With almost a million combined Twitter and Instagram followers tracking her every hairstyle change and fashion purchase, Louise Roe is the definition of a modern-day style celebrity. But the television host (BBC and E!) who began her career as a magazine editor in the UK, hasn't let the social media fame go to her head. She's down-to-earth, ambitious and cool -- and, of course, incredibly well-dressed.
I had the pleasure of chatting with Roe at the launch of
SK-II Mid-Day Essence Spray, $80 -- a skin-reviving mist that can be spritzed before or on top of makeup and comes in a travel-friendly bottle that's perfect for a jet-setter like her. "It's plastic so it goes in the handbag," she says. "That's important too -- not just the product but how portable it is."
And that's exactly the type of advice you get from Roe: one part cool and one part practical.
1) TB: Who are your style icons?
LR: I keep an actual scrapbook. Pre-Pinterest style. Paper. Cutting. Pasting. Some people like to cook, but it's my therapeutic outlet. It's mainly women who had their heyday in the '70s. Lauren Hutton, Ali MacGraw, Talitha Getty. Women who didn't wear lots of makeup or really tight clothes, but were so sexy in this understated way. Like white shirts and jean cutoffs. Quite California, I suppose. And now I love Miranda Kerr. I think she dresses beautifully. I love the way Nicole Richie dresses. It's not that I necessarily want to emulate that, because she has a different vibe than me, but I just love watching what she does. And bloggers like Aimee Song -- she just kills it every time.
2) TotalBeauty: How does your personal style affect your beauty routine or vice versa?
Louise Roe: I like to look as natural as possible, and I don't tend to wear bright colors. I'll save that for the outfit. But if I'm going to an evening event, I might do a smoky eye. I like a bronze smoky eye at the moment rather than a classic black smoky. I don't tend to do much bright on the lips. Not that I don't like it, but my job is to speak. So I find when I've got bright lips on, I become paranoid like, 'Is it on my teeth? Is it coming off?' so I just keep things simple on that end.
3) TB: Are you serious about skin care?
LR: I'm 33, and I have become so, actually. My mom's into it but not obsessively. I used to work in magazines so I was lucky enough to try out things, and I got curious. Lately, I've thought more about sun damage and aging skin. I didn't use to think about it so much. And living in L.A., you really need to protect your skin.
4) TB: What's the oldest item in your closet you refuse to throw out?
LR: I have a pair of Christian Louboutins that I bought when I got my first job at Vogue.com in London. And I wore them to the interview and got the job in them. And I never ever wear them anymore, but I could never part with them because they mean something to me. They're bright electric blue, and they're a bit of a bootie. Not that nice anymore, but they're in good condition. And I wore them a lot.
5) TB: What beauty essentials do you keep in your bag?
LR: I always have a baby can of
TRESemme Dry Shampoo. That's brilliant for a little zhush.
SK-II Mid-Day Essence. There's an Australian product called Papaw Ointment. I've got a lot of Aussie friends, so I knew about that before it became a thing people buy on eBay. But I don't overdo what I keep in my bag, actually.
Image via louiseroe.com
Image via ryanvyryanchua
