It's been an exciting few months for The Only Way is Essex star Sam Faiers, who became an auntie in July when older sister Billie gave birth to sweet baby daughter Nelly. "I love being an auntie," Sam told HELLO! Fashion exclusively. "Nelly knows who I am now as well! I walk into the room and she smiles and gets excited because she knows it's me. I absolutely love it." Sam, 23, has been adjusting to life as an auntie, as well as focusing on getting her health back on track after she was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in February, but it seems that her attention is being pulled elsewhere. "I can't wait to have a family of my own, but not yet," she revealed. "I need to find a boyfriend first!" Scroll below for the full interview
Yes! Billie is going to host Christmas at her house this year as it's Nelly's first Christmas. We're all so excited, not that she has a clue what's going on. Billie is taking her to Harrods' Grotto, but she doesn't even know what that is! I'm not sure what I'm going to get her, she literally has got everything because Billie spoils her so much! Billie is going to get her a little savings account, so I might give her some money.
Do you think motherhood has changed Billie?It hasn't changed her at all. Obviously she is a mum now and she’s got a massive responsibility, but as a person she hasn’t changed. She’s taken to motherhood brilliantly.
Since being diagnosed with Crohn's, have you had to make big lifestyle changes?Before being ill, I'd always wanted to be a perfect size 8, but when I was ill I became so thin, it's made me realise the main thing in life is to be healthy. I still have my blowouts and will have a Chinese takeaway or packet of crisps, but now it's about me doing the right things to make me feel healthy. I always eat my fruit and vegetables, and I love fish and white meat. When I'm exercising I don't do much cardio to lose weight, I do more weights and training to be strong. I like to have that definition to be toned, not thin.
Do you go to the gym or exercise at home?Mainly at home, I have a personal trainer. I do about five hours a week, and every couple of weeks I'll run as well to get some cardio in. In the New Year I really want to take up yoga, for my limbs and muscles, as well as to relax.
I love Charlotte Tilbury and Tom Ford make-up, it's gorgeous. I tend to wear a glossy lip instead of lipstick, and I love smokey eyes but I prefer to use gold and brown instead of black. I prefer a softer look. When I go out, I always moisturise and use a bit of body glow after I shower.
Do you have a strict skincare routine?I always tone and moisturise when I get out of the shower. I really like rose oil at the moment, but I never really stick to one thing, I tend to vary it a little bit. I prefer cheap moisturiser – I pile it on just before I go to bed so it's really absorbed into the skin. Moisturiser is so important – I hate having dry skin.
What made you decide to launch a range of eyelashes?Lashes are my thing – I love them. I don't have any eyelashes because I have a disorder called trichotillomania, so for years I've worn them. I think I've spent thousands on them in the past. When it comes to lashes I know what I want, and I know which glue is the right one for me to make it sit comfortably. My favourites at the 'If Good Looks Kill' because they're the in-between of natural and glamorous. Lashes are definitely part of my beauty look, I never leave the house without the lashes – I'm conscious of not having them on because then I don't have any at all.
Lashes By Samantha will be available on very.co.uk, prices from £5 to £6.25.
