The Pretty Little Thing catwalk model and Miss Universe Ireland finalist was chosen to be the face of the international tan brand as she embodies everything He-Shi is about – the strength and confidence to embrace all beauty unapologetically.
Bernadette Hagans has been a force to be reckoned with since a cancer diagnosis when she was just 22 resulted in her losing her right leg. In the few short years since, Bernadette has forged a successful career as a model, charity campaigner and actor.
From May, Bernadette will front the campaign for the relaunch of He-Shi tan. The new campaign – SELF TAN FOR EVERYBODY – aims to be inclusive and create products that everybody can use and love.
Having been diagnosed with synovial sarcoma in 2018, Belfast-born Bernadette made a deliberate and conscious decision to seize every moment in life. Instead of shying away from her life-changing experience, she knew she wanted to grow from it and inspire others to embrace their bodies. Bernadette’s fearlessness is the embodiment of the He-Shi community.
“Bernadette is a perfect fit for He-Shi tan” according to Shelley Martin, CEO of He-Shi. “Her strength, confidence and openness about her journey mirror our goal to embrace all beauty unapologetically. As a local to the brand, we knew she would be an amazing fit. We couldn’t be prouder to partner with her.”
As the first tanning brand in Ireland, He-Shi has always been at the forefront of self-tanning products, with a skin-first focus born in the lab. They are dedicated to bringing exceptional cosmeceutical skincare ingredients that work to keep skin nourished and hydrated, while simultaneously protecting against further damage, and strengthening the skin’s natural defences.
The new campaign embraces stretch marks, scars and cellulite; there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to bodies and He-Shi believes that no matter your shape, size, gender, race or ability, you should look and feel beautiful in your skin.
Bernadette will represent the brand for Summer 2022. The stunning campaign visuals were shot in Belfast by Khara Pringle.
“I’m super excited to be working with He-Shi. I have always been obsessed with the quality of this Irish tan and now I get to share it with you too”
6 things you didn’t know about Bernadette Hagans
1. Bernadette Hagans is a Belfast-born model, charity campaigner, and actor. 2. She lost her leg following a cancer diagnosis when she was just 22 years old. Instead of shying away from her life-changing experience, she knew she wanted to grow from it and inspire others to embrace their bodies.
3. At 25, she won third place at the Miss Universe Northern Ireland 2021 pageant as well as picked up the ‘Beauty With A Purpose’ Award.
4. She is the focus of a new BBC documentary about her cancer journey and life as a model with a prosthetic leg.
5. She is a tireless campaigner for children and young adults facing cancer diagnoses.
6. Bernadette landed contracts with London modelling agency Zebedee Management and recently signed with ACA Models in Belfast. Through this, she has walked the runway at the Pretty Little Thing x Molly Mae show. She has worked with major brands including ASOS, RayBans, Levis, Coca Cola, Schuh and Piper Heidsieck.
Q&A with Shelley Martin, CEO of He-Shi
Why did you choose Bernadette Hagans to be your ambassador?
Bernadette is a perfect fit for the He-Shi tan. Her strength, confidence, and openness about her journey mirror our goal to embrace all beauty unapologetically. As a local to the brand, we knew she would be an amazing fit. We couldn’t be prouder to partner with her.
How do Bernadette’s values embody He-Shi tan?
The new campaign – SELF TAN FOR EVERYBODY – aims to be inclusive and create products that everybody can use and love. Having been diagnosed with synovial sarcoma in 2018, Belfast-born Bernadette made a deliberate and conscious decision to seize every moment in life. Bernadette’s fearlessness is the embodiment of the He-Shi community.
Are there any new products or releases coming up for He-Shi?
We celebrate 18 years this year and are proud of how far we have progressed in the tanning industry since we launched the first Irish tanning brand in 2004. For almost two decades, He-Shi has been at the forefront of sunless tanning, although creating a flawless glow is just one side of the coin; He-Shi has always been dedicated to bringing cosmeceutical skincare ingredients to our products.
We have some exciting NPD coming up for summer which we can’t wait to share with you.
Bernadette’s favourites from He-Shi can be found online at He-Shi.eu or available in selected salons and leading pharmacies nationwide.