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My mission has always been to bring you honest, expert advice to help you embrace aging with confidence. But after celebrating my 50th birthday last month, and taking a step back to spend time with family and friends, I realized it’s time to take the pressure off some of my work and content schedule to help me prioritize my time and mindset. So in this short episode, I’m sharing an update on the future of Smiling Gives You Wrinkles®. It's not goodbye, but it is a pause on publishing weekly episodes so I can focus on bringing you the highest-quality, no-nonsense content when it matters most. So please don't unfollow! Pop-up episodes will drop as topics and expert chats come up. In the meantime, you can find me on: Substack: The Beauty Ed® and My Skin Type Is Sober Instagram: @thebeautyed And of course email: Send topic requests, guest suggestions and anything else to [email protected] Thanks as always for listening 🐞

Happy birthday to me I'm officially 50! 🎈 Reaching this milestone on Monday has put me in a reflective frame of mind. Honestly? It feels amazing. While yes, it's just another day, there is something about turning 50 that makes you pause, look back at everything you’ve achieved, and re-evaluate what you want to conquer in this next chapter. I'm going into my 50s feeling stronger, more refocused, and more confident than ever before. And in the spirit of taking stock and prioritizing head space, I’ve made a decision: I’m taking a little break from the podcast for the month of July. As a "one-man band," I pour my absolute heart into producing high-quality content for you every single week. But to keep that standard high, manage The Beauty Ed®, plus a very busy household with the kids off school, and finish studying for my Florida real estate exam (yes, I’m getting ready to join forces with my husband at his real estate company!), I need a moment to breathe and plan for the future. So Smiling Gives You Wrinkles® will be back and better than ever in August and in the meantime, I’m not completely disappearing! Here is where you can find me in July: How to Stay Connected in July:Subscribe to The Beauty Ed®: I will still be writing and publishing fresh articles over on TheBeautyEd.com. Your support over there means the world to me!Catch Up on YouTube: I’ll be uploading longer, incredibly helpful clips from our favourite past episodes. Head over to my channel, The Beauty Ed Vlogs, and check out the dedicated Smiling Gives You Wrinkles® section.Message me: I’ll still be sharing clips and updates on Instagram, and I want to hear from you. What do you want to hear more of when the podcast returns? Thank you all so much for your endless support. Have a gorgeous, sunny July, and I will see you all in August! With love, Donna x

As a veteran British Beauty Editor now living in hot and humid St. Pete Beach, Florida, I have officially had to abandon the standard "textbook" beauty advice. Surviving real humidity is a daily masterclass, and after surviving two back-to-back hurricanes with zero air conditioning or running water, I know exactly what the real hot-weather pain points are. So in this episode, I’m tackling the unfiltered summer beauty issues you shared with me on Instagram - from upper lip sweat and melting makeup to chub rub and the dreaded Monica from Friends hair frizz. 📝 Shop the Episode RoutineYou can find the full list of every product, insider tip, and expert routine mentioned in today's episode right here on my Substack: 👉 Read the Full Summer Heat Survival Guide on The Beauty Ed® Key Takeaways & Products Mentioned:The "Less is More" Base: Ditch heavy foundation. I break down why lightweight, glowy face bronzers are your best friend.The Perfect Cheek Flush: Why you should completely step away from powder blushes as you age.Melting Makeup & Smart SPF: How to stop your base from balling up or "pilling" in the heat.Chub Rub & Boob Sweat: The zero-BS truth about dealing with friction when the weather gets sticky.Sore, Dry Eyes & Mascara-Free Hacks: My personal tips for handling scratchy, sensitive eyes in the sun without looking bare.The Ultimate Anti-Frizz Air-Dry Method: Exactly how I nail a sleek, crunch-free look in the relentless Florida humidity. Connect With Me:If you loved this episode, please subscribe to The Beauty Ed® Substack. It is entirely free to join, and your support keeps this independent content going! Also follow and support me on: InstagramYou Tube And don't forget to: Email me with any of your questions: [email protected] & Review: If you enjoyed the chat, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - it helps more women like us find the show! Next week, I am celebrating a massive milestone - it’s my 50th birthday! My best friend is flying in from London, and I'll be back to talk all about entering this incredible new decade. See you then!

