Laura Bailey

Beauty for me is a reflection of the soul, of strength, and of original spirit. I am inspired by friends in their teens and in their seventies; by confidence, vulnerability, talent, and verve.  

It’s complicated – I am attracted to a sporty minimal aesthetic day to day but also the role-play and make-believe smoke and mirrors of fashion and performance. As a model I love to act & transform but in real life I want to relax, let go and express myself through style but more so, through action. I am more at home in my body than I was in my twenties or thirties, stronger & less plagued by outside voices too. I am learning to take better care of myself and be more aware of, and grateful for, the people, places, and rituals that help me thrive. I trust my instincts – try to rest more, prioritise time alone or with family. And often make bad business decisions in favour of peace and sanity. 

I’ll always love a party dress and a smokey eye but my beauty philosophy now is based on health and energy and the pursuit of different kinds of good days – more connected to nature, family and friends, and deep soul projects. Less is more. The changing seasons, healthy happy children, wine and uncontrollable laughter with my best friends, and the thought of the next adventure.

My beauty philosophy is born out of curiosity and an open mind, raw but romantic, ever-evolving.

I have a core foundation of tried and trusted favourite products and routines, but am always open to trying something new or a tip from a friend.

I cleanse every day with Chanel L’Eau de Mousse followed by a Bioderma H2O toner for an extra fresh feel . 

I use Hydra Beauty Micro Serum followed by N°1 DE CHANEL REVITALIZING CREAM for the day – and SUBLIMAGE by Chanel at night (which I have admittedly only recently learned to slather over neck and décolletage as well). It’s a luxury but really makes a difference to my skin. I am trying to be stricter with sunblock and Supergoop ‘s GlowScreen is a favourite addition to my tennis bag (obsessed with my sport *beauty* locker which also includes Barbara Sturm’s Aloe Gel & my mini TheraGun, spare socks and sweatbands, and No 1 de CHANEL Serum en Brume corps ~perfect for après match shower body spritz and run. 

If I’m going to be in front of the camera I’ll use Augustinius Bader’s eye mask and the Cherry Gloss Peel by Skin Design London the night before. Favourite wonder serums include Screen Star by Jasmina Vico, Westman Atelier’s Suprême C, and SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, and they are all in my bathroom cabinet on rotation. SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel also fixed my blotchy pregnancy skin and is really effective après-sun for the face.

Bedtime rituals – Hydra Beauty eye cream and the Hand Crème by CHANEL. And a 10-minute massage with the Lyma Laser if I’m feeling extra virtuous! 

The body lotion by La Mer is a favourite after a bath.

I’m up early with the dogs, shower with Aesop’s ‘A Rose By Any Other Name’ body wash and Goop Glow body polish and keep a few favourite things in my fridge for a dawn beauty buzz. Chanel’s new HYDRA beauty Micro Serum for lips  & the sculpting Jade crystal tool by Tata Harper.  Best served cold!

Although my hair is to my waist it’s surprisingly low maintenance. And I don’t even own a hairdryer. I use the Josh Wood Colour range, sometimes the Miracle Mask as a conditioner if I need a little deeper care. Josh has coloured my hair since we lived together in my twenties , and he is family. Roi Nadin at the Josh Wood Atelier gives me regular trims and does some kind of magic, and Maisie, Mike and Federico are brilliant stylists too. I often plait my hair wet to create a natural wave and hardly ever use product. When I’m travelling I might pack Rahua’s Enchanted Island Salt Spray and their HYDRATION DETANGLER + UV BARRIER for extra mermaid Rapunzel vibes! And Sam McKnight’s Happy Endings Nourishing Balm is another travel essential. 

I take Lyma Life supplements, sea kelp tablets (I stock up at Holland & Barrett) and 5HTP daily for general well being and energy (but also hair).

If I’m honest, my makeup routine varies wildly and depends on the day- I often wear nothing but skincare & sunblock and a lick of mascara. But my staples when I want or need a little more are Supergoop GlowScreen, Chanel Le Volume Mascara, Chanel Les Beiges blush stick in No23, Glossier concealer, The Feline Flick by Charlotte Tilbury, Feather Fix brow gel by Victoria Beckham Beauty.

For the evening I add Chanel Les Beiges bronzer, and Just A Sec eyes shadow pots by JONES ROAD – subtle shimmer, great shades. (I use the tiniest fingertip of Bronze).

I don’t wear much lipstick, I prefer a natural balm – but a friend gave me La Mer lip gloss In Sheer Pink and I’m loving it, especially in summer with a bare face and a tan. 

Stylo Ombre et Contour an eye crayon by Chanel is a brilliant new discovery – an eyeshadow and kohl in one! Smudgy, sexy, effortless. Back of a taxi kind of makeup!

I like natural healthy nails for every day but have fallen in love with FAWN by Chanel on my toes this summer ~ a dark amber brown polish that is super flattering and unusual.

My ultimate mood and energy boosters are sport and nature – and I’m a work hard/ play hard personality. I’m not a spa person but I’ve recently been using the Lucie App for occasional reflexology at home, and the best facials in London are by Jasmine Vico (Vico Skin) or Fatima Shaheen (Skin Design London). When I’m traveling for work I’ll run as a way to explore a new neighbourhood and pack my racket just in case.  I have just discovered REBASE in Marylebone where I conquered my fear of the ice bath, though you’re more likely to find me in the sauna or cafe…I love training (and recovering) like an athlete.

I was lucky to have recently spent a few days on retreat at Amanzoe in Greece, in September led by Maria Sharapova. My main takeaway was around rest, recovery, and mindfulness. I’m naturally more drawn to the action-adventure!’

Once a month acupuncture and massage with Josie Jenkinson, Pilates with Sophie- Rose Harper.

Bodyism classes – barre, Pilates, TRX, Long walks with friends & dogs, Scrabble and cards with my kids, Crosswords in the pub with my best friends Josh and Jonathan.

Regular date nights with my best girls Amy, Alice, Chantal, Jemima, Cathy, and Hannah. 

Daily tennis with friends & strangers.

I have a long love story with Chanel Fragrance beginning with No 19 as a teenager and which I still associate with romance and adventure and will always return to. BOY from Les Exclusifs range is another forever favourite, and Le Lion and Comete are new flirtations.

I keep CHANCE in my tennis locker as a lucky charm, and the new Cométe by Chanel is in my suitcase for holiday nights.

No 5 L’EAU in the new iconic oval glass bottle and pouch is on the road with me. At home, I keep it in my car.  Whilst I always loved the idea of a signature fragrance, now I love making it up as I go along via mood, intuition and desire.

Skin:
Fatima Shaheen, Skin Design London
Jasmina Vico, Jasmina Vico Skin

Hair:
The Josh Wood Colour Atelier Team

Nails:
Heather at Josh Wood

Spa: 
Claridges, London
Soho Farmhouse
Alex Eagle Sporting Club at 180 Strand.

Reflexology:
Via The Lucie App

Tan:
Vera at InParlour

Health and wellbeing:
Rebase , Marylebone
Bodyism, Notting Hill