Interview: Vicky Ewbank, homeopath

Published on Sunday 1 November 2009 10:55

VICKY EWBANK is a qualified homoeopath. In 2002, she became a raw-food vegan, moving to Skye in 2005 and launching skincare brand Live Native two years later (01599 530367, www.livenative.co.uk).

What's your top beauty product?

Live Native's Essential Woman – it's the moisturiser I made for myself even before I conceived of starting a skincare company. It became the inspiration for the range.

Do you have a beauty tip? For me it's all about diet. When I became a raw-food vegan, I noticed a dramatic improvement in the quality of my skin, the clarity of my eyes, even the whiteness of my teeth. Our outer beauty reflects our inner health, and my tip would be to eat more salad.

What are your best and worst features?

My best feature is my eyes, my worst my nose – it seems too large. It used to bother me, but now I look upon it as a sign of strong character.

What has been your biggest beauty disaster?

It has to be a perm in 1987.

Would you ever consider having cosmetic surgery?

Not for vanity. I love character in a face, the honest map that the years have drawn – especially from a life well loved.

Quick wipes or a three-step regime?

Three-step. It's not just about removing grime and keeping out the elements. Beauty products should also provide nutrition in the form of antioxidants and raw materials that your skin needs to build healthy new cells and repair stress-damage.

How long do you take to get ready in the morning?

About 20 minutes – for a lovely shower, cleansing and moisturising. It's important for me to have a little time to luxuriate every morning before my busy day begins.

What's your favourite item of clothing? My merino wool base layers. Warm, soft, comfortable and smart, they're perfect for walking the dogs in the hills or keeping warm while sitting at the computer. I've even worn them out to dinner.

Do you prefer a real or bottled tan?

Real. The sun confers so many benefits, from lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels to producing vitamin D – which is now known as the cancer-fighting nutrient.

This article was first published in the Scotland on Sunday on November 1, 2009