Archive copy by Jenni Baden Howard

“I’ve given up on high-maintenance hair. Not only do I not have the patience for it, I don’t have the time. These days, I rely on a really great, short hair cut instead.
“Most of the time I’m way too lazy to moisturise below my collarbone - for some reason, shrivelling knees don’t generate the same all-consuming panic that a shrivelled neck does – so I invented a product in my Soap & Glory line called Easy Glistening. It’s a fragranced body oil that you can spray all over in seconds, on anything from scaly shins to slumping, post-partum tummy.
“I love Ruby & Millie’s wine-coloured Face Gloss. After a rough night of ‘sick kid’, a couple of quick swishes on the cheeks can simulate six hours of sleep. Also, on a puffy-eyed morning, I don a pair of gorgeous sunglasses – I love the Histoire de Voir line from Connolly – and a swish of lip gloss.
“I must admit a mild addiction to eyelash extensions. They glue them on, so you don’t have to wear mascara for months. I go to Jinny Lash in London.
“Another fantastic trick is to use a really rough file – like the kind used on acrylic nail extensions - for buffing the dry and hard skin off the sides of your nails. They also work really well on cracked and hardened heels.
“As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realised that if you’re over thirty and wear dark lipstick, you’ve got a 50/50 chance of being mistaken for a man. Unfortunately, most women don’t realise this until they see themselves in a photograph. Take my word for it and stick with sheer and/or slightly shimmery shades that visibly plump-up your pout.
“In an effort to reduce my EIS – that’s “exhaustion-induced-squinting” – wrinkles, I often lie on the floor on a hot water bottle to loosen up my back muscles. I found a gorgeous aromatherapeutic one by This Works.”

Marcia Kilgore, founder of the Bliss spa empire and Soap & Glory product range

“When I’m at home, I don’t wear much make-up at all – I’m a lazybones and slob around in tracksuits. But when I’m at work I need make-up that’s going to last all day. I always start by applying Clarins’ Beauty Flash Balm because it helps your make-up stay on for much longer and keeps your skin quite plump so it doesn’t look dried out – it’s a great little trick.
“My favourite foundation is Prescriptives’ Photocrome Light Adjusting Make-Up – it’s an all-in-one, so it’s really quick and it feels lovely on and not at all drying. Then, for a bit of colour, I love Lancaster’s Terracotta make-up range – I use the bronzing powders to give me an instant boost when I’m feeling pasty. In summer, you can wear it on its own.
“I dye my own eyebrows and eyelashes at home using the Colorsport kit from Boots and my most favourite eyeliner in the world - and one of the cheapest – is one by 17 (also at Boots) in Royal Mink. It’s a very soft, natural-looking taupe – it’s not at all hard, so you don’t look like you’ve got too much make-up on. Mascara-wise, I’ve found that any of the Lancome ones are fantastic and they really last. Any inexpensive, clear mascara is great for ‘fixing’ eyebrows.
“To keep lipstick on, I always use Lipcote first and my favourite lip colour at the moment is Clinique’s Colour Surge Butter Shine Lipstick in I’m Yours, which is a very pale pink.
“I file my nails square and short and only wear clear polish as I’m permanently chipping it and no one notices. If you’ve got colour on that looks awful.
“In the bath, I always use products from The White Company Flowers Bath & Body range – it’s a pretty, citrus-floral scent – and, for the face, I’m devoted to the Eve Lom Cleanser. It’s just amazing and has totally transformed my skin – now I won’t use anything else. I think the Estée Lauder Renutriv face creams are absolutely fantastic, too.
“I try and drink at least two litres of water a day. I’ve never been very good about this but I think we underestimate what drinking water does for the body. I always feel as if I have much more energy when I manage it.’

Chrissie Rucker, founder, The White Company

“I don’t like to wear a lot of make-up. For me, the perfect beauty product is the multi-functional sort that allows me to simply make-up and go. For “on the run” beauty, I swear by the Pixi Hydrotint Duo. It’s a fast, easy-to-use formula that replaces the need for a separate moisturiser and foundation. It also has light-diffusing pigments that help diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This one product always gives me radiant, healthy-looking skin - instantly and effortlessly - and you can use the coloured ‘nib’ to give a fresh flush of colour to the cheeks and lips, too.”

Petra Strand, co-founder of Pixi cosmetics

“A good concealer can make the most immediate and dramatic difference to how you look. It lightens dark circles, brightens up your face and makes you look well-rested. Look for a creamy, yellow-based formula that’s one shade lighter than your skin tone.
“For super-sheer, fresh-looking foundation, try applying your moisturiser with a make-up sponge and then use that same sponge to smooth on your foundation.
“Apply your make-up so it lasts. The key to this is to apply a sheer, loose powder with a puff – I love velour puffs! – which will keep your make-up from evaporating during the day.
“For a pretty glow, after applying your make-up simply warm a rich moisturising balm - such as the Bobbi Brown Extra Soothing Balm - in your hands, and then gently pat it onto your cheeks.”

Bobbi Brown, celebrity make-up artist and founder of Bobbi Brown cosmetics

“I used to be quite lazy about skincare but I’m much more aware now of the benefits of looking after my skin. But I still prefer a very simple routine: I use the Eve Lom Cleanser, morning and evening, followed by a moisturiser. I’ve always applied whichever moisturiser came to hand but I was lucky enough to be given an amazing array of Crème de la Mer products recently and I have noticed an enormous difference. My skin is much less temperamental and more even-looking, so unfortunately for my pocket I think I am hooked!
“I don’t like to wear much make-up during the day but I will use a little Lancome concealer if need be and blusher – I like BeneFit’s Powder Blush in Pinch Me … I’m Dreaming, or one of their bronzing powders if I have the remnants of a tan to enhance!
“If I have a meeting to attend, I will also apply some mascara – at the moment, my mascara is No 7 one which came free on the front of a magazine but I really like it, so I’ll be buying more! And a little Nars Single Eyeshadow in Night Star, which is barely noticeable but just adds a soft shimmer to your eyelids.
“I use whichever clear lip product that comes to hand – having two babies, invariably that is Vaseline but I also like those by BeneFit and my amazing new Crème de la Mer lip salve!
“I like to carry a small phial of perfume to uplift me during the day, too – I prefer classics, such as Creed or Chanel No 5.”

Charlotte Pearl, designer of the Pink Lining handbag range and signature “Yummy Mummy” bags

“My all-time must-have is my multi-purpose, intensive moisturising balm with essential oils – the Liz Earle Superbalm – and I’m never without a jar in my handbag. I use it to keep my lips soft and glossy, cuticles well-conditioned and even rub it through the ends of my hair to prevent flyaways and static frizz. It also doubles as a great toddler distractor – being allowed to scoop out some of “Mummy’s magic cream” to dab onto small-size lips and cheeks has staved off many a tantrum!”

Liz Earle, natural beauty expert, author and founder of Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare

“With two young kids and a company growing fast, my life is pretty hectic right now. As I travel quite often, I always have a vanity case full of my essentials. This “survival kit” includes my eyelash curler, a tinted moisturiser, Lancome mascara, Caudelie Lip Conditioner and BeneFit’s BeneTint lip stain, which I apply on top. I use a Clinique concealer to cover up dark circles and to cope with jet lag, my Caudelie Eye Contour cream.
In my handbag, I always carry my Fleur de Vigne fragrance – it immediately transports me to my family vineyard in May, when it’s all in bloom – and the Eau de Beauté face mist. I also try to drink two litres of water a day and have light dinners!”

Mathilde Thomas, co-founder of the Laboratoire Caudelie skincare range and spas