I’m a bit of a beauty obsessive (naturally). I love a full face of makeup, will rarely leave the house brow-less, and I’m a sucker for a gel mani at my local nail bar. I do the ‘beauty stuff’ because it makes me feel good, and there’s something about being done-up that satisfies my Geordie roots. We beautify for a number of reasons; here are 17 women (with interesting careers, across a whole bunch of industries), telling us why they do it.
By Rachel Spedding
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1 Denise Chua, Account Manager
I wear bare-minimum makeup during the week (mainly because I’m terrible at putting it on), but Glossier Boy Brow saved my life. In truth, I’m a skincare addict – I see my beautician and facialist more often than my friends. I always double cleanse; at the moment I’m using a Nuskin brush), then at night, I use Kiehl’s Dark Spot serum for my hyperpigmentation. I end my regime with the Kiehls overnight mask, and Revitalash, for longer eyelashes and brows. In the morning, I use vitamin C+ cream and sunscreen to give me a glow. For my hair, I live for Moroccon oil dry shampoo (specifically for dark hair) – what. an. invention.
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2 Kit Aldis, Content Manager
My beauty routine is pretty much non-existent. I’ve never worn (or even liked) makeup, and I gladly do nothing with my hair apart from obligatory haircuts. But I’m currently part-way through laser hair removal treatment. Before that, I was a Hollywood wax fiend – it’s the one bit of ‘grooming’ that I buy into, and definitely makes me feel happier, sexier and all round more comfortable in my own skin.
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3 Bryony Simcox, Urban Designer and Placemaker
I’m always in a rush, but there are some things I just can’t go without. Full face of makeup or nothing at all, I love my eyelash curlers. Also, every four weeks or so, I’m a sucker for an at-home brow dyeing session (poor boyfriend always gets a fright at the juicy slugs on my forehead). On a normal day, I splash on an SPF moisturiser (Olay, thanks mum), a drop of foundation (vegan), and my trusty Body Shop mascara (that needs replacing). After cycling to work, I wipe my sweaty brow, apply a lashing of red lippy in the lift to the office, et voilà!
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4 Miranda Saul, University Student
I swear by my beauty routine. I cleanse using Facetheory cleanser, and the Clinique cleansing brush. I then use a cleansing lotion, and finish up with a moisturiser or night cream. I face mask one a week, and use The Body Shop’s chemical exfoliator now and then. I also use a pore vacuum post-shower. This routine has cleaned up my skin so well – and the occasional breakout is sorted with a spot of witch hazel. As for treatments, I get my nails done often, and love an eyelash lift.
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5 Harley Chapman, Actress
So 2018 was the year of the wax for me. Being someone who had always wanted to be one of those girls that was preened to perfection (but the reality being a distant dream) I dedicated a whole year to monthly waxing and haven’t looked back since. Smooth. As. Silk. I also had big plans to get a monthly mani… that hasn’t worked out yet. Maybe 2019 will be the year of the mani?
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6 Verity Bradley, Business Analyst
I think there are two types of beauty fiends in the world; those who worship at the altar of skincare, and those who focus on makeup. I’m definitely a skincare girl; I wear the same makeup everyday (even on nights out) but barely a week goes by when I’m not adding something new to my skincare routine. My beauty happy place is clean, clear skin, fresh from a new sheet mask.
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7 Sarah Young, Music Distribution Business Coordinator
This year I started laser hair removal on my face. I’ve always been really conscious of this area and decided that waxing my face on a regular basis was getting really tiring. After a recommendation from a friend, I took the plunge and haven’t regretted it at all! I’ve found an amazing therapist who is great and it’s actually been such a good experience that I’m going to start on my legs next!
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8 Zoë Hine, Accounts Clerk
I moisturise religiously and wear makeup everyday, unless I’m heading to the beach (even then, I’ll probably conceal my under eyes and stick some mascara on). I tend to always go for the natural makeup look, though I’ll add a bit of eyeshadow and lipstick to the mix for a night out. As for treatments, I love a good pedicure now and then, and get a haircut once in a blue moon, but have started to treat my hair to a mask once a week (as the sun and sea were drying it out). Oh and, no matter how drunk, I’ll always remove my makeup and cleanse at night.
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9 Taffy Msipa, Events & Communications Coordinator
I feel like my 20s have been the most exciting time for self-love. The definition of beauty has changed a lot, and I’m all for the huge selection of products and services helping us feel like our best-self. Personally, I love the natural look, so I try to keep it simple, and feeling like I’m on a sunny island, whatever the weather. For me, wild eyebrows (thanks to brow mascara), a little glitter eyeshadow, and Glossier lip gloss. I do believe that the foundation of self-care starts from within, from what you eat, to who you spend your time with. That’s when you’ll find your best self – makeup, or no makeup.
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10 Rochelle Spice, Beauty Merchandiser
Since I took the plunge and cut off my (almost waist length) hair into a bob 4 years ago, I try and go to the hairdressers once every month. It’s barely noticeable to anyone else, but I love how sassy and swishy my hair feels when it’s back above my shoulders.
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11 Hanna Majic, Community Manager
I’m a makeup wearer during the week, but keep it to minimum at the weekend (like, nothing at all). To avoid clogged pores, I religiously double cleanse, tone and moisturise, morning and night. My face has to be fully ‘clean’ before applying any products, or going to bed. I try to use natural products as my skin’s sensitive, and I used to have problematic acne; I’d recommend Botanics skincare from Boots, and I’m a sucker for Lush products. I've recently converted to sugaring instead of waxing, as it causes fewer ingrown hairs, lasts longer, and is kinder to the skin. Plus, it's 100% organic. The most I do to my hair – aside from highlights once a year – is drown it in talc/baby powder, as a cheaper alternative to dry shampoo (you’re welcome).
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12 Rachel Proctor, PR Manager
I stick to the basics when it comes to my beauty routine. A simple cleanser and machine-washable face pads for removing eye makeup (the turtle-friendly way), followed by a layer of moisturiser, and out into the world I go.
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13 Hannah Marks, Affiliate Manager
I’ve worn makeup most days, since becoming an 11 year-old goth circling my eyes with black kohl. I like to think I’ve advanced (somewhat) in the last 18 years, but I’m still partial to black eyeliner – liquid cat, these days. In the last year, I’ve started wearing less during the day, to spend more time in bed, but also because I care less about being seen without it. My skincare has improved massively since trying out the freebies in an M&S advent calendar 3 years ago – where I discovered that luxury skincare is worth it. Most days I cleanse, tone, exfoliate and moisturise, and like to experiment with different types of facials once a month.
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14 Beth Strong, Beauty Editor at All Things Hair
My daily makeup is minimal, but I like to keep up-to-date with brow threading, gel nails, and waxing (it helps me feel like I’ve got my life together). My hair is highlighted blonde – so it’s a little on the drier side – but, luckily, that means I only have to wash it once or twice a week.
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