Smiling Gives You Wrinkles
Episodes
"I Thought It Was the End, But It Was Only the Beginning" | Esthetician Emma Wedgwood on Alcoholism and Starting Over
09 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
For this episode of Smiling Gives You Wrinkles®, I sat down with esthetician Emma Wedgwood, whose journey from the brink of losing everything to the ...
6 Most Important Supplements To Take In Your 40s & 50s: A Nutritionist’s Edit
02 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If you walked into my kitchen right now, you’d see a graveyard of supplement bottles - mostly half-empty tubs my husband bought on a whim or "market...
Why Sofwave is the Treatment I Have Instead of Botox
26 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
I’m freshly back from London and, true to form, I’ve brought back a hideous cold as a souvenir! But I also brought back a lot of chocolate, some M...
All I wanted was a cup of tea in bed": A Mother’s Day Meltdown & The Ultimate Midlife Chat
19 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If your Mother’s Day didn't quite live up to the Pinterest-perfect expectations, you're not alone. In this episode, my lovely friend and makeup arti...
Confused by Skincare? A Top Dermatologist Explains Her 4-Step Daily Routine
12 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
I am excited to welcome back one of my absolute favorite dermatologists and a true star in the industry, Dr. Justine Kluk. As a beauty editor with nea...
Is Collagen a Scam? The 2026 Study That Finally Settles the Debate
05 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Is collagen a scam? It’s a question I get asked more than any other. And when I first recorded some of these clips for a past episode with nutrition...
Stop Dyeing Your Roots: Everything You Need to Know About Grey Blending
26 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I chat with Karla Osborne, a specialized grey blending artist who is changing the way women view their silver roots. We talk about wh...
Dermaplaning at Home: How to Manage Facial Hair and Get Glowy Skin in Midlife
19 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If you caught me on my Instagram recently, you might have seen me shaving my face: ie. dermplaning. It’s a treatment that I’ve had done in-salon b...
My 1-Year Testosterone Update: Muscle Mass, Libido, and Managing Side Effects
12 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It’s been almost a year since I started on testosterone, and last year, I brought the brilliant Dr. Louise Newson onto the podcast to answer all our...
Dear Donna: The Beauty Editor Q&A (From Dermaplaning to Jones Road)
05 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Technology may have tried to take me down this week (apologies if the audio is a bit wonky), but bringing back "Dear Donna", my beauty Q&A column ...
From Rape Crisis Counselor to the Today Show: Bobbie Thomas on Loss, Aging, Confidence & Starting Over
29 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
I was introduced to Bobbie Thomas, the Style Editor on NBC’s Today Show by a mutual colleague and as soon as we hopped on FaceTime, we hit it off.We...
Why You’re Breaking Out in Your 40s: The Grown-Up Acne Guide with Dr. Sam Bunting
22 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
I’ve had so many friends reaching out lately saying the same thing: "I’m in my 40s... why am I suddenly getting spots?!" and it feels like some si...
Genevieve Turley’s Career Pivot From RAF Nurse to Instagram Makeup Star
15 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Smiling Gives You Wrinkles, I sit down with the woman who swapped her RAF nursing uniform for a makeup brush: the incredible Genevi...
The Dermatologist’s Morning Routine: Dr. Sam Bunting on Skincare, Breathwork, and Efficiency.
08 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What does a world-class dermatologist actually do before 9:00 AM? In this episode, Dr. Sam Bunting shares her personal morning habits. From the "Other...
One Year Sober: Beyond Dry January and Finding Self-Love with Nina @WonderfullySober
01 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Happy New Year Everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful break and managed to get some much needed rest. For my first episode of 2026 I wanted to ...
A Christmas Message: My Reflections on Gratitude and Growth in 2026
25 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A heartfelt Merry Christmas to you all.As I sat down to record this mini holiday episode, I couldn't help but reflect on how truly grateful I am for y...
How to Stop Feeling Tired This Winter: Light Therapy & Circadian Biology with Dr. Kelli Ritter
18 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this enlightening (excuse the pun!) conversation, Dr. Kelli Ritter, known as the 'anxiety lady', discusses with Donna the profound impact of light ...
