Eight Hours with Rachel Stevens

Elizabeth Arden are doing quite a cool social media promotion right now, called #My8Hours, related obviously to their iconic Eight Hour Cream (which I love!). They’ve enlisted the support of eight inspiring women from varius professions, and they’re giving an insight into their life -and thair beauty secrets.

One of those involved is S Club 7’s Rachel Stevens. I met Rachel once when I interviewed all of  S Club 7 back in their heyday when I worked for the Daily Record. She was a truly lovely, and beautiful woman!

Here’s her video of her eight hours.

Rachel  began her career of course, as 1/7th of the award winning pop group, S Club 7. She’s won multiple Brit awards and has sold over 14 million records worldwide, been voted FHM’s Sexiest Woman, was crowned Glamour Magazine’s Woman Of The Year and NME’s Best Female Artist, amongst other accolades. The only coach to take two acts to  the final of The Voice of Ireland (didn’t even know she did this, did you?!),  Rachel has now just completed the Bring It All Back, UK Arena tour with S Club 7.
Here’s Rachel’s chat about her eight hours, and the Elizabeth Arden campaign.

What drew you to the campaign and why did you decide to take part in #My8Hours?
I’ve always been a big fan of the Eight Hour range so it was great to be asked to be involved in their new campaign. People always ask me what my day is like from the time I wake up to the timeI go to bed, and it’s really varied. At the moment I’m on tour so it’s a fun way to be able to share a snapshot of my 8 hours at the moment and great to work alongside 7 inspirational women, getting an insight into their busy lives too.

What was captured within your eight hours that encapsulates your lifestyle the most? Would you say this was indicative of your normal day?
The variety and pace of life is crazy at the moment so there’s no real normal day but this definitely shows a typical day on the road touring fairly well! I’m always working on different projects whether I’m on tour with S Club 7, in Ireland filming The Voice, or being at home with the family. I’m lucky to be able to have the experiences that I have and to do a job that I love. No day is ever the same and it is always fast paced! One day I can be at sound checks, dance rehearsals, in hair and make-up and then on stage, and the next I can be on mummy duty at home with my girls.

In a short sentence, how would you describe your #My8Hour experience?
The #My8Hours experience has been great fun – I didn’t realise how much I fitted into one day, until I saw the footage back!

If you were given an extra hour in the day, how would you spend it?
Having a massage!
 
What would be your perfect 8 hours?
My perfect 8 hours would be spent with my family. It would probably start with a lovely lie in with the girls jumping into bed with us, followed by a big family breakfast, maybe a walk and then a relaxing afternoon at home – there’s nothing better!
 
Who introduced you to Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant? When and where were you when you discovered it?
I can’t remember where I was or when I was introduced to Eight Hour Cream but it’s a product that I’ve used for as long as I can remember. It’s one of those products that everyone knows about – or should know about!

What’s your best Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant beauty secret?
I use the Eight Hour cream on dry areas like my knees and elbows but it’s also great for your eyebrows because it’s so conditioning.  It’s also a great product to use after you’ve been in the sun because it’s so hydrating, especially on your lips.

Why are you a fan of the Eight Hour Cream/range? How long have you been a fan?
The classic Eight Hour cream is one of the first creams I bought and I’ve used it ever since. The cream is a ‘one-stop shop’ for skin care so a perfect handbag staple.

Which product do you most use within the Eight Hour range? Why is this?
The product I most use from the Eight Hour Range is the classic Eight Hour cream because it’s versatile. I use it for everything, especially when I’m on the go. The texture of it is very smooth and it leaves my skin feeling great.

Who has inspired your career and driven you to achieve what you have?
I’ve always had a strong team of advisers who I work alongside and trust, which I think is really important, especially in my career and I’m very self  motivated to work hard and to do my best. I throw myself into things and give it my all – I love a good challenge! Even when I was at school I was determined to do what I needed to do to go to the London College of Fashion and when I left there, I wanted to go straight into work.  I think it’s just in my make-up.

What has been your career highlight?
I’ve been very fortunate in my career so there have been lots of highlights, from meeting the Queen and travelling the world, to helping the charities I work with and visiting projects for WaterAid in Ethiopia, so I wouldn’t be able to pick just one. Being back on tour with S Club 7 and experiencing it, being a little bit older than the first time, has been amazing. It’s allowed me to be in the moment much more than I ever could have been when I was younger and it’s been fantastic to take everything in all over again, meeting the fans that have followed us since we began and just celebrating what we had.

What strong women do you find inspirational? Who are you most inspired by?
Mums constantly inspire me! Becoming a Mum to my two gorgeous girls has really made me appreciate what it means to be one. I’ve found that I have much more of an understanding and compassion towards people of all different generations. There is no better job!

What is the best make-up tip you have ever received and how did you discover it?
I’ve been very lucky to have some brilliant make-up artists throughout the years, so I have collected lots of tips and tricks along the way. I think it’s important to know which colours and shapes work for you – I’m always learning about new products too. As well as applying concealer under your eyes, you can apply it down the bridge of your nose, where the light bounces off it, which really helps to contour the face.

What does Rachel have in her makeup bag? Here’s she talk through her top eight, of course, products.

1. Eight Hour Intensive Daily Moisturiser is my go to moisturiser and I’ve been a fan for years. The texture’s great and my skin always feels really fresh after I’ve put it on.
2. Sisley-Paris Phyto-Cernes Eclat  in shade No. 3 instantly brightens the under eye area but really moisturises at the same time and the coverage is fantastic.
3. For my eyes and brows I love HD Eye and Brow Palette in Foxy. The shades of light browns to black are the perfect combination for a smokey eye and a good brow.  They’re great to have in your make up bag, especially when you’re on the go and travelling a lot.
4. I love a sun kissed glow, so I always have my favourite bronzer to hand which is Harmony by MAC.
5. Lady Danger by MAC is a great red lipstick, in a perfect shade – it’s a make-up bag staple.
6. I’ve just discovered Moodstruck 3D Fibre Mascara from Younique and I love it. It makes your lashes feel very full and it really opens up my eyes.
7. I’m lost without a great lip gloss. The gloss in my make-up bag at the moment is Clarins’ Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector in 03, it’s almost a mix between a balm and a gloss, so keeps them moisturised.
8. I tend to use a liquid or gel eyeliner so  Benefit’s “They’re Real!” Push Up Liner is brilliant and goes on so easily.

Elizabeth Arden are running this campaign until July 5th. So you can follow the story on social media at the Elizabeth Arden Facebook page, on Twitter @ArdenUK, and on Instagram @ElizabethArdenUK.

You can upload your own ‘8 hour’ posts too!