We love a bit of self-care and all this time at home has really given us an excuse to look after ourselves inside and out. Each week, we'll be asking the celeb lot to share their Sunday self-care routines, because taking care of yourself is more important than ever.
This week it's all about Montana Brown, the hilarious Love Islander turned self-care queen. She's starred on PrettyLittleThing billboards, worked with huuuuge labels and has even launched her own swimwear brand Swim Society.
Montana is also supporting Isle of Paradise’s latest campaign to inspire positive change across social media, turning the algorithm into a new, feel-good al-GLOW-rithm and ensuring everyBODY is seen and represented online.
To celebrate, Montana caught up with heat to talk about her ultimate skincare routine, book recommendations and the best piece of advice she's ever been given...
On self-care Sundays
If there's anyone who knows a thing or two about self-care, it's Montana. So, what's her favourite way to unwind?
"My ultimate self-care routine is all about combining inner work such as affirmations and gratitude with things that are making you feel good on the outside. When I get a chilled night to myself, I’ll have a bath, light the candles and unwind. I obviously have a daily skincare routine too!
"I love to massage my face for a bit in the evening and then use theIsle of Paradise Night Glow Facial Mist . It’s a night-time facial mist infused with a soothing blend of ylang ylang, jasmine, and lavender to help relax the senses.
"It contains hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which act as humectants to attract moisture to the skin, providing deep hydration skin as you sleep. I do actually wake up really glowing which is nice."
We can confirm this facial mist will revolutionise your evening routine. It even includes a bit of gradual tan for that 'just been on holiday' vibe, even if you haven't left the country since 2019...
On skincare
"When I have a lot of time on my hands, I am a sucker for a face mask and scrubs for my body. To be honest, I always will do my skincare routine, even if I am too tired, I will always make sure to take my makeup off, and make sure my skin is prepped before bed. I love the Isle of Paradise facials mists, they are so easy to apply, you don’t need a mitt or anything and they give a really natural glow."
Montana's favourite budget beaty buy right now?
"Elizabeth Arden Eight hour cream . Not sure if it is budget, but definitely worth spending the money on. It lasts for so long, it's multi-purpose, so you can put on spots, use as a highlighter, lip balm, put it on bites when you’re on holiday, use it to stick up your eyebrows, slick down my hair. It is my absolute necessity in my bag."
On trolls
Unfortunately, a large online platform can often equal more negativity - especially when you throw a starring role on Love Island in the mix.
"I do experience negativity and trolling – I have been skinny shamed more times than I care to remember! I think it’s important for everyone using social media to remember that it isn’t just hurting the person receiving that comment but also hurting yourself as it’s not a normal thing to do," Montana shares.
"I try not to let trolling get me down as I always try to act from a place of love as I feel in a good headspace, you just have to remember that a lot of people are acting from a place of hurt so they’re obviously going through something themselves."
As someone rather wise once said, 'hurt people hurt people.'
On #extra wellness routines
Is Mon a fan of fancy-shmancy beauty treatments or does she prefer to keep things low-key?
"I don’t think anything I do is extra!" Montana laughs, "I think it is all in aid of making me feel good so I see it as a necessity."
"Some people think my skincare regime and skin treatments are not essential but they make me feel amazing. I get derma pen with Dr Esho and Annice Ling every 3 to 4 weeks and it has transformed my skin and helped with my pigmentation so I am very grateful to have found them."
On life-changing books
Montana says she only tends to read self-help and motivational books, and she's a huge fan of [Yung Pueblo's thought-provoking 'Clarity and Connection' {href='https://www.amazon.co.uk/Clarity-Connection-Yung-Pueblo/dp/1524860484/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?tag=qheatarticle568-21' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' class='add-referrer-link'}).
On taking Instagram pics
The 25-year-old admits she's a 'snap and go' kinda girl when it comes to getting #content for the Grid.
"I am the queen of saying 'yeah that will do'. The process doesn’t take long, I hate forced pictures, but I love taking pictures of new experiences or new travels. I really have to make myself get dressed up to get a picture, I think I am such a pain for my agents!"
On really great advice
"The best advice I ever got was that the most important thing in life is the people around you. They will either make or break you and shape the person you will eventually be, so choose wisely who you have in your life."
Quickfire round:
What show are you currently watching? Jeremy Clarkson’s Farm
How do you like your cuppas? Very weak, half milk, half tea!
Go-to loungewear brand? Riley Studio
Go-to takeaway order? Japanese or Chinese definitely
Favourite candle? I love Jo Malone candles/diffusers
Read more on heat:
Olivia Attwood talks #extra wellness treatments, manifestation and her ultimate self-care Sunday
Rachel Leary talks make-up tips, YouTube wisdom and the £10 primer she swears by for glowy skin
Budget beauty buys loved by celebs:
From Molly-Mae Hague to Olivia Attwood, here are the celeb-approved beauty budget buys to know about...
- Weleda Skin Food - loved by Molly-Mae Hague, Victoria Beckham, Olivia Attwoodand Love Island's Mary Bedford. This lot like to use it as a glowy primer (trust us, it's glorious) but it can also be used for everything from dry knees to an intensive overnight moisturiser.
- Sky High Mascara - loved by Leigh Anne Pinnock and Amber Gill, this hard-working lash extender gives you the falsie effect for just £7. If you need any more convincing, it's racked up 251.5 million views on TikTok for its insane lengthening skills.
- [The CeraVe Smoothing Cleanser {href='https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cerave-Moisturizing-Cleansing-Lotion-236ml/dp/B07C5R51Q9/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?tag=qheatarticle568-21' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' class='add-referrer-link'}) - loved byAmber Gill, Jamie Genevieve and Tia Lineker. CeraVe cleansers have achieved cult status for a reason, and they're full of good ingredients to help clean, nourish and treat the skin. Count us in.