We Talk to Beauty Expert LAURA BERMINGHAM
As big lovers of cosmetics, makeup and all things beauty related, we were super excited about speaking with one of Ireland's most knowledgable ladies in this area, Irish Mail on Sunday Columnist and TV Personality with TV3's Ireland AM, Laura Bermingham. Not only was Laura very generous in sharing her personal thoughts with us on various issues below, but she took the time to go through - and answer in detail - many readers personal beauty queries and for that we say a great big THANK YOU to Laura. For a very interesting interview and a wealth of hugely helpful beauty tips, read on!
Q: You began modelling at the tender age of 16 – what was it that first drew you towards the fashion industry?
A: I was actually head hunted while still in school so going into fashion hadn't really dawned on me as a job option. For the first few months until I met some others I couldn't have named another model if my life had depended on it.
Q: It can be a tough industry for young girls to be in. Did you find this?
A: Going into any industry from school or college is difficult when you're young and inexperienced. That it's a job in the real world and an adult environment puts pressure on every young person. In modelling at least you are surrounded by people your own age, with evey chance of having fun during the day on the job. On the flip-side of that, in most jobs you don't strip down to your undies on a Tuesday and stand in Grafton St! But with every job comes with the good and the bad.
Q: Do you think the industry has changed much since you were a teenager on the catwalks?
A: A lot has changed because of digital media. I finished 10 years ago in modelling, as the internet and online world was only really becoming mainstream. Back then pictures weren't emailed, stock shots didn't really exist and that meant homegrown models still got that extra work if a paper or business needed a shot of a girl standing beside a bicycle, kissing a boy, eating a burger etc etc It was odd kind of work lol but it paid bills. These days a lot of shots are just bought in seconds and they could be from anywhere, yet still cost less than giving the work to local people. I still chat with a lot of the current models around town and apparently the country shows haven't changed a bit, I really don't miss them because of the travelling!
Q: For those that may not realise, you were the ‘hot schoolteacher’ that every boy fancied on that infamous ‘Boyzone’ video for ‘Key to My Life’ in 1995. What was that experience like for you?
A: It was great craic actually, there were hoards of young girls flinging themselves against railings outside and we were gussied up in clothes from the Abbey Theatre. The lads were very kind and drew pics of body parts in their schoolbooks, and it wasn't feet they were drawing. I gave Keith a slap with the ruler at one point!
Q: Is acting something you ever thought about pursuing?
A: Never! I had a part in Father Ted too and that terrified the life out of me! I have enough problems trying to remember what I'm supposed to be doing as myself without trying to pretend to be someone else doing it!
Q: As a beauty columnist in the Irish Mail on Sunday and with a regular beauty slot on TV3’s Ireland AM, were you always so passionate about health and beauty?
A: Funnily enough that was always what I was interested in, fashion never really thrilled me, probably because you might change clothes 20 times a day as a model. I was always fascinated with hair and make-up, even in school how the skin worked and biology was my absolute favourite subject.
In my years in beauty I've been lucky to build a great stable of industry experts, surgeons, doctors, nurses and scientists. Beauty is really interesting, from the very ordinary product to new developments in skincare and I'm constantly looking for the next new thing and the science behind some products is just mind-blowing.
Q: You are of course a great advertisement for any beauty product that you may use – with your great features and enviable skin - but you must also have a healthy lifestyle. What things would you suggest people should really consider doing to stay healthy and happy?
A: I really wouldn't be any healthier than the next person we all have our vices, but I know how to moderate and stick to it, that's more important than being a good dieter because it's all about balance.
The secret to being happier is to accept yourself and what you've been given, no one puts more pressure on you than you do yourself and if you stop that little voice you can move on to be whatever you want to be. All the rest is in beauty is just enhancement, better brows, nice tan, pretty nails. They cheer you up, not make you who you are.
Q: What products do you use for your basic skincare regime or do you find yourself trialling so many different products that it’s hard to choose?
A: Gosh that's a good one! I take it one day at a time, in the morning I look and see what's needed really. UV protection is my rule in the morning, if my skin feel dry I'll use a cream if not I'll use a lotion, and then an eye cream too. It's really at night that I think hard about it. I might use an oil on dry days or a serum. But I am trying things all the time, maybe I should have no skin left at this stage. For ranges that suit women younger or older than me I have testers, and for different skin types too, if something doesn't suit your age or skin type you couldn't judge the products fairly so that's important.
Q: It seems to be every woman’s ultimate make up dilemma and everyone is of course different, but what is your favourite foundation - and what advice would you give towards finding the perfect one?
A: Colour matching is key, after that then you decide on level of coverage and type of formula. I'm loving Perfect Touch by YSL at the moment. Didn't think I would because it has a brush but the finish is beautiful and it does look different than a lot of others.
Q: When you are on a night out and can’t haul your entire make up bag with you, what essential products would we be likely to find in your evening bag?
A: Ooh, powder without doubt. Lip gloss, eye liner, concealer and maybe a pot of shadow. For night's out I would usually do a smoky look using soft longwear pencils because they're easier to carry than a palette, and then you can touch-up as much as needed.
Q: Who in the world of celebrity do you consider to be naturally beautiful?
