Olivia Bowen is arguably one of Love Island’s biggest success stories. The 30-year-old took part in the ITV dating show in 2016, becoming a runner up alongside partner Alex, who she went on to marry. Almost a decade later, the pair shares a son, Abel, and a gorgeous home that was featured on Abbey Clancey’s Celebrity Homes last year.
The mum-of-one is a frequent Instagram poster, often sharing snippets of her cosy life and wonderful home with her 3 million followers, with her bio describing her account as ‘a mixed bag’. But rarely does she delve into her skincare routine or makeup bag contents.
Recently, she sat down with The Mirror's Bethan Shufflebotham to share the beauty products she swears by, from glow-giving setting sprays to her must-have fragrances. She revealed a number of beauty essentials that keep her looking fabulous, from red carpets to beach days, as well as some stunning fragrances that are perfect for the upcoming season.
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One product Olivia has been using ever since leaving the villa is the Prep-Set-Glow spray from Iconic London. Priced at £25, her love for this ‘versatile’ mist runs deep, getting through two to three bottles of the ‘long-lasting’ spritz each year. “It’s something that I wear to every event or every time I go for a meal,” she said. “I’ve been using it for years and it just gives you the best glow.
The mist, which can be used to prep skin before makeup application, used alone for a glow boost, or over makeup to set everything in place, comes in two shades to suit various skin tones. Olivia says she uses the original shade day-to-day, but loves the darker one when she wants a more bronzed appearance.
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Iconic London)It’s especially great for holidays, where Olivia applies it over her sunscreen for an added dewy, sun-kissed look. She added: “It’s hydrating and gives you a confidence boost when you’re in a bikini. Your skin looks so dewy and glowing—it’s really nice.”
The spray is infused with cooling cucumber and soothing chamomile, designed to give you a stand-out gloss. It’s also rich in antioxidants, green tea and Vitamin E, which helps to condition your skin, as well as caffeine, which can aid in combating dark circles around your eyes.
It’s earned itself more than 1,400 five star reviews from shoppers who say it keeps makeup in place all day. One said: “I absolutely love this product. In the bottle it looks shimmery but when sprayed on to the skin, it left my face glowy and my make-up stayed put all day. I was super impressed and have since bought myself another bottle.”
Another added: “I love this setting spray. It gives the perfect all-over glow and keeps my makeup looking fresh all day!” However, it’s not been as popular with shoppers who suffer with oilier complexions, with one commenting: “It's make my skin more glossy as I have oily skin n it's make it worse - doesn't suit me.”
For Olivia, the sunkissed look is non-negotiable, particularly on the days she wants to look and feel her best. And on the days where she needs something with a little more ‘oomph’, she turns to her favourite tanning brand Cocoa Brown , even using the tan on her wedding day.
“I used Cocoa Brown for such a long time, then they left the UK, but now they’re back, and I’m so happy,” she told The Mirror. Her go-to is their dark mousse, which develops in just a few hours - a lifesaver when pressed for time. “I put it on five hours before the Pride of Britain Awards and washed it off when I got home. It’s so handy because you don’t have to worry about remembering to do it the night before. I’ve got a toddler, so I get tired in the evenings and the last thing I want to be doing is getting naked and putting fake tan on.”
A recent addition to her tanning routine is Cocoa Brown’s Sunshine Serum for the face. Enriched with hyaluronic acid, it tans and nourishes the skin, delivering a radiant glow along with much-needed hydration. The 30-year-old added: “It gives you that glow and the tan, so it’s a great 2-in-1, and it’s got hyaluronic acid in it, so it’s really good for your skin, too.”
And when it comes to perfumes, Olivia likes to switch things up from day to night. For an evening out, she’s currently been reaching for Penhaligon’s Cairo, which she describes as a “strong, deep, oudy fragrance”. However, at £110 for a 30ml bottle, it’s not the cheapest, so during the day she uses the more affordable Seychelles scent from The White Company, which is £30 for 30ml. Olivia added: “It’s really fresh and light, it’s a great day fragrance.”
For those looking to add a bit of Bowen-inspired glamour to their own routines, you can shop her must-have Iconic London Prep-Set-Glow spray here. Alternatively, our beauty writers also rate the Anastasia Beverly Hills Dewy Set Setting Spray, which is £26 . Or for a more affordable alternative, you could try out the £5 Boots Glow Illuminating Mist .
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