Meet our gorgeous model May – a natural goddess, she embodies the mermaid spirit.
In the first of our journal entries we interviewed May to find out more about her beauty routine, how she keeps calm under pressure and what life is like in front of the camera.
WHAT DOES YOUR JOB AS A MODEL INVOLVE?
Meeting an entirely new crew on each job, which is pressure because you never know completely what to expect, but simultaneously always exciting, never boring. I love meeting new people, people fascinate me ! Otherwise if its creatives I’ve worked with before, that’s equally fun because you can create friendships and links in the industry. My favourite part is definitely just being a literal canvas/catalyst for someone to execute their dream with, when you work with independent/individual brands in that time you collaborate to bring their passion to life, and that’s quite something. Sometimes it can be difficult, demanding, and you can encounter a lot of mean people, maybe more than in an average job because, doing this job, you are automatically objectifying yourself, so you have to be careful. You have to make sure it empowers you rather than controls you, and it’s definitely made me develop thick skin over the years.
WHAT KIND OF LOCATIONS DO YOU WORK IN?
Mainly studios, but I do love outdoor/location shoots as long as it’s not too cold! Shooting for Susie Mermaid was the most magical location yet, the most gorgeous little gem of a cottage surrounded in water made it feel like a little holiday rather than work! Although I can’t wait to shoot abroad someday, that location was as beautifully authentic as the line we shot for.
WHICH HAS BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE SHOOT?
Definitely for Susie Mermaid, I was so excited to be shooting by the seaside, and the crew really made it. It can be a horrible day on some shoots when people fall under the pressure of time limits, clashing creative ideas etc. But everyone on that shoot was so lovely, so excited for the project that was being brought to life, that was really beautiful. It was also really nice that a literal feast was presented for lunch! And the owners of the cottage were also there, who are a bunch of sweethearts…it was all a very wholesome experience!
HOW DO YOU KEEP CALM UNDER PRESSURE?
I do some basic, deep breathing exercises, I tend to overthink a lot so if I feel stressed I like to reconnect my wandering mind to my body through breathing. I also just always reach out to a friend, or anybody I’m with about any anxieties, I don’t bottle my emotions much, I’m just open about if anything is stressing me out, it helps to rationalise my worries and ground myself.
HOW DO YOU STAY HEALTHY DURING A BUSY SCHEDULE?
I try to always eat lots and well, and drink lots of water even if I’m rushing so much my body wants to only run on adrenaline. I am also in my last year of university so am juggling the two, and that is only possible if I take care of myself from the inside out.
DO YOU SLEEP WELL?
I love my sleep! My mum always used lots of different essential oils on me when I was a child so I still use them for a blissful sleep, the Susie Mermaid LUNA TIDE night oil elixir is exquisite and the scent so gentle and relaxing. I think it’s so important to have that ritual at the end of a busy day, a crucial part of self care.
HOW DO YOU RELAX DURING YOUR DOWNTIME?
Long baths are my favourite treat, even though I’m 6ft tall and don’t even fit in the tub D: …Using the Susie Mermaid SEA GODDESS bath oil helps to relax my muscles and deeply hydrate my skin, I have scoliosis too so get a lot of back muscle tension. My boyfriend is trying to get me to do yoga everyday, which does help me relax too.
WHAT DOES WELLBEING MEAN TO YOU?
Taking care of yourself mentally and physically, and that includes treating yourself, not overwhelming yourself but putting your mind and body first.
WHAT IS YOUR DAILY BEAUTY ROUTINE? – do you have any model tips?
I’m still figuring out a perfected routine, but I’ve recently started wearing sunscreen everyday (even in London, would you believe), I cleanse morning and evening but try to use products that aren’t too harsh. Organic and minimalist I think is a preferable beauty regime, especially as my skin can get tired and over loaded with lots of makeup on shoots, thats why Susie’s capsule collection is great, its so easy to use and multi-tasking.
DO YOU DOUBLE CLEANSE?
I do double cleanse! London is so polluted and I get a lot of hormonal acne, so it’s important for me to double cleanse. I like using something gentle but effective, the Susie Mermaid OCEAN SERENE cleanser removes all the impurities and pollution from the day, it keeps my skin soft and hydrated and my baby cheeks plumped!
WHAT DOES AN IDEAL RELAXING DAY LOOK LIKE? (non working)
Days out with the people I love, between working and uni I usually socialise through short coffee catch-ups, so I love cute days out, visiting art galleries and discovering new quirky places.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A MERMAID?
My Dad refers to my mum as a mermaid, because she ‘enchants’ him as well as everybody around us through her charisma, passion and strength (although she’s missing the scales). I’ve definitely always held that as my definition of a mermaid, an enchantingly strong, loving, authentic soul.
