Fragrance entrepreneur Jo Malone CBE shares her secret cosmetic weapons, her early love of skincare and why she wakes up smiling
I started making face creams when I was seven years old. The smell, the texture and the performance of the products was something I thought about from a young age. Beauty was always part of my world growing up, probably because my mum worked in the industry – she was a beauty therapist and facialist. We lived in a council house but every morning she would come downstairs smelling of either Ma Griffe by Carven or Je Reviens by Worth and wearing tangerine lipstick.
My mum worked for a woman called Countess Lubatti. She was a beautician who mixed all her own creams and was one of my biggest influences growing up. She was six foot tall, had blonde hair, loved blood-red lipstick and wore fishnet tights and high heels with her lab coat. That, for me, was the epitome of beauty. It didn’t matter that her real name was Doris Hilda Baker – she lived and breathed Hollywood glamour.
You can’t stop ageing, but you can slow it down. I turn 60 next year, and I don’t think I look too bad! I’m a firm believer that great skin will shine through and I’ve always looked after mine; I’ve cleansed and nourished it well.
Even when I was going through cancer treatment, I cared for my bald head in the same way – I saw it as an extension of my skin. At the moment I’m using Eve Lom Cleanser, from £45, and Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream Moisturiser, from £49 (8), which I use twice a day. It really is the most amazing formula.
Right now I feel the best I’ve ever felt in my life. I’ve made time to care for myself and my body, and I think I look better than I did 10 years ago. Once a week I have an evening where I ‘mask’: I do a foot mask with Flexitol Rapid Revive Overnight Cream, £7.49 (6), a face mask, such as Eve Lom Rescue Mask, from £15 (5), and then I moisturise my whole body with Jo Loves A Body Lotion in Pomelo, £40. I’ve also taken up Pilates, which makes me stand and breathe differently. When you look in the mirror and think, ‘Oh, I look quite good,’ it’s a boost to your confidence. I wake up smiling these days. I’m happy with who I am.
Good eye makeup can completely transform your face. I use Maybelline Tattoo Brow Longlasting Gel Tint, £11 (3), to help create fluffy eyebrows. Then I wear a soft brown eyeshadow over my lids, and an oyster-coloured shimmery shade dotted in a few different places, finished with Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara, £11.49 (7). I don’t like to look too made-up, though, so I use a little MAC Studio Fix 24-Hour Concealer, £20 (10), wherever I need it, and Jones Road Miracle Balm, £34 (4), on my cheeks. I love a sticky lip gloss
