Rosie Green

Beauty journalist and columnist Rosie Green (@lifesrosie) began her obsession with beauty after winning a writing competition at Vogue and, as part of her prize, a month’s internship. She went on to intern at Elle before going on to become their beauty director and then joined Red magazine where she was, not only their beauty editor-at-large but also the author of the much-loved column, Life’s Rosie. Here, she divulges some of her all-time favourite products, as well as the regulars she always turns to when she wants to wind down…

Rosie Green

The Wind Down

Sunday evenings are sacrosanct in our house. After a tough year my kids and I use this time to recharge and bond.  We snuggle on the sofa under a pile of blankets and try to agree on something to watch on TV.  (N.B. This usually involves UN levels of negotiation). During this time I’ll probably multi task and paint my nails and I’ll try and prep for the week by booking up classes at my gym (TRX and relax yoga – basically lying in a darkened room – minimal effort required).  Then I look at the scrawls in my Smythson diary (am I the last person alive to use paper?) and try and decipher where I’m supposed to be when.

There’s not much that makes me happier than the twinkle of fairy lights.  In the winter I have multiple sets of them timed to come on when it gets dark outside. I love candles too, although I’m often paralyzed by thinking they are too beautiful to actually light.  I am a major fan of Jo Loves Christmas Layered Candle and the room illuminating effect of the Diptyque Carousel Set.

Sunday nights are the only time I really indulge in a bath. I have a big, luxurious tub and I wait until it’s dark and the children are occupied (nothing worse than young ‘visitors’ coming for a chat – however much you might love them). Then I’ll wallow until my fingers prune. I always add in a bath oil. Aromatherapy Associates Deep Relax Bath And Shower Oil is a classic for a reason. It works. And I absolutely must have a magazine or a newspaper supplement to read. It inevitably gets soggy! Experts I’ve interviewed say a bath before bed helps aid sleep. (Apparently the temperature drop experienced after you get out signals to the body it’s time for zzzz).

Rosie Green

The Routine

As a beauty editor I think I’ve tried every product in existence. After twenty years I’ve now learnt less is more, and that a tight edit of targeted products is key to calm and healthy skin. I have rosacea, so I need to be really selective about what goes on my face. Because my skin feels red, scratchy and dry, the temptation is to load on unctuous creams and balms – but dermatologists tell me that’s counter productive. Instead I just remove eye makeup with a micellar water like Chantecaille Rose Eye Make Remover.  (Tip: soak the pads and let them sit on the lashes for a minute to let the formula penetrate before wiping them. This means less dragging on the eyes).  Then I use a gentle cleanser like Sisley Paris Lyslait Cleansing Milk – really massaging it in to get the circulation going.  Masks are generally not my friend (much too much for my skin) but sheet masks infused with hyaluronic acid cool and plump without overloading it. I love Sarah Chapman Skinesis 3D Moisture Infusion Masks or Colbert MD Illumino Anti-Ageing Brightening Mask. Afterwards I apply prescription cream Soolantra (I use Rosex in the morning) or a retinol product (either prescription Ketrel or Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream).

Now my hair has so much more colour (pesky greys!) I need to give it more TLC.  I usually wash my hair on a Sunday and let it air dry naturally. I love Living Proof Colour Care ShampooThen I use Christophe Robin Hydrating Melting Mask – combing it down vertically so it coats every strand.   Then about once a month I’ll use his Cleansing Purifying Scrub, which gets rid of any build up and flakiness and leaves my hair feeling super clean and airy.  I rinse this out with the showerhead rather than in the bath water otherwise the oil makes my hair limp! After the bath I put my hair in an Aquis Hair Turban and pat rather than rub it dry.  (This controls the frizz). Then I’ll spritz in some Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray so it behaves better and looks glossier.

I have started body brushing (because the make-up artist Ruby Hammer told me to and she has skin that looks like it’s been permanently airbrushed). I find a gorgeous smelling shower gel is the ultimate luxury. I like Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Shower Gel and Acqua Di Parma Colonia Bath & Shower Gel.  I’m a bit lazy about moisturizing but Ameliorate Transforming Body Lotion really does make skin smoother and softer.

Rose Green

Bedtime

Bedtime is all about a book or a magazine. I’m pretending to read Zadie Smith’s latest, but really I’m ploughing through Bill Bryson’s The Body, which is pretty dense so acts as a great sleeping aid. After reading I’ll use a hand cream – This Works Perfect Hands Intense Moisture.  Sometimes I’ll spritz the heavenly Votary Pillow Spray.  And then ear plugs go in. And the Slip Silk Sleep Mask goes on.  I get a lot of sleep from 10.30pm or 11 till 6.30am. Before I go to sleep I try and list all things that I’m grateful for.  Then I’ll pad down the corridor and give my sleeping children a final kiss good night.

On Monday I’ll generally bounce out of bed. I’ll de-frizz my hair with tongs.  Cleanse my face. Then apply prescription Lumigan to my lashes to make them long and luscious (https://www.medicetics.com/). I start prepping the kids breakfast and turn on Radio 4 to get the only news I’ll hear all day. Once is enough these days!

rosie green