Donna Ashworth on Sobriety, Anxiety and the Moment Midlife Women Start Questioning Alcohol
11 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Poet and bestselling author Donna Ashworth joins me, your host, Donna Francis, for an honest, powerful conversation about sobriety, sober curiosity, a...
Christmas Gifts And Chats With Friends of The Podcast
04 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is it too early to talk Christmas shopping? Well in my world it is, but as I'm trying to be a bit more organised this year, I thought I'd ask for som...
Eat Cake! A Nutritionist's Advice on How to Enjoy the Holidays Without Food Guilt,
27 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In today’s episode, Donna is joined again by nutritionist Karen Newby for a much-needed conversation about holiday eating, food guilt and why women ...
What do dermatologists say about LED masks?
20 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this chat, Donna sits down with consultant dermatologist, Dr. Justine Kluk to unpack the truth behind the beauty industry's most Instagrammable gad...
Best Skincare Products For 2026 - Honest Recommendations From A Beauty Editor
13 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As we head into Black Friday and Christmas, it feels like everyone online is telling you what to buy - but not everything is worth your money, so in t...
Free Appointment With A Trichologist: Solving Hair Thinning, Shedding & Scalp Issues
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Think your hair’s changing in your 40s or 50s? You’re not imagining it. In this episode, Donna sits down with trichologist Kate Holden for what fe...
How It Feels To Stop Drinking In Your Forties - with 1 Million People Watching
30 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when you go sober at midlife - and over 1 million people watch? In this week's chat, Donna sits down with Alicia from @champagnetochange ...
Make-Up Tips At Midlife: products to ditch with Celebrity Make-Up Artist Donna May
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you still using the same makeup products you swore by in your 30s? In this episode, Donna sits down with her friend and celebrity makeup artist Do...
Juggling Perimenopause, A Career & Toddlers with Broadcaster & Entrepreneur Sarah-Jane Crawford
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's chat, Donna is joined by radio and TV broadcaster and entrepreneur Sarah Jane Crawford, who is a mum of two and founder of the non-toxi...
Why I’m Growing Out My Grey Hair: with celebrity makeup artist Donna May
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this warm and funny chat, celebrity make-up artist and founder of Donna May London, Donna May, joins Donna to talk about her second attempt at grow...
The #1 Lesson I’ve Learned About Menopause
02 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Donna shares the most important lesson she’s learned after six years writing about and interviewing menopause experts: that you don’...
Tips for Thinning Hair in Menopause
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Donna opens up about her journey with hair thinning during perimenopause and shares the emotional toll of hair loss, how lifestyle fac...
Meno Belly & Weight Gain: A Realistic Fitness Guide
18 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why does all the weight in midlife go straight to your belly? And what actually works to shift it? In this week's chat, Donna is joined by menopause ...
What to Buy in the US: A Beauty Editor’s Guide
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What beauty products should you buy when you’re in the US that you can’t get in the UK? After four years of living in America, Donna breaks down t...
Marriage in Midlife: What 23 Years Has Taught Us
04 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode, to celebrate their 23rd wedding anniversary, Donna is joined by her husband, Dan, who she first dated when she was 16! Donna...
Is Creatine A Supplement We Really Need At Midlife?
28 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For years, Creatine has been marketed to male athletes and bodybuilders, but new research suggests it could be a powerful supplement for women in midl...
Feeling Invisible at 50? Model & Content Creator Mia Maugé Helps You Change That
21 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
At 51, Mia Maugé decided to do something radical: she stopped dyeing her hair.What started as a personal act of defiance against feeling irrelevant q...
I Quit Alcohol for 7 Days: what sober skin looks like at midlife
14 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Donna shares the one thing that completely transformed her skin over the past year. Tune in to hear how she tracked the changes, the ...
Is drinking collagen actually good for your skin? Nutritionist Amanda Ryder shares the truth
07 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, nutritionist Amanda Ryder, the author of Feel Good For Menopause and host of the How To Feel Like A Midlife Goddess podcast, shares h...
Can hypnotherapy fix me? Learn how you can break free from anxiety & bad habits
31 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Donna is joined by her friend Bridgette Mansfield who has been a hypnotherapist for over 17 years. Donna can personally vouch for the ...
