Nineteen-year-old model Arlenis Sosa has been in the industry for less than a year, but she's already taken the fashion world by storm. The Dominican beauty walked into the Marilyn Agency in March 2008 and inked a contract with them right on the spot. Two weeks later, she's prepping for photo shoots with photographers Norman Jean Roy for VOGUE and Steven Meisel for the infamous all-black issue of Italian VOGUE. Arlenis has accomplished incredible feats, and she can add another to her list as the new face of Lancôme.

StyleList got the opportunity to catch up with the newcomer before she graced the catwalks at the Mercedes-Benz Fall 2009 Fashion Week in New York. Read on to find out how Arlenis was discovered, her secret to maintaining flawless skin, and her top three Lancôme products.


On being discovered...
"I was in the Dominican Republic and just finished high school. I was walking in the street with my family and a designer from there spotted me. He said 'Oh, my God! I love this girl! I know people in New York. You have to go.' And I was like 'Okay, cool!' But was thinking 'I don't know anyone there or anything about modeling.' I just wanted to be professional student and attend the university. And it just happened!"

On being a model...
"I have new experiences all the time. After relocating here, I had work two weeks later-my first professional shoot with Steven Meisel. I didn't know him, but I had to learn and they told me 'He's one of the best.' And then at the Black Girls Italian VOGUE shoot I saw Alek Wek, Iman, Jourdan...everyone! And I was like 'Oh, my God! Look where I am!' Now everything is good for me and I just try to be the best that I am."

On her best moment so far...
"When I came in April, I started with Steven and Anna Wintour told me about Oscar de la Renta. I didn't know Oscar but knew that he's a fashion designer from the Dominican Republic. And she [Wintour] told me 'Arlenis, you are going to go to one party...the Met [ Metropolitan Museum of Art] Party and you are going to wear a dress from Oscar de la Renta.' Everything just changed after that. But that was one of the best experiences for me. And of course when I got this contract [Lancôme]. They called me when I was in the Dominican Republic and I just got my work visa. They said, 'You got it.' And I was crying and my mom was jumping. It was so crazy. But it's amazing."

On her favorite Lancôme products...
"I don't like too much makeup. But when I have to take it off I use Lancôme Bi-Facil. My favorite gloss is the Lancôme La Laque Fever in Digital Berry. My favorite mascara is the Lancôme 'L'Extreme' Instant Extensions Lengthening Mascara-this one is the best for extending. I tell the makeup artist, 'That's my favorite one. Can you put it on me?' "

On beauty tricks she's learned...
"I just try to do what my Mom told me when I was home and that was to never go to bed with makeup. My skin is like this because I've taken care of it. I just take cotton and cold crème and take it [makeup] off. And then now of course, I use Lancôme (laughs). My agent always asks me to give up my secret because I wear makeup all the time."

On her favorite ways to style her hair and makeup...
"I'm very natural, but I have to look like a chic girl. I like mascara and a little powder. Not too much. And a little blush. My lips stay natural. I wear a ponytail all the time! Not too high or low. It depends on where you're going-if you're out with friends or modeling. But I can be more natural my way."

On being a model of color and a role model...
"For me, it's just about being me. It doesn't matter if you're black, brown or white. Everyone has an opportunity. I just want to work. It's tough for top models. You have to be responsible and get things right because you know someone behind you is looking up to you. Journalists ask me all the time will I change. I just want to be the original me. Be natural. You don't have to change."