MY LIFE IN BEAUTY With The White Company founder Chrissie Rucker

Founder of The White Company Chrissie Rucker talks skincare, sleep and mini-spa moments

At the end of a hectic day, you just can’t beat a relaxing soak

I am a beauty junkie, but because skincare ranges can be confusing and overwhelming, I didn’t want too many products in The White Company range. I knew I wanted to use natural actives, but only the ones that really work, combined with results-led technology. It was also important for products to smell gorgeous, be affordable, and look lovely in the bathroom. I’m most proud of the glorious balm-to-oil cleanser, Super Balm, £25 (3), which removes even waterproof mascara. Eye Revive, £20 (4), is amazing, too, and unusual because you can use it on the eyelids as well as under the eyes to lift and tone. There are two tools I try to incorporate into my routine at least twice a week, which I think make a real difference.

My Rose Quartz Gua Sha, £20, helps with lymphatic drainage, decreases puffiness and makes my skin look firmer. I combine it with a Rose Quartz Facial Roller, £30 (1), which massages the deeper facial muscles back to life – the ones that make you look tired.

Now I am over 50, stimulating collagen production is something I’m much more conscious of, so I take The Beauty Chef Glow Inner Beauty Powder, £10 for five sachets, and Collagen Inner Beauty Boost, from £9. I also use The Light Salon Boost LED Treatment Mask, £395, at home. My hair has certainly changed with age, too, and I need my colour done more regularly now. If it looks lacklustre in between appointments I use Louise Galvin Sacred Locks Vitox, £25. It gives highlights a new lease of life by removing any dulling environmental and product build-up. And Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Deep-conditioning Treatment, £34, is incredible for strengthening and restoring body and bounce. Some of my beauty habits changed during lockdown. I have no polish on my fingernails or toenails, and I only applied make-up three times for online meetings. When I do wear make-up, I like to keep it as natural as possible. I swear by Clarins Beauty Flash Balm, £33 (5), as it’s the best primer and helps whatever I apply on top to last. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, £43 (2), gives a natural finish, but is also buildable for extra coverage when necessary. If I need to refresh tired make-up to go from day to evening,

I’ll use Trinny London BFF Cream Skin Perfector, £35. People always say to me that I look well when I’ve applied it. Trinny London Cream Eye2eye Shadow, £18 (6), is brilliant, too; I find it lasts all day and it never creases. YSL Touche Éclat, £27, remains my go-to for disguising under-eye shadows without looking thick or cakey. I’ve reached an age where I know what

suits me. My look is relaxed and simple, but I still want to feel modern. I’m not tall, and I have big breasts, so V-necks are most flattering on my neckline. I love a great blouse that fits and hangs in the right places. The fit underneath the arm is everything! I like to wear a wide-leg, fluid trouser with a close-fitted top, or a soft, flowy, bohemian blouse with jeans. I aim to make my legs look longer. My wardrobe is all black, white and grey! In general, I don’t like colour.

I love to wear a white T-shirt or blouse because it’s wonderfully light reflecting; it lifts everything and makes your face look younger. For the evening, however, you can’t beat black. If I put anything coloured on, it feels wrong! The best thing about getting older is feeling more secure in myself. I know what I love doing and what isn’t worth doing, so I am better at saying no than when I was younger. My greatest joy, though, is watching my four children grow and change. If I sleep well, everything feels better.

In my younger days, I’d be up all night, then go to work the next morning. But when you get older and your hormones change and you suddenly can’t sleep at all, you turn into a mad person. If I don’t sleep well, I put on weight, get bloated, feel awful and get bags under my eyes. I read Matthew Walker’s book Why We Sleep and now believe sleep is the most important thing we all need for a happy, healthy life. After dinner, I start my bedtime routine.

I’ll go upstairs, change into my dressing gown and double cleanse my skin, not forgetting the back of my neck and décolleté, too. This is something I learned from facialist Yvonne Martin who gives the best facial massages (they melt away tiredness and are the best thing before a special event). I might have a bath, too. At the end of a hectic day, you just can’t beat a good, relaxing soak, even if it’s only for 10 minutes – it’s an opportunity to treat yourself to a mini spa moment: light a candle, pour in a lovely bath oil and relax. On days when I have more time, I’ll put on a face mask, such as our deep-cleansing Spa Maroc Rhassoul Clay Mask, £20 (7). And afterwards, I’ll massage in a deeply nourishing body cream. I love our gorgeous orange blossom-scented Spa Escape Intense Body Cream, £30. I try very hard to not let any worries keep me awake at night. I keep a notepad beside my bed so I can write my thoughts before I lie down; then they are captured safely and can be dealt with in the morning. Before climbing into bed, unfailingly,

I spritz our Sleep Soothing Pillow Mist, £22, on to my pillow, and inhale. It contains essential oils of lavender, clary sage and chamomile and makes you breathe deeply, so you begin to relax and unwind. I can’t be without it – it goes everywhere with me.