How do I use retinol in midlife? A consultant dermatologist shares her advice
24 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Justine Kluk is London’s leading skincare expert and in this episode, she chats with Donna about retinol - the skincare ingredient that can be a...
1 year sober at midlife: Donna answers your questions
17 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This time last year, Donna decided she'd had enough of hangovers, the 2am post-wine anxiety and the shame spiral that came with trying to keep up with...
Should You Be Taking Testosterone? Dr. Louise Newson Explains
10 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Louise Newson aka @menopause_doctor is a leading voice in women’s hormone health, and in this episode, she chats with Donna about a topic ...
What Skincare Does a 49-Year-Old Beauty Editor *Actually* Use?
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
To celebrate her 49th birthday, Donna shares her real-life, no-fuss, joy-sparking skincare routine and chats about the products she actually buys, the...
Menopause Taken Its Toll? Tik Tok Star Sonia Ramos Shares How She Got Her Life Back
26 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this chat, Donna speaks to Tik Tok star Sonia Ramos, who was only 36 when she first started experiencing perimenopause symptoms. Sonia was a mum of...
Nutritionist Karen Newby: How To Beat Sugar Cravings & Eat The Right Amount Of Protein Everyday!
19 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week Donna chats with Karen Newby, nutritionist and author of The Natural Menopause Method and The Natural Menopause Method Cookbook. Since ...
Sarah Bradden: Botox-Free Skincare TIps From A Vogue-Approved Facialist
12 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you're looking for a glow up that doesn’t involve expensive products or time-consuming regimes, then this chat with facialist Sarah Bradden...
Donna chats: What To Expect Now We're Back
05 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There's been quite a long pause since the last episode, and Donna explains the reasons why SGYW is back. Don't forget to check out Donna's website an...
Smiling Gives You Wrinkles - We're Back :-)
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Starting Thursday 5th June, you'll find award-winning Beauty Editor Donna Francis having honest, open and relatable conversations about life, beauty a...
Donna Ashworth: The Importance Of Listening To Your Intuition, Sharing Your Vulnerability & (of course) Poetry
05 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When was the last time that you bought a poetry book? If it’s in the last few years, then it was almost certainly written by Donna Ashworth, the twi...
Poppy Delbridge: The Power Of Tapping, Positive Thinking And How To Confidently Pivot Your Life For The Better
27 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Fancy learning a new tool to help you manage stress and feel more confident? You might not have heard of tapping before and you might think it so...
Suzi Grant: The Importance Of Biker Boots, Trampolining And Wearing Color As You Age
20 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do you feel stuck in life and your career? Do you feel the best days of your life are behind you? Do you want to feel more ‘seen’? Please lis...
Crystal Hefner: Discovering Self Worth From The Inside And Plastic Surgery Regrets.
13 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Crystal is the widow of Hugh Hefner, the creator of Playboy magazine. They got married when Crystal was 26 years old, and he was 86, that’s 60 years...
Ruby Hammer MBE: Makeup As We Age And The Importance Of Having A Youthful Spirit
06 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Want to know which skincare products that you really need? Do you feel that you need a makeup refresh? Would you like to hear how one of the world’s...
Patsy Palmer: Conquering Happiness, Visualization And Starting A Business In Your 50s
30 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do you want to channel more positivity in your life, but don’t know where to start?Are old insecurities holding you back? Patsy is one of the m...
Candace Bushnell: Dating Apps, The Benefits Of Dating Younger Men, And The Importance Of Making Money As You Age
23 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is the world of dating a bit daunting now that you’re older? Are you dating after divorce and don’t know where to start? And what about your futur...
Lisa Faulkner: Aging As An Actress, Botox And Birdwatching
23 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do you feel that your age has become an issue in your workplace? Are you thinking of having Botox but feeling a bit nervous to start? Have you suddenl...
Smiling Gives You Wrinkles - Celebrating Everything About Aging With A Smile
16 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Award-winning Beauty Editor, Donna Francis has spent the last 25 years helping women feel comfortable in their skin and now in her late 40s, she is pa...