Morning Routines & 2026 Beauty Wishlists
Check out my 6am Beauty Routine + The 8 Products We Shall Be Testing in 2026 💄
A note from Donna 💌
Happy Monday and Happy New Year!
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Why the "New Term" Feeling is Real
There’s a start of new school term feeling in the air isn’t there? To be honest, I didn’t sleep that well last night. It’s not because I have anything scary happening in my life today/this week/any time soon. It’s that New Year buzz. It can feel invigorating and exciting, but also pressurized.
If you’re feeling the same, I wanted to share my everyday morning routine 👇🏼
It’s not particularly fancy or ground breaking, but I think that’s why it’s good to share. It helps me start everyday fresh. It’s my anchor. Although there’s one thing in there that needs work (I’m sure you have the same habit too), it’s pretty good at getting me in the right frame of mind to seize the day as they say.
🤝 Donna’s 2026 Morning Morning Beauty & Wellness Routine
New year, same old routine…
6.30 AM (although this morning it was 5 am as I was worrying about my mum’s boiler - don’t ask!).
Because it was an early morning, the first thing I did was pick up my phone! My bad 😞I am meant to be keeping my phone in another room, but it’s my alarm clock right now so I need a new way of waking up. Doom scrolling is not a good way to set yourself up for the day is it?
I THEN GET OUT OF BED to the cats hanging around my feet as I am the one that feeds them.
They join me in the bathroom - Lily is always in my sink - where I brush my teeth, put in my contacts and put on my gym gear.
I HAVE A PRE-GYM SKIN ROUTINE which takes a minute.
It consists of rinsing my face with a damp cloth - Donna May London do some lovely ones). Then I apply a Vit C serum - I’m currently using CeraVe Skin Renewing 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum.
As it’s still dark outside and I’m going straight to the gym, I follow up with face cream and skip SPF. Today, I actually used a neck cream by Absolute Collagen as I have just finished their Deep Lift Collagen Boosting Day Cream and I loved the rich texture, so I thought I’d try the neck version which is a little richer but totally fine for the face too (I don’t believe in using separate creams for the face and neck).
I finish off with a swipe of lip balm (can’t leave the house without applying it). I currently have the Kyushi one in my cupboard.
AFTER THE GYM (I go to Orangetheory) I HAVE A SHOWER AND REPEAT THE ABOVE SKINCARE ROUTINE PLUS…
SPF: I am currently loving ROC Retinol Correxion Wrinkle Correct Daily Moisturiser SPF30.
TESTOSTERONE CREAM: cos, you know…horomones!
BODY CREAM: This step is as important to me in the morning as brushing my teeth. I love all of Soap & Glory’s body butters and lotions (sold in Walgreens in US and Boots in UK). I applied the Orchid Bliss Body Lotion this morning which is exclusive to the US but if you’re in the UK, you can try their original scent which I love.
A SKIN TINT: Beauty Pie Superluminous Tinted Skin Glow Serum helps even out my skin tone.
& BLUSH: Today it was Merit Flush Balm in Stockholm. I applied a little to my lips too.
OH & FRAGRANCE TOO! Cos’ I can’t start my day without a spritz. This morning it was Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess.
FINALLY…BREAKFAST!
I thought you’d like to see what I eat most days for breakfast too (it’s all about protein and good fats).
There’s nothing quite like having a nosy on what people do behind closed doors is there? Which is why this week on my podcast I asked consultant dermatologist, Dr. Sam Bunting, to share her morning routine too. The episode airs on Thursday, so make sure you follow my podcast, Smiling Gives You Wrinkles to get the notification.
🏃🏻♀️ To keep the New Year theme going…
I also thought it would be fun for me and The Beauty Ed® team to share some new stuff too.
🥁The Beauty Brands & Products We Want to Try in 2026
Here’s a sneak peak into a few of our 2026 must-try items:
1. Saie Glowy Supergel
Saie is such a cool girl brand and to be honest, the only reason I haven’t tried out the products is because I’m too indecisive and I want it all. Greedy, I know. Their Glowy Supergel went viral at the end of last year but they just have such an array of gorgeous, clean, products! You should also follow Saie’s founder, Laney Crowell, on Instagram - it’s full of inspiring girl boss talk and general beauty fun.
