Beauty talk with TV presenter, Pip Edwards

Ever since watching Saturday night TV with my family, I’ve always wanted to work in TV. After studying Spanish and History of Art at Bristol, I moving to London, started presenting at events and music festivals, got an agent and also started working as a runner to try and learn the ropes. With TV, I think you constantly have breaks and projects, which in turn, lead to the next ‘big break’. I would say my first big break was fronting a documentary called ‘I Never Said Yes’ for BBC Three in 2012. It investigated the issues surrounding rape in the UK and formed part of their crime season. To date, it’s one of the things in my career I’m most proud of being involved with. I’m really keen to work on another documentary. It’s definitely an area of my career that I want to develop further.

My big entertainment break was on The X Factor, which couldn’t have been further from my last project but an incredible show and opportunity. I feel really fortunate that I worked on the show as part of the digital team. The experience of being involved in a huge entertainment show of that size was invaluable. Funnily, with my modelling, I actually started at 14 after making it to the finals in the petite category competition for Bliss magazine. Serious blast from the past! My best mate Katie entered me. Even now, I’m the smallest model on the Models1 books!

Right now I’m focusing on the music side of my career. I played the drums for 12 years and have always been in bands. I’m currently doing lots of radio demos for national stations and voice over work, script writing and presenting for ITV Be and ITV. I absolutely love it. I’m also launching a new project, which is very much in the initial stages, but it harks back to my degree and the fact that I’m a jewellery junkie. All I can say is that I’m very excited to be working on it and I can’t wait to show you all. As soon as I can tell you more, I will.


Beauty talk with TV presenter, Pip EdwardsHEALTH & WELLNESS

I’ve learned so much over the years not just about myself but also about taking care of my body. I know all about over-working and burning out so that has had a huge influence on my attitude to work, play and health and how I balance my life. With various projects and such a social industry, it can be hard to take down time.

When it comes to eating, on long shoots it’s so easy to eat loads of junk but I try to balance this out by making sure that I always have healthy snacks on set like nuts. Not having enough time is a common theme for me and it’s tiredness that often leaves me feeling like I can’t be arsed to make something healthy from scratch. That’s partly why I’m big on planning; otherwise I’d always succumb to an Indian takeaway. They’re my absolute favourite. I take down days when I can and try to avoid rushing all the time, which is what I used to do. Weekends are for purely for chilling and catching up with friends.

I’m not nearly as good as I’d like to be when it comes to clean living. I try to make a juice every morning with my NutriBullet and try not to snack too much because that’s my biggest weakness. I’d love to try a good cleansing or juicing program but I’m not sure I have the will power but I do believe in looking after your body and putting your health first. Exercising is so important for me to feel good. I love boxing and go to Morning GloryVille too because I love to dance. Beer and wine are my two vices and I have no intention of giving those up anytime soon. It’s all about moderation. I don’t believe in fad diets – as soon as you say you can’t have something, you crave it so I never deprive myself. I’m a serious foodie and definitely live to eat rather than eat to live. I get so much pleasure from being creative in the kitchen and eating and sharing it with friends.

I recently returned from Thailand so now I really believe in the power of massages and want to incorporate them into my routine. I love the Cowshed for treatments but I don’t go nearly as often as I should do. Back, neck and shoulder massages are really important for me because I’m always lugging my laptop and loads of bags around so it’s great to have a targeted treatment. My friend Katie is an acupuncturist so I’ve been trying that too. It’s hard to find the time but I’m trying to get into the habit of doing something for myself once a month, whether that’s a massage or just getting my nails done.


SKINCARE

I’m rather obsessed when it comes to looking after my skin. I’ll never say no to trying something new but if I do find something that works for me, I tend to stick with it until something else comes along! I’m crazy about anything from Dr Paw Paw. It’s honestly the best. Every make-up artist I’ve ever worked with raves about it so the products have become a staple in my beauty regime. I swear by Dr Hauschka too, especially their rose day cream and tinted day cream, but when I’m travelling I amp up my moisturiser and use a great one from Sukin Organics. For night, I use the Elizabeth Arden Flawless Future Night Cream. Every now and again I give my skin that little bit more TLC with a moisturising mask from Burt’s Bees or the Visible Difference Intense Hydration Night Mask from Elizabeth Arden. Even if I leave Burt’s Bees’ Intense Hydration Mask on for 5-10 minutes, I can see a difference. My one skincare splurge is Crème de la Mer’s Eye Balm Intense. Granted it’s expensive but it’s without doubt the best eye cream on the market.

No matter how late I get home, I always take my make-up off. Clinique’s All About Eyes Make-Up Remover is really delicate on the eye area – I love it. I keep my hair and face out of the sun and always use SPF 50 sun protection from Neutrogena. They’re so good because they have an amazing refreshing feel on your skin. For body, Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse smells amazing, otherwise I swear by Nivea’s Q10 Body Oil.


Beauty talk with TV presenter, Pip Edwards


Beauty talk with TV presenter, Pip EdwardsMAKE-UP

After I’ve applied my Dr Hauschka Rose Day Cream, I usually pop on my Chanel Lumière foundation on top but if my skin’s really thirsty, I use the Dr Hauschka tinted day cream on top. It comes in one colour and is incredible. My mum recommended it to me. In fact, she has a huge impact on my beauty and skin regime. She has the most flawless skin and easily looks about 15 years younger than she is. Otherwise, I apply Lancôme ‘Éclat Miracle Serum under my tinted moisturiser or foundation. It’s an incredible radiance booster.

I’m a big fan of Bobbi Brown’s Creamy Concealer Kit and I use Hoola Bronzer from Benefit on my face to get a subtle glow. Bobbi Brown is my go-to for lipsticks. I love their Art Sticks – they’re these amazing matte lipsticks that really last. Cassis and Harlow red are my go-to shades. For brows, I use the Eyebrow Duo Brush from Avon and eyes wise, I use a really natural eye shadow called Patina from MAC and I live by Lancôme mascara. The Hypnôse elongates my lashes in a way no other mascara ever has. I layer it on like there’s no tomorrow and run through them far too quickly. It’s my absolute must-have. I recently bought Estee Lauder’s Little Black Liner and it’s amazing – so easy to use. I can’t wait for the Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Body Oil to come out later this autumn too.

HAIR

Since going whitey, greyish, my hair has completely changed. I love the silvery colour but it does take maintenance. An amazing product I use is A Touch of Silver from Boots. It’s cheap but amazing for retaining your colour. I swear by Tigi Catwalk Fashionista Violet Shampoo and John Frieda has a great conditioner. I use hair masks often to prevent my hair from drying out or breaking. I love Sukin’s hair masks but sometimes I’ll just put coconut oil on and leave it over night. My hair’s really thin too so I use Bumble & Bumble Thickening Hair Spray when it’s is still wet to give it volume.

Photographs by David Nyanzi with creative direction by Naomi Mdudu. This interview has been condensed and edited.