Donna shares her tips and tricks for preparing for the big events in life…

For any important event, whether it’s a long stint of filming or a big party, I love to look my best (who doesn’t!). For me, that means taking care of myself and ensuring I am getting lots of sleep and plenty of hydration, inside and out. 

My three golden rules: 

Clear the mind: I’m a creative person, so with all the millions of thoughts and ideas constantly running through my head, I really struggle to ‘switch off’ at the end of the day. In order to get a restful night’s sleep, or if I need to be on my game for an event or presentation, I think a clear mind and relaxed state is so important.

Years ago, a naturopath suggested I try basil to help clear my thoughts and now it’s my go-to pre-party/event/anything secret. I make a simple tea by adding fresh basil leaves and lemon juice to hot water, maybe with a little raw honey for sweetness. And, because I like that wonderfully clear feeling to radiate on my complexion, Estée Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair collection has become my best friend. I rely on the magical powers of the Synchronized Recovery Complex II to hydrate and revitalize my skin while I sleep.

Get the glow: Running a magazine, travelling and being Mum to two busy boys leaves little space for downtime. Having a moment to slow down before bed is so important and now that my boys are growing up, it’s become a special time for us to sit together and talk about our day. They like to curl up with warm milk or even hot chocolate, and I have a warm mug of oat or almond milk, which contains tryptophan and tells my mind it’s time to unwind. I like to add warming, comforting spices like cinnamon and nutmeg plus a drizzle of raw honey to aid a restful night’s sleep. As part of this nighttime ritual, I’ve also started using the new Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Complex, and my skin is in love. Those dark circles are history!

Bright eyes: Spending hours in the kitchen or looking at layouts on a computer screen can really take a toll on your skin, especially the delicate skin around your eyes. I know it does on mine! But when it comes to special events, my eyes need to look refreshed and sparkly, and I’m the first to admit it takes a bit of work to get them there. My secret? Advanced Night Repair Concentrated Recovery Eye Masks. These genius masks are an instant boost for your eyes –within 10 minutes they make you look as though you’ve had a refreshing 12-hour sleep! They’re my go to for pre-filming eye prep – whilst my stylist is drying and styling my locks, I pop them under my eyes. By the time I’m ready for make-up, my eyes look hydrated and ready for a day under the lights.

My other tricks are silk eye masks and silk pillowcases – not only is the silk gentle on my skin (preventing ugly crease marks!), but the pillows help to maintain a blow-dry, too.

With my pre-party prep in full swing, all that’s left to do is choose a glamorous outfit for the evening, slide on a pair of heels, and I’ll be ready to celebrate. 

Donna x

                                                                   In collaboration with Estée Lauder