A: It's a bizarre thing but everyone looks better, or worse, on TV and in pictures so forget about photoshopping, always remember that when you look at someone's image. I wasn't a fan but I interviewed Dita Von Teese in Cannes and while she looks gorgeous in pictures she is extraordinary looking in real life. I met Claudia Schiffer afterwards, less said the better. And I met a few heads in Hollwood too, won't even go there! ;-)
Q: Who best takes care of themselves?
A: Women who know that beauty grows with them, there is no shut-off point. There is this mad thing in Ireland that you hit a certain age and that's it, you chop your hair off, stop wearing make-up and just give up on beauty. That doesn't happen in other countries, we need to tell older women that beauty has no age limit and make them feel more beautiful.
Q: Women can often feel inadequate when looking at celebrities on the red carpet etc. Would you agree that most people dont realise the lengths that Hollywood A Listers go to, to look the way they do? i.e. diets, exercise, expensive beauty regimes etc.
A: And the rest, it's only when you go there that you see what women would do. Never mind the A-listers, the ordinary people can look high maintenance in the extreme. It's not beauty, it's morphing yourself into some ideal, what that ideal is who knows?
Q: What is your opinion on 'products to enhance' versus 'procedures to change'?
A: I'm really not judgemental on what people want to do. There's a difference between spending $100,000 on turning yourself into Paris Hilton and someone having a huge insecurity about a facial feature and a life blighted by a lack of self-confidence. I've filmed women going through minor and major procedures that in some cases transformed lives, in others it made zero difference because the facial feature wasn't the core issue. You really can't tell with people, but someone looking for a shader to create better cheekbones isn't going to jump to a procedure to change her face, there is a big gap between the two.
Readers enquiries:
Dazzle Toes: When I’m Putting false tan on my feet, how can I stop it staining my toenails?
Laura: Paint them, that's the easiest thing to do. If you have stained them lemon juice or denture cleaning tablets can get them bright again but it's hassle, a coat of polish keeps a barrier between the nail and the tan.
Noeleen: Whatever became of Decleor's Instant de Beaute, a worthy rival to Clarins Beauty Flash Balm? Used to love this
Laura: Hi Noeleen, it was discontinued two years ago I'm afraid, but replaced with Instant Radiance Moisturiser. As a booster for the skin Decleor also added a 10-day treatment serum that works hand in hand with the moisturiser which might be a nice treat for the skin a few times during the year.
Karen: Do you recommend any particular type of facial for very sensitive skin? Want to get glowing skin for my wedding J
Laura: Sensitive skin is a real Irish issue and can be triggered by any number of things including fragrance, ingredients, alcohol etc etc. If you are sensitive to fragrance it can be a real problem because that includes synthetic and natural fragrance from essential oils so you really would need to be patch-tested before any facial. Any clinic, spa or beauty salon can patch-test you so you really need to book a consultation a good while in advance of the wedding, that's all I can really tell you I'm afraid.
Anonymous: I wax my upper lip but keep getting hairs on my chin which I pluck. I can’t really wax this as its awkward. Should I be considering laser for this problem and have you any advice on home laser kits?
Laura: I'm not a huge fan of the home lasers, not because they may not work but I think lasers should be used by professionals. That said, professional treatment isn't expensive anymore and you'll be in safe hands if you choose the clinic carefully. Threading is also an option, it lasts as long as waxing but without any chance of redness or reaction.
Anonymous: I keep getting acne in my thirties. I think it’s a combination of hormonal and what I eat sometimes. I have tried most things but wondered do you have any product advice or natural alternatives for cystic acne?
Laura: Cystic acne is a severe form of acne, I really think the best route would to be in the care of a dermatologist, G.P. or skin clinic. There will always be things flagged as "miracles" for acne in ads and other things endorsed by celebrities for example, don't buy into these, it will cost you money and perhaps worsen your skin condition. Professional help is really the best route, and if you think maybe your diet is a factor see a nutritionist for advice too.
Anonymous: I have really dry skin on my hands. Can you recommend a good hand cream?
Laura: There's a few things that help with really dry hands. First off, ditch all of your soap, it's not ph-balanced and will dry the skin, use a soap-free moisturiing hand wash instead. In the morning try a barrier hand cream to slow moisture loss and protect the skin's outer layer, try Bariederm from Uriage (chemists) and at night use something with a lot of shea butter in it, or just shea butter, L'Occitane have the best one. And if you can pop on cotton gloves overnight. Don't forget, never use household cleaners with rubber gloves on and that incudes when you use household wipes for cleaning.
Anonymous: I want to increase my bust and am considering breast enhancement pills. Am I mad?
Laura: Certifiable :-) Sorry, but from what I understand of these tablets is that they include things like yeast and other nice "swelling" ingredients so if your bust increases so does the rest of you. When you stop taking them everything shrinks back down. There are lots of bra styles and fillers, a professional fitting could help you learn how to make your bust look fuller, M&S do it for free and so do a lot of stores.
If you're thinking of something more serious just remember that breasts can size and shape a lot through life so a bigger bust might just happen naturally.
Your Comments
- Posted by Mariga on 1 June 2011 at 14:58...
- Great interview,love that Laura B really knows her stuff. And wow, didn't know that she was in that vid..off now to youtube it.
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