Choosing who and what to feature on this site always starts with the same question: what is it about a person, brand or special thing that has us excited in the here and now. Often, it’s a simple case of asking ourselves who is capturing our imagination at a given moment. But then there are those rare moments when we manage to sit down with the types we’ve grown up – you know, the ones who have somehow been a constant presence in our lives. It’s in that latter camp that Jessica Diner comfortably resides.
As fellow British Vogue readers will attest, during her eight-year tenure as health and beauty editor, she pretty much taught us everything we need to know, from the power of a killer brow, to the minefield that is contouring. Admittedly, though, the quest for beauty greatness is rather fickle: once we’ve found the exact combination to take us there, we all have a tendency to hold on to them for dear life. But ever since she made the leap to Birchbox last year, she’s only gone on to prove that the big brands and products we all know and love are just the tip of the iceberg.
Given that her job at Birchbox is to test everything and essentially be a walking, talking phantom of beauty knowledge, we were curious: what products should we have on our radar? What are the treatments worth dropping serious money on? And, maybe even more importantly, what’s the trick to create a beauty and wellness routine we can actually stick to? Here she shares all…
[show_shopthepost_widget id=”935650″]
CAREER
I secured a summer graduate place at Vanity Fair in New York while I was still at university and spent the summer of my 3rd year there. It was hard work but I loved the glamour of it all. Once I graduated, I applied for internships at Vogue House in London and was accepted for a three-month stint at GQ. I then went on to intern at other mags in the building like Tatler, Japanese and Chinese Vogue, as well as British Vogue. It was at the latter that I helped out in the beauty department and was first introduced to the world of beauty. An assistant job came up there not long after and that’s when I was officially hooked. The lifelong ambition took hold and I was there for eight years until I made my move over to Birchbox.
Birchbox is different every day and that’s why I love it. It has a monthly cycle like a magazine – each month we’re working on different editorial themes, creatives and brands to suit that month’s box. I love the dynamism of the concept. You can have an idea one day and it happens the next. We are such a malleable and agile team and that’s where the fun lies. I am working on a VERY exciting project that will bring our 5th anniversary birthday to life in September, but I can’t say much more than that…
HEALTHY LIVING
If my roles have taught me anything, it’s that routine is important. Healthy. Clean living is a way of life and for good habits to take hold, routine is key, whether that’s sticking to a new skincare product for two months to see it’s true effects or consistently having a mind for good health. I like to mix up my exercise because I get bored too easily if I’m doing one thing all the time. Variety is important. I like to spin one day, go for a run the next, and throw Pilates into the mix too. I think doing whatever makes you feel good is the key to success with exercise. The moment it becomes a chore, you’ll either stop doing it or it won’t have the effects you want. I head to Psycle for spinning and Heatcore for Pilates. The Workshop Gym is amazing for one-on-one training and I love the Nike NTC app for a bit of at-home fitness. As far as food is concerned, I live by the mantra of everything in moderation. I have always erred to the healthy (I grew up in a totally organic household) but equally, if I want that plate of pasta or dessert, I won’t drive myself mad about it. Life is too short.
[show_shopthepost_widget id=”935655″]
SKINCARE
My skincare routine changes periodically as it’s part of my job to try new things, but there are certain products I go back to time and time again. Liz Earle’s Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser is a tried and tested favourite, a does it all cleanser for all skin types. I have also always been faithful to Estée Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair Serum – antioxidants are essential to protect skin against daily aggressors – and then more generally I love to treat myself to face masks. Ren, Crème de la Mer and Balance Me are my staples. The best part about working at Birchbox is that you discover new products all the time. We have a cleansing water in our Birchbag this month, for example, by Italian brand Bionike, which is brilliant at refreshing and toning skin. I’m a firm believer that inner beauty is as important as outer, so while I slather my face in serums and creams, I also drink a ton of water and take supplements. Imedeen’s Derma One and any good quality fish oil are a must.
MAKE-UP
My make-up routine is fairly simple – a BB cream or tinted moisturizer is my first step. I love Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturiser, which I apply liberally all over my face with my hands. Then I use a bronzer, which is normally Lord & Berry (another brand I discovered through Birchbox) and then mascara. I can’t live without it! Benefit’s Roller Lash is unbelievable and the best at lengthening and separating long lashes. I like to mix and match my brands, always wanting to try new things out, but you will always find brands like those, as well as MAC and Nars, in some form in my make-up bag. If I could only have three pieces of make-up in my bag it would always be mascara, mascara, mascara. I would be too scared to run out so if I could only have three, I would hoard Benefit’s Roller Lash mascara as if my life depended on it!
HAIR
I don’t have much of a hair routine – I am very much a wash and go kind of girl. I use Phillip Kingsley for shampoo and conditioner (the Body Building range) and then I try to do their Elasticizer treatment once a week, which is a lifesaver if you have long hair. I recently discovered Kebelo Clarifying Shampoo, which you only use once a week and is brilliant at removing product build up for voluminous shiny hair.
I have a haircut once every three months with George Northwood. We have been friends for 10 years and I trust him implicitly. And actually, it’s a two-birds-one-stone situation because there is a manicurist called Magda there who gives the most unbelievable mani-pedis. I see her when I have my haircut and then paint my own feet and hands the rest of the time. I do my hands once a week and toes once every two. I love to do it myself; I find it very therapeutic.
WELLBEING
I don’t do massages much but I love a facial – the Liz Earle Signature facial has long been my favourite and I’ve been hard pressed to find one in London that meets its brilliant standards. I also see acupuncturist Ross Barr every six-weeks for general zen and wellbeing. He should be on everyone’s speed dial.
Fitting in a focus on our health and wellbeing and generally putting ourselves first can be a challenge but it’s important. It requires a conscious effort but you have to make the time. I tend to exercise or get any appointments done before work. It’s a killer getting out of bed that much earlier but once up and at it, it’s done. That way, you can get on with your day, empowered that you have started it by doing something good for yourself. It’s the same with your beauty regime – the morning routine is quick and easy but I make the time to do a mask before bed or spray some relaxing oils on m skin before I go to sleep. Be good to yourself. You can always find time for that. It’s a mindset.
Photographs by David Nyanzi exclusively for The Lifestyle Edit, with art direction by Naomi Mdudu.