It's a Model Life: Beauty, Balance, and Career Highlights
Scotland-based model Gillian Cheung took centre stage at Hood Magazine’s recent Festive Style Edit event at St James Quarter, captivating the audience with her insights into beauty and balance. In this exclusive feature, the seasoned model reflects on her impressive career journey, shares her skincare and beauty secrets, and reveals how she maintains a healthy, vibrant lifestyle while balancing the demands of her profession and family life. From standout career moments to her daily self-care rituals, discover the essence of Gillian’s enduring success.
You’ve had such a successful modelling career! Can you tell us a bit about your journey into the industry and how you’ve evolved as a model?
When I first started out in modelling, I was mostly doing bridal work. I became well-known within the Scottish wedding industry and the experience I gained in this sphere helped me to branch out into other areas. Having been in the modelling industry for a couple of decades now, there isn’t really much I haven’t modelled at this stage. From women’s fashion to jewellery, bridal gowns to knitwear, swimwear to winter coats, hats to socks and just about everything in between. It’s been a really fun and exciting journey and I feel very lucky to have a job that I love.
Any standout moments that you look back on from your career to date?
There have been a lot of “pinch me” moments from appearing on the covers of many magazines and newspapers to seeing myself on huge billboards, TV adverts and double-decker buses. For the majority of my career as a model, I have been freelance, so it makes these achievements all the more special. My job is my passion, I’m hard-working and I take great pride in my work. Modelling bridalwear is still one of my favourite things to do, I feel incredibly fortunate to achieve continued success in this sector after all this time.
Your skin always looks flawless and youthful. What are your go-to skincare products or treatments for maintaining such radiant skin?
I don’t drink alcohol or caffeine and I don’t smoke. I drink lots of water and I have a good diet. I don’t sunbathe or use tanning beds. I think that a combination of all of these factors are a good starting point for great skin. I also do my skincare routine twice a day, every day without fail and I sleep on a silk pillowcase.
What does your daily beauty routine look like, both when you’re working and on your days off? Are there any non-negotiables?
Skincare twice a day has been part of my daily routine since my teenage years, I double cleanse, followed by toner, then serums and finally moisturiser. I also wear SPF every single day.
Has your approach to beauty and skincare changed over the years? Are there any key rituals or products that have become more important to you?
I think I started doing skincare when I was around 14 years old. I always used Clinique products. However, I noticed that my skin started to change as I entered my late 30s. I started attending a skin care clinic and they recommended that I overhaul my skincare. I’d been using Clinique for over 20 years, it served me well over the years but it was time for a change. The clinician introduced me to the HydroPeptide skincare range and I have never looked back.
Which beauty products can you not live without? Can you share any hero products you swear by for glowing skin?
My cleanser, toner, serums and moisturisers, even my SPF are all from the HydroPeptide range. I also enjoy Dermalux Flex LED light therapy sessions. I notice improvements in my skin texture and tone after these sessions.
When it comes to makeup, do you have a signature look for shoots and a separate one for your day-to-day life? What’s your must-have product in your makeup bag?
On the days where I don’t have any bookings, I am usually busy being out and about with my husband and my children or with my parents. If I do wear make up on these days, it’s very minimal - usually just a tinted SPF, some tinted lip balm and a sweep of mascara. If there is a Makeup Artist booked for my jobs, then I’m happy to give them free rein over my face and do whatever they need to in order to fit the brief. If I’m booked on a job where I have to do my own make up, then I always tend do the same thing which is my signature soft glam look. I achieve this look using almost entirely Charlotte Tilbury products. Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand (Peachgasm) is my favourite product of all time. I love the glow it gives and how much it accentuates my cheekbones.
As someone always on the go, what are your handbag essentials for keeping your skin looking fresh throughout the day?
The two products I always carry with me on a daily basis are collagen lip oil to keep my lips soft and hydrated and Bobbi Brown corrector to cover any pesky spots or if I feel that I need to refresh under my eyes.
How do you balance the demands of modelling with self-care and maintaining a healthy lifestyle? Any tips you can share for staying energized and looking great?
I enjoy going for long walks. Of course, the cardio is good for losing/maintaining weight but I also find it very calming to be out in nature, in all seasons of the year. It’s not just about the exercise and physical health benefits but I find that this has a positive impact on my mental health as it helps me reduce stress and get a restful sleep.
Do you have any beauty hacks or insider secrets you’ve learned from your time on set or runway shows that you’d be willing to share with us?
Invest in both a primer and a setting spray for your make up - it truly will help your make up last all day. Another investment you might want to consider is a tailored, one-to-one make up lesson with a professional Makeup Artist where you will be able to learn about colour theory and find products which are best suited for you.
Looking ahead, are there any beauty trends or skincare innovations that you’re excited to try or incorporate into your routine?
I have only had one Hydrafacial so far but I think I would like to implement this as part of my usual routine as it really did make my skin feel wonderful afterwards. I haven’t reached the stage in my life where I have considered Botox or fillers - I’m not saying this is something that I’d never do but as a needle-phobic person, I think I’ll try to hold off for as long as possible and try my best to embrace my natural ageing process.