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 have a lot in common: we both started at teen magazines (me at CosmoGIRL, Bobbie at J-14), we both helmed long-standing beauty columns (Dear Donna and Bobbie’s Buzz), and we both share a fierce passion for helping women find confidence. Not through the ‘big sell’, but through thoughtful, considered conversations that go beneath the surface. And that is exactly what this chat is.

Bobbie is a wonderful person and a true inspiration. She has faced some of life’s most devastating hurdles, and we discuss everything from how she went from counseling rape victims to being on the road with the boyband NSYNC and then to being Style Editor at Today. We talk a lot about loss - Bobbie is currently navigating being a widow - and the unspoken realities of being an aging woman.

You can follow Bobbie on Instagram, and watch her #BobbiesBests series with @JennaSheinelle on NBC’s @todayshow. You can also buy her book, The Power of Style, on Amazon.

And don’t forget to follow me on Instagram, Tik Tok and Substack too!

A Quick Note for Transparency: Bobbie is a proud partner with Essilor, the world leader in vision technology and innovators behind #Varilux Progressive Lenses. But just to be clear: this is not a paid or sponsored episode. I invited Bobbie on because our mutual friend introduced us, and I knew her story of resilience, "professional girlfriend-hood," and mid-life hacks was something you needed to hear. I hope you enjoy!

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 sick joke to be dealing with fine lines and breakouts at the same time. To get some answers, I sat down with the incredible Dr. Sam Bunting, a dermatologist who has spent the last 15 years helping women navigate the complexities of adult acne and troublesome ‘grown up’ skin.

In this episode, Sam and I discuss:

1. The "U-Zone" vs. The "T-Zone": Why adult breakouts happen around the jawline and chin (aka the "Triangle of Doom") rather than the forehead.
2. Is it Acne or just a "Breakout"?: Sam explains why the label doesn't matter as much as the mechanism behind the clogged pore.
3. The 4-Step Morning Routine: We strip away the "skincare fluff" and get back to the basics: Cleanse, Activate, Hydrate, and Protect.
4. The Big Three Ingredients: How to use Salicylic Acid, Azelaic Acid, and Retinoids without destroying your skin barrier.

I also shared how quitting alcohol changed my skin, and Sam gave us some brilliant advice on "emptying the stress tank" to keep our hormones - and our skin - clear and calm.

If you want to find more about Sam, book in for a consult or try products from her skincare brand, you can find her here:

1. Official Website & Shop: DrSamBunting.com
2. The Clinic: Dr. Sam Bunting + Associates
3. Instagram: @drsambunting
4. YouTube: Dr. Sam Bunting

Resources Mentioned in this Episode

Sam highlighted these as the non-negotiables for clearing adult breakouts while supporting the skin barrier:

1. Azelaic Acid
2. Salicylic Acid
3. Retinoids

Book Recommendation: Atomic Habits by James Clear. Sam mentioned this as the blueprint for building the discipline needed for a consistent skincare routine.

Also don't forget to follow me on:

Instagram: @thebeautyed

Substack: @donnathebeautyed

And this show on Instagram: @smilinggivesyouwrinkles

See you next week!

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 Genevieve Turley.

I’ve always been fascinated by people who make massive pivots in their life, and Genevieve’s story is a standout. Before she was making us all laugh on Instagram, she was a burns and plastics specialist nurse in the RAF and we talk about how and why she decided to make that pivot, and she shares the story behind the viral video that rocketed her from 4,000 to over 100,000 followers in a matter of weeks.

Genevieve is a breath of fresh air in an industry that can feel a bit too "perfect." She’s all about embracing real skin and - as you’d expect from our show - finding the joy in our wrinkles. We also talk about her upcoming live tour, Laughter Lines, which is part masterclass, part comedy show, and 100% relatable.

I hope you enjoy!

On Instagram: @genevieveturleymua

On Substack: Genevieve Turley

Genevieve’s Live Show: Get tickets for 'Laughter Lines' at Leicester Square Theatre: Catch her live on May 10th, 2026!

And don’t forget to follow this show for more genuine chats like this ❤️

And Follow Me, Donna, on:

Instagram: @thebeautyed

Substack: @donnathebeautyed

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 "Othership" breathwork routine she uses to manage stress, to her streamlined 4-step skincare regime, Dr. Sam explains why efficiency is the ultimate beauty secret.

PLUS! We discuss the "dopamine crash" of early morning phone use, why she avoids TikTok trends like skin cycling, and her "patchwork" approach to makeup for women in their 40s and 50s.

Resources Mentioned:

1. Othership Breathwork
2. Skincare: Dr Sam’s Flawless Cleanser, Vitamin C, and Azelaic Serum.
3. Makeup: Merit Beauty, Ilia Beauty, and tips from Lisa Eldridge/Caroline Barnes.
4. Supplements: Nordic Naturals Omega 3, Simprove Probiotics.

I really hope you enjoy it!

And don’t forget to follow Sam on Instagram, and also follow me @thebeautyed and this podcast on there too.

See you next week,

Donna

x

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 share a story that was not about new year, new you, but more about new year, and how to be more you! And my friend Nina, also known as @wonderfullysober on Instagram was the perfect guest to do just that. 

This time last year, Nina decided to try Dry January as she recognized how alcohol wasn’t serving her anymore. And in this chat, she tells us how she got on, and why, now, one year later, she is 1 year sober. 

