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 before, and while I loved the results (smooth, glowy, not to mention hair-free skin), I’ve always been a bit nervous to do it on myself.

Until now…

Today, I’m diving deep into why I’ve started dermaplaning at home, how it’s helping me manage the "testosterone fuzz," and the expert tips I’ve gathered to make sure you don’t nick your face (or your confidence).

In This Episode I Talk About:

1. The Testosterone Side Effect: Why being on HRT for a year has been a game-changer for my muscles and energy, but has left me a bit hairier than I’d like on my face.
2. My First Time: Reminiscing about my 2019 treatment with Dr. David Jack in London and why I was nervous to DIY.
3. Myth Busting: Does the hair actually grow back thicker and darker?
4. The "Melted Butter" Technique: Step-by-step instructions on holding the skin taut and the 45-degree angle rule.
5. Post-Blade Care: How to soothe that "raw" feeling with Hyaluronic Acid and the right moisturisers.
6. Maintenance & Hygiene: How often to swap your blades and why "squeaky clean" is the only way to start.

Resources:

1. Dr. David Jack Clinic: The London clinic where I first had this done. David is an incredible aesthetic doctor (and former ER doctor!) with locations in Harley Street, Liberty, and Edinburgh.
2. Japonesque Dermaplaner & Cooling Eye Roller: The tool I picked up at Publix! I love the stainless steel Japanese blade and the little rollerball for de-puffing.
3. Hollywood Browzer: Recommended by makeup artist Nadira V Persaud. Founder Amy Anzel shares her tips in this episode on the "short feathery stroke" method.
4. The Beauty Ed® Substack: Subscribe for the full write-up, including the unretouched photos of my skin after my first treatment.

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 burning questions.

So today I’m giving you a full update on how it’s actually going for me.

In this episode, I’m sharing:

1. Why I was terrified of turning into a bodybuilder (and why that didn't happen!).
2. Why the mental clarity and focus that I gained was just as important as libido.
3. My exact muscle gain stats from January 2025 to now, and how my body composition has shifted.
4. Your DMs and questions like: Can you take testosterone on its own? What do you do if your GP refuses to prescribe it?
5. My tips for applying the cream, dealing with facial hair, and the "wrist trick" a follower shared with me.
6. Why I’m looking at diet, stress, and protein alongside my hormones.

Timestamps:

1. 01:26 – Why "testosterone" is a scary name for a brilliant "blue" hormone.
2. 03:02 – The libido talk: Feeling "complete" again and restoring my spark.
3. 05:08 – Why I couldn't function as a writer or mother without that mental clarity.
4. 06:16 – My OrangeTheory Transformation: The data behind my 4% muscle gain.
5. 08:30 – Advocating for yourself: What to do when you hit a wall with your doctor.
6. 10:26 – Do you need the "Full HRT Package" to take T? Louise clarifies.
7. 12:15 – Let’s talk about the hair: Chin fuzz, leg hair, and my dermaplaning obsession.
8. 14:38 – My final verdict after 12 months.

Resources:

1. The Balance App
2. Dr. Louise Newson’s Website
3. Orangetheory
4. Follow me on Instagram:

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 my days at Company and Cosmo Girl was the perfect recovery.

In this episode, I cover:

1. Dermaplaning vs. Threading: Which one is right for facial fuzz?
2. High-Tech Skin: The lowdown on CACI Facials and at-home Face Tools.
3. My honest take on Jones Road Makeup and the products to try.
4. Skincare Science: Navigating the world of Retinol and AHA Skincare.

Have a question for the next "Dear Donna" segment? Message me on:

1. Instagram: @thebeautyed
2. Substack: @donnathebeautyed
3. Email: donna@thebeautyed.com

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review - it helps more than you know, especially after this week of tech-gremlins!