I often get DM's from followers that go something a bit like this: "You've been smashing it lately." Or "We love what you're doing." Or, "What an inspiration - keep doing what you're doing." And while messages like these keep me going, behind-the-scenes, I’ve been facing a massive internal struggle, and in this incredibly raw and honest episode, I’m opening up about why this has financially been my worst business year to date, and why I am officially refusing to wait around for the beauty industry to see my worth. 🎧 In This Episode, I Cover:The Outside vs. Inside Reality: Reflecting on a year of major professional highs (writing for Allure, taking part in a Channel 4 TV show, and being invited to speak on top podcasts) while quietly navigating an internal business struggle.Why the Beauty Industry is Broken for Midlife Creators: The reality of how AI is shifting brand spending and why the industry’s obsession with younger demographics leaves experienced experts feeling undervalued.Stepping Into My 3.0: Why I’m diversifying my career and helping my husband grow his Florida real estate business.The "F**k It, I'm 50" Energy: How I'm taking control and the power and beauty of standing in your truth as you age. ✨ Connect With Me:Subscribe to the Newsletter: Get unfiltered product reviews and midlife beauty secrets at thebeautyed.com.Follow the Journey on YouTube: Watch my weekly Florida vlogs at The BeautyEd Vlog on YouTube.Instagram: @thebeautyed

After an incredible brand trip to the gorgeous Inns Of Aurora in upstate New York with No7, I’m back - despite a chaotic, storm-delayed layover at Detroit airport last night! So in this week’s chat, I’m taking you inside the stunning Aurora Inns, giving you an insider peek into the two new No7 skincare lines, and opening up my travel makeup bag. Plus, I’m chatting about those viral headlines surrounding CeraVe too. Head over to my website to get the full list of every product and range mentioned in today's episode: CLICK HERE (don't forget to subscribe ❤️) And also as promised: Click here to read my full Victoria Beckham Foundation Drops review And... Read my report into the scary CeraVe headlines. You can also: Watch the Trip Vlog: Catch my weekly life-in-Florida vlogs including this No7 trip one, the England vs. New Zealand football match at Tampa stadium, and my behind-the-scenes beauty routines on YouTube: @thebeautyed Vlog on YouTube And don't forget to follow me on Instagram: @thebeautyed See you next week 🐞

This week I’m catching up with my friend, the brilliant TV makeup artist Donna May, who has just finished working at the world renowned Chelsea Flower Show in London - she is basically in charge of doing the hair and makeup for all of the presenters! And although it sounds glamorous (you’ll hear about her chats (and hugs!) with Sir David Beckham and King Charles no less!!!) - the days are long, hot and sweaty! ⚡ Backstage Beauty Kit & Product Links:We mentioned a lot of specific products in this episode - including Donna’s holy-grail Amazon hair cream that cures midlife frizz; the exact over makeup SPF spray she uses, and her favourite instant blur and tanning cream for pasty legs. I have linked all of the products over on thebeautyed.com so click the link below to grab the full shopping list and read the deep-dive guide on how to use them: 👉 Click here to get the full Backstage Product Guide (and don't forget to subscribe) Other Things We Chat About in This Episode: Broken dishwashers, mercury retrogrades, and ‘what’s for dinner’ conversations.What David Beckham and King Charles are really like IRLHow to stop makeup pilling under SPF and the ultimate trick for upper-lip sweat.Why waterproof mascaras are ruining your lashes, and the powder-puff trick to use instead.Menopause fatigue and ‘nanna naps.’Menopausal knuckle pain, hip scans, and supplements Why our boys are refusing to wash their hair. If you loved this chat, don't forget to hit 'Subscribe' or 'Follow' on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and please leave a 5-star review - it helps other midlife women find me! How to Follow Me and Donna (May)Follow Donna May on Instagram and join the Donna May London Community on Facebook for her weekly live catch-ups and Q&As.Follow me @thebeautyed and subscribe to the newsletter at thebeautyed.com.Follow the podcast @smilinggivesyouwrinkles on Instagram too for all our latest clips!

Am I a complete hypocrite if I champion pro-aging but still cover my greys? This week, I get honest about my own mental blocks with going grey and the irony of writing a feature for Woman & Home about embracing my age without ever touching Botox. Plus, I chat about the products I currently use to keep my skin in its best condition. I hope you enjoy and see you next week! Don't forget to connect with meWebsite: thebeautyed.comInstagram: @thebeautyedSubstack: My Skin Type Is SoberMentorship Program: THE LAB Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode! See you next week!

