Fresh from Cannes with her love life heading in the right direction, Cheryl is unstoppable. But she found time to talk to us about selfies, favourite songs and her summertime style secrets.
After famously dropping her surname from her official website and social media pages, Cheryl is now just Cheryl – in the same way that Madonna is "just" Madonna, and Adele is "just" Adele. Yet the Newcastle-born superstar, who turned 33 last week, is every bit as approachable as she ever was, particularly when it comes to talking about beauty and sharing her secrets for looking spectacular in the spotlight. Fresh from her first joint red-carpet appearance with boyfriend Liam Payne at the Cannes Film Festival in May, HELLO! beauty editor Nadine Baggott sat down to talk to her and ask about life in the limelight.
Cheryl revealed her red carpet beauty secrets
Cheryl, you always look amazing on the red carpet. Any tips?
"I kind of wing it on the day. It's nice to spend time with my glam team beforehand, so we all know what page we're on, but the inspiration is usually based on what I'm wearing. I'll choose my dress first and then decide on hair and make-up. Oh, and I always wear heels. I love a bit of height – when you're 5ft 3in, you have to."
This was your seventh year at Cannes. Do you feel like a veteran now?
"The seven years have flown by so fast – I can't believe it's that long. My red carpet looks were quite different this time. Usually I stick to one colour – I've done black, I've done burgundy, I've done white. I wanted a changed. The patterned Naaem Khan dress was really different and unexpected for me."
In May, your fellow L'Oréal Paris spokesmodel Eva Longoria presented you with a Global Gift Philanthropist Award for your work with your charity Cheryl's Trust. How did that feel?
"It was actually one of the best awards I've received. To be recognised for my charitable work is really amazing."
You and Eva were spotted taking selfies and Face Swapping. What's the secret to a good selfie?
"Eva was really good at that. I'm the worst at selfies, I'm so bad at them. I think the main thing is good light and don't put your chin down."
The singer also shared her tips for a great selfie
Do you have a signature red carpet pose?
"I have jelly legs so I have no idea – it just happens. One year it was like gale force winds out there. I didn't know what was happening. I've been rained on, windswept… I've only had one sunny day in Cannes."
What about pre-red carpet skin preparation?
"I'll get a Decléor facial the day before, which I love."
Who is your all-time beauty icon?
"Sophia Loren."
What's the best beauty advice anyone has ever given you, and what tip would you pass on to your 16-year-old self?
"Always take your make-up off before bed. And don't cake on make-up to hide spots because it makes your skin look worse."
Cheryl wowed at the Cannes Film Festival this year
… And your biggest beauty crime?
"Not drinking enough water."
If you could choose just one product to take with you to a desert island, what would it be?
"An SPF from La Roche-Posay."
What three beauty items will we always find in your handbag?
"Lipgloss, Elnett hairspray and mascara. Oh, and bronzer. Can I have four?"
What are your current top three L'Oréal Paris products?
"La Palette Nude Eye Shadow Palette in Rose; Falsh Lash Sculpt mascara; and Glam Bronze Cushion de Soleil – I've just tried it and I love it."
And your favourite failsafe make-up technique?
"Crayon eyeliner on the waterline. I've worn it since I was young and I look so different without it. My top tip is: if you want it a bit lighter, you smudge it, but if you want it darker and more striking, apply a dark line. Use a pencil liner and a liquid eyeliner. Draw the pencil on first, then the liquid liner on top."
Eva Longoria presented Cheryl with the Global Gift Philanthropist Award
You're currently growing out your hair from a shorter cut – yet you still manage to make it look so chic. What's your secret?
"I take good care of my hair and take lots of vitamins. I use hair masks – L'Oréal Paris has a great pre-shampoo treatment masque in the new Elvive clay range, which I'm loving.
For the new Préférence Infinia campaign, you had a hair colour created just for you. What's so special about it?
"I like my hair to be fairer than it is naturally, so this colour is perfectly in the middle of dark and fair, with golden tones. It's super-easy to maintain. There's a colour extender in the box so your hair looks like it did the day you coloured it."
Primary colours are big right now. Would you ever try it?
"I love experimenting with hair colour and having fun, but brown is my fallback. It's my natural shade so it always suits me. I do miss my red hair, but I'd never be brave enough to do pink or blue."
Who are your favourite fashion designers?
"Alexander Wang, McQueen and Isabel Marant."
What about high street?
"I like the Ivy Park range that Beyoncé brought out for Topshop, I've got loads of that for the gym. I also like some of the Topshop Unique pieces."
Scroll below for Cheryl's must-have products
You're recording a new "secret" album…
"There's a fine balance between evolving as an artist and becoming completely unrecognisable. I'm trying to find that balance and that line – and crossing it slightly."
Who's your musical inspiration?
"I don't have one. I went to see Beyoncé in Houston recently and that was incredible – that was one ticked off my bucket list. I'm all about Beyoncé's album [Lemonade]. I love it so much – it's a piece of art."
Are you still taking dance classes?
"No, but I'm going to start up again. I love street dancing and I'm still doing my Tracy Anderson workouts. You can buy her DVDs and she also has a subscription now, where she puts up a new video each week. I love doing her classes – she does muscle work first, then cardio after, which means I'm absolutely exhausted by the end of it."
What was the last song you danced to?
"Drake's One Dance."
And the last meal you really enjoyed?
"I made barbecue chicken from a Jamie Oliver recipe, which I loved. You have to boil loads of sugar and spices together to coat it. I served it with rice and a salad."
Finally, is it true that in Cannes you shunned the red carpet afterparties to stay in with Liam?
"Sometimes I'm up for the afterparty, but if I'm honest, most of the time I just want to go home, get in my pyjamas and put on Scandal."
Cheryl's beauty must-haves:
1. Crème de la Mer The Body Crème, £165; visit cremedelamer.co.uk2. L'Oréal Paris Glam Bronze Cushion de Soleil, £9.99 from Boots3. BaByliss Boutique Salon Soft Waves Hair Wand, £40; visit babyliss.co.uk4. Decléor Aromessence Néroli Hydrating Night Balm, £34; visit Decleor.co.uk5. L'Oréal Paris Préférence Infinia Hair Colour in 5.3 [Cheryl's shade], £7.99, from Boots6. L'Oréal Paris Color Riche La Palette Nude Eye Shadow in Rose, £14.99, from Boots7. Tangle Teezer Original, £10.60; visit tangleteezer.com8. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light SPF30 Spray, £13.12, from Boots9. L'Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Clay Masque Pre-Shampoo Treatment, £5.99, from Boots10. L'Oréal Paris False Lash Sculpt Mascara, £9.99 from Boots11. L'Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Crème de la Mousse Strong Hold Volume, £5.99, from Boots
Cheryl is the face of Préférence Infinia shade 5.3 RRP £7.99, available nationwide.