I grew up in the 1990s; we didn’t have Photoshop to edit our pictures. We didn’t have social media. I mean, we didn’t even have the internet for half of that time! So as a pre-teen, I was definitely less self-aware than, for instance, my 10-year-old daughter is. The way appearance was talked about when I was growing up was more to do with looking presentable, smart and taking pride in yourself. For my parents’ generation, it was a matter of self-respect; my mum wouldn’t have left the house without makeup on.
Today, I have this huge gratitude towards my appearance, because it could have been so different. I’m lucky to live in a country with a National Health Service. If I’d been injured [in 2008, Katie’s ex-boyfriend arranged for acid to be thrown in her face] in somewhere like America and not been able to afford the medical bill, never mind my appearance, I might not be alive! I’m grateful for being here, being functional and being able-bodied. When I’m around other people, I sometimes think, ‘Oh my God, aesthetically, lots of people are far more beautiful than me. But they’re also more unhappy than me.’ To some people I might not be beautiful, but I really do subscribe to the idea of beauty coming from within. However you look, if it doesn’t match how you feel, it’s kind of wasted on you.
If you’ve ever had health problems, you’ll realise you can’t earn money without good mental and physical health, so I make time for wellness... but not in a fluffy way. I’m not very good at meditation and things like that. I find stillness in movement. Sometimes it’ll be taking half an hour to go for a walk with my phone off. Other times, it’ll be an early-morning 5k run with two of my neighbours, which is a social thing, too – a way to hang out with other women that doesn’t involve alcohol!
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+
I’ve always loved skincare. I now have a skin type that can become dry, itchy and inflamed, so I take it seriously; I would never go to sleep in my makeup. I’ve always used La Roche-Posay products, as they’re dermatologically tested and don’t contain alcohol. In particular, I love their Cicaplast Baume B5 Repairing Balm, £18.90, because it’s so multipurpose and gives instant relief. Then, every morning and night, I double-cleanse with the Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser, £16, and Soothing Lotion, £15. During the day, I follow this with Cicaplast B5 Serum, £40, which I wear under Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50+, £20, even in winter. I love this SPF because it’s a fluid, so it’s easy to wear under foundation. I keep it in my makeup bag and treat it like a primer.
These days, I’m no slave to makeup; I’m in a really good place with it. I love it, but I don’t feel ashamed or less confident without it. On Instagram, I’ll go on my Stories with no filter, no makeup and then, when people meet me, they’re not shocked or surprised. For work, on the other hand, there’s lots of makeup! I’m fortunate in my job to have a makeup artist (I’ve had the same one for 10 years) and as my face has changed, he’s given me lots of lessons and told me what products to buy. Currently in my makeup bag are L’Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Foundation, £10.99; Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Sun-kissed Glow Bronzer, £45; and Iconic London Illuminator in Original, £32.
Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam in Dark
There was a point in my life where my hair was all I had. It’s a cliché, but it became my crown – my way to express myself. I started to experiment with different colours and styles: I had total control of it and nobody could take it away from me. And actually, because
I had to have a lot of my hair shaved, it came back really thick, really full, and was something I hugely valued; it became a very healing thing for me. It was a place where I felt beautiful. When I couldn’t touch my face, I enjoyed doing treatments on my hair and I still do today. I love using Pantene Molecular Bond Repair Intensive Hair Mask, £10 once or twice a week (it says to wash it out, but I like to sleep in it). It’s part of Pantene’s Molecular Bond Repair range, which I love. It’s formulated with biotin and these tiny gold spheres that release nutrients into your hair, helping it repair at a cellular level. I use Pantene Molecular Bond Repair Shampoo, £6, Conditioner, £6, and Deep Conditioning Treatment, £10, on rotation.
I feel healthier with a tan. For me, it’s attached to wellness because it makes me feel like I’ve had a holiday and that I look a bit more rested. But there’s been skin cancer in my family, so I’m also very sun aware. For that reason, I’ve always felt fake tan to be a bit of a hero. I use Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam, £17.49, in Dark (because I’m so pale) and it comes out golden. It gives me a real sunny feeling; it’s such a great placebo!
When I was young, I loved Jo Malone fragrances but wasn’t able to afford them. Today, it’s never lost on me that I can buy them for myself (I wear Honeysuckle & Davana or Pomegranate Noir Cologne, from £55 each). I have gratitude for that; it makes me think, ‘Oh, wow, I’ve really made it in life!’
Katie has partnered with Pantene for the launch of Molecular Bond Repair.
