Smiling Gives You Wrinkles

Donna Francis
  • 5.0 (15)
  • Health & Fitness
  • Updated Weekly

Award-winning Beauty Editor, Donna Francis has spent the last 25 years helping women feel comfortable in their skin and with Smiling Gives You Wrinkles, Donna shares relatable and inspiring stories and expert advice to help women age with unapologetic joy and self-acceptance.

  1. 1d ago

    The Big 5-0, Reflecting, and Why I’m Taking a Summer Pause 🪭

    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

    7 min

  2. Jun 25

    5 Ways to Survive the Summer Heat & Still Look Half Decent

    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 RoutineYou 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: InstagramYou Tube And don't forget to: Email me with any of your questions: donna@thebeautyed.comListen & 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!

    26 min

  3. Jun 18

    F*ck It, I'm 50: Standing in Your Worth & Career Pivots in Midlife

    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 "F**k 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

    20 min

  4. Jun 11

    NEW No7 Skincare, What's In My Makeup Bag & Those CeraVe Headlines

    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 🐞

    33 min

  5. Jun 4

    Sweaty Skin & Pasty Legs: What TV Makeup Artists Actually Use

    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 IRLHow 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!

    44 min

  6. May 28

    Why I Still Dye My Hair And 6 Skincare Products I Will Be Using In My Fifties

    Am I a complete hypocrite if I champion pro-aging but still cover my greys? This week, I get honest about my own mental blocks with going grey and the irony of writing a feature for Woman & Home about embracing my age without ever touching Botox. Plus, I chat about the products I currently use to keep my skin in its best condition. I hope you enjoy and see you next week! Don't forget to connect with meWebsite: thebeautyed.comInstagram: @thebeautyedSubstack: My Skin Type Is SoberMentorship Program: THE LAB Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode! See you next week!

    16 min

  7. May 21

    What The Hell Are Peptides? And Does Your Skin Need Them?

    It feels like every beauty brand is yelling at us about peptides right now. They’re promising "Botox in a bottle," instant youth, and total skin transformation. And in my 25+ years as a beauty editor, I've seen many ingredient trends come and go - some are a waste of time, but some are actually worth jumping on - and peptides definitely fall into the latter category. So to break past the glossy marketing campaigns and get the real, clinical truth about peptides, I sat down with my brilliant friend and top dermatologist, Dr. Justine Kluk to find out what they actually are and how they actually work. Here is a list of the products mentioned in this episode: Medik8 Liquid Peptides My absolute go-to for high-tech skin smoothing and glow. SkinCeuticals P-TIOX The formula Dr. Kluk loves. I don't buy that anything is Botox in a Bottle but after trying it for a few weeks I'm impressed with the glowy finish it gives my skin. Beauty Pie Youthbomb™ 360° Radiance Concentrate This contains 18 skin-strengthening peptides to target dryness and firmness. No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal UV Defence Shield SPF 50 Love this for everyday protection and peptide repair! It's a great makeup primer too. Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair This has been part of my skincare routine for years and the one I always recommend to my friends. I'm also going to add this list to my website thebeautyed.com - don't forget to subscribe if you visit! And also, don't forget to follow me on Instagram and also Smiling Gives You Wrinkles®

    19 min

  8. May 14

    What Should I Buy at Target and CVS? A British Beauty Editor Shares Her Wishlist

    When I moved from London to St. Pete Beach in 2021, I thought my years as a Beauty Editor for titles like The Daily Mail and Cosmopolitan, and even working at Boots, meant I knew a lot about brands and the products available. But I was wrong. The American drugstore is a different beast - the choice is overwhelming! And since appearing on Channel 4's Escape to Florida, the number one question I get from my British followers is: 'What beauty products should I actually buy when I visit America?' So in this episode, I'm sharing my latest 'American Drugstore Haul,' and talking you through the US exclusives that me and my friends love. Products mentioned include: The Target Finds Vacation® Sun Care: The Classic Whip SPF 30 is a must for the texture alone, plus the Chardonnay Lip Oil.Odele Haircare: Grab the Air Dry Styler - it’s the only thing that handles Florida humidity for my wavy hair.Pixi Hello Kitty: The US Pixi makeup range is much broader; look for the limited edition blushers and palettes. 2. The Drugstore Exclusives (CVS & Walmart) CeraVe US-Only Formulas: The SA Body Wash (miracle for "chicken skin") and the Skin Renewing Retinol Serum (purple label) are hard to find in the UK.Aquaphor Ointment Spray: A dermatologist favorite for dry skin and grazes that’s much easier to find here.Neutrogena Glow Perfect Pen: A brilliant, affordable dupe for the YSL Touche Éclat.Maybelline Baby Lips: This is another one my best friend Leah buys all the time. Specifically, the cherry shade in the orange and red packaging! They are tinted lip balms that leave a really lovely wash of color on the lips.Olay Skincare Body Washes: Huge bottles with high-performance ingredients like Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid. 3. The "Boring" But Brilliant Essentials Tide To Go Pens: Essential for clumsy travelers (and kids!).Welly Band-Aids: High-quality plasters in cute, reusable tins.Advil PM / Melatonin: My go-to for beating the jet lag on the red eye flight back to London. I am also going to add this list to my website thebeautyed.com - don't forget to subscribe if you visit! And also, don't forget to follow me on Instagram and also Smiling Gives You Wrinkles®

    23 min
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About

Award-winning Beauty Editor, Donna Francis has spent the last 25 years helping women feel comfortable in their skin and with Smiling Gives You Wrinkles, Donna shares relatable and inspiring stories and expert advice to help women age with unapologetic joy and self-acceptance.

Information

  • Creator
    Donna Francis
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    67
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Donna Francis
  • Show Website
    Smiling Gives You Wrinkles

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