What I Put On My Face is Mamamia’s new celebrity beauty series that goes inside the beauty cabinets of some of Australia’s most influential women. From what skincare products they use to their go-to makeup tips, it’s a pervy look at exactly what they put on their face. And body. And hair. You get the idea.
This week, we speak to Sophie Monk, who is currently sipping cocktails and watching love (and drama) unfold as the host of Love Island Australia.
Sophie’s been in the entertainment industry for almost 20 years, and now, she’s adding cosmetics to her CV with her own MCoBeauty collab.
The 39-year-old took us through her skincare routine, as well as what it’s like having to duck into public toilets to do your makeup before being papped. Enjoy!
You can listen to Sophie Monk’s full episode of You Beauty below, post continues after audio.
Sophie Monk’s skincare routine.
I grew up with a couple of pimples but my skin type is dry overall. I’m also very fair and freckle quite easily. When I was younger, I’d be quite simple [with skincare]. I used any old cleanser and then I’d use the basis of lanolin, which I still like doing but I think now I’m using a proper five-step routine, I can really notice the difference. It’s kind of like, OK let’s do this now.
I use baby oil to get eye makeup off, especially false eyelashes because you can pull your lashes off… I’ve done that before. I waxed my eyelashes off pulling fake lashes off once, luckily mine grew back. When I’m working, I do have to wear makeup every day and I tend to get breakouts. So I cleanse, moisturise, and use a pot face mask when my skin is feeling a bit tired.
I use the sheet face masks everyone uses on Instagram, I feel like we’re all wearing them to be cool now. I love the under eye masks, they definitely work. I like to do a mist halfway through the day to freshen my makeup, too.
I do a thicker moisturiser at night. Dr Spiller products are nice and thick, but also soak in really well. Everyone’s using it, and that’s why I use it, because I’m a sheep and I do what everyone else is doing.
I love slathering products, but I run out very quickly. I wake up and the pillow has oil stains on it, but that’s how I like it. My boyfriend wakes up and says ‘what happened to the bed?’, with my spray tan and whole face and body of oil and creams left there, it’s not pretty. He’s so lucky to sleep next to me.
Her favourite products.
AUS MEDIC CO Peptide Face Cream Cleanser, $44.99.
AUS MEDIC CO Phyto-Nutrient Face Mask with Algae Extract, $84.99.
AUS MEDIC CO Illuminating Peptide Moisturiser, $84.99.
Johnson's Baby Oil, $5.99.
Murad Hydrating Toner Mist, $50.
Lonvitalite C8 Collagen Crystal Eye Sheet Masks, 6 Pack for $35.
Ella Baché Great Facesaver SPF 50+ Lotion, $49.
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II, 30ml for $100.
Dr Spiller Oxygen Vital Serum.
Dr Spiller Collagen Cream.
Sophie Monk's makeup routine.
I try and go simple with my 'day off' makeup. It depends if I'm going out to dinner with friends or somewhere. I'd love to wear no makeup some days, but then the paparazzi would pap me and there'd be stories like 'Look how tired she is, she's having a breakdown', so it's not worth it.
That's why I always carry makeup in my handbag. If I see them, I can jump into a bathroom really quickly and then come out, but if it's drastic times, I get foundation and put it all over my face to even it up, then I'll go mascara and then eyebrows, and lips.
I love lip glosses, and I love when they have a bit of colour and actually last. I like to line the outside of my lips with a universal nude shade - and I go a bit outside the lines - and add gloss because it makes you look like you've had filler.
I also try and use brown eyeliner because I'm fair and sometimes black can look quite severe, but then again, if I'm going out, I'll do a black. I put eyeliner in the waterline, it's neat and quick to do when you're running out the door and want your makeup to look nice. That and mascara, and I'm good.
Her favourite products.
NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation, $75.
MCoBeauty Cover & Treat Concealer, $15.
MCoBeautyWaterproof Crayon Liner, $14.
MCoBeauty XTENDLASH Mascara, $22.
MCoBeauty Lip Liner Universal by Sophie Monk, $20.
MCoBeauty Pout Gloss by Sophie Monk in Wonder, $14.
Sophie Monk's tanning routine.
I have to be honest about my bad fake tans - it's everywhere, you can Google it. I've come to work with destroyed tans, you know when it's patchy and you've got dirty ankles? I'm obsessed with the ModelCo tan in the pink can. I put that on and I look like I've just had a spray tan.
I do love body makeup too, but you've got to put it on with a mitt because if you spray it, it's quite strong and will leave a circle on your arm, so you've got to blend it. It covers everything.
Her favourite products.
Modelco Tan Airbrush in a Can, $10.
Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs, $24.95
Vita Liberata Body Blur, $75.
Sophie Monk's hair care routine.
I have to wash my hair everyday because I've got really fine hair and I've only got about three strands left. Everyone always says you can get away with two days, but when I wake up, my real hair is sticking up and the fake hair is long and beautiful.
I like Fudge Blonde Shampoo and Conditioner. It’s the best for keeping the blonde looking fresh and takes out any brassy colour. I also literally sleep in a Bondi Boost hair mask and wake up with the best hair! If I can't find that product, I'll just use regular conditioner and sleep in it. Sometimes, because it's so fine and I've got colour through it, if it's getting blow-dried every day, I can feel it breaking.
I tie my hair in a bun a lot if I'm in a rush, but you can get that beachy look with a texture spray and make it look like it's meant to look like. It's amazing to freshen up my hair, and it gives me that perfect, slightly messy texture. And another tip: if you've got tape hair extensions, when they start coming out, it's good to use oil to get the glue out.
Her favourite products.
Fudge Clean Blonde Violet Toning Shampoo and Conditioner, $23.99 each.
Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray, $66.
Bondi Boost Growth Miracle Mask, $39.95.
Have you tried any of Sophie Monk's favourite beauty products? Tell us in the comments!
You can read more from our What I Put On My Face series below: