Because it's our birthday, we got our hands on two brilliant books and spoke to the two inspirational authoresses this issue. Every mum still needs to feel glam, so a must-read is Supermodel Tips
by my fabulous friend and writer Carly Hobbs. It contains runway secrets shared by the world's top models. From Kate Moss to
Gisele Bundchen, Cara Delevigne to Suki Waterhouse, you'll love
the ingenious tricks to achieve the ultimate style, beauty and health.

 

Hi Carly. Tell me about your amazing career to date.

Right now I have about four jobs – tanner, hairstylist, make-up artist and writer – it's crazy, but each role fuses into the others, so together they make one super career! It all started on magazines and newspapers... I worked my way up the ranks from the age of 15, taking on roles at The Sun, Take A Break, Love It!, Sugar, Smash Hits, Cosmo Girl and Fabulous. On the side, I trained as an MUA, tanner and hairstylist, doing freelance work, before making the beauty side my main gig with writing on the side.

   Being your own boss is insanely awesome but hard work too – I tend to shoot all day or work at an event or TV show, then write by night for titles like Heat, LOOK, Best and Top Sante. Oh, and I penned Supermodel Tips in the middle of all this. It's hectic but I wouldn't have it any other way.

​

Where do you live and what do you like to do in your (ha ha) spare time?

I split my time between London and Sheffield – falling in love with a Yorkshire boy changed my life for the better. Around the shoots and location work I do in the capital, as well as places like Leeds, Manchester and Europe, I get to hang out in Sheffield, which is my happy place. It's here I get a chance to go to dance classes, take on trampolining and go for runs – and have a cheeky beer or night out, too.

​

Tell me about your book!

Supermodel Tips is a gift book packed with inspiring quotes, top tips and clever tricks anyone can use to become the prettiest version of themselves. It's fun and helpful, plus looks aces on your coffee table. It's a top Christmas gift!

​

Did you always want to write?

Writing came before everything else. I wrote The Tree Fell On The Road – a gripping mystery of 10 pages aged six, and have never stopped since really. This beauty
book came as part of my fusion career. One day, I'd like to write books for children. Writing is the best as you get to share ideas, thoughts and feelings with so many people – even after 18 years, I still can't believe I get paid to do it.

​

How long did it take you to get published?

I met the editor from Ebury years ago at a party, and when the idea for this book came up at the publishing house she got in touch with me. We share a mutual friend also, which helped. It was so exciting, and even as I was writing Supermodel Tips last October, I couldn't imagine it actually being a book. Then this August, it launched and now it's on sale at Amazon, ASOS, Urban Outfitters and Oliver Bonas. Every
time a friend spots a pile of books for sale and sends me a pic I do a little dance.
It's incredible!

​

Any other books in the pipeline?

I have some new ideas so watch this space.

​

Where do you get your ideas?

My ideas come from all my favourite people, the shoots I work on and the models whose faces I get to paint, tans I get to spray and hairstyles I get to create. Everyone deserves to feel pretty and confident, and that's what inspires me in every bit of work I do.

   My favourite quote is: 'When I'm sad, I stop being sad and start being awesome.' 

​

What do you like to read? 

I read everything – I have subscriptions to Elle, Glamour, Cosmo, Women's Health and Marie Claire – people should keep buying magazines. Books wise, I love authors like Victoria Hislop, Gillian Flynn, Lisa Jewell, Jk Rowling, Philippa Gregory, Jane Green and my ultimate, Kate Morton.

​

Do you have any advice for other aspiring writers?

Write about what you love and understand, don't force it. And tell everyone
about what you're up to both writing and life wise – you never know where the opportunities will pop up. Do your best in every way and good things will happen.

 

You can follow Carly's hectic writing, backstage and behind the scenes adventures on Snapchat, Twitter and Instagram @carlytoptip