Ayesha opens up
Read the article
We know not every day is a great skin day. We’ve got expert advice, tips and skincare how-tos to help you get your main character energy back on track.
Skin confidence: all you need
From friend dilemmas to heartbreak lows (see what we did there?) – we’ve got your back in any sitch.
Main character confidence (and how to get it)
in
Our cover star Ayesha Madon may have the world at her feet, but she hasn’t always worn her success with confidence. In our exclusive interview, she spills on why feeling at ease in her skin has been a journey.
COVER LOOK: Jacket by Nigbnus. Pants by Polo Ralph Lauren. Denim by Golden Goose. Sandals by Melissa Shoes.
© Are Media Pty Ltd
Work
Progress
x La Roche-Posay
Q and A with Ayesha
She plays tough-talking, super confident Amerie on Netflix’s Heartbreak High, but actor and singer-songwriter Ayesha Madon is far less ballsy IRL.
Ayesha MADON ON HER CONFIDENCE JOURNEY
Her stardom has gone galactic, and with season two of the hit show coming in April and a new single dropping mid-March, Ayesha’s about to be everywhere, all at once. She’s in an enviable position, but that hasn’t always been the case, says Ayesha. Warm, smart and hilariously honest, she’s a welcome breath of fresh air when we catch up on a steamy Sydney summer’s day to chat about her complicated relationship with self-confidence, bad skin days, extreme close-ups and why she’s a work in progress. GF Ayesha, when do you feel the most confident? AM Probably when I’m making people laugh. Confidence is so important to me, and it’s been a journey. It’s been my Achilles’ heel and is why it took me so long to release music. But I’m finding healthy ways to deal with it and as my career goes on, I have more evidence to trust that I’ll rise to the occasion. I don’t care if I am confident every day or not, but I do care if I am making an effort to develop my confidence. It’s a work in progress. GF And the least confident? AM When I compare myself to other people. I think it’s important to look at yourself as a whole and not compare your negatives to someone else’s positives, because that’s when I feel like I should be someone I’m not. I’m never going to be someone else. GF What about when you were a teenager? AM I was always the class clown and liked to make people laugh. I didn’t know it at the time, but I’m neurodivergent, and I was a brown person at a school predominantly full of white people. I think those things contributed to me feeling small and a bit stupid, and a bit incapable, and probably not as pretty or valid as the people around me. GF Are you comfortable in your skin now? AM Sometimes yes, sometimes no. I have days or moments where I feel amazing and capable and pretty, but it’s only natural to have days
where I’m not feeling comfortable in my skin, or want to be someone else, or look a certain way, or be better at what I do. GF Did you get breakouts in your teens? Did it affect your confidence? AM Yes! I mean, does anyone NOT get breakouts? It did affect my confidence and I overcompensated by covering my face with a lot of makeup, which was probably the worst solution. I do regret starting to wear makeup that early and being so ashamed of my skin. GF How about now? AM It’s up and down. Depending on my cycle, my skin can be fully covered in pimples or completely clear. I place less pressure on myself in an aesthetic sense now. Being physically appealing is great and society puts a lot of emphasis on that, but it’s not functional. What is functional is being smart and having confidence in your ability and your own beauty. But I still struggle with it, especially when I’m shooting and in makeup all day every day. I was watching myself back recently and there’s a period of time where I had this massive pimple and I was like, I can’t believe the world is gonna see that (laughs). But you know, everybody has a bad skin day, move on.
GF Any upcoming projects you can tell us about? AM I’m releasing an EP this year and the first single is out next month. I’m so excited. GF What's in store for Amerie this season on Heartbreak High? AM I can’t say much, but a very chaotic character gets even MORE chaotic. It’s going to be a really good season because we’ve all relaxed into our characters and we’re all like best friends. It’s funnier. We laughed a lot, so I think that’s what you can expect. GF ever Had any skincare fails? AM Oh yes! There was a famous coffee scrub I rubbed my face raw with; I’d never do that again. GF What does your skincare routine look like now? AM I like to keep it short and sweet. The non-negotiables are moisturiser and sunscreen, but if I’m feeling a bit fruity or have more time, I’ll put a bit of eye cream on. GF Do you ever sleep in your makeup? AM Only once in the last 10 years! It was at Chloé Hayden’s wedding. We slept in tents and when I woke up… I had to take a picture of myself, it was cursed. I had this loose false lash stuck on my forehead and I’ve never looked worse! Now, even if it’s late and I’m done, I have a shower and wash my face because I cannot go to bed with makeup on, I just can’t. GF What makes you happy? AM I used to think it was tangible achievements and money. But what actually makes me happy is being fully immersed in my craft, whether I’m succeeding or not. And being with people I love. GF Last question: cats or dogs? AM Dogs! I want a dog so bad, but I’m always travelling, and I just can’t take on a child right now.
