‘I NEVER IMAGINED BEING PREGNANT ’
The reality star on her frank mum advice
WHAT DOES SELF-CARE LOOK LIKE TO YOU?
During pregnancy, I knew I’d have days where I felt crap, so I really wanted to sort out my self-care and do things that make me look and feel good. I started having my lashes done every couple of weeks and getting my nails done by my friend every month, and it’s just those little things that really make a difference.
HOW DO YOU PICK YOURSELF UP WHEN YOU’RE FEELING DOWN?
I’ve got two dogs and walking has been a godsend. There’s been days I’ve really struggled mentally just to get my head around the changes and Alex has said, “Right, let’s go for a walk!” For some reason, just walking in the countryside, with the dogs with nothing else around you, sort of chills you out and puts things into perspective.
WHAT’S YOUR HOLY GR AIL BEAUTY BUY?
I am a sucker for a tan, it always makes me feel good. Utan’s Marie Curie Turbo Mousse is by far the best I’ve used. For every bottle sold, 75p goes to Marie Curie, which is amazing, and the scent of the tan honestly smells like perfume.
WHAT PODCAST ARE YOU LISTENING TO?
Ashley James has a really great podcast called Mum’s The Word! – it’s really, really, honest and I absolutely love her. We’ve been chatting over DM the whole time I’ve been pregnant because she’s just so supportive. Kate Lawler sent me her book Maybe Baby too and I just really like someone who’s very honest and doesn’t sugarcoat things.
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN DURING YOUR PREGNANCY?
I never properly imagined being pregnant, so suddenly, I was like, “Oh my god, I know nothing about babies, children or pregnancy”. The advice my mum gave me was to just take each day as it comes because you end up learning so much along the way, just from going through it day by day and talking about it with other people. So I think don’t expect to know everything at once. It just comes to you. ■