A Coolhunter’s Guide to Getting Dressed and Glowing – Karina Helena Shares Her Most Used Products

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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 have come to 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 clothes. I had a chance to catch up with the creator to learn about her start on the platform, a day in the life, and the 13 products 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: “A typical day in my life starts early, around 8:30. I have breakfast, write in my 5-minute journal, and plan my day. Since I create content, I always make sure to organize everything I need to get done.

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 Milan Moodboard, In Real Life