Michelle Keegan never looks anything short of flawless, always showing off a beautiful bronzed glow. So it's no surprise that tanning brand Garnier tapped her to be the face of their Ambre Solaire Self Tan.The Ordinary Lies star took time out of her busy schedule – which includes planning her upcoming wedding to Mark Wright – to share exclusively with HELLO! Online her top beauty tips, how she stays in shape and what her perfect weekend with fiancé Mark looks like....
I use self-tan if I have a big event coming up...With the Garner Ambre Solaire, there's three colours – dark, medium and light, and I always tend to go for the medium just so it's not too dark on the skin. I was very lucky to be asked to front this campaign, because years ago, when I was on Corrie, I was always asked what I used to fake tan and I would always say Garnier. Just because it's natural, it hasn't got that biscuity smell and it goes on really easily without streaks. I've used it from day one so when they asked me to join the team, I was thrilled.I usually go out without make-up on...I probably feel more comfortable like that. More like me, rather than done up. People have seen me now without any make-up on at all. I've been on screen with the camera close up on my face without any make-up on and you just get used to it. I just think that if people don't like it, they don't have to look. As long as I feel comfortable, that's the only thing that matters.
It takes me a while to get ready for a night out...I stall a lot. I'll do my make-up then I'll eat something and then watch a bit of TV... So it takes me a few hours! I wash my hair the night before because it's easier to style the day after. Then I do my normal skincare, with cleansing wipes and moisturiser, do my make-up first, then I'll get changed and style my hair.My top beauty tips...Always take your make-up off before bed, no matter what. Always exfoliate before you self-tan and moisturise all over. People often only put it on their elbows and wrists but I put it all over. It keeps your skin moisturised and gives it more of an even finish. Also make sure you do the underneath of your arms so you don't get a tell-tale line.
I used to feel the pressure to stay in shape...But as I'm getting older, it doesn't affect me as much as it did when I was younger. I found it difficult to get my head round at first. And I realise now that you're never going to please everyone. Either you go to the gym, and look too thin, or you don't and you get the 'Has she put on weight?' speculation. It doesn't bother me anymore. Obviously you feel pressurised by it slightly but it just comes with the job and I'm used it now.I work out to de-stress...I feel amazing when I come out of the gym. If I've got a busy week, I'll go to the gym maybe once or twice maximum. If I have a free week, maybe three to four times. But I can't do cardio, I hate it. It's the worst thing. It puts me in a bad mood. I do a lot of weight resistance training instead, I find that's more effective than cardio.
My diet varies...I go through spells. One minute I can be really careful, and the next I flip and I'll eat whatever I want and don't even feel guilty about it. I love food, I'm from a food background and my family love food as well, so it's always been a part of my life and it's is a massive treat for me.I couldn't go into a restaurant and say 'I can't have that'. I'll eat whatever I want and if I do feel bad the next day I'll try and be good. So it's everything in moderation for me.My perfect weekend would be...Staying in with Mark. We'd get up in the morning, go for breakfast in the deli round the corner and then go and see his mum or, if we can, go to Manchester to see my parents. Then we'd do a DVD night.It would be nice to just do normal things – it can be quite difficult as we work different hours. Either I get in late or he gets up early or the other way round.I'm really excited about our wedding...Nervous, but really excited. Everything that should be in place by now is in place. Mark is quite involved. Which is good for me, because I'm so chilled and laid back but it's been good to have his involvement.
Michelle Keegan is the face of Garnier Ambre Solaire Self Tan range