A Coolhunter's Guide to Getting Dressed & Glowing
Karina Helena's skin staples, wardrobe essentials, and more.
With brands sending free stuff to the microest of influencers, we decided it’s high time for a roundup series that includes exclusively products that have been purchased and loved outright by people you know, people you follow, and people you’ve definitely heard of. Think of Receipts as a fun-things-only money diaries.
Karina Helena is a fashion creator and “coolhunter” based in Milan, originally from Brazil. She’s built a loyal following who trust her self-described “authentic, cool, and aesthetic” personal taste.
Check out her Substack, The Fashion Files, and you’ll quickly notice: Karina Helena has a knack for blending storytelling, visuals, and really great products. We had a chance to catch up with the creator to learn about her start on the platform, a day in the life, and the 14 things she simply can’t live without.
TQE: What inspired you to start your Substack?
KH: “I actually discovered Substack through a TikTok video and immediately found it fascinating. I noticed that many people were publishing articles, but I wanted to bring something extra, something that felt like flipping through a fashion magazine from the 2000s.
I have a degree in Fashion Design and a Master’s in Brand and Product Management, and I’ve always been a creative person. So I thought why not combine everything I’ve learned and create something of my own? That’s how The Fashion Files, my Substack newsletter, was born. By the way, I’m Brazilian, but I’ve been living in Milan for the past five years. I initially started writing in Portuguese, but as my audience grew internationally, I began publishing in both English and Portuguese.
My goal is always to inspire people, not just through words but through visuals as well. That’s why I create a lot of moodboards, they’re a big part of my storytelling. I think that’s one of the reasons readers connect with my work: it really reflects my personal taste and perspective.”
TQE: What’s a typical day in your life right now?
KH: “My day starts early, around 8:30. I have breakfast, write in my 5-minute journal, and plan my day.
If I have videos to film, I usually do that in the afternoon, around 2 p.m., when the sunlight is just perfect. That’s also when I take photos, if needed. Later in the afternoon, I like to unwind a bit by watching Say Yes to the Dress (it’s one of my favorite TV shows) while sketching in my notebook and enjoying a coffee.
In the evening, I prepare our dinner (I’ve been married for almost 10 years), and then I continue working, usually coolhunting or curating images from Pinterest and magazines. Tuesdays are a bit busier at night because I have French class, but overall my routine revolves around creating content for Substack and TikTok.”
TQE: What’s one thing your readers would be surprised to learn about your lifestyle or daily routine?
KH: “I don’t think many people know this, but I’ve been to 51 countries. Traveling is one of my passions, it truly makes me happy to discover new cultures and ways of living. I love travel journals, and I have more than 10 with all the collages and stickers. My husband is half Japanese and half Korean, so Asian cuisine is definitely my favorite. We both love cooking and often mix our cultures through food, which makes it even more special.
Before moving to Milan, we lived on an island in the south of Brazil called Florianópolis. If you’ve never heard of it, I highly recommend visiting. It has 42 beaches, it’s relatively safe compared to other parts of the country, and it’s absolutely stunning.
I speak Portuguese, English, Italian, French, and a bit of Mandarin, which has been incredibly helpful while traveling, living abroad and it’s also my kind of hobby.”
Karina Helena’s Go-Tos
Karina must-have for a glass-skin finish. Layer it under makeup for the most natural, lit-from-within glow.
Ginseng Essence Water by BEAUTY OF JOSEON | $18
“The first step of my skincare routine starts with this essence water. It immediately hydrates my skin and adds a bit of glow, super light with a natural scent.”
Collagen Gel Toner Pads by BIODANCE | $26
After trying countless collagen products, this is the one she keeps coming back to: “I use them at least 2x a week. It helps a lot with the pores, the expression lines, and gives the elasticity my skin needs.”
UV Filters SPF 45 Serum by THE ORDINARY | $19
Daily protection with the added bonus of a subtle, glow-boosting finish.
Le Parfum by HAIR RITUEL BY SISLEY | $135
This hair perfume is a 10/10: “the smell is INSANE, it’s not sweet but not woody; it’s clean like you just finished taking a shower.” And most importantly, the smell lasts.
Miu Miu Miutine Perfume | $172
If Karina could be a perfume, it would be this one. It was love at first scent: “top notes are strawberry and gardenia; middle notes are rose and jasmine; base notes are brown sugar, patchouli, bourbon vanilla, moss and amber.”
Maracuja juicy melt mask by TARTE | $27
A TikTok-influenced buy that lives up to the hype. Karina loves the ultra-hydrating formula, and the pen-style packaging makes it easy to swipe on anytime, anywhere.
Pocket blush in toasted teddy by RHODE | $25
Her go-to for a glowy flush. Pro tip: layer a powder blush on top to lock it in and make the color last all day.
“I’m a blush lover,” she admits. Her most recent find is nothing short of gorgeous. She swears by shade number 05 paired with the Toasted Teddy from Rhode.
A Dictionary of Color Combinations | $27
“I bought this on Amazon, and it is such a perfect book. I created some videos matching the colors of the book with my outfits… This is very useful if you want to be a bit creative on your outfits but also for home decor. They have infinite color combinations.”
Ballerine Squadrate by UNIQLO | $9.90 (Sale!)
“These shoes never ever go out of style. It’s a must have for sure, they’re super comfortable and light.”
A surprisingly, hard-to-find essential, perfected. It’s comfortable, form-fitting, and made from a soft stretch modal with a ribbed texture making it perfect for effortless and versatile everyday wear.
Kodak Friendly Zoom FZ55 blue | $169.99 (Sale!)
“I’m the kind of person that takes pictures of everything all the time, everywhere. And I love the 90s, so this camera is everything for me. I put it in my bag every time I go out.”
Rouge Coco Baume Satinato by CHANEL | $50
“This is my recent purchase and I definitely will buy it again. It’s very soft and hydrates my lip, at the same time gives that little healthy color. I love it! The color I got is number 914 - Natural Charm.”
Love Karina’s taste? There’s plenty more to dive into on her Substack.
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Thank you so much for having me, xoxo 💋