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Fact: in real life, Kate Ritchie is just as beautiful and bubbly as we remembered her when she was playing Australia’s favourite girl-next-door, Sal, way back in The Bay on Home And Away.
The OG: Alf Stewart and Sally Fletcher.
Now, the actress, radio host, mum-of-one and QV Skincare ambassador juggles an array of exciting, new challenges – something she has since put down to finding her very own skin confidence.
“Really understanding and recognising what my skin needs has helped me become even more confident in my everyday life,” she tells us over breakfast.
“I truly believe confidence is one of the most appealing attributes a woman can have and definitely something I will be passing on to my daughter.”
Here, she tells us what it was like growing up in Summer Bay, the (hilarious!) anti-blemish hacks she’s ditched in favour of a skincare routine any busy woman can commit to and the beauty lessons she is teaching her little girl, Mae.
Life (and beauty) in The Bay
When I was growing up on a set, I was surrounded by lots of older actresses who knew a lot more than I did and tried to impart their skincare routines and knowledge on to me.
You know, it was all about the basics, like, “Make sure you take your make-up off at the end of the day…” “I know you feel great because you have a face of make-up on and your hair’s done, but, off set, make sure you’re not wearing it all longer than you need to…”
I think growing up on a television set and feeling as though so many people are looking at you every day – whether that’s in the street or on set, knowing that you’re going to be shown all around the world – I really was self-conscious in lots of ways.
The wildest thing(s) she’s done in the name of beauty
I did what we’ve all probably done: I was guided by my sisters, my mum, the girls at school… When I had spots, I didn’t necessarily do my skincare routine; I’d just pull out a tube of toothpaste and put that on my spots! I even used nail polish remover to dry it out… awful, awful things [laughs].
I have this great memory of my sister and I in Campbelltown where I grew up wearing hair masks; on a sunny Saturday, we’d mix up olive oil and egg yolks and things like that, cover our hair in it, then wrap it in Glad-Wrap. It wasn’t high tech, but I think it worked! Mum thought it worked [laughs].
What she’s learn about her skin as she gets older
I used to try out so many different products and was constantly changing my skincare routine, but now I’ve got it down to a few simple products that I use daily.
This keeps my skin balanced and saves me so much time, especially in the mornings! I also make sure to wear SPF every day, drink lots of water, fuel my body well and use products that complement my skin type.
I have to say that my skin has also benefited from not having to wear a cake of makeup 12 hours a day but the air conditioning in a radio studio is not particularly kind either.
My daily skin routine always involves cleansing and moisturing not only the skin on my face but all my body to combat any dryness from the air conditioning.
The one beauty lesson she wants to teach sweet little Mae
My biggest beauty lesson has been learning to embrace my own skin and just be the best version of myself. Rather than focusing on changing the way I look, I have found products that compliment my natural beauty and make me feel great!
The latter part of my skin journey has changed since I had my daughter.
When my daughter was born, she had perfect skin. I just remember looking at her, thinking: “Nail polish on my skin… why have I done all of these things to my skin when we’re born so perfectly?”
I want always Mae to feel confident in her own beautiful skin; I consider self-confidence to be the most important beauty lesson of all.
What’s in Kate’s beauty bag?
1. My favourite lipstick
I love a moisturising formula and generally lean towards pinkie nude colours. My current pick would be bareMinerals Radiant Lipstick in GEN NUDE.
2. Hand cream
There is nothing more irritating than having dry hands! I always keep a tube of QV Hand Cream in my bag; it’s one of my favourites because it leaves your hands hydrated without that greasy sticky feeling.
3. A creamy concealer
I’m all about the NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer. It comes in a pot and is perfect for when I’m not wearing face makeup but feel I need a little something to brighten my under eyes or conceal a blemish.
