Ella Eyre: on the celebrity that stole her sunglasses, taming curls and deep fried Camembert

We're back with another Beauty Bytes and this time I grilled Ella Eyre about what food she likes to eat when she thinks 'fuck the calories', which hair products she uses to make sure those beautiful curls are on point and which celeb stole her sunglasses and left her completely speechless.

KT: HELLO ELLA, WHAT IS THE WORST BEAUTY TREND YOU’VE EVER ATTEMPTED?

EE: The worst trend was probably lots of kohl eyeliner, you know what I mean? I used to love doing really dark makeup and I think it’s just because as a kid there were so many things I wanted to experiment with, so I got into really like dark gothic makeup. Basically, kohl eyeliner. I don’t know if it’s because my eyes are set weirdly, but it was really hard to maintain and I would always end up having to re-do the eyeliner or cleaning under my eye, because it looked like I’d been crying. So I’d say that was definitely the worst one, because I’d always end up looking like I’d been in a fight and that wasn’t the desired effect.

KT: WHAT’S THE BEST BEAUTY ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN?

EE: I always used to do a feline flick and perfecting that is as tricky as a Latin GCSE exam. It’s so hard. So, my makeup artist used to use a really cheap, rubbish eyeliner first to draw it on, and then use this Mac eyeliner on top. I can’t remember what it’s called, but it’s a liquid black eyeliner that's like cement. You can’t get it off, like if you make a mistake it’s game over for the day.

KT: OH REALLY? I DON’T KNOW WHICH ONE THAT IS...

EE: It’s a tiny black tube and you dip the applicator in. It’s so solid that it doesn’t come off. So the best advice I was ever given was to use the really shit eyeliner first, get it right, and then cement it. And you don’t have to reapply your eyeliner at any point; I can go out all night and it stays.

Mac Liquilast Liner, £17 Selfridges

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EE: It’s amazing, but don’t make a mistake because you’ll be rubbing your eyes for two hours. *laughs*

KT: I'M ASSUMING YOU NEED A CLEANSING OIL TO GET IT OFF?

EE: Yeah has to be an oil!

KT: WHAT’S THE BEST BEAUTY PRODUCT RECOMMENDATION YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?

EE: I really like the Complexion Rescue from Bare Minerals. I got given it once and as I don’t like to wear a lot of makeup, this is the perfect combination of moisturising, toning and concealing without feeling like you’ve got too much on.

Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream, £22.40 Look Fantastic

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KT: IT'S AMAZING - I USE IT TOO. WHAT IS YOUR BEAUTY SECRET?

EE: My beauty secret is having a morning and night skincare routine. I’ve always been quite lucky with my skin and haven’t really paid that much attention to it. But as I’ve got older, having a morning and night routine and sticking to it religiously, means I have very few bad skin days. I just have to keep my skin hydrated. If I can do that, I really don’t need to wear much makeup.

KT: CAN YOU EXPAND ON WHAT YOU DO FIRST THING AND THEN BEFORE BED?

EE: Most of my products are Kiehl’s to be honest. I love the Calendula range - I use the Foaming Face Wash and then the toner. I’ve recently discovered their Iris Extract Activating Treatment Essence so I use that and then I use the Kiehl's Daily Reviving Concentrate, the Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado and the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream. In the evening it's a bit simpler - I just take my make-up off and wash my face, then I just put on the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Oil or an overnight mask.

KT: WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE BEAUTY BRANDS THAT YOU CAN ALWAYS RELY ON?

EE: Definitely Kiehl's, Bobbi Brown and Aveda.

KT: WHAT’S IN YOU MAKEUP BAG RIGHT NOW?

EE: I love the Mac Mineralize Skinfinish - a powdered highlighter - Esteé Lauder Double Wear Concealer, Bobbi Brown Eyebrow Shaper and I don’t think this is a brand, but have you heard of a shop called Pax?

KT: YES. THE HAIR PLACE?

EE: Yes they have a beauty section that has loads of random products. They have this lip gel, which is basically the glossiest lip gloss you’ve ever seen in your life. It's like you permanently have jelly on your lips. I really love that wet look.

KT: WHAT MASCARA DO YOU USE?

EE: Good question, I actually kind of avoid it, because I hate having to maintain it and then also having to take it off. The one that I’ve got is the Lancôme one.

KT: IS IT HYPNÔSE?

EE: Yeah it could be.

KT: HOW OFTEN DO YOU WORK OUT AND WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE WAY TO EXERCISE?

EE: I’m quite flexible, but I like to do at least a minimum of three to four sessions per week. My favourite is Barry’s Boot Camp. I went through a stage of doing like five Barry’s a week, but then my muscles started to tense up so I’ve started doing hot yoga, so I alternate between the two now.

KT: AND WHERE DO YOU DO YOUR HOT YOGA?

EE: Either Fierce Grace or Free Tribes in Crouch End.

KT: IF YOU’RE STRAPPED FOR TIME, WHAT WOULD BE THE THREE BEAUTY-RELATED THINGS YOU’D DO BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE HOUSE?

EE: Oh my God! Moisturise. If I don’t have enough time to do all of my creams then I’d just shove on the Kiehls Ultra Facial Cream with the SPF and then I’m good to go. And then I’d just put a bit of concealer under my eyes, then highlighter and I’m happy.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream SPF30, £26 Space NK

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KT: I THINK YOU’RE PROBABLY BORED ABOUT QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR HAIR, BUT IT IS AMAZING. HOW DO YOU LOOK AFTER IT?

