Smiling Gives You Wrinkles

Technology may have tried to take me down this week (apologies if the audio is a bit wonky), but bringing back "Dear Donna", my beauty Q&A column from my days at Company and Cosmo Girl was the perfect recovery.
In this episode, I cover:
Dermaplaning vs. Threading: Which one is right for facial fuzz?
High-Tech Skin: The lowdown on CACI Facials and at-home Face Tools.
My honest take on Jones Road Makeup and the products to try.
Skincare Science: Navigating the world of Retinol and AHA Skincare.

Have a question for the next "Dear Donna" segment? Message me on:
Instagram: @thebeautyed
Substack: @donnathebeautyed
Email: [email protected]

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review - it helps more than you know, especially after this week of tech-gremlins!

I was introduced to Bobbie Thomas, the Style Editor on NBC’s Today Show by a mutual colleague and as soon as we hopped on FaceTime, we hit it off.
We have a lot in common: we both started at teen magazines (me at CosmoGIRL, Bobbie at J-14), we both helmed long-standing beauty columns (Dear Donna and Bobbie’s Buzz), and we both share a fierce passion for helping women find confidence. Not through the ‘big sell’, but through thoughtful, considered conversations that go beneath the surface. And that is exactly what this chat is.
Bobbie is a wonderful person and a true inspiration. She has faced some of life’s most devastating hurdles, and we discuss everything from how she went from counseling rape victims to being on the road with the boyband NSYNC and then to being Style Editor at Today. We talk a lot about loss - Bobbie is currently navigating being a widow - and the unspoken realities of being an aging woman.
You can follow Bobbie on Instagram, and watch her #BobbiesBests series with @JennaSheinelle on NBC’s @todayshow. You can also buy her book, The Power of Style, on Amazon.
And don’t forget to follow me on Instagram, Tik Tok and Substack too!
A Quick Note for Transparency: Bobbie is a proud partner with Essilor, the world leader in vision technology and innovators behind #Varilux Progressive Lenses. But just to be clear: this is not a paid or sponsored episode. I invited Bobbie on because our mutual friend introduced us, and I knew her story of resilience, "professional girlfriend-hood," and mid-life hacks was something you needed to hear. I hope you enjoy!

I’ve had so many friends reaching out lately saying the same thing: "I’m in my 40s... why am I suddenly getting spots?!" and it feels like some sick joke to be dealing with fine lines and breakouts at the same time. To get some answers, I sat down with the incredible Dr. Sam Bunting, a dermatologist who has spent the last 15 years helping women navigate the complexities of adult acne and troublesome ‘grown up’ skin.
In this episode, Sam and I discuss:
The "U-Zone" vs. The "T-Zone": Why adult breakouts happen around the jawline and chin (aka the "Triangle of Doom") rather than the forehead.
Is it Acne or just a "Breakout"?: Sam explains why the label doesn't matter as much as the mechanism behind the clogged pore.
The 4-Step Morning Routine: We strip away the "skincare fluff" and get back to the basics: Cleanse, Activate, Hydrate, and Protect.
The Big Three Ingredients: How to use Salicylic Acid, Azelaic Acid, and Retinoids without destroying your skin barrier.

I also shared how quitting alcohol changed my skin, and Sam gave us some brilliant advice on "emptying the stress tank" to keep our hormones - and our skin - clear and calm.
If you want to find more about Sam, book in for a consult or try products from her skincare brand, you can find her here:
Official Website & Shop: DrSamBunting.com
The Clinic: Dr. Sam Bunting + Associates
Instagram: @drsambunting
YouTube: Dr. Sam Bunting

Resources Mentioned in this Episode
Sam highlighted these as the non-negotiables for clearing adult breakouts while supporting the skin barrier:
Azelaic Acid
Salicylic Acid
Retinoids

Book Recommendation: Atomic Habits by James Clear. Sam mentioned

In this episode of Smiling Gives You Wrinkles, I sit down with the woman who swapped her RAF nursing uniform for a makeup brush: the incredible Genevieve Turley.
I’ve always been fascinated by people who make massive pivots in their life, and Genevieve’s story is a standout. Before she was making us all laugh on Instagram, she was a burns and plastics specialist nurse in the RAF and we talk about how and why she decided to make that pivot, and she shares the story behind the viral video that rocketed her from 4,000 to over 100,000 followers in a matter of weeks.
Genevieve is a breath of fresh air in an industry that can feel a bit too "perfect." She’s all about embracing real skin and - as you’d expect from our show - finding the joy in our wrinkles. We also talk about her upcoming live tour, Laughter Lines, which is part masterclass, part comedy show, and 100% relatable.
I hope you enjoy!
Follow Genevieve:
On Instagram: @genevieveturleymua
On Substack: Genevieve Turley
Genevieve’s Live Show: Get tickets for 'Laughter Lines' at Leicester Square Theatre: Catch her live on May 10th, 2026!
And don’t forget to follow this show for more genuine chats like this ❤️
And Follow Me, Donna, on:
Instagram: @thebeautyed
Substack: @donnathebeautyed

What does a world-class dermatologist actually do before 9:00 AM? In this episode, Dr. Sam Bunting shares her personal morning habits. From the "Othership" breathwork routine she uses to manage stress, to her streamlined 4-step skincare regime, Dr. Sam explains why efficiency is the ultimate beauty secret.
PLUS! We discuss the "dopamine crash" of early morning phone use, why she avoids TikTok trends like skin cycling, and her "patchwork" approach to makeup for women in their 40s and 50s.
Resources Mentioned:
Othership Breathwork
Skincare: Dr Sam’s Flawless Cleanser, Vitamin C, and Azelaic Serum.
Makeup: Merit Beauty, Ilia Beauty, and tips from Lisa Eldridge/Caroline Barnes.
Supplements: Nordic Naturals Omega 3, Simprove Probiotics.

I really hope you enjoy it!
And don’t forget to follow Sam on Instagram, and also follow me @thebeautyed and this podcast on there too.
See you next week,
Donna
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