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Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 09:20
WHILE his latest beauty contest show, Miss Naked Beauty, scours the country for women with confidence, sex appeal, spirit and brains in an effort to make women love their unadorned selves, many would still rather walk over hot coals than hit the high street without their lippy.
And though she may only be 22 years old, Amanda Jackson, from Nutbrook Avenue, Fenton, has been wearing make-up for the past 15 years.
As a dance teacher at The Steelworks Performing Arts Dance Academy, she's no stranger to the spotlight, but it's when she takes off her make-up that she really feels on show.
Amanda spends £100 on hair and make-up products a month, and is so used to wearing it that she can't imagine going bare in public – which is exactly what we challenged her to do.
"I wear make-up every day because it gives me more confidence and makes me feel a lot better," she adds.
"It doesn't matter if people say I look good without it, because I think it's how comfortable you feel inside that makes the difference.
"And it's the same with my hair. If I'm wearing it down then I can't go out without straightening it."
Choosing to accept our challenge, Amanda's first port of call was to have all her make-up removed by skincare advisor Carol Wilson at Debenhams Clinique counter.
After taking her face back to its natural state, Amanda was given task number one: to approach a fashion shop assistant and ask about an item of clothing.
"I felt really bare and on show so I didn't really want to walk round town," she admits.
"I just kept praying that I wouldn't meet anyone I knew."
Amanda was then asked to approach a young man and ask for some directions.
She says: "The more time I spent without my make-up on the better I felt, although I couldn't wait to put it back on."
Stepping into a salon full of pretty stylists and beauticians was the last challenge for Amanda before she could enjoy a complete makeover from Carol Wilson at Clinique.
"I felt like everyone was watching me, but in the end I had started to get used to the feeling," she explains.
"I was more concerned about having the make-over because I never let anyone else do my make-up. "
As Amanda prepared to step out with her face, and confidence, back in place, had the experience of being bare-faced changed her mind about make-up?
"There are women who don't need any at all," she concludes.
"But make-up is something I've been familiar with for a long time, and even though the experience wasn't as bad as I expected, I'll be sticking with my make-up in the future."
To learn more about The Steelworks dance academy call 01782 744993, or 01782 211308 for details about the Clinique range at Debenhams, Hanley.
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