I have said a million times in the past, there is just so much noise out there, especially when it comes to skincare treatments and cosmetics. It’s so overwhelming and there are so many trends and buzzwords that it can be easy to think that you need to have them all… but of course, this is not the case. I see a lot of the time in my clinic clients with skin concerns such as dullness, fine lines, poor skin laxity and a lack of radiance wanting to do more. So what do they do? G

I have decided to start a series titled “A Facialist’s Notes On…” (I think I will use the AFNO abbreviation) and I’ll be talking in depth about a skin concern or wellbeing topic, sharing tips, tricks and a basic understanding of what it is and why it’s helpful to understand from a skincare perspective. Today, I’m going to teach you a little bit about the skin barrier and why it’s so important to keep it healthy. Side note, it was actually ‘National Skin Barrier Day’ the other

I know it's not just me as I have so many clients who struggle with waking up in the night as well. What can I say other than it is beyond frustrating. My current wake time varies between around 2:17am and 3:09am. Yes that sounds very precise, but for some reason you always seem to remember the exact time when it's the middle of the night. So what should you do at this time? Well we all know what we should be doing (trying to go back to sleep of course), but our brain likes

I don’t know about you, but I feel like the wellness industry for me has become completely overwhelming. And I say that as someone who works in this space and loves this space but something is wrong. I almost can't put my finger on it, but it just doesn't feel right anymore. I think maybe it's because of instead of it making us feel better, it feels like it’s making us more stressed. There is so much information, so many “rules” and so many things we should be doing, that it

I think one of the biggest mistakes we make with our skin is believing that everything has to come from the outside. If you have a problem with your skin then you need a cream to put on it. We spend so much time and money focusing on what we can apply to the skin, layering products, trying to fix what we can see in the mirror, but we don’t always stop to think about what’s actually going on underneath. The reality is that your skin isn’t separate from the rest of your body.

I’m going to say something that might not be very popular in the skincare world, but I’ve got to the point now where I’d rather be honest than repeat what everyone else is saying. I'm good at that! ;o) I don’t recommend tretinoin, and I’m not a fan of most topical vitamin A products either. There, sorry I said it! Now before anyone jumps in and starts, I know it’s considered the gold standard. I know the studies, I know the before and afters, and I know that for some people i

This is a term I’ve found myself using a lot in clinic recently as I seem to see it a lot. A stagnated face so to speak. Ok so no, this isn't a medical term (that I'm aware of) and it's not in a text book, but it's something I've noticed quite a bit recently. I'm not sure if it's the weather being a bit colder and we're just not moving as much, but I've been working extra hard in the clinic the last few weeks getting everything moving, Skin that looks a bit grey and dull, sli

Ooof. That’s an interesting question, isn’t it? Well, maybe to me anyway as a facialist. The slightly frustrating thing about sleep positions is that they’re something we do completely unconsciously. We’re not lying there at 3am thinking about facial structure or lymphatic drainage, we’re just trying to get comfortable and stay asleep. But over time, the way we sleep can have an effect on the face, which is why it’s worth understanding what’s going on and what, if anything, w

I’m going to say something that might ruffle a few feathers I'm afraid, but I think I'm past the point of caring now. I am so fed up of everyone hawking collagen. Sorry, but there I said it. Every January, without fail, it’s the same story. Powders, gummies, capsules and liquids, all promising plumper skin, fewer wrinkles, stronger joints and hair and nails you could apparently hammer a nail in with. And every year, I watch people spend their money on supplements that simply

I read an article the other day, I know, very old fashioned of me. Not a TikTok video or an Instagram reel, but an actual article in a magazine about how the health and wellness industry is expected to change this year. I’m not going to lie, I was shooketh! I’ve always felt fairly confident that I work in one of those industries where it would be difficult for AI to truly take over. I love what I do, and the idea of a robot not only doing my job but potentially doing it bett

I love yoga. I’ve been doing it for years. In fact, when I turned thirty, I made a pact with myself that I would try to practise yoga at least three times a week, and more often than not, I’ve actually stuck to it. It’s one of the few promises I’ve managed to keep consistently, which I’m actually really proud of. I’m not particularly a huge class person, not because I don’t enjoy them, but because I love the freedom that online classes give me. I can choose what I want to foc

I think it was Iliza Shlesinger who coined the term “elder millennial”, and I am absolutely one of them. Born slap bang in the middle of the category in 1985 and I tick pretty much every box. Two year old Emmaline modelling Nan's boots and hat I grew up in the 90s and early noughties with a love of all things tech, but without social media. Social media for my generation was MSN Messenger, where some of my best banter was learnt typing in those tiny little boxes, and later o

