Smiling Gives You Wrinkles

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 IRL
How 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 me
Website: thebeautyed.com
Instagram: @thebeautyed
Substack: My Skin Type Is Sober
Mentorship 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!