The internet is not short of swimsuit selfies, but Salma Hayek’s are a rare kind of #instamood.

Hayek of course knows she’s a universal sex symbol. But her journey to becoming Instagram’s favourite Ursula Andress has not been plain sailing. At the cusp of her career, Salma dressed herself for her promo gigs because “no one thought a Mexican was going to stick around”.

No matter, with an eye for trends and a jaw-dropping figure to make body-conscious fashion look sensational, some of her most memorable ’90s looks were when she went her own way. Nowadays, she’s married to one of the biggest players in fashion: François-Henri Pinault, the CEO of Kering, and having the last laugh on front rows around the world.

Speaking of Kering brands, Hayek catapulted herself from beach babe to marketing genius on social media during the House of Gucci promo trail by posting a poolside picture of her and her Gucci swimmers.

From one internet breaking moment to another, Salma rang in 2022 in the best way she knows how: by the sea. Her cheetah swimsuit post – a slinky Saint Laurent number that was another kerching for Kering – urged everyone doom scrolling on New Year’s Day to up the ante and pull themselves together.

This year, you won’t find Hayek preaching about fitness routines or sharing #OOTD shots from her walk-in wardrobe, which is inevitably stuffed to the rafters with the world’s top brands, but making time for herself. “May this new year bring you the awareness of your own strength. Happy, healthy 2022,” she told her 20 million followers. Amen to that.