Sarah Harding has landed the top job as the new legs of Veet (we can’t think of anyone more fitting the job!) so when she invited me down for a girly chat one afternoon last week I jumped at the chance – one-on-one with a member of Girls Aloud to talk about all things beauty related? Erm, can you say dream job!
Kicking off our shoes, tying up our hair and pulling off our false lashes we curled up on the sofa for a chat while scoffing Haribo Starmix….
Congratulations on your new title as ‘The Legs of Veet’. You’re looking very glam!
Sarah: Thanks hon. It’s hard work trying to be glamorous all day, I’m so not used to being dressed up in the daytime.
You manage it well! Speaking of which, hair removal generally isn’t seen as that exciting but you’re glamming it up – how do you feel about being the ‘legs’ of Veet?
Sarah: I kind of like it. It’s nice to be asked to do it, to have my legs recognised. I’d never thought about them much but legs are something that we women are always focusing on making sure that they’re smooth and look good. And of course I’ve used Veet throughout the years. It’s such a great, easy product to use and now it’s got the new velvet rose scent it’s even better.
So do you class your legs as one of your top assets?
Sarah: I’m noticing them a lot more now because of this but until recently I hadn’t really taken much notice of them. Our stylist always said I had great legs, she was always trying to get me to show them off. The only thing I wish is that they were a bit longer, but that’s what heels are for.
You must work hard to keep them in shape, is it down to all the dancing that you do with Girls Aloud?
Sarah: I haven’t danced for a while because I’m ‘resting’ (the girls are all pursuing different things before they team back up as a band) so I’ve been giving my body a break from all of that. When we were on tour we all got so skinny and it’s just not sexy, we all look better with a bit of curve. I’m doing some kick boxing and Pilates now which is a bit gentler. The dancing burns off too much whereas this means that I get to keep my curves and tone up.
You’ve been papped looking gorgeous in a bikini quite a lot recently – do you make extra effort to look good when you’re on holiday?
Sarah: It’s always when I’m away that I get papped!! Recently Tommy and I were on holiday in Barbados and the hotel guys warned me there were paps there but there wasn’t a pool, the hotel was literally on the beach so what could I do? I love my swimming costumes and bikinis though so even when there’s no one around I change bikini about three times a day. Also, I love buying bits and bobs on holiday like coral necklaces off the guys on the beach but apart from that I don’t bother with any jewellery on holiday.
So you’re a splash in the sea kind of girl rather than a sun lounger poser?
Sarah: I need to be in the water, I can’t just lie there and sweat! I either lie by the pool dangling my feet in, jump around in the sea or lie by the edge of the sea reading a book trying to cool off. I don’t do that heels, jewellery and makeup thing – why would people wear heels on a beach?! I just don’t get those people, it’s ridiculous, how can you enjoy yourself when you’re busy posing and making sure that you look perfect? That’s just beyond showing off – relax on holiday people! Whack on some flip-flops and a sarong and chill out, there’s no point in trying too hard!
I agree. Do you have any tips on how to look after your hair when you’re away? Your hair is bleached so it must get quite dry?
Sarah: I condition it loads. I use Redken Colour Extend Sun After-Sun Mask, £16.65 or Tigi S Factor Papaya Leave In Moisture Spray, £13.95 and I leave it in and sit on the balcony reading a book. Headscarves are also great for on the beach, I got one from Topshop that comes everywhere with me. When your hair is all wet pulling it back off your face is the best feeling.
And how do you keep your skin in good condition on holiday?
Sarah: Use at least an SPF30 on your face. I didn’t used to take proper care of my skin on holiday and you can really notice the sun damage. I like Dermalogica products and I put Piz Buin In Sun Sun Lipstick, £5.38 on my cheekbones and nose too, all the usual burning places. Tommy and I underestimated how hot it would be in Barbados and we frazzled on our first day so learn from my mistake. People forget that you can still tan you’re just stopping yourself burning! Be careful girls!
Any other holiday tips for us?
Sarah: Waterproof mascara – I wear Maybelline The Colossal Volum’ Express Mascara, £6.99 in the day and Mac Splashproof Lash, £12.50 at night but you don’t need to wear much makeup when you’ve got a tan. Unless I’m going clubbing in Ibiza and I go for the wacky Ziggy Stardust look then I really don’t wear much. Maybe a bit of eyeliner, mascara, a touch of bronzer on the cheekbones, try a bit of bronzer on the lids too and Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream, £23 on the lips. And of course, make sure you pack some Veet too!
Where’s your favourite holiday destination?
Sarah: When I was growing up I used to do all the clubbing holidays in Kavos and Ayia Napa with my friends and we had such a laugh going out listening to music and dancing. All my girly holidays are out the window now! Me and Tommy went to Thailand and that was great – the scenery is amazing, the foods incredible and Thai massages everyday were unreal! I’m really into watersports too and the Maldives is a great place for diving, I saw the most incredible fish!
You must be quite confident about your looks?
Sarah: Not as confident as people probably think I am. I think every girl has their own insecurity and they find ways to cover it up. When I was a teenager I used to hide behind my hair the whole time and now when I’m going out at night I like to put on a sheet of makeup but in the daytime when I’m not around people I’m completely different and go barefaced.
Would you say you had a signature look?
Sarah: I’m a real chameleon I think. I go from glam to edgy to natural according to whatever I’m doing. I like that though, I love playing with make-up, vamping it up and experimenting with different looks. Rihanna’s look is really cool – all the mad makeup and lashes, I love that stuff. You can’t do that everyday though, unless you’re Gaga!
How do you bounce back after a heavy night?
Sarah: Rule number one – I don’t do that anymore, I cannot work with a hangover! I guess drink lots of water, pile on the concealor and eat lots of sausages! Tommy swears by them! I’m in bed by 10pm most nights now but at weekends I get the girls round and get the karaoke out.
What’s your song?
Sarah: Tommy’s banned me from singing it – Mustang Sally!!! Haha, can’t believe I told you! I was with Jo Wood the other week and I got on the piano and started playing ‘Let It Be’ then someone else got on and played ‘Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me’ and we had a big sing song, it was so much fun.
What beauty product can’t you live without?
Sarah: Apart form Veet, Eight Hour Cream and Maybelline mascara it’s got to be my sunglasses. Stick my sunglasses on, slick on some lip balm and I’m good to go!
Surgery – don’t do it or never say never?
Sarah: Never say never! I think each to their own. As Madonna says, ‘I’m not against it but I’m against talking about it because you can’t win if you do talk about it and you can’t win if you don’t!’
http://www.company.co.uk/beauty/Company-meets-Sarah-Harding/v1
