Skip to content

Inside Kristin Cavallari’s Photoshoot Morning Routine

  • by

When you are the face and founder of a brand like Uncommon James, photoshoot days start long before the sun comes up. In her latest “Day in My Life” vlog, Kristin Cavallari took fans behind the scenes of an early morning in Los Angeles as she prepared for her brand’s new Italian Summer campaign.

From her “snatching” skincare secrets to her specific nitro coffee recipe, here is how Kristin gets ready to be in front of the lens.

1. The 4:00 AM Skincare Start

Even with a 7:30 AM call time, Kristin’s day began at 4:15 AM due to the time difference from her home in Nashville. Her first step is always brightening. She starts her morning with Koji Pads from her own line, Uncommon Beauty, which help even out skin tone and provide a base for her photoshoot-ready glow. Kristin looked comfy and cute first in a blue matching set of long pajamas and then she switched into the waffle-style robe while starting her skincare routine.

Because the shoot theme was “Italian Summer” at a villa, Kristin also prepped with a fresh spray tan the night before to match the Mediterranean aesthetic.


2. De-Puffing and Lymphatic Drainage

To look “snatched” for the camera after traveling, Kristin focuses on lymphatic drainage. She applies Glutathione Serum to her chest and neck, then performs a manual lymphatic massage.

While she usually uses a Gua Sha tool, she demonstrated how to use your hands to open up lymph nodes and massage the jawline to reduce puffiness. “It just feels so good,” she noted, especially for those who clench their jaw.


3. The Fridge-Chilled Eye Mask Secret

Kristin’s “cannot live without” product for any photoshoot is her Uncommon Beauty Eye Mask. She keeps the jar in her refrigerator, explaining that the cooling sensation helps wake her up and de-puff her eyes instantly.

She specifically chooses gel masks over traditional cotton ones, noting that the gel quality allows for better absorption and a more visible “plumping” effect.

4. The “B****’s Brew” Coffee Routine

Kristin has a very specific morning fuel to power through long shoot days. While wearing her cozy and stylish Alo Yoga Quarter Zip Sweatshirt, she starts making her coffee. she avoids cow’s milk due to a sensitivity to casein and instead opts for a creamy, dairy-free alternative. Her go-to recipe includes:

If you don’t have access to Erewhon’s homemade milk, Thai Kitchen Organic Unsweetened Coconut Milk is an excellent pantry staple that mimics that rich, creamy texture without added fillers.

5. Bringing the Vision to Life

The “Italian Summer” collection was born from Kristin’s “travel envy” while scrolling through Instagram last year. To capture the vision, she collaborated with her long-time photographer, Dennis Leopold. “He’s shot every big Uncommon James campaign,” she shared, citing his calm energy as the reason she keeps him on her “dream team” year after year.


Watch Kristin get ready for her Italian Photoshoot

Disclosure: I am an affiliate and may earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through the links in my content. Thank you for supporting my content!

You May Also Like

The Uncommon Glow: Inside Kristin Cavallari’s 2026 Morning Skincare Routine

Inside Lo Bosworth’s 2026 Wellness Prep for the Laguna Beach Reunion

‘Laguna Beach Glow’ with Lauren, Kristin, and Lo’s Beauty Secrets

Inside the Low-Key Romance of Stephen Colletti and Alex Weaver