It feels like every beauty brand is yelling at us about peptides right now. They’re promising "Botox in a bottle," instant youth, and total skin transformation. And in my 25+ years as a beauty editor, I've seen many ingredient trends come and go - some are a waste of time, but some are actually worth jumping on - and peptides definitely fall into the latter category. So to break past the glossy marketing campaigns and get the real, clinical truth about peptides, I sat down with my brilliant friend and top dermatologist, Dr. Justine Kluk to find out what they actually are and how they actually work. Here is a list of the products mentioned in this episode: Medik8 Liquid Peptides My absolute go-to for high-tech skin smoothing and glow. SkinCeuticals P-TIOX The formula Dr. Kluk loves. I don't buy that anything is Botox in a Bottle but after trying it for a few weeks I'm impressed with the glowy finish it gives my skin. Beauty Pie Youthbomb™ 360° Radiance Concentrate This contains 18 skin-strengthening peptides to target dryness and firmness. No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal UV Defence Shield SPF 50 Love this for everyday protection and peptide repair! It's a great makeup primer too. Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair This has been part of my skincare routine for years and the one I always recommend to my friends. I'm also going to add this list to my website thebeautyed.com - don't forget to subscribe if you visit! And also, don't forget to follow me on Instagram and also Smiling Gives You Wrinkles®

When I moved from London to St. Pete Beach in 2021, I thought my years as a Beauty Editor for titles like The Daily Mail and Cosmopolitan, and even working at Boots, meant I knew a lot about brands and the products available. But I was wrong. The American drugstore is a different beast - the choice is overwhelming! And since appearing on Channel 4's Escape to Florida, the number one question I get from my British followers is: 'What beauty products should I actually buy when I visit America?' So in this episode, I'm sharing my latest 'American Drugstore Haul,' and talking you through the US exclusives that me and my friends love. Products mentioned include: The Target Finds Vacation® Sun Care: The Classic Whip SPF 30 is a must for the texture alone, plus the Chardonnay Lip Oil.Odele Haircare: Grab the Air Dry Styler - it’s the only thing that handles Florida humidity for my wavy hair.Pixi Hello Kitty: The US Pixi makeup range is much broader; look for the limited edition blushers and palettes. 2. The Drugstore Exclusives (CVS & Walmart) CeraVe US-Only Formulas: The SA Body Wash (miracle for "chicken skin") and the Skin Renewing Retinol Serum (purple label) are hard to find in the UK.Aquaphor Ointment Spray: A dermatologist favorite for dry skin and grazes that’s much easier to find here.Neutrogena Glow Perfect Pen: A brilliant, affordable dupe for the YSL Touche Éclat.Maybelline Baby Lips: This is another one my best friend Leah buys all the time. Specifically, the cherry shade in the orange and red packaging! They are tinted lip balms that leave a really lovely wash of color on the lips.Olay Skincare Body Washes: Huge bottles with high-performance ingredients like Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid. 3. The "Boring" But Brilliant Essentials Tide To Go Pens: Essential for clumsy travelers (and kids!).Welly Band-Aids: High-quality plasters in cute, reusable tins.Advil PM / Melatonin: My go-to for beating the jet lag on the red eye flight back to London. I am also going to add this list to my website thebeautyed.com - don't forget to subscribe if you visit! And also, don't forget to follow me on Instagram and also Smiling Gives You Wrinkles®

After a little refection about me and my family's appearance in the new Channel 4 show Escape To Florida, I talk about the skincare products I am using at the moment. After 28 years in the industry, I know how overwhelming skincare can be. So for this week, I’m stripping it all back and walking you through my current daily routine - the products I am actually using right now, ones I swear by, and the ones I buy on repeat. I cover everything from my 5:30 AM gym-ready skincare to the hard-working evening serums that help keep my skin glowing. Plus, I share why you don’t always need to spend loads of money to see results. The Products I Talk About Are Morning Routine: Hydration: The Inkey List Ectoin Hydro Barrier Serum - Great for keeping aging skin plump.Moisturizer: The Inkey List Bioactive Ceramide Repairing and Plumping Moisturizer - Budget-friendly, ceramides for the win.Body Care: CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion – My holy grail for face and body; affordable and derm-developed.Sun Protection & Prep: No7 Future Renew Defense Shield SPF 50 – Lightweight, no white cast, and sits beautifully under makeup.Foundation: Victoria Beckham Beauty Foundation Drops – My current obsession. Skincare-infused, natural finish, and perfect for that "your skin but better" look.Read my full review here: thebeautyed.com Evening Routine: Cleanser: SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser Cream – A milky, creamy cleanser that gets the job done without the tightness.Treatment: Medik8 Crystal Retinal 10 – The gold standard for retinols.Repair: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair – A classic for a reason. Soft, smooth, glowing skin by morning. A quick reminder: Skincare is a marathon, not a sprint! Give your products at least a month to work their magic before switching things up. Don’t forget to subscribe to thebeautyed.com for more deep dives into all of the products I’m testing!

