Meet Leah Van Dale, ARDELL’S Beauty of the Week. Leah is passionate, creative and is sharing all her beauty secrets with us!
AR:
Tell us about yourself.
LD:
I play the moon-walking, trash-talking Princess of Staten Island, Carmella on Monday night Raw for WWE. I love performing in front of a live crowd, there’s absolutely nothing like it. I can’t believe I’ve been playing Carmella for almost 10 years now. Time flies when you’re having fun!
AR:
How did you get started working in professional wrestling?
LD:
I was a dancer for most of my life. I cheered in the NFL for the New England Patriots and was a Laker Girl. My dad worked for the WWE in the early 90s so it was the perfect segue for me once my dance career ended.
Photos provided by Lean Van Dale
AR:
Describe your earliest beauty memory.
LD:
My grandmother used to give my sister and me her old makeup when she was done with it. She was pretty boujee, so I would bring Chanel foundation and powder to my girlfriend’s house for a sleepover and her mom would be in shock. I had a full caboodle of designer makeup when I was a kid thanks to my grandma, so I loved creating looks I would see in Cosmo magazine.
AR:
What is something that you no longer believe about beauty that you once did?
LD:
I used to believe that beauty is all about the glitz and glam - that a full face of makeup and hair would make you look your best.
Photos provided by Lean Van Dale
AR:
How do you define beauty today?
LD:
It’s not about the glitz and glam at all. It’s about confidence. How you feel depicts how you look. I know it sounds cliche, but it comes from within.
AR:
Do you have any favorite beauty practices that you swear by?
LD:
I swear by Aquaphor for my lips every morning and night.
“It’s not about the glitz and glam at all. It’s about confidence. How you feel depicts how you look. I know it sounds cliche, but it comes from within.” – Leah Van Dale
AR:
Instagram or TikTok?
LD:
Instagram
AR:
What makeup trends do you love?
LD:
I love a fluffy brow.
AR:
What is the best beauty tip you’ve ever discovered?
LD:
Blend, blend, blend until your fingers bleed! Haha, you can never blend your concealer/contour too much!
AR:
Do you listen to music when you get ready? If so, who is on your playlist?
LD:
Always! It’s either a mixture of the 90s/early 2000s or Megan Thee Stallion if I’m getting ready for a NIGHT.
AR:
What’s your go-to makeup or skin care routine?
LD:
My go-to skincare routine in the morning is a gentle cleanser, toner, vitamin C serum, eye cream, growth factor, moisturizer then SPF. Most of my skincare products are either Zo skin health or SkinCeuticals.
AR:
What inspires you?
LD:
If you had asked me this a few years ago, my answer would look a lot different. Now that I’m a stepmom to three amazing kids, they inspire me in a completely different way. I want to be a better person because of them. My priorities have shifted over the last few years now that they’re in my life, and I’m reminded that family is truly all that matters.
AR:
Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on a beauty career path?
LD:
Be genuine and passionate. You can’t fake passion and if you don’t genuinely love it, that will come across to anyone you work with.
Photos provided by Lean Van Dale
AR:
In an alternative universe, what would you do for a living?
LD:
I would be on Broadway! Roxie Hart in Chicago is my dream role.
AR:
If you could switch lives with someone for a day, who would it be? Why?
LD:
Andy Cohen! I want to host a Real Housewives reunion and get all of the tea!
AR:
What would someone never guess about you?
LD:
That I’m actually a pretty shy person. I think because of the character I play on TV and the fact that I’m a WWE superstar people have a preconceived idea about who I am, but I’m pretty reserved and shy! I’m a big homebody, I like being in my own company.
AR:
What’s next for you?
LD:
I would love to get into the fashion industry. I’ve always loved clothes and pushing the envelope when it comes to fashion.
RAPID-FIRE: ARDELL BEAUTY QUESTIONS
AR:
What are your favorite ARDELL lash styles? Why?
LD:
Wispies.I’ve always loved a wispy lash. They’re full enough to look glam, but still super natural.
AR:
What keeps you coming back to ARDELL lashes?
LD:
You always know what you’re going to get with Ardell. I’ve been using them since my NBA days and they’re my go to strip lashes.
AR:
What is the trick for the perfect ARDELL lash application?
LD:
You have to let the lash glue dry a little before applying, and let it get tacky so they’ll actually stick in place when you put them on. And make sure you trim them to fit your eye!
