Self-care will forever be our favourite hobby but we appreciate that recharging and putting yourself first looks different for everyone. Each week, we'll ask the celeb lot to share their ideal self-care Sunday routines, the hard-working beauty products they recommend to their friends and which TV show they're currently binging…
This week, it’s all about Olivia Bowen. She rose to fame after placing runner-up in the Love Island series two (the greatest of all time, IYKYK) and has since cemented herself as one of the most successful Islanders in show history. The last eight years have been a whirlwind of lucrative brand deals, clothing collections and even starring in her own reality show, Happily Ever After alongside husband, Alex Bowen. Yep, she married the man she was ‘coupled up with’ on Love Island. Cold hard proof that the show does work sometimes.
After tying the knot in 2018, the pair are proud parents to two-year-old Abel and regularly share their refreshingly relatable family adventures on social media.
Despite a busy work and family life, Liv is forever glowing and now, even more so, as she rejoins as ambassador for tanning brand, Cocoa Brown as it relaunches in the UK.
“Cocoa Brown was one of the first brands I ever worked with when I came out of Love Island,” Olivia tells heat. “I'm a loyal customer because I absolutely love their products. I have tried so many ranges of fake tan and none step up to the mark as much as Cocoa Brown. And Marissa [Carter], is just the ultimate girl boss, it's so nice to work with someone who has such a vision and really cares about the product and also cares about you being involved as well.”
To celebrate the exciting relaunch, Olivia chats exclusively to heat about her favourite self-care rituals, life-changing books and the ‘sunshine’ serum which gives you the most amazing glow…
On self-care routines
First things first. What does the perfect self-care Sunday look like for Liv?
"My favourite thing on a Sunday is changing the bed sheets for a new fresh week and then I have an everything shower, you know when you literally shave, wash your hair, do your face and make sure you're all squeaky clean. Then getting in fresh pyjamas and into a fresh bed. That is my favourite feeling in the whole world."
On tanning hacks
"One of the main ones for me that I've learned when I started working with Cocoa Brown is to always put Vaseline on your dry areas, like your knuckles, your elbows and even your ankles and that just makes sure the tan doesn't stick to those dry areas. If you put Vaseline on, it will ensure it coats over a bit better."
On favourite self-tanners
“I've always, always used the Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan Mousse, £6.65. It smells amazing and it comes in lots of different shades. That's my ride-or-die-product.”
www.superdrug.com
On skincare
What's Olivia's relationship with her skin right now and what are the hero products she recommends to friends?
"My skin is very up and down really, but it's just hormonal. I definitely try and look after it. I have a four-step routine, which is to always cleanse, exfoliate, use a moisturiser and always use sunscreen. I'm always telling the girls to use sunscreen for their face because it's just something that's really changed the way my skin looks and just making sure I'm mega-protected."
On budget beauty buys
"I'm obsessed with hair claw clips. I remember having them when I was really young and now the only hairstyle I'll do is my hair in a claw clip because it looks so cute. They're so cheap too. It looks like you've done your hair but it takes you two seconds. It's perfect for hiding greasy hair, too!"
On make-up ride-or-dies
What are the hard-working products that take pride of place in Olivia's make-up bag?
"I've always been a fan of the Benefit Boing Concealer, £25, I've literally worn that for years and years and years. I also love their mascara, Bad Gal Lash, £27. Both of those products are really great."
On glow secrets
Olivia always looks radiant, so what's her favourite hack for looking ridiculously glowy (in a good way)?
"Cocoa Brown's Sunshine Serum, £9.90 because it's got hyaluronic acid in and really makes your skin glow. It gets all the moisture back into your skin and obviously gives you a little bit of a tan as well, so you look really glowy. That's something I'd recommend having on underneath your make-up or when you're going on holiday and you want a nice bit of colour without damaging your skin."
www.superdrug.com
On daily wellness habits
What are the non-negotiable wellness goals for Olivia's day to ensure she feels her best self?
"I'm definitely trying to get my 10k steps in recently, I'm making the effort to walk to the gym, walk home, walk into town. I'm just making sure that I'm doing a lot of walking. That's something I really love to do, especially where we've had nice weather. I'm making the most of it before it starts to rain again!"
On workout routines
"I've been doing a plan that's been tailored for me in the gym. And nutrition-wise, not a diet, but I'm focusing on eating really good food and training really well, like doing strength training in the gym. I train about five times a week at the moment and I'm really loving it which is actually quite a thing for me as I've never been a huge fan of the gym. I love sticking to this and having something to aim for."
On fitness tips
"I think just going and getting it done. Making sure you go, it doesn't matter what you do in there, but getting used to going this many times has taught me to have a routine and reminded me it's not about motivation but discipline. I want to feel fit and healthy so I need to discipline myself into doing that. Making sure I go, even if it's a 20-minute session, it's better than nothing. That's how I've been looking at it, just thinking, 'Just try and try your hardest."
On life-changing books
"I read The Chimp Paradox before I went on Love Island and it really did change the way I viewed myself, how I viewed my brain and how I acted. I feel like it was the reason I was quite calm on Love Island. It's absolutely amazing, if you ever get the chance to read it, I would 100% recommend it."
On wise advice
"I've been watching Abel grow up so quickly recently and it's scary how quickly life goes. I'm trying to cherish the little moments and I've definitely learned to do that. I've always been a person who likes to chase big things and has a really fast-paced life, but I'm trying to slow down and enjoy the little things and watching him grow up. Just take it easy a little bit."
Quickfire round:
What show are you currently watching? I don't watch much TV, but I did just watch MasterChef. It's incredible, I'm such a sucker for that show.
How do you like your cuppa? I drink an Americano now, which, for a girl who hated coffee... but I guess that's being a parent of a toddler!
Go-to loungewear brand? Lovall.
Everyday perfume? The one I'm using at the moment is Jo Malone Myrrh & Tonka, £112.
Go-to takeaway order? A Chinese.
Favourite candle? It's got to be Glade and I love the Pumpkin Spice Latte scent.
Cocoa Brown by Marissa Carter is BACK in the UK, signing Olivia Bowen as ambassador. The tanning brand giant has launched in 364 Superdrug stores nationwide and online at www.superdrug.com