Let’s face it, makeup is FAB
TV and radio presenter Gaby Roslin explains how her love of cosmetics started with a pot of Nivea
‘I even wore mascara when I was giving birth!’
Ihope this month brings you joy… and a face mask! Yes, I know it sounds daft, but I’m actually sitting here with one on, and it reminded me that I wanted to talk about skincare. When I was younger, I didn’t take good care of my skin. But my late mum had a big tub of Nivea on her dressing table and when I was a teenager, she handed me my very own pot.
I vividly remember a friend talking to me at school about cleansers and toners, and I wanted to learn more. So off I went to Boots and bought some of the products my friend had mentioned. That possibly started my love of skincare. I am lucky that I never had acne, but I did get monthly breakouts. I quickly learned that as someone who loved wearing makeup, I had to know how to remove it properly, too.
These days, I have my routines and products that I love; I’ve learned a huge amount from researching and trying various creams and serums.
I’ve even tried giving my 15-year-old daughter a facial. In my mind, I imagined that we would laugh, sing songs together and have a chat about skincare. It didn’t quite work out like that, but when I removed her face mask, she just gave me a hug and said: ‘Wow, I didn’t know my skin could feel like that.’ So it was a win after all.
Years ago, people thought that if you cared about your skin and wore makeup, you weren’t very clever or interesting. Thankfully, things are different these days and I’m loud and proud about it. If you feel embarrassed about your skin or your makeup, please don’t. Firstly, if you have bad skin, research what works for others and don’t try to hide away. Secondly, if you want to wear makeup, then wear it, but remember to cleanse properly – it makes a world of a difference.
Last week, I was chatting to a journalist about my podcast, That Gaby Roslin Podcast, and he said to me it must be great to record it as I don’t have to get dressed or wear makeup. ‘What are you talking about?’ I said. ‘Of course I wear makeup. I even wore mascara when I was giving birth!’ He laughed and told me that was weird. I replied that it was something that makes me happy. When he still didn’t seem to understand, I asked him if he shaved before interviewing me on the phone. ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘Why wouldn’t I?’ I smiled and said no more!
I also wanted to mention a wonderful book by Justine Jenkins, a leading makeup artist, who works with some amazing people including Vicky Mcclure, Fearne Cotton and Jodie Comer. Her book Sustainable Beauty: Practical Advice And Projects For An Eco-conscious Beauty Routine is a guide for anyone who wants to be more ethical in their beauty choices and features easy tutorials, sensible advice and 20 vegan beauty recipes to try at home, including an avocado face mask – I’ll try that next week! One last little thought. Does anyone else use dry shampoo? I’ve tried a few but I always look like I’m auditioning for the role of the Wicked Witch (my hair goes straw-like and powdery white), so I think researching that will be my next task. I’ll report back to let you know whether or not I ended up looking like I should be going to work on a broomstick!