EE: Thank you. Curly hair is unruly at the best at time, but you don’t have to do a lot to it. The less you do to it the better it behaves. I try not to wash it every day, I’ll wash it every other day or ever two days. I’ll use shampoo and conditioner, either Aveda or Kerastase, and put a treatment in as I dye my hair too, so I use a colour preserving

*'I'm turning right mate! Sorry I'm driving and someone just cut me up!'*

So yeah, I’d wash my hair, put a colour treatment in - maybe overnight, maybe not - and then, if I don’t do a treatment, I’d put leave-in conditioner and let it dry naturally.

KT: CURLY HAIR CAN BE QUITE DRY CAN’T IT?

EE: Yeah it can, and I find it reacts really well when I leave the conditioner in it because the curls are a bit more enhanced. If I’m having trouble getting definition in my curls then I’d use the Aveda Be Curly Curl Enhancer - it defines my curls perfectly.

KT: DO YOU HAVE A SIGNATURE FRAGRANCE? AND IF NOT WHAT ARE YOUR GO TOS?

EE: I’ve got quite a few. I would say my favourite over the past couple of years is the Balenciaga Rosa Botanica. I also like the Flora Botanica from Balenciaga and I also like the Miu Miu one with the red lid and blue bottle.

KT: WHAT ARE YOUR THREE MOST USED EMOJIS?

EE: *laughs* Definitely the laughing crying face. And do you know the one with a person pumping up their hair?

KT: YEAH

EE: So that one, a little sassy emoji, I love it. And then probably, a food emoji like sushi.

KT: FAVOURITE ALCOHOLIC DRINK?

EE: I do love an Aperol Spritz.

KT: YUM! ME TOO. FAVOURITE BOOK?

EE: I just started reading Why I'm No Longer Talking To White People About Race, by Reni Eddo-Lodge.

KT: OH MY GOD I’M DYING TO READ THAT.

EE: I’ve only just started it but it’s absolutely fascinating, I’m getting really into it. I tried to give it to all of my white friends, but they’re not really into the title. My friends a journalist and she said it’s a good recommendation.

KT: IT’S SUPPOSED TO BE SO GOOD. WHAT’S YOUR CHEAT MEAL?

EE: I would say Ramen.

KT: THAT’S QUITE HEALTHY THOUGH. I WAS HOPING FOR SOMETHING THAT’S A BIT MORE CALORIFIC. WHAT TAKE AWAY WOULD YOU GET?

EE: You know what I love, Homeburger, have you ever heard of it?

KT: NO.

EE: It’s one of those new boujis burger places, like a Gourmet Burger Kitchen, but not. They only do delivery and all their packaging is recycled. I love it. And they do these onion shards where they just grate onions into the deep fat fryer. They also have deep fried Camembert balls with a cranberry jam And the most amazing buttermilk chicken burger.

KT: YEP, THAT’S MUCH BETTER THAN RAMEN!

EE: Yeah, you can have that one.

KT: DO YOU HAVE ANY TATTOOS?

EE: I’ve got one. It’s on the back of my left shoulder and I got it when I was in San Franscico. Me and my bassist had a day off and just decided to go and get a tattoo. My Nan had died that year, her name was Mary and she was Maltese and a Catholic.

KT: AAH THAT’S SO NICE.

EE: I got it in her handwriting as well. I don’t thing I’ll get anymore though, I thought I’d get the bug but I’m over it.

KT: DID IT HURT?

EE: No. It took like 20 minutes. I don't think it's great in terms of line definition, but for the sentiment I really like that it’s simple. I don’t need anymore.

KT: WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE TV SHOW TO BINGE WATCH?

EE: I was going to say Love Island, but it was shit this year. Last year’s one was so good.

KT: I THOUGH THE ONE TWO YEARS AGO WAS BETTER.

EE: Yeah, I’m with you on that for sure, but I’m a bit of a snob when it comes to Love Island. But okay, say Love Island, because I do love it.

KT: FAVOURITE INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT?

EE: I’m going to say Chrissy Teigan and Blake Lively. I like strong independent women with their own personalities and I live for that.

KT: WHAT’S THE WEIRDEST PICKUP LINE YOU’VE EVER HEARD?

EE: Something to do with my hair if they’re like “can I touch it?” And I’m like “no!” Its not the ideal ice breaker like being stroked by a man I haven’t met before.

KT: WHO HAVE YOU BEEN STAR STRUCK MEETING?

EE: There was this one time at V Festival where Pharrell was playing and he came out of his dressing room to go on stage. He looked in my direction and I was on the other side of the artist area, and I said to my hair stylist 'Is that Pharrell walking in my direction?!' And she was like 'shit I think so.' And he came over and he was like 'Hey, can I look at your glasses?' I had no words, I just didn’t understand the scenario. I was like 1.) Why was Pharell anywhere near me and 2.) Why does he want to look at my fucking Ray Bans? It was bizarre. Surely he knows what Ray Bans are! He had his stylist there and he said 'these are the ones that I want' and she was like 'Ok'. I told him he could have mine! I don’t think he knew I was an artist or if he just liked my glasses.

KT: FINAL QUESTION. DO YOU GET MANICURES? DO YOU EVER GET NAIL ART AND WHERE DO YOU GO?

EE: I do! I really love Imarni Nails, she’s done my nails a couple of times over the years and I really love some the designs that she’s done. I also love Michelle Humphries - she’s amazing, she’s insane! So yeah, I like to go as wacky as possible but I don’t like it to be too long because I like to cook, so just a bit of an extension you know.

KT: THANKS SO MUCH. THANKS FOR TALKING TO ME, ESPECIALLY AS YOU’VE BEEN DRIVING!