This is as much a chat about self-love and confidence as it is about alcohol.

It is not preachy at all - it’s just a really lovely, genuine and inspiring chat that whether you are doing Dry Jan or not, will hopefully help you feel inspired to recognise what is and what isn’t working in your life, and to do something about it. 

I really hope you enjoy! 

Don’t forget to follow Nina on Instagram, and also follow me and this podcast there too. 

If you are interested in hearing more about my sobriety, and would like to watch this episode in full video format, then also consider subscribing to My Skin Type Is Sober substack.

See you next week,

Donna

x

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 you, my guests, and all of the support I have received for the Smiling Gives You Wrinkles podcast so far.

For me, Smiling Gives You Wrinkles isn’t just a tagline - it really is a mindset that I’m leaning into as I approach my milestone 50th year. And in this episode, I touch on my realities of turning 50 and share a genuine wish for us all to keep inspiring each other and for us all to keep smiling as we age.

See you next week, in 2026!

In this enlightening (excuse the pun!) conversation, Dr. Kelli Ritter, known as the 'anxiety lady', discusses with Donna the profound impact of light therapy on mental health. She explains the significance of circadian rhythms, the necessity of natural light exposure, and offers practical daily habits to optimize mood and energy.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Light Therapy and Mental Health

03:11 Understanding Circadian Rhythms

06:09 The Impact of Seasonal Changes on Mood

08:50 The Importance of Natural Light Exposure

11:56 Optimizing Daily Light Intake

15:01 Practical Tips for Light Management

17:57 The Role of Darkness in Mental Health

20:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

24:27 Understanding Blue Light and Its Effects

27:06 The Importance of Light for Sleep and Mood

30:03 Creating Healthy Morning Routines

34:23 The Role of Sunlight in Hormonal Health

38:24 Simple Actions for Better Well-being

Connect with Dr. Kelli Ritter:

Instagram

Website

Podcast

Links for products discussed:

Blue Light Blocking Glasses

Use Discount Code: NOURISHED10

VivaRays

The BEST sleep mask that actually blocks all light!

Discount Code: Nourished

Follow me:

Instagram

Substack

🧡 If You Enjoyed This Episode:

• Share it with a friend
• Leave a rating or review for the show
• Screenshot the episode and tag us on Instagram - we love hearing your stories

See you next week!

Poet and bestselling author Donna Ashworth joins me, your host, Donna Francis, for an honest, powerful conversation about sobriety, sober curiosity, alcohol and anxiety, and why so many midlife women are quietly rethinking their relationship with drinking.

Donna shares what led her to stop drinking, how alcohol was affecting her anxiety, the mental load of grey-area drinking, and the surprising clarity, creativity and energy she found on the other side. This warm, relatable chat dives deep into the emotional and physical impact of alcohol, how to navigate social events sober, and why sobriety can feel like getting your life back in technicolour.

Perfect for: sober-curious listeners, midlife women questioning alcohol, anyone exploring sobriety or struggling with alcohol-related anxiety.

Want more?

Join host Donna on her Substack - My Skin Type Is Sober - for deeper reflections - and watch the full video episode exclusively as a paid subscriber:

💛 Watch the Full Video Episode on my Substack: My Skin Type Is Sober

🔗 Donna Ashworth's Links & Resources

Follow Donna Ashworth on Instagram and buy her gorgeous books here

And don’t forget to follow me on Instagram too.

🧡 If You Enjoyed This Episode:

Share it with a friend who’s sober curious

Leave a review for the show

Screenshot the episode and tag us on Instagram - I love hearing your stories

See you next week! 

Donna x

Chapters

00:00 The Journey to Sobriety

07:21 Understanding the Impact of Alcohol

16:17 Navigating Social Situations Without Alcohol

20:23 The Impact of Alcohol on Well-being

23:19 Embracing Sobriety: A Journey of Self-Discovery

27:55 Mindfulness and Alternative Coping Mechanisms

31:52 The Gift of Sobriety: A New Perspective on Life

36:53 Navigating Social Situations Without Alcohol

39:42 Outro - With Music.wav

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 some inspiration from past Smiling Gives You Wrinkles guests. 

Actress and TV chef Lisa Faulkner, menopause fitness coach Kate Rowe-Ham, Physician and menopause expert Dr. Louise Newson, and dermatologist Dr. Justine Kluk all kindly shared the gifts they’d love to receive - and what they plan on giving - this Christmas.

There's some really thoughtful ideas in there!

Enjoy! And happy Christmas shopping 🎄

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 feel so much pressure around this time of year. They chat about:

• Why the holiday season is so triggering for women around food
• How 80/90s diet culture still shapes our thinking (“sins”, calorie counting, food rules)
• The rise of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs and how they’re shifting the conversation
• Practical, realistic ways to enjoy Christmas without shame
• Why skipping meals backfires
• The power of protein, fibre, hydration and earlier dinners
• Emotional eating vs true hunger - and tiny habits that actually work
• Why celebration, joy and connection matter just as much as nutrition

This is the perfect chat for anyone craving a calmer, kinder mindset around food this season.

To learn more about Karen and her books, visit her website and follow her on Instagram too. You can also join Karen’s Natural Menopause Membership Retreat where SGYW listeners can get 50% off by using code DONNA50.  

And don't forget to check out Donna's website, and follow her on Instagram and Tik Tok too.