Smiling Gives You Wrinkles

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 Routine
You 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:
Instagram
You Tube

And don't forget to:
Email me with any of your questions: donna@thebeautyed.com
Listen & 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 "Fuck 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 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!