For Victoria's Secret model Adriana Lima, wearing elaborate and sexy lingerie is not just part of the job, but also a part of her bedtime routine.

Speaking to The Straits Times last week during a press event at the American lingerie brand's flagship store at the Mandarin Gallery, the 35-year-old says: "You have to understand. I have a process when I go to sleep - I shower, put on lotion, put on perfume and I choose the sexiest lingerie or pyjamas. All the time."

The 1.78m-tall Brazilian, Victoria's Secret's longest-running model, adds with a laugh that she loves wearing sexy lingerie.

"Why not? I do it for myself. I'm not going to put on something sexy just for a man. This is all about me feeling good. So I choose whatever I feel like wearing and I put it on and I go to bed feeling great."

She has two daughters - Valentina, eight, and Sienna, five - with retired Serbian basketball player and former NBA star Marko Jaric. The couple split last year after five years of marriage.

Lima started her career at Victoria's Secret in 1999. Though she has been with the label for close to two decades, she says she never expected to last so long.

"I never thought about it. But the years have just flown by. I love my job and I am living the dream."

The slim and tanned model has opened the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on multiple occasions and donned the million- dollar Fantasy Bra three times.

Typically, only one model is chosen to wear the bejewelled bra each year. Big names such as Gisele Bundchen, Tyra Banks, Heidi Klum and Miranda Kerr have all worn it.

Lima has appeared on the covers of fashion magazines such as Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, GQ and Esquire, and walked the runway for designer labels such as Vera Wang, Valentino, Alexander McQueen, Givenchy and Prada.

Since 2014, she has been the world's second highest-paid model, according to American business magazine Forbes. She kept the ranking last year with earnings of US$10.5 million (S$14.8 million). Fellow Brazilian Gisele Bundchen is the highest-paid, at US$30.5 million.

Asked what she would say to her younger self, the Instagram star who has more than 10 million followers says: "I would say, 'You will do a great job. I am very proud of you'."

As for the pressures of the modelling world and its body expectations, Lima says she does not view it negatively.

"Everyone has a different body type. I just like being myself," she says, adding that she is obsessed with the gym and works out at least five times a week.

"I am passionate about boxing, but if I don't have access to a gym, I will do burpees or squats in my room. I try to keep moving. It is part of my lifestyle."

While the beauty may smile easily and strikes poses naturally in front of the camera, she still gets nervous before every fashion show.

"I get cold sweat, my hands shake, I feel butterflies in my stomach and, about 30 minutes before the show, I start yawning.

"Don't ask me why because I don't know why. My body reacts this way, but every single fashion show, it happens."

But once she sets foot on the runway, the jitters disappear.

"Once I walk out onto the stage, it all stops. All the nerves are gone and I just have fun."

Things in her bag

POUCH

I usually have this pouch for my make-up. It keeps things neat in my bag.

PERFUME

This is XO from Victoria's Secret, a fresh and floral scent which I love. I like that it is feminine, but not too sweet.

PASSPORT COVER

I chose this cover myself. I like the animal print.

SUNGLASSES

I like the aviator shape because it flatters my face. I usually like bigger frames.

PROTEIN BAR

I always carry a protein bar in my bag. When I am constantly on the move, I don't always have time to find something healthy to eat. This is good for the body and it tastes good.

MOBILE PHONE

I use this a lot, especially when travelling. I speak to my daughters as much as I can. It is a bit difficult with the time difference, but we manage.