Hair loss is a topic I’ve written about many times in the past few years, having experienced hormonal thinning myself. So I was keen to sit down with leading dermatologist Dr. Nicole Chiang to understand why our hair changes as we hit our 40s and 50s, and to discover the surprising impact that stress, weight loss, and hormones have on our hair health. Expect lots of chat about: Midlife Hair Loss: We explore the "perfect storm" of the 40s and 50s. As estrogen drops, the androgen influence becomes stronger, which can shrink hair follicles. Dr. Nicole explains why that "shrinking ponytail" happens and the medical-grade ways to fight back. LED Therapy for Hair: Gimmick or game-changer? We get into the science of red light therapy for hair, why consistency is the only way to see results, and why a "comb" device might actually beat a "helmet" when it comes to reaching the scalp. The Truth About "Ozempic Hair": We address the rise of GLP-1 medications and the hair shedding that often follows. Spoiler: It’s not the drug itself, but the rapid weight loss and nutrient prioritization that’s to blame. Products & Ingredients MentionedMinoxidil: The gold standard for prolonging the growth (anagen) phase.Eucerin DermoCapillaire Calming Urea Shampoo: Recommended for dry, itchy scalps.Urea-based Serums: For locking moisture into the scalp skin.Hairmax: Mentioned for their clinical studies on red light devices.Protein & Iron: The non-negotiable "building blocks" (aiming for 1g of protein per kg of body weight). Hope it’s a helpful chat and don’t forget to connect with us:Connect with Dr. Nicole:Website: drnicoledermatology.co.ukInstagram: @drnicoledermatology Connect with me: Instagram: @thebeautyedWebsite & Newsletter: The Beauty Ed®Podcast: Smiling Gives You Wrinkles®

The papers are full of stories about 12-year-olds demanding high-strength retinols, but from what I’m seeing with the brilliant young writers I mentor in The Beauty Ed® | THE LAB, the reality is much more nuanced. Our teens are savvy, they’re curious, and they love the "glamour" of a fun brand - but they also want to know what’s actually right for their skin. After 28 years in this industry, I’m less worried about the headlines and more focused on the education. That’s why I’ve brought back the wonderful Dr. Justine Kluk, a consultant dermatologist, to help us navigate the "Cosmeticore" trend and give you a definitive, safe, and expert-led skincare roadmap for the young people in your life. In this episode, we cover:Insights from THE LAB: I share what I’m learning from mentoring student journalists at my son’s school - and how they’re finding their own emotional voices in a skincare world that's dominated by influencer culture.The "Cosmeticore" Buzzword: Defining the trend of skin-obsessed teens and whether it actually exists in Justine's Harley Street practice.The Allergic Breaking Point: Justine shares the reality of what happens when young skin is over-exposed to too many chemicals and preservatives.Retinol vs. Retinoids: We clarify the difference between using Vitamin A for "anti-aging" (which they don't need!) and using it as a gold-standard treatment for acne.The Dermatologist’s Shopping List: The affordable, gentle brands we trust, including CeraVe, Bioma, Cetaphil, and Curel.Why We Aren’t "Skincare Grinches": From bedazzling sunscreen bottles to the joy of a hydrating mask at a sleepover, we talk about how to keep the "fun" in beauty without the risk.Why Justine LOVES spot stickers. Yay!Derm-Approved Makeup: Justine's favorite "skincare-first" concealers from Erborian, ELF, and NARS. For more information on the products discussed check out thebeautyed.com where you'll find a full write up on this episode, and if you'd like to connect with me, find me on Instagram @thebeautyed and don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter.

