Livia Chats with Bessie Bardot about Life, Beauty, Self Image and Staying on Top of it All

Livia: Ok Bessie, thanks for taking the time to talk to The Beauty Review. You’re the successful author of a couple of best selling books, ‘Bessie’s Body Secrets’ and Casting Couch Confidential. You are also a busy media personality and a businesswoman. Most women these days like you are extremely busy. How do you find or make the time to look after yourself?

Bessie: For about a year I let my life take over my diary and I was the last on my list, in the end I got a lot done but I felt so low in myself. Now I realise that I need to make time for these things, so I multi task, I do my own pedicures when I’m watching the news and when I go to the hair dresser once a month I have a nail artist working on me while my hair is being done.

For exercise I walk instead of drive to the bank, movies, lunch with a friend. Ignoring your needs as a woman just makes you grumpier, and I can tell you that if we allow ourselves to be last on our to-do list, everyone else will put us last on theirs.

Livia: Bessie, in your opinion how does diet and lifestyle affect a woman’s outer beauty?

Bessie: When I was researching my last book Bessie’s Body Secrets I realised how important diet and lifestyle is. We really are what we eat. And our exercise or lack there of makes a huge difference in our appearance. Like did you know that eating wheat and gluten (a protein found in wheat, oats, rye, barley, spelt and triticale) actually causes a rise in free radicals which are responsible for early aging? So my personal advice is to cut out the wheat and gluten and check what vitamins and nutrients each meal is giving you. I’d rather eat well and exercise now rather than booking in for botox and an early facelift.

Livia: Being in the modelling industry and experiencing firsthand that beauty is only skin deep, what lessons have you learnt that you can pass onto our readers?

Bessie: I’ve learnt that a spray tan is my best friend, it makes everything look better. I’ve also learnt that your makeup base is all important, stick to a light-ish colour and warm it up with bronzer or blush.

Livia: How much time do you spend on your daily beauty routine?

Bessie: Honestly, about five minutes. I cleanse in the shower with Dermalogica and then moisturise straight after I dry off with Cetaphil. When I have to go to events I typically spend ten minutes doing my makeup… short hair makes all this possible.

Livia: Has your Mum ever given you beauty advice and what was it?

Bessie: My Mum suffered with acne which she unfortunately passed down to me, so my early teenage years were full of dermatologist’s appointments. She did teach me that a good eye brow shape can really open up your face.

Livia: Do you have a home remedy you swear by and if so, what is it?

Bessie: If you’re eye brows need some taming and you don’t have any eyebrow gel, egg whites work well.

Livia: What is the one product you cannot live without and why?

Bessie: Mac Iridescent pressed powder. With or without base, I run some of this powder along the bridge of my nose and on my temples and it gives my face a healthy glow.

Livia: Bessie, many women I talk to tend to feel insecure about their looks and their body. How do you encourage women to build a positive self image?

Bessie: I struggled with this myself till recently, but I realised that the body we’ve got, the legs that support you, the butt you’re sitting on-it’s yours whether you like it or not; it’s not negotiable. So its time to stop fighting who you are. Remind yourself of each parts actual purpose, and of other people who might be missing that part and would love to swap with you, makes it a little easier to navigate. The other tip is to stop your inner bitch. Every time your inner voice bitches about you or a stranger in the street you are reinforcing that negative self image. Life is too short, this isn’t high school, be your own biggest fan and others will be forced to agree.

Livia: I know that you are passionate about empowering women to be their best. So, what advice would you give women who want to turn their life around and make a new start whether it would be in their career, relationships or otherwise?

Bessie: The single most important piece of advice I can give is to do what you love or love what you do. Discover what you’re passionate about and create a career around that, or apply yourself more in the job you’re in but just make sure you have a plan. Life should be as enjoyable as retirement – right now. My next book Bessie’s Guide for girls who want more from life: Mind, Body, Style gives practical steps to redesigning your life.