#SKINSHELFIE

The founder of luxury bath and body brand Soapsmith reveals the beauty products that soothe her soul and boost her mood

The products adorning the bathroom shelf of Soapsmith founder Samantha Jameson

A typical day: My morning starts at 6am. I shower while listening to the radio – usually a talk show to get me up to speed on the hotly debated topics. I then get my four-year-old ready for nursery and drop her off before starting the working day at 8am. For breakfast, I’ll make a cup of coffee and eat toast or fruit. I start my day with emails before my team begin work at 9am. We’ll then run through the production list: what needs making, wrapping and packing. If we’re in the office, we like to listen to lots of different tunes – jazz, heavy metal, even Polish rap. I’ll then spend the afternoon creating new scents, developing future plans or on calls discussing brand partnerships and PR opportunities – every day is different. I’ll pick up my daughter at 5.30pm; she’ll tell me all about her day before we read and do writing practice. Dinner is usually fish or meat with seasonal vegetables and we normally eat as a family – me, my partner and my daughter. Then, once she’s in bed, we’ll watch something on Netflix, or I’ll deal with emails or chat with family and friends via Facetime. I’m in bed by 10pm. As for exercise, I tend to do it all at the weekend; we’ll do lots of outdoor activities as a family, such as walking and cycling.

Skincare philosophy: Keep it simple. I’m fortunate to have good skin so I don’t need to use lots of products. I’ll cleanse with a flannel for gentle exfoliation, then tone and moisturise. Every so often, I’ll treat myself to a Cowshed facial, mainly for a bit of ‘me time’. I also love the treatments at West Room Aesthetics, ran by Dija Ayodele from Black Skin Directory.

Skincare non-negotiable: I never used to drink enough water, but now I realise how important it is and I always keep a refillable bottle with me. It’s really helped my skin to stay plump and glowing.

Main skincare concern: As I age, I think about whether I need to start using retinol or other actives, but I figure getting old is part of my charm. I’m just not into antiwrinkle or collagen-plumping products. I believe it’s better to focus on physical exfoliation and hydration, especially in London where pollution levels are high.

DAY FREYA + BAILEY LIT! DECONGEST FACE TONER, £26

A year ago, I decided to try an anti-pollution toner after hearing a radio interview discussing how dirty London’s air is. I came across this brand online and it made some promising claims about its free radical protection. It’s lived up to the hype. It contains antioxidant vitamin C to protect the skin and gives me a natural glow.

FREYA + BAILEY REBOOT! INCREDIBLE FACE MOISTURISER, £42

Because I fell in love with the Freya + Bailey toner, I decided to try the moisturiser, too. Packed with green tea (which is loaded with antioxidants), vitamin B5 and hyaluronic acid, it’s brilliant at hydrating my skin, and its effects seem to last all day, even though it’s incredibly lightweight.

SOAPSMITH HACKNEY HAND & BODY LOTION, £18

I apply this every morning without fail. It keeps my skin soft and supple from head to toe – particularly my dry, overworked hands. The scent is inspired by East London, where I grew up. It evokes fond memories of spending long, balmy days watching my brother play football on Hackney Marshes.

NIGHT SOAPSMITH LAVENDER HILL BATH SOAK, £25

Since having my bathroom renovated, I’ve vowed to take more baths because I know how beneficial they are for your wellbeing, and I designed this bath soak specifically to help nourish the mind, body and soul. I’m not the best sleeper and I’ve found Covid-19 has put an additional strain on my sleeping patterns, but the scent of lavender combined with Epsom salts and coconut always puts me into the deepest sleep.

LIHA BEAUTY SHEA BUTTER, £22

After my bath, I like to apply this to my skin as a deep-conditioning treatment. I love indie brands, being one myself – I find they tend to be packed with pure and natural hardworking ingredients.

SOAPSMITH LAVENDER HILL HAND & BODY LOTION, £18

If I don’t have time for a relaxing bath in the evening, I find that applying this lotion to my hands, chest and neck helps me drift off and get a good night’s sleep. The great thing about it is the scent lingers for such a long time. I often wake up in the morning to the smell of lavender.

MAKE-UP ESTÉE LAUDER DOUBLE WEAR STAY-IN-PLACE MATTE POWDER FOUNDATION SPF10, £37

My secret weapon. A little goes a long way and the coverage is seamless. People often say, ‘Ooh, Sam, your skin looks so good,’ because they don’t realise I’m wearing make-up.

MAC LIPSTICK IN MEDIA, £17.50

This is my ride-or-die lipstick. The colour contrasts really well with my skintone. Wearing it lifts my mood and makes me feel ready to tackle the day. During lockdown, I’ve spent so much time on Zoom, and I always find it pleasing to see this rich hue staring back at me.

MAC LIP PENCIL IN CHESTNUT, £15

This lip liner helps to frame my lipstick. The formula is budge-proof, so I never end up with a faded line around my mouth. I like to buy related staples from one brand, as they’ve usually been designed to work together and complement each other.

SIGNATURE SCENT VELVET ROPE BY APOTHIA LOS ANGELES, £95

I love this scent and I’ve never come across anyone else who wears it. It’s a unique blend of juniper berry, jasmine absolute and grapefruit zest. I also wore it on my first date with my partner, so it has sentimental value.