Reality TV royalty reveals beauty secrets at Hayu FanFest
Australia's answer to BravoCon brought together the biggest names in reality television, and they did not hold back on beauty routines, fan encounters and dating deal breakers. Hayu FanFest assembled stars from The Real Housewives franchise, Below Deck and Southern Charm for an intimate session where nothing was off limits.
The event featured Real Housewives stars Dorinda Medley, Cynthia Bailey, Meredith Marks, Alexia Nepola and Juliet Mayhew, alongside Below Deck's Captain Jason Chambers and Southern Charm's Shep Rose and Craig Conover. For Australian fans of the genre, it was a rare opportunity to see their favourite personalities in one room.
What are the go-to makeup products of reality stars?
Dorinda Medley swears by pressed powder, specifically Chanel's formula which she says she has used for years. Cynthia Bailey prefers a glossy lip and says she will never be seen with a matte finish. Alexia Nepola relies on a quality setting spray, while Juliet Mayhew has recently turned to Charlotte Tilbury products.
Which skincare products do they use?
Alexia Nepola is a fan of face masks, and Meredith Marks admits she sometimes sleeps in one. Juliet Mayhew is currently using Estée Lauder, favouring products that smell good and feel good on the skin. Captain Jason Chambers prefers natural options, using moringa oil and rose hip oil as part of his routine.
What is their signature scent?
Craig Conover has recently switched fragrances, moving from Victoria's Secret Very Sexy For Him to Tom Ford's Electric Cherry. He says the best compliment he receives at meet and greets is when someone tells him he smells good.
What is the best unsexy beauty hack?
Dorinda Medley revealed a 20-year routine of dunking her face in ice every morning, five plunges of 10 to 15 seconds each. She describes it as a habit as regular as brushing her teeth.
Meredith Marks shared a more unusual practice: Shanghai pedicures, which she gets in Hong Kong. The treatment involves using ten knives to shave dead skin off the feet. She noted the procedure is not permitted in the United States, calling it illegal but divine.
What are the strangest fan encounters?
Dorinda Medley recounted an incident where someone threw rocks at her bedroom window at Blue Stone Manor to get her attention, telling authorities she was just a huge fan. Cynthia Bailey described an older gentleman who rang her doorbell after driving around to find her house, wanting a photo for his wife who was a fan.
Meredith Marks said fans sometimes overstep boundaries, such as pulling up a chair to join her table at a restaurant. Captain Jason Chambers recalled two women following him into a pub toilet, saying they thought it was him and wanted to say hello.
What are their dating deal breakers?
Cynthia Bailey said liking her daughter Noelle is non-negotiable. Shep Rose prefers that fans of the show reveal themselves early rather than pretending they do not watch. Craig Conover said negativity is an immediate deal breaker, and Shep added that unkindness is a turn-off.
What would we find in their bathrooms?
Juliet Mayhew revealed she owns a 200-year-old stuffed swan named Gertrude, which she sometimes places in the bathroom because she finds it beautiful.
What do they request in their green rooms?
Cynthia Bailey always asks for hand sanitiser due to being a germaphobe. Dorinda Medley carries electrolyte powder in all her bags and cannot get enough of hydration products. Craig Conover prefers fruit and sugar free energy drinks, while Shep Rose is on the hunt for Cherry Coke Zero, which he says is hard to find.
The event highlighted the growing popularity of reality television in Australia and the strong connection between fans and the personalities they follow. Hayu continues to expand its presence in the local market, bringing international reality content to Australian audiences.