Mother-Daughter: Exclusive Q&A with Wendy Jacobs & Iman Fandi Ahmad

Katie Holmes and Suri Cruise, Angelina Jolie and Zahara, Kate Hudson and Goldie Hawn. Celebrity mother-daughter duos have always been the subject of constant fascination to the public and in Singapore we have our very own Wendy Jacobs and Iman Fandi Ahmad. Wendy is a veteran model and the wife of former footballer Fandi Ahmad whilst her daughter is a budding model.

A question many celebrity mothers are asked today is whether or not they will let their child join the profession one day and it seems like Iman’s participation in last year’s The New Paper (TNP) The New Face Competition 2014 is Wendy’s response to all the questions. Much to her mother’s pride, Iman made it as one of the top 20 finalists in the competition. Call it a blessing or a curse, it can’t be easy having your mom acting as a momager, which is what Wendy is to Iman on most days. Nevertheless, the duo share an incredible bond, as evidenced during our interview where they finished each others sentences and talked more like old friends than mother and daughter. We couldn’t help but notice how similar they looked what with their flawless skin (more of that in the interview) and identical smiles. Thankfully these genetically blessed duo were kind enough to share their skincare memories, beauty secrets, and their amazing mother-daughter relationship.

Marie France Asia:What’s your secret to clear, smooth skin?

Wendy Jacobs: I must thank my mom for her great genes, I also say it’s my mother always saying less is more, minimal products.

MFA: What do you use Bio Oil for?

Wendy: I’ve been using it for years, from top to toe, body and hair

Iman: As a sports women for my brown marks on elbows, knees and scrapes, scratches.

MFA: How do you deal with a bad skin day?

Wendy & Iman: Fingers crossed that we both do not have those

MFA: What’s the best beauty advice your mom has given you?

Iman: Not to use too much products and that expensive isn’t always better.

MFA: What are your earliest skincare memories? 

Wendy: As a model I started with make –up quite early, it’s one bad habit I have is I hate removing make-up. I am not into too much fuss, so I don’t spend a lot of time on my face.

Iman: Making sure face is clean after all my work outs, carrying wipes is important, make-up and beauty products I don’t have much at this time.

MFA: What do you want to teach your daughter about beauty? 

Wendy: To me it is all about trial and error. Your face is your canvas, treat it like you’re an artist. Too much and the canvas can be spoilt …less is more. Same for products and regime, less is best. Find the product that suits you and not the rave of the month.

MFA: What’s the one beauty tip you’d like to share with readers?

Wendy: I’ve always been a strong believer that, if you’re having a bad skin, day, week, month, don’t do too much – your body will work it out. Sometimes you may need medication, most times it just a waiting game especially for the teenagers, don’t get too frustrated, don’t use too much product and let your own body work out the problem. Quick fix products are expensive, long term is so much easier.

MFA: Beauty icons you look up to?

Wendy: I don’t have one

Iman: I am always on the net looking at how the supermodels look after their bodies.

MFA: How would you describe your mother-daughter relationship?

Wendy: We are at a stage in our relationship where we talk and even do things that we like together, boxing and nice lunches. I love spending time with her.

Iman: Its ok… we do things together and I like to do fashion shows with her. I like modeling and she’s the best to teach me.

MFA: A message you’d like to say on Mother’s Day? 

Wendy: Thank you to my mom and then to my kids for completing me as a woman.

MFA: What’s the best gift you’ve received from your daughter on Mother’s Day?

Wendy:  A Crystal Angel.

Karen George