The $9.99 product that improved Ricki-Lee Coulter's skin.

Ricki-Lee Coulter burst into our living rooms as an incredible singer on Australian Idol 12 years ago. Since then, she’s become our poster girl for body confidence and an embrace-every-moment attitude. Oh, and for contoured cheekbones, obviously (seriously – how does she do that?).

We sat down with the new Pantene spokesperson for the Strong From The Core campaign to talk about her beauty routine from the second she wakes, to the moment her head hits the pillow at night.

Wake up time.

“The first thing I do when I wake up is have a coffee with my husband in bed and watch an episode of Sex And The City, that’s our daily ritual! No matter where we are in the world or how early the alarm goes off, that’s what we do. Then I go for a run or to the gym, and I will drink a litre of water – and by then I am feeling on top of the world!”

Morning routine.

“My morning beauty routine always starts with a hot shower after I workout, and I’ll wash my face with a hot face towel – it’s super relaxing. I exfoliate my whole body and lather up with some Alpha Keri Replenishing Shower Cream ($19.99). Then I use Crème De La Mer Moisturizing Cream ($440) all over my face and neck…I can’t live without it.

“All over my body I moisturise with Alpha Keri Body Oil ($19.99) and over the top of that I use the Cetaphil Intensive Moisturising Cream ($9.99). I have really dry skin and was having problems for a long time so I went to see a dermatologist and this was what she recommended. My skin has never been better, so I never skip this routine.”

Makeup time.

“If I’m not working, I never wear makeup. I love to let my skin breathe. I generally prefer a more natural face when I’m not on stage or doing a shoot. So if I’m going to the studio, as a base I will just wear the Tinted & Illuminating Moisturiser by Laura Mercier ($65.00), it gives you an amazing glow all day. If I am going out for date night or to an event I wear a heavier foundation like Ellis Faas Skin Veil Foundation ($104) or Becca Aqua Luminous Perfecting Foundation ($72).

“If I am going on stage I use a foundation with thick coverage like Becca Ultimate Coverage Foundation ($70). I love the Shu Uemura Point Concealer ($42), it’s super creamy and stays put. I use the Tom Ford Shade And Illuminate to contour ($120).

“I love Tom Ford ($128) and Charlotte Tilbury ($78) eyeshadow quads. I can’t live without my Shu Uemura eye lash curler ($22) and Diorshow Waterproof Mascara ($55). I use NARS blush in Orgasm on the cheeks ($44). I like to use a nude lipliner – my fave is Bobbi Brown Pale Pink ($40), with some Burt’s Beeswax Peppermint Lip Balm ($6.95) over the top.

“I always use light sheer powder to get rid of shine – I love the Laura Mercier Loose Translucent Powder ($62). Then I always finish off with a highlighter on the cheekbones – my fave at the moment is the Becca Glow on the Go in Opal ($35), the liquid gives such an amazing glow.”

Hair care.

“I wash my hair every couple of days in order to keep it strong and healthy. If I am working every day and it is being styled with products I will wash it every day. In my line of work, my hair is constantly being styled and I am always changing the colour, so for me it is important to do everything I can to keep it looking strong and shiny. Just like my skin and my health, my hair needs to be in top condition for shoots and appearances so I can feel confident.

Day to day I use Pantene’s Daily Moisture Renewal Shampoo and Conditioner ($3.99) as I find it helps to repair the damage from heat styling and colouring, and it gives my hair plenty of moisture. I also love using the Pantene Volume Booster Dry Shampoo ($8.39) – not only does it keep your hair fresh looking between washes, but for someone like me who has thin hair it gives a much needed volume boost.”

Fragrances.

“I am obsessed with perfume. I generally love a more masculine, spicy/sweet fragrance. My perfume of the moment is Tom Ford Noir Pour Femme ($175). I have already chosen my next perfume for when this bottle runs out… it’s the Les Exclusifs De Chanel Perfume #31 Rue Cambon. It’s perfection in a bottle.”

I actually love a male fragrance at night – and people always ask what it is. I like to wear my husband’s Bleu De Chanel ($174). Or I wear something a bit stronger than my every day fragrance, like Tom Ford Jasmine Rouge ($325).

Handbag essentials.

“Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm with Vitamin E And Peppermint($6.95). I have endlessly dry lips so I never leave the house without it. At all times, I have at least one in every handbag and there is always one in my car… I will always carry a lip liner, and my powder.” (Post continues after gallery.)

Night routine.

“The first thing I do when I walk in the door is get into my fluffy robe and wipe off my make up, wash and moisturize my face. I have used Johnson & Johnson Face Care Moisturizing Facial Cleansing Wipes for Dry Skin ($5.69) forever!

“Then I wash my face again with a hot flannel to scrub and exfoliate away any dead skin, and I use the Cosmedix Define Resurfacing Treatment($116.60) followed by the Rescue Balm ($92.40) & Mask ($55). No matter how tired I am or if I have had a few drinks, I do this every single night without fail.”

“My routine day in day out is exactly the same. But on a night in, once a week I might do an SK-II Facial Treatment Mask ($28) to really moisturise and pamper my skin. I find it really relaxing to lay on the couch with candles lit and some relaxing music. I also love putting in a hair mask — Pantene’s Daily Moisture Renewal Intensive Hair Masque ($10.99) is perfect because it moisturises and nourishes my dry ends in between lots of heat styling. My husband always laughs at me when I’m laying on the couch wearing a mask on my face and my hair wrapped up in a turban.”

On sharing products with her husband.

We share the same body moisturising products and shower body cleansers. Other than that, we are from two different planets when it comes to products…he gets the tiniest little space for his things and I take up the rest of the bathroom with all of mine. When we travel it’s hilarious, I always have two suitcases, even for a short trip – one for my clothes and one for my toiletries, beauty products, hair products, makeup and hair styling wands. I’m kind of OCD about everything being separate…I’ve had too many experiences where you open your suitcase and your shampoo has leaked all over your favourite jacket!”

4. Are there any facials or treatments you love? Who do you like going to and what do you usually get?

I honestly have never really been into getting facials and I’ve never had any laser facial treatments or anything like that yet – I’m so pedantic about my skin that I keep up a pretty strict regime. I’ve got pretty good skin because I do look after it so well. I definitely want to try a ProFractional laser treatment though – I’ve heard the skin looks amazing after that. I’ll let you know when I do.

Budget beauty faves.

“Pantene Daily Moisture Renewal Shampoo and Conditioner ($3.99) are a must for me as they maintain the health of my hair and nourish each strand, which protects and rescues it from all the torture I put it through with constant colour changes and hairstyles!

Cetaphil Intensive Moisturising Cream ($7.99) is is a lifesaver if you have super dry skin like me, I use it twice a day all over my body.”

Wind-down routine.

“Every night Rich and I light some candles, jump on the couch and watch Late Night With Jimmy Fallon,and Chelsea – I love them so much! They make me laugh so hard! Then we fall asleep in bed watching something like 60 Days In or Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown.”

“I will always have a glass of water before bed, turn on the airconditioning to Antarctica setting and curl up under the blankets surrounded by fluffy pillows. My robe is always right next to the bed because I would get frostbite if I was out in the cold for too long. [Laughs] I can’t sleep if it’s not freezing cold!”