Smiling Gives You Wrinkles

If your Mother’s Day didn't quite live up to the Pinterest-perfect expectations, you're not alone. In this episode, my lovely friend and makeup artist extraordinaire Donna May and I dive into Mother's Day expectations and why even just a cup of tea can stir a hormonal meltdown!
We also chat about the "grey backlash" that Donna has experienced since dying her hair (find out what her dad really thinks ), and share our honest experiences with HRT and testosterone. PLUS Donna shares her favourite sheer foundations that really work on midlife skin.
What We’re Chatting About:
The Mother’s Day Reality Check: Why it was never actually about the tea, and the "final straw" moment we've all had.
The Grey Backlash: Donna May shares her 7-month journey of quitting the dye, her dad’s "old school" advice, and why she’s not going back now.
Hormone Truths: My personal experience with testosterone cream and how it’s changed my mental clarity.
Midlife Hobbies: Why Donna is determined to master the golf course by the time she's 50.

The Beauty Ed® Shopping List
I've rounded up all the products we discussed in this episode so you can find them easily:
Flawless Facial Hair Razor: Our go-to for keeping midlife "fuzz" at bay.
K18 Molecular Repair Hair Mask: If you're going to splurge on one hair product, make it this one. It’s transformed my hair.
Glowwa Hair Food Vitamins: These are the supplements Donna May credits for her incredible new hair growth.
Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Stick: Donna’s favorite new sheer foundation for a glowy, natural finish.
No7 Pro Artist Weightless Skin Foundation: A brilliant, breathable sheer foundation that I'm so glad is getting the hype it deserves.
Hair Story New Wash: The detergent-free "cleansing cream" I’ve been testing for a softer, healthier scalp.
Sweed Cloud Mascara: For that perfectly lengthened, "clean" lash look we both love.

How to Follow Us
Donna May London: Follow her on Instagram @donnamaylondon and join the Donna May London Community on Facebook for her weekly live catch-ups and Q&As.
The Beauty Ed®: * Follow me @thebeautyed and subscribe to the newsletter at thebeautyed.com.
Smiling Gives You Wrinkles®: Follow the podcast @smilinggivesyouwrinkles for all our latest clips!

I am excited to welcome back one of my absolute favorite dermatologists and a true star in the industry, Dr. Justine Kluk. As a beauty editor with nearly 30 years in the game, even I get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of products hitting the market. If I'm feeling it, I know you are too!
In this episode, I invited Justine to share the products that are actually on her bathroom shelf right now. Justine opens up about her own skin journey - from managing a history of acne to navigating that "deflated" feeling that can hit in our 40s. We dive deep into why 'juicy' skin is the ultimate goal, the truth about the peptide hype, and why she might have changed her mind on 'Botox in a bottle.'
It’s a masterclass in building a routine that actually works, focusing on four simple pillars: cleanse, hydrate, protect, and treat.
The Dermatologist’s Daily Edit: Products Mentioned
Morning Routine
Cleanser: Curél Hydrating Makeup Cleansing Gel A Japanese staple. Justine uses this on dry skin with a warm flannel (she loves the double-sided ones from Beauty Pie) for a non-stripping, 'mini-spa' start to the day.
Treatment/Moisturizer: SkinCeuticals MetaCell Renewal B3 Packed with Niacinamide and peptides. Justine uses this to keep her skin barrier resilient and prep for makeup.
Sun Protection: Garnier Ambre Solaire Vitamin C Daily UV Brightening Fluid SPF50+ (Tinted) An affordable favorite that blurs imperfections and leaves a radiant, sheer glow.
Lip Care: Neova CU3 Lip Repair A copper peptide-infused balm to seal in moisture, especially during the colder months.

Evening Routine
Double Cleanse: Curél Hydrating Makeup Cleansing Gel Used again to melt away the day.
The "Secret Sauce" Serum: SkinCeuticals P-TIOX The product that turned Justine from a skeptic into a believer. While she’s hesitant to call it 'Botox in a bottle,' she swears by its ability to make skin look incredibly 'reflective' and juicy.
Active Treatment: Prescription Tretinoin & Azelaic Acid – Justine uses a custom blend (0.025% Tretinoin / 20% Azelaic Acid) to manage acne and support healthy aging.
If you're looking for over-the-counter alternatives, Justine recommends Medik8 Crystal Retinal or the No7 Pure Retinol 1% Night Concentrate.
Barrier Support: Dermalogica Stabilizing Repair Cream A "halfway house" moisturizer that’s thick enough to soothe but won’t clog pores.

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow the podcast and leave a review. You can also follow Donna on Instagram and Tik Tok and subscribe to her new substack, My Skin Type Is Sober too.

