I grew up in Miami, but my family moved there from Cuba so we always ate good, healthy, Cuban food and as I’ve got older I’ve understood more and more the importance of having a good relationship with food; a good connection to nature. I now live somewhere where there’s a lot of green; I wake up to a view of fields and the sound of birds chirping and it’s made such a huge difference to my happiness and overall wellbeing. It’s also important for me that my daughter grows up in a space like this.
Speaking of my daughter, having her has made me realise how important sleep is for beauty... it’s SO important! Our skin reflects what’s happening on the inside, and mine has changed from the lack of sleep – it’s dried out quite a bit. I’m not upset about it; it is what it is – I’m a mother now and I wouldn’t have it the other way around. But I want my skin to feel good and look fresh, so I’m making an effort to drink more water and, more than ever, I’m keeping up my collagen shots. My go-to is a New Nordic Collagen Shot every morning to get all of its amazing benefits.
When I really need some sleep, I like to use New Nordic Melissa Dream supplement. It’s great because unlike some other sleep aids, this lets you get a good night’s sleep (thanks to lemon balm, chamomile and magnesium) but doesn’t leave you with that groggy feeling the next day – I wake up feeling alert and ready to go. I love mornings, so that’s important to me. I mostly wake up feeling energised in a calm and zen way. And I feel most beautiful in the morning; there's something special about that time of day... I’m always in a good mood when I wake up! Opening the blind, letting in the sun, freshening up with a shower – I love it.
Janette's beauty must-haves
Sculpted by Aimee Connolly Second Skin Dewy Finish Foundation
Over the last couple of years I've been using less in the way of creams and lotions, and more in the way of supplements for my skin. I find that the more attention I pay to what I put in my body, the more it shows through my skin. But there are some products I'll always use; I've been looking after my skin since I was young, and I like to do it as organically as possible. I use a lovely small brand called Dalú Natural Skincare, and then my Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF50 over the top. I also love New Nordic’s Natural Magic Anti-Ageing Cream (it smells great).
The other thing I need from my skincare, mainly due to a combination of my age and years of living in Miami in my early teens without wearing much sunscreen, is something to treat the little areas of pigmentation I've started to see. I've found a really good product from Niod called Re:Pigment; I use it at night and it's definitely reducing the dark spots. I also really like Rimmel's Sun Shimmer Instant Tan for some colour without the sun exposure. It's waterproof, easy to apply, and it stays on for hours, even when I'm dancing. It’s got a lovely shimmery glow to it and makes you look like you’ve just returned from a trip to Spain.
I’m obsessed with Kate Winslet; I’m completely inspired by her. The way she speaks about ageing – I find myself euphoric listening to her because she makes it sound beautiful, which it is! There is beauty in ageing. I’m embracing my little wrinkles! Never say never, but at the moment I’m really adamant about not using injectables as I get older because firstly, I’m too scared and secondly, I feel like there has to be a more natural way to do it. I generally try to follow as natural a path as possible, and I like the idea of going into my older years with grace.
When I wear makeup I want to look as ‘me’ as possible, but the best version of that. I'm obsessed with Sculpted by Aimee Connolly Second Skin Foundation – it’s so soft and lightweight but still gives good coverage – and under it I use Spectrum’s Glowful Primer, which gives the foundation a dewy finish. And mascara is an essential for me because I love big fluffy lashes. At the moment I’m using Spectrum Dark Matter Mascara, which makes my eyelashes look like pretty feathers. And Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Crayon Lipstick – I talk a lot so lipstick doesn’t always stay on too well but this one lasts all day!
I’ve always taken really good care of my hair – I never colour it and outside of performing, I like it to feel as natural as possible. For years I’ve used Living Proof products – I think they’re amazing and I find that the Restore Repair Mask really smooths split ends.
I’m addicted to candles! I have so many at home. I love Neom Organics: De-Stress and Calm & Relax are two of my favourites. I believe aromatherapy really does help calm you. At night I light a candle and use a pillow spray to de-clutter my mind, disconnect and wind down. During the day I get my scent fix from Penhaligon’s Elisabethan Rose. I love it. It's elegant, classy, fresh, and I wear it everywhere I go – from the red carpet to the shop around the corner. If you're smelling Elisabethan Rose, you're smelling Janette!
See Janette on Strictly: It Takes Two, week nights at 6.30pm on BBC2 and BBC iPlayer, and in her UK dance tour with Aljaž, A Night To Remember, commencing 2025
Janette is an ambassador for New Nordic.
