I felt a lot more comfortable in myself when I reached my late 30s. At around 13, I remember feeling embarrassed about my appearance, because I didn’t look like everyone else. I had a growth spurt six months into secondary school and I was a giant. I was so conscious of my height and my legs, and I used to give myself a really hard time. I wish I hadn’t done that. With age, I’ve learned that sometimes you have wobbles, but you will get over them and feel better with time.
I grew up in a very ‘outdoorsy’ household. We’d always be out and about; I wasn’t the ‘sitting still’ type. Now, even when I’m on holiday, I’ll go for a run in the morning. I’ve really come to love fitness training, to the point that I developed my own app (flexyfitapp.com). It’s for everyone, but especially those who are just starting out. You notice the health benefits of exercise so quickly, plus weight training is really important for anyone over 40. The key to getting into exercise is treating it like a meeting. Get it done and you’ll instantly feel so much better.
My beauty cupboard is full to the brim. I’m obsessed with skincare; I’m forever trying new brands and finding out about the next big thing, but I often come back to Ren and Medik8. I use Ren Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic every night and Medik8 makes the most amazingly potent vitamin C serums; I wear Medik8 C-Tetra during the day. I change my routine with the seasons, but I’ll always use an eye cream, serum and moisturiser, topped with SPF. My mum drilled the importance of wearing sunscreen into me, as she didn’t use it when she was younger and has said that’s one of her big regrets.
REN Skincare Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic
I layer on eyelash serum because I have spindly little eyelashes. UKLash Eyelash Growth Serum really works to thicken them. At nighttime, I do a double cleanse and use Elizabeth Arden Retinol+ HPR Ceramide Capsules Rapid Skin Renewing Serum. The burst of serum in each capsule is so lovely and the formula is gentle, too.
Elizabeth Arden Retinol + HPR Ceramide Capsules Rapid Skin-Renewing Serum
It’s best to assume that I have self-tan on at all times. If I’m ever feeling a bit rotten, applying a layer of my Bare By Vogue Williams Self-Tan Foam in Ultra Dark instantly makes me feel so much better. My face is always far paler than my body, so I use Bare By Vogue Williams Face Tanning Serum in Medium three times a week before bed to look less grey. In the past, self-tan turned me too orange or wasn’t moisturising enough. In making my own, I’ve created the perfect ‘two weeks on holiday’ colours, and each product has skincare benefits – plus they fade evenly without appearing scaly.
I love a ‘glowy’ look and for skin to look like skin. Using self-tan means I don’t have to put quite so much makeup on, although Max Factor Facefinity Multi Perfector Concealer glides on like a dream and helps to disguise the shadows around my eyes in the morning. Speaking of which, I used to wear heavy, dark eye makeup, but I go for more natural shades now. Irish makeup artist Sarah Keary’s By SK Face & Eye Palette of Dreams is perfect. And I’m never without Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Pillow Talk; I wear it every day.
I’m beyond lazy when it comes to styling my hair. I aim to do the absolute least possible, with a view to making that last as long as I can. I’ve worn extensions my whole life, although I’ve only got a few in at the moment. I’m sticking to a bob for now because it’s so easy to manage. I do look after my hair well, though. I use K18 Leave-in Molecular Repair Hair Mask and try not to blow-dry it too much. When I’m not air-drying my hair, I love the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer and I create waves with my ghd Curve Creative Curl Wand.
My favourite ‘treat to self’ is going for a facial. I book in for laser treatments at Debbie Thomas’s clinic in London whenever I can. The team talks me through every step, and I love it; I’m not the type to drift off during a treatment – I want to know exactly what’s happening and how I should be looking after my skin. I’ve learned so much since going there but I probably also drive the poor therapists mad.
There’s one fragrance I drench myself in as soon as I reach duty-free. It’s Tom Ford Neroli Portofino EDP, and it’s my holiday scent. My auntie also gave me a bottle of Frédéric Malle Portrait of a Lady EDP a year ago and I’ve worn that for special occasions ever since.
I love the simple rituals that make up a day. My morning starts with cuddles in bed with at least one of my children, then I find the other two for more hugs. It ends with me having a chat with my husband, Spencer [Matthews], before putting my earplugs in and eye mask on, then I fall straight to sleep. A great thing about getting older is finding that kind of contentment. I feel settled in a way I haven’t before, and I’ve figured out what I want in life.
Vogue is the founder of Bare By Vogue Williams self-tan and co-presenter of the My Therapist Ghosted Me and Spencer and Vogue podcasts
