Why Julia Roberts is Fixing My Beauty Fatigue
PLUS mood-boosting picks from Glossier, Weleda, and Sweed.
A note from Donna 💌
Happy Monday!
How is everyone?
To be honest, I’ve been suffering from a dose of ‘beauty fatigue’ this New Year. It’s a hypocritical admission from someone whose job it is to inspire you with beautiful things.
I think it is because we are drowning in products.
I think we’ve become obsessed with buying things that promise to fix us.
We doom-scroll through TikTok and Instagram and are force-fed images of a beauty standard that is literally impossible to attain.
Then when we look in the mirror, we’re conditioned to feel ‘less than.’
Everyone is starting to look the same.
We’re all following the same blueprint.
I want to move away from comparison culture and the idea that if you want to look like [Insert Latest Hollywood Name], you must buy this product or have that treatment.
I want to talk about products, people and trends that celebrate individualistic beauty and help you express who you already are.
It’s about feeling, not just looking a certain way.
Take Julia Roberts at the Golden Globes last night. She completely stole the show for me - not because she was trying to look perfect, but because she was so genuinely herself.
After losing out on the award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture for her role in After the Hunt, (which was won by Hamnet's Jessie Buckley), Julia got a warm and humbling standing ovation when presenting the award for Best Motion Picture (which went to the movie One Battle After Another).
What shone through? Her genuine warmth and personality…
“I’m gonna be impossible for at least a week. I appreciate that.” JR
I also loved that Julia showed up wearing quirky jewelry. Amidst the high-octane glamour and her plunging Armani Privè gown, she wore an oversized strawberry pendant with a matching ring.
🍓 Julia’s strawberry jewelry choices were quirky and random.
🐞 They reminded me so much of The Beauty Ed® ladybird.
They were her ‘thing’ and allowed her beauty in that moment to go beyond her skin and hair (both of which looked gorgeous anyway).
The strawberries signaled a confidence that Julia is OK with embracing what makes her quirky and individual. She wasn’t following a trend or trying to look like anyone else.
People will likely rush out to copy Julia’s “strawberry look,” and that’s fine, but the real lesson isn’t the jewelry - it’s the permission to be yourself.
So in the spirit of feeling good rather than looking perfect, I asked The Beauty Ed® team to share their ultimate mood-boosting beauty picks this week.
I hope you enjoy
Donna 🐞
🐞Our Fav Beauty Mood-Boosters
1. Glossier You: The Cosy Skin-Scent Enhancer
Sometimes it feels like we have to physically drag ourselves through winter, what with the cold days, dark afternoons and general lack of sun. But what better to put a little pep in my step than talking about my favourite winter pick-me-up products!? I think it’s really a case of look good, feel good.
Over the past year or so I’ve really been getting into fragrances. I know many people have a single, signature scent, but for now, I’m loving to experiment with different ones all the time. One that I’ve found to be particularly cosy for the winter is Glossier You (the original one!) It has notes of pink pepper, iris and ambrette - somehow smelling warm and fresh all at the same time. I know it’s a popular scent but because of it’s chemistry, it’s designed to smell different on everyone. It reacts with your pH levels, natural oils and pheromones to create a scent that’s uniquely (Glossier) you.
❤️Paloma
2. Benefit Benetint: The Pick-Me-Up Blush
I’ve loved Benefit Benetint for years, and for good reason. Three little drops truly make me feel lighter and wide awake.
I’m a sucker for anything multipurpose, and this delivers: I dot it onto my cheeks, add a touch to the bridge of my nose, and finish with a swipe on my lips. The result is effortless, natural brightness. It’s no surprise this product has been viral since before viral was even a thing.
3. The Organic Pharmacy Rose Facial Spritz: For Feel Better Hydration
This isn’t a new discovery, and that’s exactly why I trust it. I first tried The Organic Pharmacy’s Rose Facial Spritz during a facial at their Chelsea store, and it’s been part of my daily routine ever since.
It instantly shifts how my skin feels, soothed, hydrated, and comfortable, without leaving any residue or weight. The rose is soft and calming rather than overpowering, and the mist is fine enough to use throughout the day without disrupting makeup.
I keep it by my bed and use it morning and evening, sometimes purely for the ritual. In winter, especially, that small pause matters as much as the product itself.
