That frozen-faced look? Our make-up’s not up to this chill, say BBC stars
SUB-ZERO temperatures in Pyeongchang have brought a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘freezing on screen’ for BBC presenters at the Winter Olympics.
Eilidh Barbour and Amy Williams have both revealed it is so cold that their water-based make-up is freezing to their faces, making it difficult for them to talk.
Amy, 35, who won a gold for the skeleton at the 2010 Games in Vancouver, tweeted: ‘So anyone know of a good make up that is oil based?? Our latest update from other presenters in Pyeongchang, Korea for #winterOlympics is that water based make up literally is freezing on your face it’s that cold!! #help #facefreeze.’
Barbour, 35, also complained about the conditions, with temperatures plummeting as low as minus 23C. She tweeted: ‘Will Pyeongchang be too cold even for a Winter Olympics? It’s not just me looking for the blankets. Even the skis are struggling to cope. My Samsung dies too. And my wireless headphones. It’s a clear indication we should be inside rather than outside.’
Many of their followers were sympathetic to the women’s plight, with some suggesting make-up brands which might be more able to cope with the icy cold.
But others hinted they thought the presenters could be accused of being snowflakes. One of Eilidh’s followers tweeted: ‘You’re from Scotland! You should be used to the cold.’
And Amy was told: ‘Balaclava. Cheaper & it’ll keep you warm.’
The Games – which are held around two main venues, the mountain resort Alpensia and Gangneung on the east coast – are officially the coldest on record, beating Lillehammer in Norway, where temperatures dipped to minus 11C in 1994.
The BBC coverage is led by Clare Balding and Hazel Irvine, and also features former Olympians Chemmy Alcott and Jenny Jones.