Holly Carpenter

“You can’t really tell anyone what to do. If I want to wear make-up to the gym because I feel better, no one can judge me”

In second year in school, that was when I started trying to make myself look older using make-up. We weren’t allowed make-up in school, so we’d do it on a Friday, afterwards. We’d all go to the bathroom and do our make-up, because we knew we’d be walking past the boys’ school. Once my skin started breaking out, I liked to have my make-up on. I was in an all-girls school, I wasn’t trying to impress anyone, but I felt better. I used to get in trouble a little bit. The vice principal would go around with baby wipes, and if she saw someone with make-up on, she’d try and get you to take it off. I used to argue it, and then I’d get detention.

To be honest, most days now I will wear make-up, even if I’m going to the gym, because I’m usually meeting someone afterwards. I think make-up is a really personal thing. I’ve seen a few bloggers write about why you shouldn’t wear make-up to the gym, or what lipsticks blondes shouldn’t wear, and do you know what? You can’t really tell anyone what to do. If I want to wear make-up to the gym because I feel better; no one can judge me. But I try and keep my Instagram as relatable as possible. I would always list the products, and be open about how long it took me to get this look. I’m not going to say I woke up like that.

When I was Miss Ireland [2011], I felt a bit of pressure if I had no make-up on. I felt like I wanted to look good all the time. Now that I’m 25, I’m more sure of myself. With boyfriends, it takes me a while at the start. But then it’s nice when you’re at that stage with them where you can wear no make-up. That doesn’t mean that you’ve let yourself go. Or you’re too comfortable. I’d still always have my make-up bag with me. I think a lot of men like the natural look, but a lot of them don’t know how many products it takes to get the natural look.

One thing I’d have to say is I have eyelash extensions from The Beauty Parlour, and my brows are tinted. It’s more for me to take a bit of time off the getting-ready process.

People think if you’re a model or on TV that you think you’re great because you’re doing this stuff. But a lot of the time it’s flipped, and you’re just as insecure, if not more so, than your viewers.

I’ve definitely developed more of a thick skin, because I’ve had to. But I’m not going to lose the fact that I’m a sensitive person, because that’s just me.