Cover
Beauty
Confidence
I feel confident when...
I turn a bad mood around by...
Worst fashion moment was...
My biggest skincare regret is...
As a teen my skin was...
And my confidence was...
Top by Earls. Shorts by Ami Paris (worn under track shorts). Shorts by Entire Studio. Rings by Dinosaur Designs. Shoes by Isa Boulder.
Coat by Nigbnus. Top by Nigbnus. Pants by Nigbnus. Shoes by Alias Mae.
Knowledge is power! Check out our expert tips for caring for acne-prone skin and managing breakouts.
YOUR SKIN EMPOWERMENT GUIDE
Ayesha
Do you really need hundreds of serums and lotions? Nope. Simple and targeted is a better approach, especially if you have acne-prone skin. A good basic skincare routine and products designed for oily, sensitive skin can help to remove impurities, unclog pores, reduce redness and improve the skin barrier, according to consultant dermatologist Dr Stephanie Rea. Try this routine and nail your glow: Step 1: Cleanse Oily skin? Use a gel cleanser such as the Effaclar Duo + M Foaming Gel Cleanser with active ingredients such as salicylic acid to cleanse morning and night. Those with dry and acne-prone skin will do better with a gentle soap-free moisturising cleanser such as the Effaclar H cleanser. Step 2: Moisturise Many teens skip moisturiser, but Dr Rea says it’s an important step to maintain and restore the skin barrier. She recommends the Effaclar Duo+M moisturiser to reduce redness and hydrate. Step 3: Sunscreen Sun protection is essential to prevent long-lasting skin damage. A broad-spectrum SPF 50+ designed for sensitive skin should be applied as the last step in your morning skin care regimen. Finally, while it may be tempting to squeeze pimples, it can cause long-term marks and pigmentation, so hands off.
Step 1: Start with skincare Healthy, happy skin starts with a good skincare routine. Cleanse with a product that’s right for your skin type morning and night. Don’t skip the moisturiser! If you’re prone to breakouts, try the Effaclar Duo+M moisturiser to help treat any breakouts while protecting your skin barrier. And never leave home without applying your SPF. Step 2: Keep it light If you wear foundation or concealer, pick a sheer, non-comedogenic product for a natural look and to let your skin breathe. Step 3. Rock the skin you’re in Choose natural tones that complement your skin tone. A shiny, natural lip and a swipe of mascara is all you need to finish this glowy look.
Get Ayesha's cover look:
Effaclar + M Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser targets the root cause of acne-prone skin
SHOP NOW
Effaclar Duo+M Anti Imperfections Moisturiser for oily and acne-prone skin
Anthelios Invisible Fluid Facial Sunscreen SPF 50+. A lightweight sunscreen for sensitive skin
Skin S.O.S
When to seek professional help…
Q: I’ve got acne-prone skin. Should I be using a moisturiser? Dr Rea: Many teens avoid moisturisers due to concerns that it may clog pores, however, it is an important part in your skincare routine to maintain and restore this skin barrier. Effaclar Duo+M is the latest anti-acne moisturiser from La Roche-Posay. Designed for combination to oily blemish-prone skin, it contains several active ingredients to help treat acne-prone skin. Q: What skincare routine should I be doing? Dr Rea: The basics in a teenage skincare routine include a cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen. (Find out more in our Skin Empowerment Guide.) For teens with oily skin, a gel cleanser with active ingredients such as salicylic acid may be chosen, while those with dry skin will do better with a gentle soap-free moisturising cleanser. If you have oily skin, you may need to cleanse morning and night. Your doctor may also recommend prescription topical treatments which are generally applied at nighttime after cleansing and/or medications.
Your Treatment Toolkit Not all zits can be zapped the same way. The types of spots and blemishes vary from person to person and even day to day, thanks to hormonal changes, genetics and other factors. That’s where the Effaclar SPOTSCAN+ comes in handy. Developed with dermatologists, The skin analysis tool uses AI to analyse your skin and then recommend your personalised acne prone skincare routine. Try it here.
