Our series featuring the daily routines, expert advice, and beauty tips of industry insiders (read: those who’ve got it down to a science). Because we should all have a Protocol.

You can't talk about influencers without talking about Rocky Barnes. When she joined Instagram nearly 10 years ago, every incarnation of her given name, Rachel Barnes, was taken, so Rocky was born. Over the past decade, she's garnered a following of over 2.5 million followers, thanks to her unique brand of effortless cool, down-to-earth attitude, and aspirational-meets-(almost!) accessible appeal. Simply put, it's impossible to not like her. 

Instantly recognizable by her once-trademark brunette fringe, or perhaps from her role in Justin Bieber's "Boyfriend" music video, circa 2012, the California native became a mom in January 2020 to her son, Jones, with husband, Matthew Cooper, an entrepreneur who's come to serve as the photographer behind the lens on many of her photo shoots. 

Rocky now balances motherhood and her social media empire with The Bright Side, a line of both unisex loungewear (think coordinating pajamas and knits for you and your significant other) and breezy SoCal-inspired maxi dresses and separates. Oh, and did we mention she's a certified black belt in Taekwondo?

Here, the model, designer, and mother talks about the importance of maintaining a relaxed routine, the beauty of keeping it natural, and why we should put down the tweezers. 

What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
Grab Jones from his crib and brush our teeth together.

Describe your morning and evening skincare routines. 
I like to keep things simple. In the morning, I splash my face with water, apply a vitamin C serum and moisturizer with SPF. At night, I wash my face with oil cleanser, add serums (love the U Beauty Resurfacing Compound) a light retinol, and a heavy moisturizer! I have very dry skin, so I really load up on moisturizer at night.

Do you have a fitness routine? If yes, what are your objectives/goals when you work out?
I don’t have a strict routine, but I try and take walks with Jones every day (there are great hikes by our house in LA) and when I get time I love to do a yoga class on our Mirror. 

Have you tried any in-office cosmetic procedures (lasers, fillers, microneedling, etc.)?
I have been doing light Botox in my forehead the past few years, and actually just tried microneedling for the first time last week! I’m already obsessed! It has helped so much with my skin texture. 

Which procedures do you love, and which would you never try (or never try again!)?
I will for sure be doing microneedling again. I also heard adding PRP is great. Will be trying that next time! I have always been scared of lasers. A doctor told me ages ago to be careful with lasers since my skin is tan. Although, I heard cool lasers might be a good option. 

@rockybarnes

What’s your diet like on a typical day?
I like to eat three meals a day, no snacking! I am a big breakfast person! It’s my favorite meal of the day! Someone once told me at breakfast you eat like a king, lunch you eat like a queen, and dinner you eat like a pauper. It’s always stuck with me. 

What's the last thing you do before you go to bed?
Usually staring at pics or videos of Jones. I can’t wait for him to go to bed but then miss him like crazy as soon as he’s down. 

Who’s your beauty idol? 
I idolize anyone with glowing skin. I love natural beauty; my goal is to look amazing without having to wear makeup. 

What’s the most high-maintenance aspect of your beauty protocol? 
Probably hair color and microneedling.  

What’s the best piece of beauty advice you’ve gotten?
Don’t touch your eyebrows. Put the tweezers down. And stop picking your pimples. 

What’s your 24-hour plan for getting ready for a big event or photoshoot? 
Drink a ton of water, avoid salt, and get some sleep. 

What do you do when you want to reset, regroup, or detox?
My husband and I like to do Dr. Nancy’s 5-Day Reset. We do it a couple times a year. It’s a great way to get back on track!