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Ricky Martin has spent about four decades in entertainment, but you wouldn't know it by looking at him. Not to say that he doesn't have the kind of face that sells magazines or makes folks swoon. Quite the contrary. Martin has been doing all that since he first emerged on the scene in 1984 as one-fifth of Puerto Rican boy band Menudo. By the time his music crossed over to the U.S. market with the 1999 release of "Livin' La Vida Loca," he'd already been solo for eight years, a long-established Latin heartthrob.
And Martin, who just turned 50 this past December, still is. In June, when I sat down to chat with him, People en Español named him one of 50 más bellos (that's most beautiful), and you know what — fair. If Martin is anything, it's well-maintained. And as 2020 taught him, a crucial aspect of that includes slowing down, taking a breath, and looking around. "I started [to feel] this need to really get closer to wellness," Martin tells Allure. "Sometimes you're on the road and this speed of life makes you forget the importance of taking time for yourself when you're in the bathroom in front of a mirror."
It's part of the reason why in July 2021, he signed on as an ambassador for Kumiko Skincare, a brand produced in Barcelona that, per the brand's website, combines the power of Japanese matcha tea with European skin-care technology. The partnership is still going strong — as, apparently, are the effects of the products on his skin. If his face is any indication, they're working. As we chat, he calls out several of the brand's products as go-tos in his daily routine and cites the Matcha Perfect Skin Refiner and Matcha Sculpting Eye Lift as important tools in his skin-care arsenal.
But whether it's mostly genetics, the tutelage of skilled medical professionals, a little alchemy, or all three, one thing is clear: Ricky Martin looks damn good, feels damn good, and is ready for his next chapter. On July 14, the singer made his return to music with a new album, aptly called Play. It's an offering Martin describes as "very chill, very elegant." Grown and sexy, if you will. It's the result of decades of experience, cultivation, learning, and allowing himself to evolve.
We speak to Martin about his forthcoming musical efforts, his beauty routine, and his legacy.
ALLURE: Let's talk about your new album Play. What was it like putting that together?
Ricky Martin: The creative process is so insane. You just never know how you're going to be seduced by the muse. I thought I was going to release a hard-core, party, danceable kind of album with Play, and nope. Whenever I lock myself in the studio with different producers and different composers, I had an idea of what I thought was going to come out, and nothing but very beautiful and gentle soothing sounds came about. Very chilled, very relaxed. I locked myself in the studio again with Súbelo NEO, an amazing team of producers, and this crazy massive track "Ácido Sabor" was born. It's an exquisite album.
ALLURE: What does your skin-care routine look like?
RM: When I wake up in the morning, I use the dry soap (Matcha Luxurious Face Wash). It's this very beautiful gel that you can just put onto your skin. It's filled with essential oils. As you're treating it, the skin tells you, this is what I need.
My favorite product, I call it "come-arrugas," my wrinkle vanisher. Kumiko Matcha Intense Recovery eats all my wrinkles. That's one I can put on in the morning, at noon, and at night. That's my magic. But it's the time that I take for myself in the madness of having small kids and constantly traveling. Those 15 to 20 minutes of silence just to be with myself — it's all about Kumiko and me.
ALLURE: What drew you to Kumiko Skincare products specifically?
RM: I've been on the road since I was 12 years old. I've dealt with all kinds of skin issues with the makeup that I use for hours when I'm in front of the cameras. I've tried all kinds of creams. All kinds of products. The list is endless. And all of sudden, Kumiko came into my life.
The instant gratification that you get with Kumiko is something that I never experienced before. Literally, you try these creams at night and in the morning, you look at yourself like, "Wow! This is magical!" I contacted the founder of Kumiko, Catalina Aguirre. I told her I want to be part of this movement of wellness. I explained to her a little about where I am at this time and age. I told her everything I've been through with my skin. She was like, "Well, this is the solution to all your problems." I'm a little bit obsessed with Kumiko, to be honest.
ALLURE: What do you smell like?
RM: I've been obsessed for a couple of years now with Loewe 7 Anónimo. It's very masculine. Very strong. Doesn't matter where I go. Men and women tell me, "What is that? It smells so good." It's the kind of fragrance that I can smell on myself.
ALLURE: Since you came out in 2010, there are more openly queer artists in Latin music. How does it feel to see that representation?
RM: It is so cool, and it's so important. At the end of the day, it's all about dignity. It's about people being comfortable in their own skin regardless of what others think. That's what coming out is about. It's about self-love.
When I came out, it felt so amazing. I always say I wish I could come out again. How incredible it felt! I know it's not the case for everyone. A lot of people struggle when they come out, but at the end of the day, it feels better. The closet has no light. And still, I believe there's a lot that needs to be done. When I take a picture with my family and I post it on social media, I do it for those that are struggling with their identity. Yes, I do have an agenda. My agenda is to make them feel comfortable with themselves every time I post something on social media.
Sometimes, I post and I lose a lot of followers and it kind of shakes me a little bit. It brings me back to the time when I was in the closet and I was really afraid of letting anyone know what I was made of and who I was. It shakes you. The trauma is there unfortunately, even at my age, but I just think of my kids and how open-minded they are growing.
My kids are just cool with life. In that sense, they tell me, "Dad, I love you," and for me, that's all I want. We talk to each other. We hug each other. In this household, we are not afraid to say "I love you." They don't get embarrassed to say "I love you, dad" in front of their friends. It's a day-to-day situation. We have to reinforce and boost our self-esteem every day. Today I feel amazing.
ALLURE: In December, you turned 50. How did you feel to reach that milestone birthday?
RM: Wow! I started music when I was 12 years old. I started in the industry in 1984 and I'm still here, I knock on wood, healthy. Still inspired. Still with this need to keep learning. I walk into the studio with young producers, people who are at the top of their game at the moment, and I just sit down and I listen to where they're at. The moment you walk into a studio and you think you know it all, that's it, that's the end.
I guess this comes with a level of maturity. I said it when I was 22 years old and I say it today, I'll be in front of the cameras until I look ridiculous. [Ed note: as if that's even possible!] I just love what I do. I'm still inspired. The audience is still there. The numbers speak for themselves. I'm in a really special place where gratitude is my force. I'm also here ready to share my knowledge with young artists that are willing to grow and experience longevity.
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