Designed for combination to oily blemish-prone skin, the Effaclar Duo+M moisturiser contains active ingredients that target acne-prone skin. It includes salicylic acid and LHA to help unclog pores, niacinamide to help fade pigmentation, and a new and unique ingredient called phylobioma, which helps target the root cause of acne-prone skin and restore the skin’s microbiome.
Teenage breakouts are completely normal and extremely common, but if you want a pro on your skin team, your first point of contact should be your GP. They will be able to provide you with advice, treatment options and a referral to a specialist dermatologist if required. Ask a dermatologist anything… minus the fee We asked consultant dermatologist Dr Stephanie Rea for her professional advice on some Girlfriend readers’ tricky skin questions… Q: Is it true that junk food causes breakouts? Dr Rea: Dietary triggers of acne remain controversial. A low glycaemic index (GI) diet with fruits, vegetables and a focus on wholegrains rather than highly processed foods is recommended.
TOP OF PAGE: Bra by Kourh, Dress by Michael Lo Sordo, Pants by Albus Lumen, All rings by Dinosaur Designs. RIGHT AND ABOVE: Dress by Common Hours.
Fashion's new moves
Fringe benefits
How to handle (almost) any sitch…
Main character confidence
Confidence crusher: Your friends have turned on you. Rebound: Assess, reflect and protect yourself. Your friends are meant to have your back, but then they literally turn their back on you. While soul-destroying, it is important to try and think this through with a clear head. First, try to assess what’s actually going on – was there a miscommunication, misunderstanding, or did something big happen? Understanding the trigger will help your game plan moving forward. If you’re clueless as to the cause and you’re confident enough, try speaking to them for clarification. This could be key to sorting through any misunderstandings. Regardless of the outcome, you will need to set clear boundaries. If they’re being toxic, find a healthier group to hang out with – it’s essential for your own wellbeing. If you do resolve the issue, set some ground rules – if there are any issues in future, you’ll agree to talk through them openly and honestly. Your mental health, wellbeing and self-care should always come first. Seek out supportive friends, family, teachers or professionals who can help you navigate the challenges, evaluate whether the friendship is worth saving, and work through your emotions. If you (or they) need to, apologise, learn to forgive and move forward. It’s important to surround yourself with positive and genuine people who care for you and contribute positively to your life. Seek them out!
Confidence crusher: The person you like isn’t interested in you. Rebound: Heart-mending plan. Unrequited love can be heartbreaking and takes time to recover from. Be patient with yourself and try to work through the different feelings and stages. First step: acceptance. Not everyone will reciprocate your feelings, and that’s OK. Don’t define ‘you’ and your self-worth based on someone else’s feelings. Next, understand it will take time to heal and work through your feelings. Surround yourself with friends who make you feel good, build your social circle and focus on activities that make you happy. The key is to shift your focus to YOU – creating positive interactions, energy, experiences, and a mindset that enhances your wellbeing and confidence and eventually redirects you to a better place. It may also help to limit contact with your crush and set new goals to focus on. And when you’re ready, do some self-reflection. As hard as it is to accept, all life experiences present us with an opportunity for growth and learning. Confidence crusher: Your skin is having an freakout. Rebound: Undercover spot arsenal. Breakouts can suck big time. A massive 65 per cent of young adults say their confidence takes a hit when their skin flares up and around half have self-isolated during a breakout. Of course breakouts don’t bother everyone, but if your skin is bothering you, there are proven ways to manage it. Start with a gentle cleanser, then follow with an anti-imperfections moisturiser like La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo + M. It’s hydrating which will leave your skin glowy and you will start to see a reduction in blemishes and redness from just eight hours. Try and keep your coverage light, but if you do feel like you need a spot of makeup, make sure you go for something non-comedogenic.
Top by Nibgnus. Lace maxi skirt with train by Michael Lo Sordo. Party heel, black, Melissa.
WHAT I'D TELL MY HIGH SCHOOL SELF
Listen to Ayesha's words to her high school self
If your skin is causing you angst and you feel like speaking to someone less close to home, call Headspace on 1800 650 890 or visit headspace.org.au for a confidential, free and secure space where young people can chat, email or speak on the phone to a qualified mental health professional.
Need to talk?
TOP OF PAGE: Jacket by Nigbnus. Skirt by Entire Studios. ABOVE: Top by Kourh. Skirt by Kourh. Skirt by Michael Lo Sordo.
TOP OF PAGE: Jacket by Nigbnus. Skirt by Entire Studios. RIGHT: Dress by Venroy, Pants by Oroton.