Ready for your close-up? (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Ready for your close-up?

7:00am Saturday 22nd September 2012 in Lifestyle

Lisa Haynes talks beauty routines with TV judges - Strictly's Darcey Bussell, Britain's Got Talent's Alesha Dixon, and Kimberly Wyatt from Got To Dance.

By Lisa Haynes

The new spray-tanned, sparkly contestants on Strictly Come Dancing have been announced, which means talent show season is officially under way.

But the competitors aren't the only ones in the spotlight. The celebrity judges' style is under weekly scrutiny and, being stuck behind a desk, a winning beauty look is required.

Here, three top judges reveal the secrets to their on-screen glow.

:: Darcey Bussell

Strictly Come Dancing's new judge and the face of Sanctuary Spa Active Reverse skincare.

Q: DESCRIBE YOUR DAILY BEAUTY ROUTINE...

A: In the morning I fully cleanse and follow with an exfoliator. I then apply Sanctuary Active Reverse Power Peptide Serum, followed by the Sanctuary Active Reverse Peptide Protect Day Cream SPF20, both of which hydrate and protect my skin. The only time I wear full make-up is in the evenings.

Q: WHAT ARE YOUR MUST-HAVE SKINCARE PRODUCTS?

A: I get quite dehydrated so I use a facial oil at night as it hydrates my skin leaving it feeling fresh when I wake up.

Q: WHAT ARE YOUR ESSENTIAL COSMETICS?

A: After growing up in the theatre I enjoy not having to wear make-up any more but when I do my essentials are Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser SPF20, which I dab onto my cheekbones as a highlighter; Benefit Ooh La Lift under-eye brightener, and MAC Bronzing Powder for evenings.

Q: WHAT'S THE ONE BEAUTY PRODUCT YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT?

A: Maybelline Falsies Mascara. I don't wear make-up every day but I do try to apply mascara daily. I have mascaras all over the place - in my handbags, car - there's always one to hand!

Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE FEATURE TO ACCENTUATE IF YOU'RE GLAMMING UP?

A: My lips. If I'm dressing up I'll use a fab lipstick, like MAC Spice.

Q: WHAT'S YOUR BEST BIT OF BEAUTY ADVICE?

A: To keep your eyes looking open and big, never bring the eyeliner to the end of the eye, always lift it slightly at the end. I also apply my blush higher than my cheek bones to accentuate them.

Q: HOW DO YOU LIKE TO PAMPER YOURSELF?

A: I like to put on a face mask and take time out. My new favourite is the Sanctuary Active Reverse 30 Day Thermal Transformation Mask; I apply it and then relax as it warms up on my skin.

:: Alesha Dixon

Britain's Got Talent judge and face of Impulse Sweet Smile bodyspray.

Q: DESCRIBE YOUR DAILY BEAUTY ROUTINE...

A: It's minimal - shower, moisturising cream, a bit of mascara, bit of lip gloss, top knot in my hair and I'm good to go. A spritz of Impulse is great for a fragrance boost when I'm on the move all day. It's very different when I'm working - it can take two hours but when I'm getting ready myself it's more like 20 minutes flat.

Q: WHAT ARE YOUR MUST-HAVE SKINCARE PRODUCTS?

A: At the moment, I'm using Sisley. It's a real treat but you only get one face and one thing I'm not ashamed to admit I spend a bit of money on is face cream. On my body I either use cocoa butter or coconut oil to keep my skin soft.

Q: WHAT ARE YOUR ESSENTIAL COSMETICS?

A: I love Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream - it's a classic. It doesn't matter how many lip balms I try I always end up going back to that. MAC Zoom Lash mascara is brilliant.

Q: WHAT'S THE ONE BEAUTY PRODUCT YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT?

A: My number one is coconut oil. It's just really natural and a real multi-tasking product for skin and hair.

Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE FEATURE TO ACCENTUATE IF YOU'RE GLAMMING UP?

A: I love nails - I even co-ordinate my polish to my outfit! When my stylist recommends things for me to wear, she'll add a little note recommending what nail colour to wear. Attention to detail really makes a difference.

Q: WHAT'S YOUR BEST BIT OF BEAUTY ADVICE?

A: I think water is your best friend. If you drink at least two litres a day it just helps keep your skin looking really lovely. I swear by it, and green tea as well. I also use ice under my eyes to reduce puffiness.

Q: HOW DO YOU LIKE TO PAMPER YOURSELF?

