Smiling Gives You Wrinkles

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

I’m freshly back from London and, true to form, I’ve brought back a hideous cold as a souvenir! But I also brought back a lot of chocolate, some Marks & Spencer treats, AND a tiny new "freckle heart" tattoo.
But for today's episode, it is my face full of fresh collagen that I've brought home with me that I'm mostly talking about. Because I’m taking you inside the treatment room for one of my absolute favorite procedures: Sofwave. As many of you know from my articles, like this one in The Sun and this one in HELLO!, I’ve chosen to stay Botox-free as I approach 50. But "no needles" doesn't mean "no tech" and Sofwave is the treatment I have instead of Botox to keep my skin supported, lifted, and glowing without freezing my expressions.
Before the treatment, I sat down with the brilliant Emma Wedgwood at her Mayfair clinic to get into the details of how this ultrasound technology works. We talk about the "collagen cliff" we hit in our 40s, why drinking collagen isn't a magic fix for your face, and the real reason this treatment carries a premium price tag (hint: the machines cost over £100,000!).
In this episode, we cover:
The "Spicy" Reality: Why I compare the pain of Sofwave to a 10lb birth -and why it’s still 100% worth it.
The Science of the "Bank": How ultrasound triggers a "triple threat" surge of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid.
The Investment: A transparent look at the costs and why it’s an annual strategy.
The Results: Why you see a "glass skin" glow immediately, but the real magic happens at the 12-week mark.

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

Sofwave Pricing Guide
Brow lift: £1,800
Lower face & submental: £2,500
Lower face, submental & neck: £2,800
Face only: £3,000
Full face & neck: £3,300
Arms: From £2,000

See the Transformation
Curious about what this actually looks like? I will show you my results in 12 weeks, but before then, you can view the official before and after gallery to see the lifting effect on other women: 👉 Sofwave Before & After Photos
Stay Connected with Me!
Don't forget to follow me on Instagram and also subscribe to thebeautyed.com for my full deep dives into topics like Sofwave and other beauty trends, news and reviews!

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.