Smiling Gives You Wrinkles

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 Mentioned
Minoxidil: 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.uk
Instagram: @drnicoledermatology

Connect with me:
Instagram: @thebeautyed
Website & 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 List
I'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 Us
Follow 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 Wedgwood
If 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.uk
Instagram: @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 & Products
Amanda 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 Encapsulations
Designs for Health
Thorne
Metagenics
Nordic Naturals

Listen Back
We 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 Us
Donna Francis
Website: The Beauty Ed®
Instagram: @TheBeautyEd

Amanda Ryder
Website: Amanda Ryder Nutrition
Membership: 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