Christian Wilkins shares the secrets behind his luscious hair, flawless skin and toned figure – and reveals what he REALLY thinks of people criticising his flamboyant wardrobe

Speaking to Christian Wilkins at Australian Fashion Week is like talking to Holly Golightly at Tiffany’s or Carrie Bradshaw in a pair of Manolo Blahniks — it just makes sense.

The fashion icon, 30, who effortlessly pushes the boundaries of style and gender-normative conventions in the world of fashion, sat down for an exclusive interview with Daily Mail Australia amid the chaos of Carriageworks — using his five-minute breather between shows to give us all the details on his beauty transformation.

But just like Christian, his holy grails are a far cry from conventional but pack just as much punch as the colourful Aussie star himself.

Tossing his hair in between questions after having it styled by Joey Scandizzo, it was no wonder we were brushed onto the topic of his luscious locks and how he not only styles his head of hair but cares for it.

To achieve the perfect blowout, Christian swears by the Shark FlexStyle, which he uses ‘all the time’.

‘It’s really rare that you get to work with brands that you genuinely love,’ he said of the appliance company, praising their innovation in the sphere and on the scalp.

And as for how he keeps his hair healthy, Christian narrows it down to one thing: Genetics.

‘People ask me all the time what I do — and I do take supplements and collagen and stuff like that — but I think it’s really genetics [and Shark beauty],’ he says with a wink. 

But when it comes to skin, the actor and LGBTQIA+ activist is not leaving anything to chance, relying on a new Hollywood go-to to keep his face fresh and glowy.

‘I have a really simple skincare routine. I use collagen peptides and then beef tallow,’ Christian adds.

‘In the States, it’s huge at the moment. People are using beef tallow for their healthcare, for their skincare…’ 

Tallow, a new viral skincare product, is a type of fat rendered from cow meat or mutton suet.

And upon research, it can also be used to make candles, soaps and fabulous roast potatoes.

However, Christian is simply using the product for its skincare benefits, he says, ditching the carbs in his diet for a pantry closer to home.

The model leans on a Mediterranean menu to keep his body in shape, going back to his roots when he’s filling up a plate.

‘My mum is Greek and cooking healthy foods and proteins and vegetables was always what I grew up on,’ he revealed. 

‘I was that kid that went to school with falafel and hummus and fresh zucchini.’

And while Carrie swears by Vogue for dinner, so does Christian swear by another hunger-quenching dish – one that he could eat with every meal.

‘I also really love porridge,’ he confessed.

‘I have it like three times a day.’

It’s no surprise Christian’s physical splendour is down to a passion for fitness and a love of lifting weights, but perhaps what is more touching is the care and softness he feels towards his body as he ages, and his new outlook on life after turning 30.

‘My body has changed quite a bit,’ he shared.

‘I used to find it very easy to be slender.

‘Now, I’m putting on a bit more muscle and I’m liking coming into my new body and being really proud of that.

‘I’m finding my own identity as I get older.’

Expressing his identity is at the forefront of who Christian is, just look at his stacked resume, or Instagram page or any sartorial shindig in Sydney.

From hosting podcast Radical Fashionism with Andy Kelly to playing with non-binary styles in the social sphere, Christian uses fashion to say things that can often be hard to put into words.

But even when actions speak louder, words can still sting in the comments section, a feeling that Christian knows all too well.

Speaking of his experience with trolls, Christian shared the overwhelming sadness he feels when seeing negative comments from strangers, not for himself, but for his community. 

‘Some of the messages make me sad, but less because they’re attacking me and more because I see that this kind of hatred is out there,’ he said.   

Adding that he was lucky to have family, friends and a network that have his back, Christian’s decision to be out and proud of his identity was for the people who didn’t have that support.

‘I think that it’s important to keep going out there and expressing yourself how you want to be,’ he thoughtfully said.

‘Someone that might not necessarily feel so secure can use you as an example.’

And so, as Christian Wilkins flips his hair post-interview, moving on to inspire his community and the fashion sphere with every model-esque pout and pose, so do we snuggle into bed to watch greats like Holly and Carrie.

For what better way to learn and love ourselves unapologetically than seeing the fashion icons do it first?