Botox, big bums and beauty: Producing Young, Welsh and Pretty Skint

When I was asked to produce the new series of Young, Welsh and Pretty Skint, I had no real idea about the world I was about to step into. 

Growing up, I’d never been a particularly girly girl. I prefer to go for the natural look and apart from the occasional manicure and fake tan (for special events), I’ve never really embraced the cosmetic or beauty industry. 

But this series is all about young people living in Wales who spend every last penny on achieving a certain look. I have to admit, I was intrigued to find out why.

Armed with Iwan, the director, and Mali, the researcher we set out to meet those who see Botox and big bums as life’s necessities. 

Before we knew it we were thrust into a world where bikini-clad girls were wearing enough bling to rival any of Beyoncé’s outfits; where muscular men were queuing up for a spray tan with nothing more than a sock to cover their modesty and where the ‘ass class’ is the new going out!

Suddenly, as a thirty-something mother of two, I started to feel slightly old and just a bit scruffy. It didn’t help when I caught glimpses of myself in the many mirrors which seemed to be at every location we filmed in… Were those laughter lines around my eyes calling out for a shot of Botox? Or would life really be so much better with a permanent tan?

I was starting to worry that being immersed in this world may force our small production team to go native! There were several moments where Mali, our young and trendy researcher contemplated having her eyebrows weaved or attempt a fitness modelling competition. Even Iwan - whose beauty regime is very limited - went out to have his hair cut.

It’s not everyone’s cup of tea and admittedly, there’ll be a few raised eyebrows during the series. But each contributor has his or her own reasons for wanting to look good. Some are doing it to make themselves feel good and boost their confidence. Others use their look as armour to fight against the bullying they endured as a child.

Whatever their reasons, there’s no doubt that while these young people spend the little they have on fake tans, cosmetic procedures and hair extensions, they’re also really enjoying life. Soon enough they’ll have family responsibilities and mortgages to pay and will have to wave goodbye to their extravagant and indulgent beauty regimes, so are they really doing any harm?

As alien as this world was to me personally, I really enjoyed meeting with all the contributors. Yes, it was an eye-opener and a lot of fun, but before you ask, no, I didn’t reach for the Botox.

Catrin Rowlands produced the new series of Young, Welsh and Pretty Skint.

Young, Welsh and Pretty Skintstarts on Thursday, 3 March at 6pm on BBC Three. It will also be broadcast on BBC One Wales from Monday, 7 March at 10.40pm. Each episode will be available to watch in BBC iPlayer for 30 days after broadcast.

Comments made by writers on the BBC TV blog are their own opinions and not necessarily those of the BBC.