Miss Ireland Pamela Uba shares her makeup must-haves and haircare secrets inside Irish Country Magazine
Pamela Uba made history this week as she was the first Black woman to be crowned Miss Ireland. The 25-year-old scientist was crowned Miss Galway just three days before the country went into lockdown in 2020 and then spent the majority of her reign as Miss Galway working on the front line at Galway University Hospital.
Pamela grew up in Direct Provision after moving to Ireland with her family from South Africa when she was just eight years old. Today, a very proud Irish citizen and a graduate of Trinity College with a master’s degree in clinical chemistry, Pamela hopes to use her Miss Ireland title to represent a more diverse Island on the world stage and believes education is a superpower.
Inside the September/October 2020 issue of Irish Country Magazine, Pamela shared her makeup bag must-haves and go-to haircare with us:
What’s your go-to makeup look?
A natural makeup look with a bit of warmth to it. I love using warm peachy tones for eyeshadow, light coverage foundation, I use Lancôme Teint Idole, Estée Lauder Double Wear Concealer under my eyes to brighten them up and Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder in the shade Deep. I use bronzing powder to give my skin a more sun kissed look – Mac Mineralize Bronzing Powder and highlight with SoSu Illuminating Bronzer. For contour and blush I use the Inglot x Maura Glam and Glow Trio and finish with a nude matte lipstick (Nu Skin Powerlips Fluid in the shades Breadwinner and Persistence) and liner and a bit of mascara.
What are the main items in your daily skincare regime?
My LumiSpa cleanser, my moisturisers – La Roche Posay Lipikar and The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors +HA. And for that glowing finish I use The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% +B5.
What is your number one desert island, cannot-live-without beauty product?
This one is easy. It would have to be my AgeLoc LumiSpa beauty cleansing device. It’s an award-winning handheld dual action cleansing device scientifically proven to deep cleanse your pores, tighten skin, remove all makeup, clear blemishes and minimises pores. I use it to take off my make or to give my skin a morning cleanse to leave it feeling radiant, smooth and glowing.
What’s your go-to perfume and why?
I absolutely adore Viva La Juicy Gold Couture. The fragrance notes are wild berries mixed with vanilla, jasmine and honeysuckle. I love sweet perfumes and get many compliments when wearing this one. It’s definitely a date night type of perfume.
Are there any Irish beauty brands you enjoy using?
I love using the SoSu by Suzanne Jackson false eyelashes and Illuminating Bronzer. My eyes are one of my most prominent features and her lashes just give them that extra pop! I am also a big believer in the glowy skin look. I use the Illuminating Bronzer as highlighter and it can go absolutely anywhere from my cheek bones, brow bone, inner eye corner, nose, Cupid’s bow of the lip and even my collar bones and shoulders depending on what I’m wearing.
What haircare products do you use?
My hair is naturally an Afro and can tend to be on the frizzy side. My go-to haircare line would have to be the Shea Moisture products. Shea Moisture products do not contain any parabens, sulphates, mineral oil, propylene glycol, petroleum or phthalates and are cruelty free. It’s great for natural hair and the smell after is insane. In particular, I love their 100% Virgin Coconut OIl line.
Your favourite beauty spot in Galway?
It’s hard to choose one, I have a top three! The first is Hello Gorgeous in Oranmore with Tess who does the best wispy eye lash extension set for the perfect cat eye. The second would have to be Sugar Dolls Nail and Beauty Bar. There is nothing more relaxing than getting a manicure and pedicure. Definitely a treat for those who haven’t experienced it. And the third would be getting my hair done by my good friend Dawid Stroinski who works in David Martin on Eyre Square. Both my Ladies’ Day up-do and my Miss Galway Hollywood curl looks were done by him. He also gives the best head massages with a wash and curly blow dry.
What’s your top tip for self-care?
Definitely have a good cleansing and moisturising routine to keep your skin hydrated, looking fresh and feeling great.
