Alesha Dixon reveals her beauty tips, tricks and icons

All-singing, all-dancing entertainment whirlwind Alesha Dixon shares herlooking-good secrets

I didn’t wear make-up at school because we weren’t allowed to, but I was a tomboy anyway. My daughter certainly won’t be wearing it to school, either! My mum never had a problem with me because I was too interested in athletics and gymnastics.

I’m still not really a girlie girl. I love playing dress-up and I love that I get to work with brilliant stylists and hairdressers, but I’m not one to fuss when it comes to make-up. You would think that working with make-up artists all the time, I’d have picked up lots of tips and tricks, but all it actually means is that I don’t do my own make-up very often, so when it comes to doing it, I’m like, 'Right, bit of mascara and off we go!’

At home, I don’t sit in front of the mirror for a long time, because I spend an hour and a half doing that as a part of my job when I’m on television or doing a photo shoot. When I’m not working, I quite like to do the complete opposite. Who wants to sit in front of a mirror for two hours, anyway?

I probably first started thinking about beauty when I’d watch music videos as a little girl and admire the women on screen. It’s my first memory of looking at another female and thinking, 'Wow, she’s beautiful.’

My beauty icon now is Kate Hudson. She comes to mind first because she’s very natural and she’s into her health and wellbeing too. She’s got a good reputation as someone who takes care of themself. I think it’s authentic with her; it’s aspirational. Some Hollywood stars probably train every day so it’s not realistic for the average person, but it’s still something to aspire to when you see someone so cool and positive, but who doesn’t ram it down your throat.

I’ve always taken vitamin supplements and am conscious of what I eat. If I fancied a pizza right now, I’d quite happily order one, but generally I eat very well and look after myself. I don’t see a dermatologist – that sounds too fancy. I use a lot of natural oils like coconut and vitamin E oil on my skin, because I think the simple things often work best.

The blessing of a good night’s sleep will do more for your face than any cream, but unfortunately, because we’re all so busy, we don’t always get the sleep we need. If you hydrate, use the right oils, exercise, eat well and take your supplements, nothing will do your skin more good.

I probably like my skin the most after I’ve exercised. I’m on stage a lot at the moment because I’m doing a lot of 30-minute gigs and I don’t really do a lot of ballads, so that has provided me with a lot of my exercise recently.

Walking the dogs is great too, because I think walking is just as good for you as running. When I have time I go to a personal trainer, and we will do cardio sessions if I have performances coming up and need to work on my stamina. Or sometimes I do some yoga and Pilates if I feel a bit tired and my body needs stretching out – but sadly I don’t have the luxury of doing sessions three times a week.

That’s what I love about walking the dogs: you have to make time for it. It doesn’t matter if it’s the middle of winter and you’re tired – those dogs need walking!

In Alesha's kit...

MORNING MUSTS

Eye Contour Mask, £81.50, and Confort Extreme Nutrive Lip Balm, £39.60, both Sisley 

TOP SCENTS

Donna, £69 for 50ml edp, Valentino; Yellow Diamond, £50 for 50ml edt, Versace 

HAIR HEROES

Supershine Moisturizing Cream, £47, Oribe; Deep Conditioner, £10.95, Mixed Chicks 

QUICK FIXES

Zoom Lash Mascara, £15, Mac; Eight Hour Cream, £26, Elizabeth Arden 

SKIN SECRETS

Hair Skin Nails supplement, £29.99 for 60 tablets, Swisse; Original Virgin Coconut Oil, £8.49 for 460g, Coconoil