MY LIFE MY RULES
Belle Hassan
The Love Island star, 25, on her passion for make-up and how being on the country’s biggest reality show changed her life
MY SECRET SKILL is that I’m quite a good singer. I’m in the middle of doing a song at the moment. I’m going to finish it by the end of the year, hopefully.
MY MOST TREASURED POSSESSION is my dog. Her name is Lacey and she’ll be six in May. She’s a little cutie.
MY GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT is being a make-up artist and building up a brand. Within a year I was fully booked and working seven days a week. I’ve always been proud of that.
IF I HADN’T GONE INTO THE LOVE ISLAND VILLA I’d still be doing the same things I’m doing now. I’ve always been interested in music and make-up and Love Island just gave me more of a platform. I was never interested in being famous. I always said to my dad [actor Tamer Hassan] I wanted to do reality because it gives you a platform, but you can step away from it and be forgotten about.
I FEEL AT MY MOST VULNERABLE whenever I sing. Acting and singing are things I’ve always been told I’m good at, but when people say, “Let me film you singing,” I’m like, “Nah!” It scares me so much!
THE TOUGHEST CHALLENGE I’VE EVER FACED was going on Love Island. From a young age I’ve always had boyfriends, my mum, dad or brother by my side. If I was getting a train somewhere I’d call someone and go, “Come with me.” For Love Island I had to get the plane by myself and you get thrown into this villa with all these big personalities and you have to hold your own.
SOCIAL MEDIA IS amazing, but it can be quite controversial. It can be quite dangerous and harmful to other people, but great for talking to friends and family.
TO CHILL OUT my favourite thing is to watch TV with my dog. Doing my make-up relaxes me, too.
THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION about me is that I’m quite hard-faced. People think I’ve got a resting bitch face, but I’m actually quite a big softie.
I’D TELL MY 16-YEAROLD SELF to stop being so insecure. I’d tell myself not to worry about boys until she’s at least 25.
And when I was younger I should have taken more risks, so I’d tell myself to have more confidence.
IN A CRISIS I’d call my brother Taser – even though we’re not talking at the minute. He forgot to buy me a birthday present, but he’d still come to my rescue.
I LOVE WORKING with the Eyelash Emporium, because I love their eyelashes. It’s good to work with a company I believe in. I’m doing some tutorials showing girls how to put their lashes on properly on my Instagram page. At the moment people have got a lot of time on their hands to practise!
I’D LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED as a strong woman.