Beauty Director Danielle Gay Shares Her Favourite Skin Treatment & Rituals
Previously Head of Brand at Vogue, and now Beauty Director at Gritty Pretty, it is safe to say you are a true expert in all things beauty. Could you share your first memory of beauty growing up?
“My mother always sprayed CHANEL No.5, it was the only fragrance she wore. When I was growing up, she only wore it on special occasions, so it was rare but exciting to catch a waft of No.5. Funnily enough, it was purely functional—it was the only fragrance that didn’t give her migraines. But as a child, I loved the complex floral aroma, it was like nothing I’d ever smelled before.”
You are fully immersed in all things beauty, everyday, could you share your top 5 beauty products you can’t live without?
“Of course! I have to start with my favourite cleanser, which is Rationale #4 The Cleanser, and is full of skin-loving ceramides and lipids. Kora’s Turmeric Glow Moisturiser for hydration. I use Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pad Self-Tanner for Face every Sunday evening as these little pre-soaked pads exfoliate and give my complexion a tiny hint of a glow. I’d have to have an SPF in there; I’m currently loving Avene SPF 50+ Sunscreen Aqua Fluid Face, and for makeup it would be CHANEL Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream.”
What is your go-to beauty or wellness treatment?
“The Heart Chakra facial at Jocelyn Petroni. It’s truly divine.”
How has your relationship with wellness evolved over the years? Have you always been interested in self optimisation and wellness?
“I’ve always loved beauty and, for me, beauty really is about skin health and I think that goes hand-in-hand with wellness. When I landed the job as Beauty Director at Gritty Pretty in early 2021, I definitely started immersing myself even more so in my own beauty and wellness rituals. My skin is at its best when I’m drinking lots of water, using supplements like PEARL in nutrient-rich smoothies, limiting my alcohol intake and properly taking time for myself at night and in the mornings to complete my skincare routine. To me, beauty and wellness complement each other.”
You recently shared your experience with Prolon - a fasting mimicking diet for longevity and long term health. How was that experience, and what were your main takeaways from that experience?
“I had seen an episode of goop’s Netflix series where Gwyneth Paltrow and other goop staffers ate according to certain plans (ie. vegan) and then tested their biological ages. Gwyneth was tasked with the Prolon Diet and she lost the most years off her biological age (ie. she was younger and her life had been prolonged).. I was so intrigued, so I wanted to try it myself. The experience was wonderful, and while it’s not for everyone, I felt great after it: I felt really alert and my usual fatigue had been lifted. I also slept really well. I found that I was satisfied with regular portions, something I’d struggled with during lockdowns (what else to do but eat and drink?!). The main takeaways for me were surrounding the enjoyment of food and the process of eating, plus reconnecting with that feeling of being ‘full’.”
How do you prioritise your wellbeing on a day to day basis? Do you have a specific routine you follow in the morning or evening?
“I like to do at least one form of exercise every day—even if it’s a 15 minute Fluidform At Home session or a yoga workout on Apple Fitness+. I also meditate each day using the Waking Up With Sam Harris app—it’s by far the best meditation app I’ve ever used. Evenings for me about switching off, we have dinner early and then I like to read a good book before making sure I’m early to bed (8.30pm).”
What are your go-to beauty and wellness supplements?
“At the moment, I am only using PEARL Marine Collagen—and I’m not just saying that! It’s my current go-to because I love the coconut flavour. I’m not taking anything else at the moment aside from ArmaForce ahead of my first overseas trip since 2019!”
Could you share your favourite way to consume your PEARL Marine Collagen?
“I use it in a smoothie. Here’s the recipe: ½ - 1 banana (depending on how hungry I am), a handful of blueberries, a handful of baby spinach, 3 teaspoons of PEARL Marine Collagen, a teaspoon of peanut butter and a splash of coconut or almond milk.”
Lastly, if you could share one piece of beauty or wellness advice with our readers, what would that be?
“Look after your skin barrier. The skin barrier really is the key to healthy or unhealthy skin. It’s exactly what it sounds like—a protective barrier that keeps the good stuff in (like water) and the bad stuff out (like bacteria). Look for skincare products that honour and protect the skin barrier and if you’re having skin issues, that would be the first place I’d look.”
Find Danielle Gay on Instagram here
Read more about all things beauty at Gritty Pretty here