Bulgari Hotel in London right now.

What’s it really like dating a professional hockey player?  You’ve been dating Andrei for five years now.

Everyone thinks that dating a pro hockey player is very glamorous but it’s not. You have to accept that you are sharing your man with half the world and to do this you must be very confident of who you are.

Your man spends a lot of time away so it can be very lonely. Many of the girls who have children find it especially tough.  They do the majority of the parenting on their own and from that aspect they consider themselves almost as a single mom.  This loneliness is especially true because so many of the wives and girlfriends are not from Montreal or even Canada. I’m lucky to at least be from Montreal.

Along with the loneliness comes the fact that everything revolves around your partner. Your life is dictated by their life… when they need to eat, when they need to sleep, etc. Your role becomes a support role and you are their support system, which includes cooking and cleaning. It is definitely not as pretty as people think.

Yes, I know that you get to dress nicely and buy nice things but really, at the end of it all you just want to spend time with the man you love. All of the other things that come along with being together with a professional hockey player means a big sacrifice on the women’s end and it’s a sacrifice that frankly, a lot of woman are not willing to take.

And, if you were a jealous and possessive type of girl, this type of relationship would be suicidal!

Is there anything else about you that we should know?

I hate hockey (lol).

Thank-you so much Carolina for all your tips, tricks and insight!

Follow Carolina on Instagram.

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