Welcome to Beauty Queen, our new sassy segment showcasing our favourite grown-up girls talking about beauty and what beauty means to them.

We kick off this week with Director of Product and Treatment Development at one of SM’s most favourite brands, Elemis. Meet Noella Gabriel, we totally want her job right now.

Noella, what is it you do?
As Director of Product and Treatment Development at Elemis my role involves using my expertise to devise spa-therapies and then using this as a platform inspiration for new product development.

How did you get involved in the beauty industry and what do you love most about it?
I trained in Ireland over 27 years ago and opened my own salon in Cork before moving to London to work as a beauty therapist.  My real drive started when I moved to New York to learn about holistic therapy where I studied Shiatsu, Reflexology and Aromatherapy for three years.

I love that I have the opportunity to make a change to someone’s beauty regime and create products that fit their lifestyle.  We are lucky to have sourced amazing new ingredients to produce results-driven products that has led to many award-winning status accolades.

What’s your secret to being beautiful?
To massage your face when you’re in the bath.  Use a warm compress on your face and apply a light oil.  Gently massage your face with your fingertips.  Finally apply a mask – ideally one that can be left on overnight.

What’s your favourite Elemis prod and why?
Pro-Collagen Marine Cream because it delivers what it promises, it meets my skin’s needs and my make-up sits neatly and comfortably all day long

What do you love most about being a woman, right now?
Having the choice and permission to be myself and fulfill my dreams.

What’s your greatest achievement?
Having Kate and being a mother.

Your biggest lesson?
People never surprise me.  Managing people is the greatest challenge in this industry.

Five must-have items that you could not live without?
Guitar, books, Elemis Wrinkle Smooth Pen, my blackberry and my PA

What’s your advice for being successful?
Never stop learning…

Quick fire round: What’s you’re favourite…
Book:  Lesley Kenton’s Raw Energy
Food:  Goats Cheese Salad
Clothing label: DKNY, Joseph
Movie: Chocolat
Music: Classical
City: Cork
Shop: Tom Foolery Jewellers
Website: timetospa.co.uk