If you’ve ever found yourself deep in an overthinking spiral about a work email, or confused about the hundreds of foundations on offer, then this chat with my gorgeous friend and makeup artist Donna May is for you! We also chat about Donna's Gua Sha disaster, why she hasn't applied her testosterone cream yet and what I really think about LED masks and LED helmets (!) The Beauty Ed® Shopping ListI've rounded up all the hits (and a few misses) we discussed in this episode so you can find them easily too: No7 Pro Artist Bronzer: The "toffee-like" cream bronzer Donna loves—just remember to use a fat Kabuki brush to avoid those Lion King streaks!Lisa Eldridge Enhancing Skin Tint: A beautifully "drippy" and glowy finish that’s a total win for our age.IT Cosmetics Nude Glow: Donna's personal favorite with SPF 50—perfect for that healthy, hydrated Florida look.Kiko Foundation Stick: A brilliant, lightweight glowy option with a great component for "bumping" onto the skin.E.L.F. Halo Glow Liquid Filter: The ultimate "glow" product to mix with your base for a fraction of the price of premium brands.YSL All Hours Glow: A gorgeous, high-end option for when you want that proper radiance.Glowwa Hair Food: A quick update on why consistency is key (think three months!) for real results. How to Follow UsFollow Donna on Instagram and join the Donna May London Community on Facebook for her weekly live catch-ups and Q&As.Follow me @thebeautyed and subscribe to the newsletter at thebeautyed.com.Follow the podcast @smilinggivesyouwrinkles on Instagram too for all our latest clips!

For this episode of Smiling Gives You Wrinkles®, I sat down with esthetician Emma Wedgwood, whose journey from the brink of losing everything to the heights of the beauty industry moved me to tears. Emma bravely shares her experience with alcoholism and the "dirty little secret" of drinking in high-pressure careers like nursing. We talk about the shame of the "park bench" myth, the people-pleasing traps we fall into, and how she’s now using her skills as a "walking miracle" to provide free aesthetic care to women rebuilding their lives after addiction and abuse through her inspiring pro bono clinic. In this episode, we cover: The "Work Hard, Play Hard" Trap: Emma’s transition from intensive care nursing to aesthetics and how alcohol became a normalized part of her working culture.The Turning Point: The terrifying reality of facing a professional disciplinary hearing and the "little angels" who helped Emma navigate the physical and legal road to sobriety.The People-Pleasing Cycle: Why so many of us find it hard to say "no" to a drink at events and how to protect your peace as you rebuild.The Pro Bono Clinic: How Emma is using skin treatments to restore self-worth for women in recovery who have survived abuse and addiction.Practical Tips for "Shit" Days: Emma’s expert advice on the basic skincare routine and mental shifts that can help you feel better on the inside when the outside feels overwhelming. I hope you enjoy! And don't forget to... Connect with Emma WedgwoodIf you are in London and want to explore Sofwave with a pro, I cannot recommend Emma enough. She is a holistic beauty expert who wants you to look like you, just the most energized version. Website: www.emmawedgwoodaesthetics.co.ukInstagram: @emmawedgwoodaesthetics Stay Connected with Me! Don't forget to follow me on Instagram and also subscribe to thebeautyed.com for my full deep dives into podcast episodes, beauty trends, news and reviews!

If you walked into my kitchen right now, you’d see a graveyard of supplement bottles - mostly half-empty tubs my husband bought on a whim or "marketing-heavy" brands that promise the world but I often wonder, do they really deliver? And after after 27 years in the beauty industry, I’ve learned that more isn’t always better; it’s just more expensive. And that’s why I invited nutritionist Amanda Ryder back onto the podcast to talk about supplement overwhelm and share her 6 essential supplements for your 40s and 50s - and the ones she actually takes! Featured Brands & ProductsAmanda emphasizes choosing clean, pharmaceutical-grade brands. Here are the ones mentioned in this episode: Bare Biology (Amanda’s go-to for Collagen, Fish Oil, and Creatine)Pure EncapsulationsDesigns for HealthThorneMetagenicsNordic Naturals Listen BackWe mention the SGYW episode that we recorded about collagen a few months back. If you missed this, and want to listen, you can catch up here: Everything You Need to Know About Collagen with Amanda Ryder Connect With UsDonna Francis Website: The Beauty Ed®Instagram: @TheBeautyEd Amanda Ryder Website: Amanda Ryder NutritionMembership: Be Healthy with Amanda - A weekly 20-minute private podcast with clear nutrition advice and 15% off recommended supplements. All for £5.99 a month.Book: Feel Good For Menopause