A: I like to put a treatment on my hair. Again, I'd probably use my trusty coconut oil or Moroccanoil. After Britain's Got Talent, I had so many things done to my nails, they were so weak, so I try to do a mini treatment on my nails most nights.

Kimberly Wyatt

Got to Dance judge and BM Beauty make-up founder.

Q: DESCRIBE YOUR DAILY BEAUTY ROUTINE

A: I have a shower, exfoliate with natural Love the Planet Peppermint Sugar Scrub, wash my hair with LA Science Shampoo then I will add some Macadamia Natural Oil or Moroccanoil to my hair afterwards as I love natural products.

Q: WHAT ARE YOUR MUST-HAVE SKINCARE PRODUCTS?

A: After moisturising, I use BM Beauty Naked or Stripped Foundation, which is great for my skin as it's all-natural and anti-inflammatory so gives me a flawless polished finish. At the end of each day, Inika Certified Organic Eye and Make-up Remover is great - I love it, again because it's natural.

Q: WHAT ARE YOUR ESSENTIAL COSMETICS?

A: BM Beauty's Noir Mineral Eyeshadow and Lash Thickening Mascara on my eyes and Inika's Brow Pencil to perfect my eyebrows. MAC also have some great bold lipsticks, like Costa Chica, that I love to experiment with.

Q: WHAT'S THE ONE BEAUTY PRODUCT YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT?

A: I love my BM Beauty Nude Lip Gloss as it's a great handbag essential and I love the fact it's non-sticky.

Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE FEATURE TO ACCENTUATE IF YOU'RE GLAMMING UP?

A: My eyes are my favourite feature to play on. I love experimenting with different colours and looks. I like a classic smoky eye but I'm also partial to a pop of colour to mix it up.

Q: WHAT'S YOUR BEST BIT OF BEAUTY ADVICE?

A: Contouring. My make-up artist is an expert and has taught me how it's done. It's all about colour blocking and then blending.

Q: HOW DO YOU LIKE TO PAMPER YOURSELF?

A: I love a regular facial. I go to DestinationSkin when I'm in the UK - they have an amazing natural facial that uses pineapple and papaya extracts called the DermaQuest. I pamper myself at home with a hot bath and essential oils.

Tried & Tested

:: Laura Wurzal controls her curves with a new slimming fragrance.

When I heard that Prends Moi by Veld's was a new weight loss product that doubled up as a fragrance, I couldn't wait to spritz. Two dream products rolled into one. Little wonder the fragrance launched with a UK waiting list of more than 6,000 eager customers. The science behind the product was impressive. Designed by a French perfume house after extensive aromatherapeutic and neurocosmetic research, it contains active ingredients like Betaphroline, which triggers a sense of wellbeing, reduces stress and thus reduces the need to snack and overeat. Prends Moi also has a 'slimming complex' made with caffeine, carnitine and spirulina extract, which can be sprayed onto areas of the body to help slim and sculpt problem areas. Each morning and night for a month, I generously spritzed my body and arms and gently massaged the fragrance on my thighs, stomach and arms. I also sprayed throughout the day whenever I felt like snacking. The fragrance was pleasant - nice fruity smells of bergamot, mandarin and grapefruit, combined with floral scents of jasmine, ylang-ylang and lilac. However, the slimming aspect didn't come up smelling of roses... The scent didn't keep my hunger pangs at bay and, while I tried to cut down on snacking, it was no match for the smell of sweet treats. After a month, my skin felt smooth and I had lost a couple of pounds, but I've had better results with slimming body potions and supplements.

:: Prends Moi by Veld's fragrance and slimming, £29.99 for 100ml, available from The Fragrance Shop and www.thefragranceshop.co.uk

Buy it now

Ensure Chantecaille's Elephant Palette is in your beauty trunk for the new season. It fuses four trend colours from the catwalk and Kenyan grasslands. Priced £74, with 5% of all proceeds to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (uk.spacenk.com).

eauty bulletin

:: Baby beauty

Many mums striving for soft skin are shunning expensive beauty brands for baby products. A whopping 95% of parents confess to having used baby products on themselves at one time, with a further seven out of 10 admitting to continuing with their baby skincare routine, the recent survey by Asda reveals. Talcum powder topped the poll of baby products used by adults, followed by baby oil and baby shampoo.

:: Recessionista alert

Celebrate National Spa Week at Champneys. The super-spa is inviting guests to enjoy a spa day or overnight stay at half price. The offer lasts from September 17-30. Prices start from as little as £42.50 per person per day (0843 316 2222/www.champneys.com)