2. Lolavie Glossing Detangler
As someone with super long hair, I am always on the hunt for a great detangler - especially for pool days or long beach days (I spend about 99% of my beach time in the ocean). I still haven’t found “the one,” but Lolavie Glossing Detangler might be it. With over 14 awards and ingredients like lemon peptides, ceramides, bamboo extract, and a trademarked B-PRO3 bonding agent, it checks all the boxes. And honestly, anything Jennifer Aniston approved? Sign me up for that Rachel Green (from Friends!) hair!
❤️ Hayley
3. Victoria Beckham The Foundation Drops
It’s very annoying that these are out-of-stock right now, but not surprising as everyone has been raving about them. I mean, pretty much everything from VB Beauty is gorgeous and The Foundation Drops sound right up my street. They have added skincare, give skin a sheer natural finish with lots of glow. What’s not to love. Will share my thoughts once I get hold of a bottle!
🐞 Donna
4. Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray
My 2026 haircare wish list has only one non-negotiable rule: nothing I’ve already tried. Which brings me to Color Wow, a brand I’ve somehow managed to admire from a distance, despite years of being deeply invested in the pursuit of smooth, glossy, well-behaved hair.
It first came onto my radar via a friend I met in Italy, one of those girls blessed (and cursed) with big, naturally frizzy, loose curls much like my own. Since then, I’ve heard nothing but convincing praise. At the top of my list is the Dream Coat Supernatural Spray, mostly because it feels perfect for people like me: highly sensitive to humidity, committed to silkiness, and trying (earnestly) to be kinder to their hair in the year ahead.
What I love is the practicality. Anti-frizz, built-in heat protection, and designed for use on damp hair; ideal for enhancing natural texture rather than fighting it. Consider this my official declaration: 2026 is the year I stop battling my natural hair and start working with it. And if Color Wow is the product that gets me there, I’m listening!
5. Perelel Triple-Support Protein
Protein powders can be tricky. I often struggle to find one I truly trust, mostly because I don’t fully understand all the technical and clinical jargon. I usually rely on word of mouth and a good friend I completely trust gave me this one to try! Perelel’s protein is a simple, one-step routine (key for someone who can be a little lazy about health aka me—limited time, always running out the door). It’s doctor-developed, sustainable, plant-based, and the creamy vanilla flavor definitely doesn’t hurt.
❤️ Hayley
6. Haus Labs Glassy Lip + Cheek Sticks
Everyone knows the hype around the Armani Luminous Silk foundation, and the only other foundation I’ve heard that rivals it is the Haus Labs one. Normally, I’m a little sceptical about celebrity beauty brands (Haus Labs belongs to Lady Gaga, btw!), but I’ve heard nothing but good things (their makeup is skincare-infused!) They also have these amazing Glassy Lip + Cheek sticks, which many other beauty writers rave about and I need to get my hands on one ASAP.
7. Merit Signature Lip Sheer Lip Liner
I love a lip liner - but it must be creamy and pigmented. I like to slightly overline because my top lip is pretty thin and then fill in for a full base color. I’ve been seeing this liner by Merit everywhere, especially in the shade Brownstone, and I’m officially influenced. It’s a hydrating, all-over lip color with a jojoba complex, and the twist-up design means no sharpener required—which is always a win.
❤️ Hayley
8. DS & DURGA FRAGRANCE
DS & Durga is a New York-based immersive fragrance brand. Listen, I’m a simple girl - the second I hear New York is involved, my interest is absolutely piqued. They’ve been around for a little while (est. 2008), but have recently expanded into more physical retail spaces in the UK. Time to get experimenting!
Here’s Paloma sharing why she’s chosen her 2026 picks…
Help Me Build The Monday Moodboard 💌
As we step into this year, I want Monday Moodboard to be your most helpful beauty resource.
What are you struggling with? * Do you want more “Get Ready With Me” videos?
Need a specific product tested before you buy?
Want a deep dive into a skincare ingredient?
These are my favorite 💕