Is collagen a scam? It’s a question I get asked more than any other. And when I first recorded some of these clips for a past episode with nutritionist Amanda Ryder, we were navigating the collagen supplement world with a healthy dose of skepticism.
But as of last month, science has caught up to our conversation, as a massive new study of 113 trials published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal officially labeled collagen a ‘legitimate’ treatment for skin elasticity and hydration.
So I’m republishing some sections of this deep dive with Amanda because her clinical expertise - especially regarding menopausal skin and joint health - was remarkably accurate.
In this episode, we discuss:
The Scaffolding Effect: Why we lose 50% of our collagen by age 50
The 90-Day Rule: Why consistency is the only way to see "legitimate" results.
My Personal Win: How collagen finally cleared up my debilitating plantar fasciitis.
Skin Health 101: What it actually does

These are the brands Amanda and I discussed in the chat:
Kiki Health Marine Collagen Beauty Blend - Formulated with Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid.
Bare Biology Skinful Marine Collagen - A clean, sustainably sourced British favorite.
Ancient + Brave Wild Collagen - High-quality grass-fed bovine and wild-caught marine
Kollo Health - The liquid collagen I’ve personally used and loved for its taste and efficacy.
Find out more about Amanda via her:
Website: Amanda Ryder Nutrition
Book: Feel Good for Menopause
Podcast: How to Feel Like a Midlife Goddess

Don't forget to subscribe and follow the show, follow me @thebeautyed and @smilinggivesyouwrinkles and subscribe to The Beauty Ed® newsletter for more info on collagen!

In this episode, I chat with Karla Osborne, a specialized grey blending artist who is changing the way women view their silver roots. We talk about why the traditional "permanent color trap" is outdated and how you can transition to your natural color without the obvious demarkation grow-out lines.
We also discuss:
The "Brick Wall" vs. "Stained Glass": Understanding why permanent dye (brick wall) creates a harsh regrowth line, while demi-permanents (stained glass) offer a soft, manageable camouflage.
The Gray Blending Process: How Karla maps individual white hair patterns to mimic nature using intricate foiling.
Is Your World Ready?: Why timing your transition around big milestones (like 50th birthdays!) matters.
Maintenance & Costs: What it really looks like to commit to a 6–9 month transition journey.
The "Pro-Age" Identity: A candid chat about the societal pressure to dye our hair and freeze our faces.

Resources & Links:
Find Karla Osborne: Follow her on Instagram or visit her website to book a consultation.
Education for Hairdressers: If you are a stylist or want your stylist to learn Karla’s method, check out her online education portal.
Glowwa Hair Food: The specific supplements Karla recommends for bridging the nutritional gap for hair health: glowwa.com.
Sulfate-Free Favorites: Karla recommends using sulfate-free ranges from brands like Evo, Goldwell Kerisilk, and Wella to preserve your blend.

Don't forget to subscribe and follow the show, follow me @thebeautyed and @smilinggivesyouwrinkles and subscribe to The Beauty Ed® newsletter for more info on grey blending!

If you caught me on my Instagram recently, you might have seen me shaving my face: ie. dermplaning. It’s a treatment that I’ve had done in-salon before, and while I loved the results (smooth, glowy, not to mention hair-free skin), I’ve always been a bit nervous to do it on myself.
Until now…
Today, I’m diving deep into why I’ve started dermaplaning at home, how it’s helping me manage the "testosterone fuzz," and the expert tips I’ve gathered to make sure you don’t nick your face (or your confidence).
In This Episode I Talk About:
The Testosterone Side Effect: Why being on HRT for a year has been a game-changer for my muscles and energy, but has left me a bit hairier than I’d like on my face.
My First Time: Reminiscing about my 2019 treatment with Dr. David Jack in London and why I was nervous to DIY.
Myth Busting: Does the hair actually grow back thicker and darker?
The "Melted Butter" Technique: Step-by-step instructions on holding the skin taut and the 45-degree angle rule.
Post-Blade Care: How to soothe that "raw" feeling with Hyaluronic Acid and the right moisturisers.
Maintenance & Hygiene: How often to swap your blades and why "squeaky clean" is the only way to start.

Resources:
Dr. David Jack Clinic: The London clinic where I first had this done. David is an incredible aesthetic doctor (and former ER doctor!) with locations in Harley Street, Liberty, and Edinburgh.
Japonesque Dermaplaner & Cooling Eye Roller: The tool I picked up at Publix! I love the stainless steel Japanese blade and the little rollerball for de-puffing.
Hollywood Browzer: Recommended by makeup artist Nadira V Persaud. Founder Amy Anzel shares her tips in this episode on the "short feathery stroke" method.
The Beauty Ed® Substack: Subscribe for the full write-up, including the unretouched photos of my skin after my first treatment.