MY LIFE IN BEAUTY
Stylist and author Erica Davies talks highmaintenance hair, breaking the rules and why a bold lipstick is always the right choice
Author and stylist Erica Davies’ self-care advice
Don’t get hung up on your dress size.
We all know that the sizes in different shops and across brands aren’t comparable. A size 12 in Marks & Spencer doesn’t equate to a size 12 in Primark. Apart from you, no one else is going to see what’s on the label and I think a slightly too big fit is always more flattering than slightly too small.
Having a ‘uniform’ is a great idea. Once you’ve found some outfits you feel happy in, don’t be afraid to stick with them. My uniform is chinos and a Breton top with trainers. If I want to feel smarter, I can swap the chinos for wide leg trousers and add a slouchy jacket. I would say I’m quite boring and stick to the same look
make-up wise. I’m never going to be experimental and suddenly start wearing neon-yellow
eyeliner, but a bold red or pink lipstick is definitely my thing. When I put on a
bright lip, such as Lancôme L’absolu Rouge Matte in Rose Lancôme 378, £27.50 [1], I become ‘work’ Erica rather than ‘at home’ Erica. There shouldn’t be any rules to follow
with make-up. Look at women like Zandra Rhodes, her make-up is an unapologetic explosion of colour and joy. I think we should be free to express ourselves in the way we want to, and that applies to our clothes, too. If you have something in your wardrobe that makes you feel amazing, just wear it. When I worked in magazines, I picked up beauty tricks that I still rely on.
I used to love watching the make-up artists prep the model’s skin for shoots; they would often do a mini
facial, gently patting in all the different products. I try to replicate that when I’m applying my skincare, as the methodical process makes me feel really calm and seems to give my skin a lovely glow.
Lipstick is an accessory. Even if your make-up style is minimal, a punchy lip is a simple, quick way to lift an outfit and make your complexion brighter. It works if you’re hungover or tired, too. I’m obsessed with using retinol. My skin responds really well to it and I love the way it tackles everything from texture
A bold lipstick will always give you a boost
to fading the pigmentation marks on my cheeks that have been there for years. I’m also a sucker for great packaging, so Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil, from £45 [2] ticks all the boxes for me.
My bedtime routine consists of retinol, listening to crickets and applying foot
cream. I have the Calm app and there is an audio of crickets in the nature section that instantly relaxes me. I’ll also apply Beauty Pie Footopia, £20 (£5.35 for members) [3], as the thick cream works wonders on my awful cracked heels.
Having a blow-dry is my me-time. My hair is high maintenance as there’s a lot of it, so it’s an utter joy to sit down and read a magazine while someone else gets it into a reasonable shape. At home, I’ll let my hair dry naturally or I might blow-dry it and then use GHD Curve Classic Curl Tong, £129 [4], to add some loose waves.
I’m learning to love my curls. I’ve fought my natural texture for years, but I think now I’m a bit older I’m more accepting of myself. I’ve discovered the Kérastase Curl Manifesto Crème Du Jour Fondamentale, £28.30 [5], which helps to refresh curls,
while its Elixir Ultime L’huile Original, £39.90 [6] is brilliant at calming frizz.
Having grey hair makes women become invisible, I feel. Over lockdown I was quite shocked to see how grey my roots were, and it did make me panic a bit. I am very inspired by the ‘gronde’ movement on Instagram, where there are lots of amazing women showing how gorgeous, stylish and chic being slightly grey/ slightly blonde is. And I am thinking, could I do that? I’m 44 and don’t think I’m there quite yet, but never say never. I’ve worn the same perfume since I was 14. I fell for the bottle first, but I’ve never stopped loving the scent of Jean-paul Gaultier Le Classique EDT, £66 [7]. It has a very comforting talcum-powder fragrance, which makes me feel confident and reassured at the same time. Even though I occasionally dabble with other perfumes, Le Classique is the only one I ever get complimented on. Writing my book took real discipline.
When I was a journalist, I was very good at working to daily and weekly deadlines. But if I’m given months and months of time, I can’t seem to knuckle down. My husband, who is also a journalist, suggested that I should write something (anything!) every day. Even if it wasn’t perfect, it was a start and took away the fear of staring at a blank page. If I need to clear my head, I’ll go for
a walk. We’ve just bought a gorgeous Australian Labradoodle puppy called Stevie – named after the Fleetwood Mac singer Stevie Nicks. As I work from home, she’ll end up being my responsibility, but I’m okay with that.
• Erica’s book, Leopard is a Neutral: A Really Useful Style Guide (Yellow Kite, £16.99), is out now