Today’s amazing #ForteFemale is Camilla Tominey, an Associate Editor covering Politics and Royals at The Daily Telegraph in London. She is also is the resident royal expert on ITV’s This Morning and appears frequently on royal documentaries on BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5. She presents a new Sunday morning political programme on GB News. Here, Irene interviews Camilla about everything from her incredible broadcast career to beauty tips to her inspirating advise for aspiring journalists.
YOU STUDIED LAW, HOW DID YOU GET INTO JOURNALISM?
I loved studying law but when I was researching some of the cases for my degree, I found myself increasingly attracted to the way they were reported, rather than how they were argued, in court. I'd always loved writing and studied English at A Level so I always considered journalism a dream career - and then when I landed a job as a trainee on a local newspaper after leaving Leeds University, that dream became a reality.
YOU DO A LOT OF BROADCAST, WHAT DO YOU DO TO PREP YOUR SKIN FOR TELEVISION?
Because I do a lot of broadcast, I wear a lot of make up. Consequently I'm always trying to hydrate my skin as much as possible because wearing thick foundation all day isn't exactly conducive to a glowing complexion. Because I have got very oily skin (perhaps inherited from my Italian ancestors!) I have to be really careful what I use. I suffer from rosacea and a degree of occasional adult acne so I can't wear anything too fragranced. I do the whole cleanse tone and moisturiser thing as soon as I wake up, then I add more moisturiser and a primer before I start even reaching for the make-up sponge.
YOU’RE A JOURNALIST, A MOTHER OF THREE, PATRON OF NON-PROFITS, DO YOU HAVE ANY WELLNESS TIPS YOU SWEAR BY TO JUGGLE IT ALL?
I'm a teetotal which has greatly improved my wellbeing both physically and psychologically. I drink a lot of water and decaf tea which I think serves my skin well. I love tennis and treat myself to a lesson a week which is probably the only hour I truly get to myself when I'm not thinking of work or the kids but executing the perfect forehand instead. I've set myself a 2023 goal to lift weights for 20 minutes, five times a week but I think that's probably a bit ambitious!
HOW DID YOU FIRST DISCOVER IRENE FORTE SKINCARE?
I met up with a friend who I hadn't seen in a while and I couldn't believe how well he looked because (and I hope he won't mind me saying this) he does smoke, drink and often stay out quite late at night. Anyway - he looked facially fabulous so I asked him if he'd had any work done (as you do) and he said the secret was Irene Forte Hibiscus Night Cream. He then got me some, I used it, and everyone started commenting on my skin for the first time in my entire life.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT IRENE FORTE SKINCARE?
I love that it works! So often we spend oodles of cash on lotions and potions that do absolutely nothing, whereas I can honestly say that the Irene Forte range is the only thing I've ever put on my face that has actually made a positive difference. I also love the girl power vibe of a female run company with science to prove the claims on the packaging.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE IRENE FORTE SKINCARE PRODUCT AND WHY?
At night I put the Hibiscus serum on, followed by the Hibiscus night cream and that seems to be a winning formula. I'm also in love the gentleness of the almond cleansing milk which leaves your face feeling moisturised before you've slapped on some of the prickly pear.
WHAT RESULTS HAVE YOU NOTICED AFTER USING HIBISCUS NIGHT CREAM, HIBISCUS SERUM AND/OR PRICKLY PEAR FACE CREAM?
Well let's put it this way- since I've been using these Myoxinol™ filled formulas, I've not felt a burning desire to get injectables (although to be fair I'm not really a Botox type of person).
AS A JOURNALIST, YOUR JOB IS TO UNCOVER AND SHARE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE WITH YOUR AUDIENCE AND PRESENT IT IN A FAIR AND IMPARTIAL MANNER. WHEN CONSIDERING YOUR SKINCARE PRODUCTS, HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO YOU THAT BRANDS HAVE CLINICAL RESULTS TO BACK UP THEIR CLAIMS?
It is absolutely essential that the claims made by skincare brands are backed up by science. I think customers are very discerning these days and aren’t going to be fobbed off with mumbo jumbo that doesn't stand up to scrutiny.
THE TERM “CLEAN” WHEN APPLIED TO SKINCARE PRODUCTS IS A BIT CONTROVERSIAL IN THAT THE WORD HAS NO SET DEFINITION WHEN APPLIED TO THE COSMETIC INDUSTRY. WHAT DOES THE TERM “CLEAN” MEAN TO YOU? IS THIS AN IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION FOR YOU WHEN SELECTING YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE?
Well I'm a clean freak so if I think of the word clean, it generally makes me smile like the tragic dust buster and cleaning hack binge watcher that I am. But from a skincare perspective - doesn't it mean putting as pure ingredients as possible on your face and body as opposed to harsh chemicals that do you more harm than good? I mean, I don't want to wash my face with the same sort of substance that I might use to scrub my sink!
HOW IMPORTANT IS SUSTAINABILITY TO YOU? HOW DO YOU INCORPORATE SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES IN YOUR DAILY LIFE? (IRENE FORTE SKINCARE WAS NAMED A B CORP THIS YEAR.)
I think sustainability means living the life we want without negatively impacting others or the environment. Skincare brands have a particular responsibility to ensure that their packaging is environmentally friendly and kind to animals. That's important to me as a consumer of these goods.
DO YOU INCORPORATE FACIAL TOOLS IN YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE? IF SO, WHICH DO YOU ENJOY AND WHY? HOW DO YOU FIND THEM HELPFUL?
I've got several facial tools but no real idea how to use them. I've heard good things about using them to get rid of crows' feet but I think I might need a lesson or two from a professional!
OUR TEAM IS FEMALE-FOUNDED AND STAFFED ENTIRELY BY WOMEN. HOW IMPORTANT DO YOU THINK IT IS, IN 2023, TO CONTINUE TO CELEBRATE AND LIFT UP OTHER WOMEN?
I wouldn't be where I am today without the women in my life - from the inspirational female teachers who taught me at my all-girls' school, to the school mums who help me when I'm too late home from work to collect the children, to the female friends and colleagues who keep me grounded and help me to take my work seriously but not myself. I have been lucky enough to benefit from the support of two mothers - my late mum who died in 2001 and my stepmum who still gives me love and guidance to this day. And I find my two daughters and my son a constant source of inspiration. It is crucial that women help other women in this still male-dominated world of ours.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR ASPIRING FEMALE JOURNALISTS?
There is no better way to prove yourself as an aspiring female journalist than by getting out there and breaking stories. Get scoops and you'll leave the rest of the pack trailing in your wake.
