Everything I Know About Beauty: Nadine Baggott
Repeat Buys
“After over 30 years in the industry, I have a sound understanding of what is worth your money and what isn’t. One of my skincare essentials is a nightly retinoid – I love the Crystal Retinal range from Medik8, an English company and global leader in retinal formulation. It’s the next step up from retinol and really helps keep skin smooth, while tackling fine lines. I also use a daily vitamin C serum and my favourite is Skinceuticals CE Ferulic – I know it’s expensive but it’s the original L Ascorbic Acid 15% serum and I swear it’s helped my skin to repair itself from the sun damage of my youth. For cleansers, I go high street all the way and love CeraVe Hydrating Gel (or even the bar in the shower) in the morning and Curel Makeup Melting Cleanser with a microfibre cloth at night. Don’t spend a fortune on cleansing and don’t feel the pressure to double cleanse – just add in a flannel or muslin cloth and rinse well.”
Go-To Tweakments
“Botox, without any doubt. It is truly revolutionary and I only have the tiniest amount twice a year just to soften my forehead expression and smile lines. There’s nothing like a neurotoxin and there’s no bottle or so-called miracle serum that can copy it.”
Lessons Well-Learnt
“When I was younger, I slept in my make-up and sunbathed, so my routine has evolved a lot over the years. Now, I cleanse every night and use a retinoid. I use a weekly acid, too, and love the Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid. Sadly, it’s only available in the US but worth snapping up if you can. I never sit in the sun now either – I’m done with trying to get a tan.”
Haircare Favourites
“My hair when I was younger was fine and mousey, so I coloured it a lot – anything to be blonde. Now that I’m older and naturally grey, my hair is a different texture and can’t take the colouring process anymore. I just smudge the roots to get rid of the grey and then the greys become my blonde highlights. I also rely on gentle shampoos and conditioners, like Nexxus Keraphix and bond builders from Olaplex, K18 and Living Proof. I try my best not to use heated gadgets but I won’t lie, I find them addictive. I just love smooth and straight or wavy-looking hair.”
Make-Up Staples
“My make-up hasn’t changed much over the years and I am pretty low maintenance – read: lazy! I like a quick-fix concealer and a foundation with a lightweight finish. I use Erborian’s BB Crayons and Cream, then a translucent setting powder – either Beauty Pie’s One Powder Wonder or Mishel’s Setting Pressed Powder, which was created by one of This Morning’s make-up artists. It never sits in fine lines and offers a demi matte finish. I used to wear cool-toned make-up when I was younger but warmer tones suit me more now, so I’ve eliminated pinks and greys, and opt for corals, peaches and bronze shades. All the make-up artists I’ve worked with over the years have taught me to use this type of palette.”
Key Need-To-Knows
“Most of the time, anti-ageing and invasive treatments are so hyped up and expensive. The effects are super subtle, so the one thing everyone needs to know before undergoing any treatment is to really do thorough research and avoid any hefty debts. Only ever trust a medical professional – doctors, surgeons, dentists or nurses – to inject your face. Beware of lasers in the hands of beauty therapists, too. I’ve been burnt badly twice. You should really only be seeing medically trained professionals. I recommend Dr Wassim Taktouk at The Taktouk Clinic and Dr Alexis Granite at Sarah Chapman. If you are out of London, The Nassif Medispa in Manchester is good and the SK:N Clinics are a reputable chain.”
Earliest Beauty Memory
“Roll-on minty lip gloss and pale blue Miner’s eyeshadow from Woolworths. Oh, and of course, a local salon perm – a big, big mistake!”
Rules To Follow
“Never sunbathe, never put a beauty product on a credit card if you can’t pay it off at the end of the month, and don’t be afraid to shop on the high street. I really believe that budget beauty is better now than it’s ever been. Then it’s the ABC of skincare – vitamin A (retinoid) should always be used at night, broad spectrum sunscreen always when you’re in the sun and vitamin C every single morning. Everything else can be bought cheaply and is a supporting act to the above.”
Mistakes To Avoid
“I wish people would stop messing with their eyebrows – either overplucking or over-shaping them. I also believe that 99% of the time microblading your brows is a mistake. Very few people have the skill to do it properly. Instead, use products to enhance your brows as best you can, like Charlotte Tilbury’s Legendary Brows. Finally, I really think everyone should stop using of sunbeds. Likewise, use SPF when you’re outside. I’m not a stickler for 365 days of 24/7 sunblock, but lying outdoors without protecting your face, neck, chest and hands is a big no-no.”
Niche Beauty Discoveries
“I love to shop at P2B in Leicester Square for Korean and Japanese beauty buys – it’s a make-up lovers’ heaven and a little like being in Tokyo. When I land in the US, I always head to Walgreens or Ulta for some niche finds, too. Some affordable brands I love include Avène, Nivea, No7 and Bioderma, as well as CeraVe and Curel. I really advocate not being a snob with products – expensive doesn’t make it better.”
Beauty Bag Essentials
“You’ll always find a translucent setting powder, a MAC lipstick in shade Teddy or Costa Riche and a tinted balm – likely NARS’ Afterglow Balm or one from Honest Beauty. I love a good concealer too – NARS’ Creamy Concealer is my favourite.”
Desert Island Products
“A good hair oil and SPF are my desert island essentials. Garnier’s Anti Dark Spot SPF50 for the face and Heliocare SPF50 Spray Invisible Mist for the body are my go-tos. I love anything that calms the frizz from my hair too – Wella’s Smoothing Oil is brilliant. Finally, I’d always travel with Living Proof’s 5-in-1 Styler and a silk hair tie. My hair on holiday is a huge hassle, so anything that combats the floof and frizz is a winner.”
Takeaway Advice
“My biggest advice is to relax into your looks. No one is looking at your spots, your stretchmarks or your cellulite. Honestly, they are too busy obsessing over their own perceived flaws – especially men. Finally, I believe that slow and steady wins the race. No product will work overnight to give you long-term results. You need to commit to six weeks to get results from your skincare. That includes healthy eating – you only look and feel better over time. For a good quick-fix, you can’t beat a shellac mani-pedi. Nothing gives you such an immediate beauty boost.”
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