Lucy Husband: Head of Customer Experience
My early memories of taking care of one’s skin started with my nan who used to sit and do facial exercises— much to my and my cousins' entertainment. We would be out playing and come back to the house to get a snack only to find nan sat in front of a mirror tapping her neck and making funny sounds and shapes with her face. She had fantastic skin and it's only now I appreciate the investment she put into herself.
My mum and all my aunts love facial exercises to this day and are skincare obsessed— I suppose it's timely that I now work in skincare and have recently found a love for facials. My girls are already clued up on the importance of a simple skincare routine and it all stems from my nan.
Nicky Connors: Senior Content and Copy Manager
How old were you when you became aware of beauty rituals, and how did it impact you?
I don’t remember how old I was but I was pretty little, as I remember taking dolls with me to stay at my nana’s house. I distinctly remember her bedroom vanity and how glamorous it looked. It was always beautifully laid out: a heavy and ornate collection of hair brushes, combs, a hand-held mirror and a selection of hair pins, rollers and Elnett hairspray. Elnett was the hairspray of the 60s, and to me, screamed Hollywood glamour with its golden can and illustrated bouffant. She always had super-soft skin and swore by Pears Soap and Pond’s Cold Cream.
Who taught you the most about beauty or looking after your skin?
Without a doubt my mum. She was incredibly glamorous and always impeccably presented. She came of age in the 50s and was never without big voluminous hair and full make-up. I remember my dad telling me that just after I was born, he came back into the delivery room to see her sitting up in bed applying Max Factor Crème Puff and her signature bright pink Rimmel lipstick in ‘Kitten Cream’. Later in life, even if she was doing laundry or walking the dog, she’d have her hair done and her lippy on.
This influenced me massively, and I always conflated maintaining a well-presented face with dignity and self-respect. My mum’s skincare consisted of Dove’s Beauty Bar and Oil of Ulay Beauty Fluid (before it changed to Olay) — the latter came in a heavy glass bottle, and its light, fresh scent is one I will never forget.
Do you continue to adopt these generational practices now or still use any of these products yourself as a result?
Interestingly, cold cream has had a big resurgence in recent years due to its versatility as a cleanser, moisturiser, makeup remover, and mask. While my nana’s traditional Pond’s Cold Cream was likely heavy (and full of mineral oil), modern versions are often lighter and more sophisticated. Although I have a full skincare routine, I sometimes use a cold cream as a multi-use product if I’m in a rush or travelling light. The Seated Queen one transports me straight back to my nana’s house circa 1975.
My mum’s very minimal but striking makeup look also taught me that the classics always work: she never had more than around six products in her makeup bag and they are all products I reach for again and again. A good, sharp brow pencil, flicked liquid eyeliner, a pink lipstick (that she used to double up as a cream blusher) and a glossy black mascara. Her shocking pink Rimmel lipstick was too wild for me, but I still love the brand’s budgeproof dip liner.
What would you pass down to your children, or children you know, about how to care for their skin?
Sunscreen is the one thing I drill into both my children. I have one terrible memory of an acute childhood sunburn (which involved having a bed sheet soaked off my back where it had stuck to my blistered, weeping skin) and I am evangelical about daily use. When I was a kid growing up in the 70s, sun protection just wasn’t a thing, people would literally bake themselves in cooking oil and there was no real understanding of the dangers. I have told both my kids that sunscreen is the best skin-saving product they will ever use. I have also explained the importance of cleansing and barrier support, although my 14-year-old son needs constant reminders!
Krista Jadoo: Creative Lead
How old were you when you became aware of beauty rituals, and how did it impact you?
I think I was around seven years old when I first became aware of beauty rituals. I remember seeing my aunty covered in turmeric as part of a pre-wedding ceremony called 'Haldi.' This sacred ceremony involves applying turmeric (Haldi) to the bride and groom, symbolising cleansing, purification, and good fortune. Turmeric (Haldi) is also great for the skin due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, which help with acne, scars, dark spots, and promote a natural glow. It’s especially beneficial for South Asian skin. At the time, I also had chickenpox, and I remember my mum bathing me in turmeric, which likely helped the chickenpox heal quickly and without leaving scars.
Who taught you the most about beauty or looking after your skin?
My grandma played a big role in teaching my mother and aunty about beauty and skincare. She loved making Ayurvedic face masks with them, and it’s a tradition we still practice today. These masks were usually a mix of turmeric, chickpea flour, and yoghurt, which is amazing for hyperpigmentation. The mask also acts as a gentle exfoliator when you remove it. I’ve found that nothing works quite like this combination.
Do you continue to adopt these generational practices now or still use any of these products yourself as a result?
One routine that has stayed with me is ‘hair oil day’, which happens every Sunday. It’s a special time when my mum and I catch up, share self-care, and enjoy each other's company. I still follow this tradition, and it’s a bonding ritual I cherish.
What would you pass down to your children, or children you know, about how to care for their skin?
I would definitely pass down the importance of using SPF. It’s something I didn’t use when I was younger, but looking back, it probably would have helped with my skin issues. SPF is key to preventing hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and other skin concerns. I would also pass down the practice of double cleansing – it would have made a huge difference for my spotty skin when I was younger.
Amy Roystone: Pro Operations Manager
Growing up I had an incredibly close relationship with my grandmother, and I recall my first ever skincare conversation being with her. I have a vivid memory of standing in the bathroom together as she applied her face cream with her explaining the importance of using face cream to keep your skin young and healthy. I've also never been allowed to forget the confusion I expressed when asking my Grandma why she had so many wrinkles if that's what it does!!
It’s amazing to me just how special something as simple as skincare or beauty rituals can be and what they can mean to people when used religiously as part of a routine. For me, a tiny whiff of Clinique's Aromatics Elixir Body Smoother or Crabtree and Evelyn's Summer Hill range can feel like a much-needed hug from my grandma, or like she's right here with me again. For that reason, I will never not have at least one of those things in my home, it's so much more than skin care: it’s profound memories of the women who used them.
Words by Nicky Connors - Team Skin Rocks
Qualifications - Beauty Industry Professional, 25 years | BA (Hons) English | Beauty Writer | Copy Editor | HND Specialist Makeup
