How Maya Jama gets her Love Island bombshell glow

There are few cultural events that mark the beginning of summer as reliably as Love Island.

One week you’re fighting against the algorithm to avoid Succession spoilers, the next you’re leaving the pub early to catch the latest action from the villa. Who needs a life when you can vicariously watch holidaying hot singles sunbathe, snog and fight from the comfort of your sofa?

It’s a formula that, apparently, never gets old. But this year the big brains at ITV flew in a bonus secret weapon. After years of fans calling for Maya Jama to host the dating show, in January she slow-mo strutted onto our screens as the nation’s chaotic cupid, making her Love Island debut during the winter series that’s filmed in South Africa.

As you’d expect, the 28-year-old used every second of screen time to serve looks, giving the bombshells a run for their money in wet-look gowns and strappy cut-out contraptions, each one accompanied by an enviably glowy makeup look that somehow didn’t budge in the South African sun.

Now, time to do it all over again. That is: put your social life on hold to make sure you don’t miss the drama or Jama’s glam. Back in the show’s original home, Mallorca, the summer series launched with a hetty bang last night, welcoming a fresh set of hopeful singles into the villa, from a Burna Boy video vixen to a lad from Sheffield who can fix your boiler. Sexy.

But back to Jama. Exactly how does she stay flawless when the sun is beating down and the cameras are rolling? Well, she’s learned a few tricks over the years, not least because she also helms her own face mask brand, MIJ. Top priority on the Love Island set? A lot of setting powder.

The first thing I eat or drink when I wake up is…

The ​“Daily Essential” probiotic shot by Symprove. It’s honestly the best thing to start your day with.

My morning skincare regimen looks like…

I wake up, hop in the shower and then use the Shane Cooper cleansing foam. I then follow it up with my MIJ under eye masks. It’s the best combination for de-clogging your skin overall, and refreshing the skin under your eyes, too – that’s important. Finally, I slather on some Elemis face cream.

The soundtrack to my morning routine is…

Movado, When U Feel Lonely is a go-to, otherwise an upbeat dancehall playlist to wake me up!

My go-to beauty hack for when I’ve pulled an all-nighter is…

Three layers of Rimmel’s Lasting Radiance concealer.

The product I’ll reach for when I’ve got a pimple is…

Mario Badescu’s drying spot patches – they work wonders.

My skincare saviour when I’m travelling is…

The MIJ Rejuvenate & Hydrate face mask, plus the 002 eye patches. They’re both amazing for hydration and for refreshing the skin, especially after long flights that can completely drain the moisture from your face.

One item I couldn’t live without when on set for Love Island is…

A powder puff. It can get hot on set and filming can sometimes last hours, so it’s good to have on hand for any extra shine.

The three products I always take with me on a summer holiday are…

A sunscreen, a BB cream with SPF and concealer, because you don’t always want to wear a full face when it’s hot.

My favourite brand of sunscreen is…

Avène – it’s trusty, gets the job done and doesn’t leave residue.

My ultimate date night makeup look is…

A soft glam with a strong eye is my go-to. Eye liner is my favourite part of the makeup look and something I will always do myself if I can. So either that and smoky shadow, with a nude lip, or the complete opposite – something strong and bold like a red.

My holy grail skincare product is…

The Elemis face cream.

Because…

It’s really rich, moisturising and keeps your face hydrated the whole day.

My best kept beauty secret is…

Putting my face in a bowl of ice because it de-puffs. Try it, you’ll thank me.

My favourite feature is my…

A bit of a different one, but my voice.

Because…

It’s distinctive. People took the mick out of me before because it’s quite bass‑y, but now it’s how I make my living. I also love my Bristolian accent and when it comes out stronger with certain words.

My first beauty-related memory is…

Being really young and trying my mum’s foundation on and it being the wrong colour for me.

The best tactic for getting rid of stubborn waterproof mascara is…

An oily product – I use the Elemis cleansing balm.

I keep my lips moisturised with…

Laniege Lip Sleeping Mask for overnight moisture and the Glowy Balm during the day.

The bougiest beauty product I own is…

The Dr Dennis Gross FaceWare Pro mask, it’s very bougie and kind of futuristic looking. Also, I love the La Mer serum – that’s a bit bougie too, isn’t it?

My favourite budget find is…

I rave about this all the time but it’s the Rimmel Scandeleyes mascara. It gives your lashes so much volume and length, and doesn’t dry them out either.

The face mask that never lets me down is…

The MIJ hydrating face mask!

My signature scent is…

Mugler Alien. It’s my day-to-day and the one I go to when I just want to smell really good.

TikTok made me buy it…

Again, completely unrelated but Negroni cocktails – they’re delicious. But beauty-related, there’s nothing really. I do buy everything [my makeup artist] Letitia recommends, though.

My top tips for having a good hair day are…

Washing your hair the night before you style it, not the day of. I don’t know why but it just seems to style better.

A hair product I can’t go without is…

Colour Wow Dreamcoat spray.

My evening skincare routine looks like…

First of all, I try my best to take all my makeup off every night – I really do. On a normal evening, I’ll wash my face using the Elemis cleansing balm and follow it with the La Mer serum, CeraVe moisturising cream or the Augustinus Bader Rich Cream. I really love that one at the moment.

The secret to a good night’s kip is…

A hot bath.

Love Island continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX