Erin Holland is a classic Australian beauty with talent in spades: the 29-year-old is a singer, TV presenter, model, dancer and former Miss World Australia winner. Yet this list only scratches the surface.
When Holland isn't reporting on-screen or sizzling on star-studded red carpets, she's seizing the opportunity to speak out on topics close to her heart, one of these being the importance for Aussies to get serious about sun protection.
As Holland partners with Neutrogena to launch the brand's newest sunscreen, we caught up to chat all things beauty, skincare and SPF.
READ NEXT: 6 InStyle Editors Reveal Their Favourite Sunscreens
How would you describe your go-to beauty look?
Erin Holland: Coming into summer I’m loving natural, bronzy tones. I think it’s nice to warm up the complexion a little bit. But if I had to do a look in five minutes, I would do a bushy natural brow, some warm cappuccino hues on eyes and cheeks, apply a long lash mascara and then a natural lip.
Do you follow a regular skincare regimen?
I do. As I’m getting older I’m realising how important it is to make sure I am looking after my skin. And these days I’m doing a lot of travelling and I’m finding flying is really drying on my complexion. In the morning I make sure I’m applying sunscreen and moisturiser before I put on my make-up. Then I make sure I take it all off at night. About two to three times a week I’ll do a really nourishing mask.
You’re in the hair and make-up chair a lot, can you share the best beauty trick you've have picked up from the professionals?
I’m kind of handy doing my make-up myself, but it never lasts as well as it does when I get it done by the professionals, that’s because they really work the skin. I’m finding that the more I look after my skin the better the make-up is wearing.
The skin is the largest organ in your body and the foundation for everything, so if you haven’t got good skin and you’re trying to make yourself look dewy and fresh when you’re lack lustre and dry, it’s never really going to look the same. So a really great primer and skincare regimen are my top tips, because everything just looks fresher and better when it’s on a good canvas.
Your job takes you from red carpet events to television sets, how do you look after your skin between it all?
If possible, it’s always great to take your make-up off for a little while and refresh. If it’s not possible there are a number of great products out there, for example there is a Endota Hydrate Me Mist ($30; endotaspa.com.au) I absolutely love. It’s packed full of really awesome nutrients that you can simply spritz onto your face to help boost your skin and also freshen up your make-up. Mists are really good for a little refresher.
So, you’ve partnered with Neutrogena to launch their newest sunscreen, Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF50. How important is sun protection to you?
It’s everything! Growing up in Cairns in North Queensland where the sun is incredibly harsh and also coming from a family that has unfortunately had some big scares and rushes with skin cancer, wearing sunscreen is something that’s been drilled into me from a young age.
I remember when I was sixteen and I was going to get my learner driver’s licence, I was really nervous and I really wanted my mum to come with me. But she couldn’t because she was getting her third operation on her face to get a skin cancer cut out. She was so traumatised by it all, that she came home and said to me “you have to look after your skin because this is what will happen if you don’t!” It’s really stuck with me.
So, what do you look for in a perfect sunscreen?
A formula that is really lightweight, layers well under my make-up, doesn’t come off onto my clothes or encourage bad skin and something that is really long lasting. Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost ($16.99; at priceline.com.au) lasts eight hours and is four hours water resistant.
