The Feelgood Files: Nicola Hughes Reveals Her Beauty Heroes And One’s Just £7.49

Nicola Hughes gained notoriety when she hit up the 9th season of E4's Made In Chelsea as Alex Mytton's new flame and quickly was quickly beloved by fans of the show for her mild manners, girl code and the self-worth she displayed when tackling the love life dilemmas that inevitably came her way - such is the life of a Made In Chelsea cast member! Here she talks exclusively to Grazia about all the little things bringing a smile to her face right now from Normal People (we feel you!) to DIY face masks and Jurassic Park on repeat. Nicola even takes us through the entirety of her beauty routine and her top tanning tips.

The song I listen to when I need a boost: I usually put on my 'likes list' on Spotify but 3 Nights by Dominic Fike is a great mood booster that never fails.

My go-to feelgood recipe: If I’m trying to be healthy my go-to is homemade courgette soup. It’s literally courgette, vegetable stock and whatever tickles your fancy! I usually add fresh garlic and ginger for extra 'health'. Sometimes I throw in an onion and some spinach (anything goes!).

The Instagram account that brings me joy: I’ve become obsessed with aesthetically pretty Instagrams accounts! A few I’ve just started following are @laurencrowe88 she’s fab, and @sofiamcoelho has an unreal moodboard. On the funny side I’ve followed @diren.kartal for a while, he’s jokes.

What never fails to make me smile: Either walking out of the airport in Dublin to meet my Dad, he never fails to collect me! Or my Mum running to hug me when I arrive at our home in Dublin (what I would do for that right now).

My go-to supplement: I love my morning multivitamin effervescent.

My favourite at-home workout: I bought a medicine ball a few years ago, it’s the only thing I enjoyed when I used to have a personal trainer and it’s rare that I actually enjoy working out. I wanted to go get one to push me to do what I can at home (usually a mix of upper,lower and core exercises) I kind of make it up from memory of what I have been taught or have seen on Instagram.

My feel-good at-home beauty routine: Usually my treat is going to see @imy_hair but since not being able to, I have been loving the Bondi Boost hair range. It genuinely makes your head feel so refreshed! My go to everyday body moisturiser is E45 Body Moisturising Lotion, £7.49. It’s light and nourishing and perfect if you have sensitive skin. I can’t live without Elizabeth Arden's 8 Hour Cream Skin Protectant, £28, either and usually after a weekend of indulging I will use the Ole Henriksen Cold Plunge Pore Mask, £30, to lift the bad out of my skin! Then nothing beats hopping in the bath scrubbing my tan off and applying a fresh layer of tan. My go-to at the moment is Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam, £14.99, and I use Garnier Summer Body Hydrating Gradual Tan Moisturiser, £9.99, as a top-up to make it last.

My failsafe face mask: A DIY mix of chickpea flour, turmeric, yoghurt and manuka honey.

Another song that makes me smile: I'm loving No Rome ft. The 1975 by Narcissist at the moment.

The smell that lifts my mood: Mum’s cooking (that's a no-brainer) and my boyfriend's aftershave. It’s quite funny he literally cherishes it and won’t tell anyone what it’s called!

The movie I’ll happily watch again and again: Jurassic Park all day everyday. I have a soft spot for The Avengers and most recently Brian Banks on Netflix and The Perks of Being A Wallflower is a lovely watch too.

The Netflix show I tell everyone to watch: Not strictly Netflix but Normal People is an absolute must-watch. New Amsterdam and Animal Kingdom on Amazon Prime are my other current obsessions.

My happy place: My home in Dublin with my family always.

A final feelgood note from me: Be yourself because the people who mind don’t matter and the people that matter don’t mind.

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