My No-Botox Skincare Routine, IRL Beauty Communities, Sex as Skincare and the Beauty AI tool every founder needs...

If there’s one thing I take seriously, it’s beauty—both the ritual and the research. I love trying new products, testing formulations, and seeing what truly delivers versus what’s just nice packaging and marketing. This year, I’ve been deep in skincare, bodycare, scent, and tools that actually work. But not everything lived up to the hype.

I'm speaking at The Future Face of Beauty: Explore the Future of Beauty: Science, Innovation, Identity and Ethics, a symposium held at the new UAL campus in Stratford. I'llbe talking about Beauty Community and Tech. Do come along!

Here’s everything I tried in 2025 so far—the facials, the launches, the discoveries, and the disappointments. I'm also telling you a game-changing tool I've subscribed to for beauty product founders... But let's start with skin...

3 Facials to Try So You Can Skip The Botox

I started the year committed to skin-first beauty, which meant prioritising facials over impulse product purchases and I am still Botox Free. I had three stand-out facials that completely reset my skin:

Wildsmith Facial at Liberty - Myofascial Release

I had the most transformative facial at The Treehouse by Wildsmith, Liberty’s serene fourth-floor hideaway that feels more like a botanical escape than a treatment room. There aren't many ways to dress up a white room and I loved that they projected a scene from Heckfield Place - Wildsmith's birthplace, on the walls with a relaxing soundscape.

I booked the 60-minute Radical Botany Facial and it was the most grounding hour I’ve had in weeks. It began with guided breathwork, followed by a gentle cleanse and exfoliation to prep the skin, then myofascial release—a technique that lifted and de-puffed my face while subtly melting away jaw tension. The craniosacral holds, unique to the extended version, calmed my nervous system. I've always wanted someone to just squeeze my head!

Everything from the products to the techniques was designed to work with the body’s circadian rhythm—no fluff, just deep restoration. The next day my skin looked plumper, clearer, and inexplicably well-rested. And with the full cost redeemable against Wildsmith’s high-performance, plant-powered skincare, it felt more like an investment in long-term skin health than a luxury splurge. If you’re feeling burnt out, dull, or just in need of something real—book it.

Grown Alchemist - Microcurrent

I had an incredible facial at Grown Alchemist’s Beak Street clinic—a slick, sci-fi-meets-nature space tucked behind the chaos of Carnaby. I booked the Signature Regenerator, which includes microcurrent, cryotherapy, and lymphatic drainage in one futuristic hour that left my face visibly lifted and radiant. It’s not your usual ‘relax and cleanse’ treatment—this is high-performance skin tech wrapped in calm luxury. The microcurrent sculpted my cheekbones in real time, while the cold therapy depuffed everything from eyes to jawline. What I loved most was how clinical yet sensorial the experience felt: precise movements, potent formulas, no fluff. Grown Alchemist’s approach is grounded in cellular renewal and barrier repair, so I left not just glowing, but stronger.

Skin & Sanctuary - Hydrafacial

I go to Skin & Sanctuary for my regular HydraFacial—specifically with Fatma, who has the gentlest hands and the sharpest eye for exactly what your skin needs. This isn’t your average facial; it’s a deep-cleaning, dirt-extracting, blackhead-banishing treatment that uses suction technology to exfoliate, unclog pores, and infuse your skin with a personalised mix of active serums. I go when London pollution and makeup buildup start to dull my glow—usually every six weeks—and I always leave looking clearer, tighter, and brighter, with that post-facial glassy sheen. Fatma is meticulous, but never aggressive. It’s not indulgent in the scented-oil sense—it’s functional, clinical, and incredibly satisfying. The kind of skincare ritual that feels more like hygiene than luxury (in the best possible way).

Special Mention: I had a really great 30-minute Augustinus Bader Facial at Claridges. The Japanese-inspired spa is gorgeous but tiny for the size of hotel and it was v pricey for 30 mins!

Booking Next: Orveda Facial Suite at Harrods

Sun damage is number 1 reason for ageing so...