I’ve grown up loving beauty. All things beauty. From about the age of five, sitting with my Nana in Essentials Beauty Salon in Hale Barns, watching glamorous beauty therapists glide around in pristine white uniforms with full faces of makeup. God, I loved the 90s. The hair, the makeup, the huge amounts of effort made. Beauty kind of felt elegant and fun. And I still love beauty, that hasn’t changed. What I’m struggling with is this new level of beauty and I don’t think I’m al

Growing up, my mum used to say to me that money was the root of all evil, and for a long time I believed her without really questioning it. I absorbed it, accepted it, and carried it around as fact simply because it had been said often enough by someone I trusted. It wasn’t until my late twenties, sitting in a therapist’s chair, that this belief was actually challenged. She asked me how I felt about money and I repeated what I’d grown up hearing. She looked at me, genuinely p

I'm six months deep at this ripe old age and I’ve been thinking a lot about being forty and what that actually means. No, not in a panicky, existential crisis kind of way. More in a reflective kind of way. Since Covid hit in 2020, it’s somehow become completely acceptable, even fashionable, to not really make an effort anymore. No makeup. Joggers as daily wear. Trainers everywhere. The whole casual chic, clean girl aesthetic. Hair slicked back into a bun or ponytail because f

I’ve been thinking a lot about how I want to show up this year. Not just online, but in life in general. And I’ve made a decision. In 2026, I’m done with the noise. I’m done with the constant performing 'wellness', the same advice I hear over and over, the fear based marketing, scaremongering podcasts and social posts (don't drink water was one of my favourites from last year!) and the constant pressure to fix ourselves. I want to be more real. As in real real. Even if that

It's the week of Christmas, it's chaotic, busy and tiring. Yes your skincare is always still important, but if you look at your multi-step routine and think 'not today my friend' then this is a quick and easy routine for you. It will keep your skin still looking fresh without you feeling like you're doing a lot. This is the bare minimum I want you to do in the morning and evening. It is realistic, it will still keep your barrier intact and it still gives you results. Yes I wo

If you have left your Christmas shopping until the very end, you are in safe company. There is always one family member or friend who we seem to forget until the week before Christmas, and then panic sets in. No to worry though, everyone loves a luxurious, skincare gift… even if you ordered them while half watching a Christmas film in your pyjamas. So here it is, you’re last minute gift guide for when you need something lovely, quickly, that they will actually use. You might

If your December diary is full of drinks, dinners and parties, your skin is probably already preparing itself for what's to come. Extra sugar, fizz and late nights are a bit of a challenging combination for your skin barrier, collagen and breakouts, but you do not fear, I'm here to tell you how to keep your skin in tip top condition right through until the New Year. WHAT DO SUGAR, ALCOHOL AND LATE NIGHTS ACTUALLY DO TO YOUR SKIN? Sugar Festive food is usually a consistent rol

We spend so much time focusing on the face that the body often ends up being an afterthought. But here’s the truth: the skin on your body ages too, and often faster than you think. The difference is we rarely treat it with the same level of care. From sun exposure and hot showers to daily friction from clothes and lack of hydration, the skin on your body has its own challenges too. Over time, it loses elasticity, becomes drier, and can look dull or crepey. The good news is th

If you’ve ever sat in front of a mirror and pulled your cheeks up with your fingertips, wondering how to make that lifted version of your face stay permanently, welcome to the club. The truth is, jowls are something most of us will experience at some point, and they’re one of the most frustrating signs of ageing to treat. But before you start searching for miracle creams or DIY lifting gadgets that promise a “non-surgical facelift,” let’s talk about what’s really going on and

Let me start by saying this. I’m not one of those people who thinks everyone needs to be slathering retinoids on their face. In fact, most of them cause more irritation than results and I have no interest in skin peeling for the sake of it. Hello post inflammatory pigmentation! But when a retinoid is well formulated, barrier friendly and actually delivers visible results without the dreaded retinoid reaction, then yes, I will of course recommend it. WHY VITAMIN A MATTERS Vita

If there’s one thing that can make you look more tired than you feel, it’s puffy eyes. Whether it’s from lack of sleep, too much salt, allergies, hormones, stress or simply fluid retention, that morning swelling around the eyes can be stubborn - plus let's not forget that people love to tell you how tired you look too! The good news is that puffy eyes can be treated effectively if you know why they happen and how to get rid of them. Let’s start with the why... Puffiness aroun

If there’s one thing that can make or break your skincare routine, it’s the order in which you put things on. Think of your skin like a sponge. If you pour oil on it first, it's going to be near impossible to get anything else to soak in after that. But if you layer the right way, everything works harder, penetrates deeper and gives you much better results. I promise this isn’t complicated. You just need to go from light to heavy. Water-based first, richer textures last. That