She’s back! Our home-grown Aussie supermodel, new mum and L’Oréal Paris ambassador, Megan Gale has returned to her busy and varied career after time off with her baby boy, River. At the launch of L’Oréal Paris’ 2015 campaign at Cafe Sydney this week, where AFL star Jimmy Bartel was also announced as the face of L’Oréal Men Expert, Megan spoke about life as a new mum and what the well-known L’Oréal hallmark slogan – “Because You’re Worth It” – means to her now.
Megan spoke from the heart about a certain type of judgement she’s become aware of as a new mum, that she previously didn’t know existed – the type that “sadly comes from other women”. While touching on a serious subject, Megan joked in her delightfully light-hearted way with an intimate group of beauty-insiders about men’s lack of judgement around parenting; “Look at the Dads, the men…My partner Sean doesn’t go down to the park and say to other dads ‘Dude, is it breast or bottle?’ They’re so relaxed about it.”
Megan empathised with other mothers and women in general, saying how easy it is to succumb to this type of judgement and “second-guess yourself, your choices and your decisions”. Speaking about the pressures other women can place on you over how to raise your child, Megan said, “it makes you feel a little bit ‘worthless’ at times”. Her advice? “To step back, remove yourself from it and just trust your intuition and who you are as a person and to find your own validation within yourself. Don’t look to other people, what other people are doing, what other people are saying to try and get that validation.”
‘Because You’re Worth It’ has taken on a slightly different meaning to Megan now, resonating with her to look within herself to find that sense of self-worth. We sat down with the beautifully down-to-earth Megan Gale to chat in-depth about beauty, being a mum and what’s on the horizon for 2015.
Image courtesy of Instagram
So lovely to see you back after taking time out with River; what has changed in your beauty regime since becoming a mum.
I have definitely learnt to manage my time better and prioritise what needs to be done. He’s quite settled now and in a routine so it’s easier to know when I can have a few minutes here and there to dedicate to my beauty regime. How has it changed? Well, I certainly don’t have as much time…I certainly appreciate the time now that I do get to pamper myself, it’s made me understand and appreciate those things even more.
Image courtesy of Instagram
It’s been 3 years since you first became the first Australian face of L’Oreal Paris, tell us about some of your favourite moments and campaigns with the brand.
The big launch we had in Sydney to announce my ambassador role was a great night and a huge celebration, a lovely way to be welcomed into the family. Walking the red carpet at Cannes two years in a row were massive highlights and an unforgettable experience. A stand out campaign shoot would be the Magic Blur TVC. I shot that when I was 6 months pregnant and it’s lovely to have done a TVC while pregnant that I can look back on later and show River when he’s older and explain he was in my tummy when I filmed it.
Naomi Watts and Helen Mirren were recently inducted into the L’Oreal Paris family – tell us what you think these two icons represent for women…
Such great additions to the L’Oreal Paris family and I think it’s fabulous that L’Oreal as a brand are quite open to signing women that a little bit more mature and aspirational – they’ve always been very pro this idea which I love. I think a lot of the women out there will appreciate that too!
Image courtesy of Instagram
What does the L’Oreal Paris slogan – Because We’re Worth It – mean to you?
It is such a great philosophy. For me, in the last 12 months having gone through the whole pregnancy / motherhood journey it resonates so much more to me. Looking after yourself and taking the time to appreciate yourself is so important, especially when you have a little person that relies on you so much. Also, probably even more so now, like most Mums, I devote so much to my child and my new family and with juggling all of that and going back to work, I feel like I’ve earnt or deserve a little “me” time now and then as it’s so rare. So to say to yourself “because you’re worth it” reaffirms to me that I should try and make time for myself where possible, even if it’s only for a small portion of the day.
Who’s your beauty icon?
I adore all the screen sirens of the 50’s that really epitomised that old Hollywood Glamour era – they always looked so polished, refined and sophisticated.
“Your whole life shows in your face and you should be proud of that” – Lauren Bacall’s Most Famous Quotes
Tell us about your role in the fight against ovarian cancer in 2015?
We are discussing some great ideas and initiatives as we speak and are looking at taking it to a whole new level. It’s a cause that both myself and L’Oreal Paris are passionate about so I look forward to continuing on in my role next year.
Image courtesy of Instagram
What’s on the radar for you with L’Oreal Paris in 2015?
We have quite a few campaigns we’re currently talking about launching next year, so we’re just trying to figure out which ones we should do and when – I LOVE shooting TV commercials, they’re so much fun so I’m looking forward to more of those next year. Also we’re looking at doing another trip to Cannes so that will be great.
What beauty products would we always find in your handbag?
Mascara, gloss or lipstick, blush, and concealer.
You’re planning to return to the red carpet at Cannes in 2015 – what will your health, fitness and beauty routine involve in preparation?
I think trying to get as much rest as possible beforehand is essential as it’s a long haul flight and the few days that I’m there will be pretty intense and busy. I hope to be back into a more regular exercise routine by then as I’d love to get my fitness levels back on track too!
What designer would you love to wear to Cannes next year?
The L’Oreal Paris ambassadors usually have an AMAZING wardrobe to choose from – one year I wore this incredible Versace gown which I absolutely loved, so to wear Versace again would be great – I’m quite partial to Italian designers so we’ll see!
AFL legend Jimmy Bartel and wife Nadia Bartel as Jimmy was announced as the face of L’Oréal Men Expert at Cafe Sydney, in Circular Quay, Sydney.
Check Megan out in her latest LOreal Paris commercial for the Revitalift Magic Blur cream.
What does “Because We’re Worth It” mean to you? Tell us below…