The Xtra Factor presenter Sarah-Jane Crawford has become known for her chic and glamorous beauty looks including statement red lips and enviably long eyelashes as she presents the X Factor's spin-off show.
The 29-year-old, who was announced as Caroline Flack's replacement earlier this year, took time out from her hectic schedule to reveal some of her biggest beauty secrets, as well as how she stays in shape ahead of appearing on camera.Scroll below for the full interview
What’s the best bit of beauty advice anyone’s ever given you?
My mum always says cleanse, tone and moisturise. She’s 62 and she looks great for her age so I have always listened to that.
Do you have a favourite make-up look?
Lips and lash is a bit of a combo that I tend to go with when doing my make-up. If I’m doing red lipstick then I like to have clean eyes with some mascara that gives you nice, thick lashes. If you’re doing a nude lip then I think you can get away with a smokey eye.
What are your top beauty bag essentials?
I use Studio Fix Mac Foundation mixed with a Laura Mercier Powder to get the finish I like. In terms of lipstick, Mac's Ruby Woo is everything. I’m always wearing loads of lipstick so I like to use the mini Vaseline Lip Therapy pots to give my lips a bit of much needed hydration! You can feel that it’s good for them. Vaseline and Palmer’s are brands that I still use and I feel I have an affinity to. Mac also have a Pro Conceal and Correct Palette which I use under my eyes and it’s great for brightening and contouring.
What are your hero budget products?
Maybelline do an amazing mascara called Volum’ Express The Falsies and even though it’s not that expensive it’s really good! If you have natural lashes and you just want to make them as long and thick as possible, this one works really well.Do you have a day-to-day beauty regime? I’ve got a really nice clay cleanser from Crème De La Mer. After you use it your face is literally squeaky clean and you can really notice it. That’s the first thing I use in the shower. After that I use a Clarins or Clinique clarifying toner followed by my La Prairie Serum and Crème De La Mer Moisturising Cream.
Do you have any beauty tricks?
I’ve been told that you can use coconut oil for pretty much everything, you can cook with it, use it on your hair and I do believe it works. When I was in Fiji for Shipwrecked in my university days the contestants used it.
What's your fitness routine?
When I'm being good, I hit the gym around 2-3 times a week. I mix up some cardio with resistance training. It's good to go heavy on the legs doing things like squats too as that releases growth hormones and helps the calories to keep burning for hours and hours after you've stopped working out.
Do you diet?
I generally just eat in a balanced way but occasionally I'll do a 12-14 day programme if I'm trying to cut down for a special event like a photo shoot or a filming schedule like for judges' houses on X Factor. For example this summer I did a high protein, high fat detox with practically zero sugar and carbs, except for green veg.
What is it that you love about MICRO Nail?
I love the fact that MICRO Nail does what my manicurist does but in no time at all. It buffs and polishes nails in seconds leaving them really smooth and instantly shiny. My nails look as if I've applied a top coat without having to use any varnish at all. It's the perfect two minute manicure!
Do you take good care of your nails?
I often have to wear gels for filming especially if they want a glamorous look. I do worry that having the gels put on and taken off all the time might damage my nails so I’m trying to rectify that by going natural as often as I can. As I’m so busy at the moment, MICRO Nail helps me go natural without it taking me ages!
Sarah Jane Crawford uses MICRO Nail, an electric nail polisher that gently buffs nails. Priced at £39.99, MICRO Nail is available from Boots.com, selected Boots stores and micronail.co.uk.
