Popular presenter Pamela Ballantine reveals her makeup bag secrets

Pamela Ballantine is arguably one of Northern Ireland’s best known presenters, renowned for her friendly hosting skills on some of television’s most popular shows, including Friday evening’s UTV Life which draws a weekly plethora of A List stars who clearly love joining Pamela for a chat on her famous sofa.

UTV confirmed last year that the on-screen team on all in-house productions, from UTV Live to Pamela Ballantine’s chat show, would apply their own make-up.

Whilst makeup workshops were provided for all those presenting staff who wished to attend, a spokeswoman at the time explained that ‘most on-screen staff already apply their own make-up for news bulletins and reporting tasks.’ She said, “Viewers will not notice any difference on-screen.”

Whilst some viewers speculated at the time that they would notice the difference, it is certainly clear that Pamela remains as polished as ever. But Pamela explains she is more casual towards her beauty routine than people might think. “My ‘every day’ beauty and makeup routine begins in the morning when I wash my face with a face cloth to wake me up and use a foaming cleanser in the shower. I put on moisturiser which is The Body Shop Vitamin E cream. If I am not going out or if I am only nipping out to the shops, or going for a walk I don’t bother with make-up. If I have put on make-up then it takes about five minutes to slap it on (I do take a bit more time for the TV).

“At night I use cleansing wipes to my remove makeup, then use Boots No 7 Cleanser and Toner followed by The Body Shop Vitamin E night cream. If I haven’t put on make-up I just wipe my face with a cleansing wipe and toner before putting on night cream.

“I use Estee Lauder Double Wear Light foundation, number three colour but when I have a tan its number four. It stays on all day but is not heavy and clogging. I like to put a bit of bronzer on - but not so much that I look like I have been tangoed,” Pamela laughs.

“ I do wear powder to stop shine. I use a thin line of black eye liner which I soften with a brush. I have a pallet of eye shadows I bought in Sephora in Spain which give a smokey effect. For mascara I like a black non-smudge one, usually Boots No 7, a bit of blush, lip liner and lipstick and I am good to go. I do like my lippy to co-ordinate with what I am wearing but I like soft pinks for day time.

“I am very much a creature of habit but I do like to try products I am lucky enough to get in goodie bags but I don’t really change things up.

“I stocked up on my Sephora eye shadows when I was in New York in September. I always like to have a bit of colour on my face so I do use a fake tan. I am happy if I have colour in my cheeks as I look healthier.

“For a night out I don’t really change it that much, but I might go a bit heavier with eyeliner and mascara - plus a vibrant lipstick.”