I’ve written more about the facial experience separately; for anyone curious, it’s particularly well-suited to colder months: 🐞 CLICK TO READ
4. Aromatherapy Associates Inner Strength Bath & Shower Oil: Like A Hug In A Bottle
I have been reaching for Aromatherapy Associates Inner Strength Bath & Shower Oil for years in moments when I need clarity, confidence or comfort. Or all 3 at the same time. The beautiful blend of Frankincense and Cardamom was purposely developed to help lift your spirits in moments of burnout or fatigue.
For days that I need some TLC, I massage the Bath & Shower oil all over my body before I step into the shower, and let the warmth of the water evaporate the scent in the air. It feels so beautiful and comforting on the skin too. It really is like a hug in a bottle.
5. Sweed Cloud Mascara: The Confidence Boosting Mascara
I have very fair, straight lashes, so mascara is non-negotiable - I feel naked without it. Mascara is incredibly personal: some wands are too stiff, others smudge instantly, and flaky formulas are a hard no. Sweed Cloud Mascara is truly dreamy and one coat makes me feel confident.
It glides on smoothly, stays put all day, and rinses off easily at night. Bonus points for the Vitamin B5 infused formula, which helps create the look of full, curled, lightweight lashes.
6. Gisou Honey Gloss Hair Mask🌟 (The one I never stop recommending)
I take hair care seriously. I’ve tried more masks than I can count, partly out of curiosity and partly in an ongoing attempt to undo years of damage, much of it self-inflicted and courtesy of a university box-dye phase.
Hair masks are non-negotiable for me in winter, and the Gisou Honey Gloss Hair Mask is the one I come back to. It delivers deep hydration without leaving my hair heavy or flat, which is harder to find than it should be. The combination of mirsalehi honey, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid makes it feel extremely restorative.
I use it weekly, without exception, and I’ve recommended it to friends and family so often it’s now a shared favourite. Everyone notices the difference: softer hair, more shine, less breakage. It works, but it also feels indulgent, which is exactly what I want this time of year.
7. Kristen Ess Style Reviving Dry Shampoo: Because A Good Hair Day Heals Anything Right?
Dry shampoo is essential in my winter routine. In warmer months I’m guilty of air-drying my hair (sometimes even braiding it while wet before heading out), but winter calls for a little more help. My biggest issues with dry shampoo are strong scents and that dreaded white cast.
This Kristen Ess Style Reviving Dry Shampoo solves both. It smells incredible and never leaves a powdery finish - no matter how much I use. It leaves my hair feeling refreshed, clean, and natural, never sticky or overly perfumed (you know that air freshener smell).
8. Weleda Skin Food: The Ultimate Skin & Mood Booster
Weleda Skin Food was coincidentally nominated by 3 of The Beauty Ed® team so maybe it should win a prize for best mood-boosting product ever…
Here’s why we love it, in all its formulations:
❤️Paloma: Weleda Skin Food gets a lot of hype online, but for good reason. The winter months tend to dry out our skin, but the Original one is truly like a barrier of protection between your face and the harsh winds, central heating etc.
If you really want to treat yourself, slather on a thick layer before bed to wake up to the softest, glowiest skin ever. It comes in the Rich version, for especially dry skin, or Light version if your skin is on the more oily side. It is beloved by so many celebrities, but the best part? It’s under £10. Perfect.
♡Gia: Finding a body lotion that truly works in winter, especially for sensitive skin, isn’t easy. This one is a non-negotiable in my routine. Victoria Beckham-approved for a reason, Weleda Skin Food Body Lotion is intensely nourishing yet surprisingly lightweight. I apply it straight onto damp skin after showering to lock in moisture, and it keeps dryness at bay all day.
Formulated with organic sunflower seed oil, shea butter, and botanical extracts like calendula and chamomile, it feels restorative rather than greasy; your skin genuinely drinks it up.
It’s both comforting and effective, exactly what January calls for.
🐞Donna: I recommended Weleda Skin Food Body Butter to my best friend a few years ago, and she is still going on about how much she loves it and has told all of her friends about it. Why? The texture is unique: the best way for me to describe it is that it feels like the icing on top of a cupcake, but not sticky. It’s fluffy and yummy and sinks into skin so beautifully. It just makes me happy every time I use it!
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?
Let me know!