Insider Goss

Beauty Spot: Shelley from Cleo

January 19, 2010

Shelley Ferguson opens her beauty case for us!

“I’m the Editor of CLEO magazine. I started working in magazines over 10 years ago as a receptionist after completing a Diploma in Communications. I saw what went on in the editorial department and was immediately addicted to the whole process - I love working in such a creative, exciting environment. I bugged my boss for extra work (no matter how menial) until I was promoted, and since then I’ve worked my way up to Editor doing everything from beauty to fashion to writing. We’ve just redesigned CLEO with a slightly older target market in mind, so this year will be all about producing amazing fashion, beauty, lifestyle and pop culture content for our lovely readers each month.”

What are your New Year beauty resolutions?

It’s more a health resolution but I reckon being healthy leads to being beautiful! We had a really interesting speaker here at work recently, health and nutrition specialist Dr Libby Weaver. She talked a lot about the role hormones, diet, products, exercise and stress play on our bodies and behaviour, and how much these effect stress, sleep, clarity of mind, weight, mood etc. It made me realize I should find out more about the inner workings of my body in this respect, so that’s just what I’m going to do!

What’s your usual daily makeup routine?

After cleansing, toning and moisturising I use True Solutions SPF 30 Sun Protector, as I have some pigmentation and am paranoid about getting sun damage. Then I use MAC Sculpture Fix Foundation, MAC Illuminating Powder, eyelash curler, Lancome Hypnose or CoverGirl Lash Blast mascara (depending on my bank balance), Nars Blush in Orgasm and The Body Shop Coconut Lip Balm or Lucas’ Papaw Ointment. If I want to feel a bit special, I’ll do a metallic smoky eye (I love the new Lancome Declaring Indigo eyeshadow palettes) with a smudge of charcoal liner on my bottom lash-line.

Does it take you long to get ready?

My make-up routine takes about 15 minutes, unless I decide to get a bit creative with my hair - it’s long and thick so curling or straightening it takes another 20 minutes. Needless to say my hair normally travels au naturale!

What would you do if you had more time to get ready?

Push snooze on my alarm!

What’s your favourite evening look right now? I’m loving bright lips - in particular coral/red. It looks great on summer nights with dewy skin, bold black lashes and a pretty dress.

Are you an eyes or lips girl?

Eyes - I’m quite fair so if my lashes aren’t dressed I feel like I’m naked.

What’s the one beauty product you’ve used for years and can’t give up?

I must admit I’m a serial philanderess when it comes to most beauty products, as my job means I have access to so many. But I have stayed loyal and in love with my regular mascaras (above), St Ives Vanilla Body Moisturiser and Bodywash, Kerastase hair products, and ghd’s.

What are you searching for?

The ultimate at-home cosmeceutical range to eliminate pigmentation without laser or peels. I’ve just started using the Institut’ Dermed Clinical Skincare range and the results are very promising.

Which fragrance are you wearing and why?

Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Cologne - it’s sexy but sweet, naughty but nice and smells positively dreamy.

What beauty faux pas are you always committing - even though you know you shouldn’t?

Because of nothing other than sheer laziness, I’m guilty of using a cleanser to take off all my make-up instead of cleanser on my skin and make-up remover on my eyes. But due to a recent eye-stinging incident where said cleanser found its way into my eye socket, this has slowly started to change! Oh, and I enjoy giving my face a good scrub with a flannel under a hot shower stream - I know this is a carnal beauty sin but it just feels so good…

Best beauty advice you’ve ever read/heard?

Audrey Hepburn said: “For Attractive lips, speak words of kindness, for lovely eyes, seek out the good in people, for a slim figure, share your food with the hungry, for beautiful hair, let a child run their fingers through it once a day, for poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone. People, more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself and the other for helping others.”

If you could turn back time, which hair/makeup disaster would you avoid making?

I’m still getting over the mullet I had in my teens. A style the hairdresser said was ‘cutting edge’ did nothing but push me over the edge.

What advice would you tell the younger you?

“Step away from the coconut oil!” I’m still regretting my rotisserie chicken impressions on the beach when I was a teen.

What trend are you considering trying…?

I decided over summer I wanted to cut all my hair off into a sleek bob - for about ten minutes that is. I’d love to try it but know how long it takes to grow back so I don’t think I’ll go through with it - in other words I’m being a complete chicken.