Lulu comes to QVC

'I'm a beauty product junkie'

After 43 years in showbiz, Lulu looks as glamorous as she did when she burst onto the music scene at 15. A beauty junkie, she's been mixing her own skincare products for years and is always asked for the secret to her youthful-looking complexion; so now seemed the perfect time to release her own range - Lulu's Time Bomb. It's her secret weapon in the war against ageing and now it's available to you at QVC. Here she talks about caring for mature skin...and partying with Elton John!

How do you keep yourself looking fabulous for all those TV appearances?

I started in the industry so young and I quickly became aware that it has a lot to do with appearance. I'm very disciplined - this is my work, I love singing, it's my lifeline and obviously my appearance is important if I want to keep doing it. I watch what I eat and drink and I keep fit by doing yoga and walking.

Have you always been interested in skincare?

You learn how to take care of yourself - I have very pale skin, which means it's thinner so it ages faster than other skin types. After getting sun burnt when I was younger I quickly realised that I had to stay out of the sun. I'm also a beauty product junkie, I like to mix and match. It's a joke with friends when they ask me 'What's in that bag?' and it will be full of jars and potions.

How has your beauty routine changed as you've got older?

Technology has changed what products are able to do. When I was younger I had spotty, oily skin so I needed products to dry it out a bit. I don't have one brand that I use, instead I've always tried lots of products and picked out the features I like, so my skincare has been tailored to me. It's not about what's easy, it takes discipline. I've been there, done that, got the T-shirt.

"QVC lets me explain the products and what they do for me"

Why did you decide to create Lulu Time Bomb?

People are always coming up and asking me what product I'm using, but they are all things I mixed myself. I decided to create the range when journalists started asking me what products I use to keep my skin looking good. It then took four years working with chemists to create the products.

Why have you chosen to launch Lulu's Time Bomb on QVC?

QVC is more direct than having products on a shop shelf, so that's why they're my choice of retailer. I started out in television when I was 15 and I like that it lets me explain the products and what they do for me. I can speak to all these people at once and they can call in to speak to me. Plus, if you're on QVC the products are available to the whole country at once, so it's not just 'Londoncentric'.

"When you get older skincare is all about looking fresh"

Do you have a favourite product in your range?

Cleansing is essential, I'm religious about it. We have to remove the dead skin cells to encourage a fresh appearance. My cleanser has a tiny amount of magnesium oxide in it (an ingredient used by skin doctors in dermabrasion) which gives your skin a fresh feeling. Then we've added shea butter to put a bit of moisture back into your skin. When you get older skincare is all about looking fresh.

What are your red carpet beauty tips?

Look as fresh as you can and as good as you can. I used to have a problem with moisturisers that nurture the skin, but don't work well under make-up. I'd go to the bathroom and think Ahh! because there were globs of make-up on my skin. My Glory Days day cream provides a matrix between your skin and make-up; it has a slight pearlised glow and doesn't fight foundation. When I go to Elton's white tie ball I'll get ready at 5pm and won't get home until 1am. I need my make-up to stay in place all night, so using a good moisturiser is very important. Another tip is to bring a cotton bud and remove eye make-up that smudges under your eye during the night - it stops them looking tired. I also keep eye balm on me to use during the event.

Which celebrities do you think have great looking skin?

Helen Mirren has a fresh look. She looks amazing for her age and it's great to see her in the press so much at the moment. She's a woman around my age and I've always admired her acting. She has a beautiful glow.

Watch out for Lulu's Time Bomb at 5pm on Monday 28th January