Alice Casely-Hayford

Beauty for me is about celebrating individuality; the distinctions that make us all unique. I think kindness and curiosity show on a person’s face and you can immediately gauge someone’s warmth and expressiveness. I don’t wear much makeup but I have been in love with the beauty industry since I first watched my mother putting on her face as a young girl. When I eventually became a beauty editor 12 or so years ago, the stories that I was most interested in championed unconventional notions of beauty or those who were true disruptors.

I have a pared back skincare routine because I’m usually getting two small people dressed every morning and too knackered at night for a 12-step regime.

I wash my face morning and night with a cleansing balm from Emma Hardie or Elemis and hot cloth or Moussse’s Purifying Cleanser, followed by a toner. I’m currently using Aesop’s In Two Minds Facial Toner with a cotton pad but I also swear by Paula’s Choice. In the morning, I’ll then pat the rhode glazing milk across my face.

At night, I use Ranavat Brightening Saffron Serum. It has transformed my skin and I wake in the morning with a radiant complexion, even if I’d had a few glasses of wine or midnight wake ups from the kids. I always end with Augustinus Bader’s Rich Cream. I’ve used it since the brand launched and doubt I’ll ever stray. Once or twice a week, I’ll exfoliate. I love Aurelia’s Refine and Polish. I have large pores and am prone to congestion and this really helps. I’m in my sheet mask era too. Nothing beats Ladies of London in bed with a sheet mask and I adore Mario Badescu’s Advanced Collagen Hydrogel Mask or 111Skin.

For someone who adores beauty, I’m a bit of a bore and never experiment with my makeup. I’ve pretty much had the same look since I was 25 (I’m now 37) but it works for me and makes me feel my most confident. I don’t really wear eye products or lipstick. I did a purple lip for Halloween once but that’s it! It’s all about perfecting skin for me, especially as I have some hyperpigmentation.

I swear by Lisa Eldridge’s Skin Tint and sometimes mix in L’Oreal’s Lumi Glotion for some added radiance.

I’ve used Hourglass for the past 15 years religiously as I love the way the Ambient Lighting powders set my skin and give an all-day natural glow.

I wear Charlotte Tilbury bronzing powders and an Hourglass blush. As I’m prone to oiliness on my cheeks, I rarely use cream products.

I am obsessed with Ilia’s brown mascara and might pair that with a very fine line of Glossier neutral brown pencil along the lashes.

If I’m going out out, I might scribble on an Ilia crayon on my lid or my favourite Charlotte Tilbury palette but that means it’s a real special occasion.

I love Westman Atelier for highlight too.

For the lips, it’s Glossier baume dot come every day, and a rhode lip liner to contour.

I wash my hair once a week with Olaxplex shampoo and conditioner after leaving in a coconut oil mask for as much of the day as possible.

After towel drying my hair, I rub in K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil and Bumble & Bumble Invisible Oil Heat Protectant.

After I’ve styled my hair with GHDs, I rub in Charlotte Mensah’s Manketti Oil. I use that on my boys too and love that we all smell the same.

I sleep on Slip pillowcases and only use Slip hairbands when I plait my hair at night.

I enjoy eating healthily but there’s also nothing I love more than a vat of pasta followed by a tiramisu. It’s all about balance.

I only discovered exercise 5 years ago after I’d had my first son. I was naturally slim but unfit and had an awakening when I was returning to work and didn’t recognise myself postpartum.

Subsequently, I got into pilates and it totally changed my health and happiness. I do hot mat pilates 3 times a week at Studio Anatomy and walk as much as I can.

I’d like to find more time to do strength training but for now lifting my two sons around will have to suffice. 

I wear Dries Van Noten Voodoo Chile most days or sometimes Glossier You, depending on my mood.

The most evocative and nostalgic fragrance for me is Ambre Sultan by Serge Lutens. My dad wore it from when it first came out in the early 90s until he passed away. I haven’t smelled it in a while but if I did it would make me think of my beloved dad immeditately. The coolest, kindest, chicest man. 

I could honestly go through the entire day without drinking a sip of water. It’s terrible but I’m trying to get into hydration. It is so obvious but consume over 2 litres a day and I hear the skin glows.

I recently went to see Mina Lee who specialises in skin restoration and holistic wellness. I had the most amazing facial with her that doubled as a therapy session. If you can get onto her 2-year waiting list, I urge you to do so.