Erin O’Connor

The striking supermodel talks about fancy-dress parties, using Vaseline on her face and why she’ll never be pretty

My skin doesn’t tan; I just never go brown. It’s obviously not in my make-up, so I wear an SPF every single day of the year – sun to me is the enemy. I do the whole cleanse, tone and moisturise thing. I exfoliate three times a week, and I do a cleansing face mask twice a week. Once a month, I have to do what I call an ‘industrial strength clean’. I also see a wonderful doctor called Frances Prenna Jones for something called Red Light Therapy.

I travel so much for work and when I fly, I drown myself in moisture. I use a light moisturiser and a mineral water spray – the two combined are great. I’ve even been known to slap a thin layer of Vaseline on my face. I know it sounds disgusting, but it’s a quick-fix way to add a glow to your face, which is handy as often I’ll need to get straight to work from the plane.

Leave your eyebrows alone. It’s the most important tip I’ve picked up. A little bit of shaping here and there is okay, but don’t go and drastically change the shape – they’re that way for a reason. I’ve worn my eyebrows many ways over the years, and I have to say, natural is best.

I love the 1950s vamp look – I’m so glad it’s back. I love nothing more than a scarlet lipstick and black eyeliner. I like an orangey red lipstick – something quite punky and not too classic. I go to a lot of fancy dress parties, too, so I like to put on a little beauty spot sometimes – I use a liquid liner. And in the summer I have to manufacture that sun-kissed glow, so I draw freckles on with a brow pencil, and just smudge them with my blusher brush.

Anjelica Huston passed on a piece of advice that someone had given her. They’d said: “You’ll never be pretty, but you’ll always be magnificent.” She felt we had a similar look, and to be compared to someone like her is just unbelievable. Aside from Anjelica, I love Marilyn Monroe – she had something you just can’t manufacture – and Katharine Hepburn for her power. And Audrey Hepburn just for being the most exquisite creature I’ve ever seen move across a screen. I’ve certainly profited from not looking like everybody else. I really think it’s a great time to be a woman. r

Model Me is available at Boots stores and Toni&Guy salons from £5.99, modelme.com

Three of the best: vintage glamour

	1 YSL’s Perfect Touch Radiant Brush Foundation is light enough to feel weightless, but offers enough coverage to perfect skin. The brush applicator means it’s a doddle to apply, too. Go easy on the eyes, as this look is all about the lips. £24.
	2 For dramatically sultry eyes that any screen siren would be proud of, just define lashes with a quick slick of jet black mascara such as Clinique’s High Impact Mascara. £22.
	3 Paint your lips with the True Red from Estée Lauder’s Hydra Lustre Lipstick Collection – a lip brush will give the most precise application. Blot with a tissue, then apply a second coat for maximum impact. £32.