This weeks Glowdown is with someone who I’ve admired for a long time now. I’ve followed their career from magazine editorials to celebrity cover shoots and been inspired by many a makeup look on Instagram. Meet Joely Walker; the beauty & health director for Grazia magazine.

Joely has been a leading beauty expert for over 7 years, working on the print and digital side of magazines for the likes of ELLE UK and now Grazia. Spanning feature writing, directing cover shoots, designing product pages, interviewing celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow and hosting consumer events, Joely is an expert in her field with an infectious positive, down to earth and hilarious personality which shines through on her Instagram. When she isn’t running around New York to interview celebrities, Joely can be found hosting pizza parties with her friends (often themed events), travelling to beautiful locations and sharing product recommendations and tutorials to her 20k Instagram followers.

She’s beautiful, down to earth and I’m honoured to be chatting with her today about her incredible career to date, beauty essentials, her stunning French chateaux wedding and what it was like to interview Zoe Kravitz…

AO: “Joely, it is a complete honour to be chatting to you today. How are your spirits at the moment?”

JW: “Hi, thank you! I went out for dinner for the first time last night with friends and it felt almost normal (albeit with plenty of anti-bac)”.

AO: “I’m not sure if that feels normal or still surreal, haha! I’m going out for a pub lunch on Sunday and can’t wait. So Joely, what does your current beauty routine look like?”

JW: “At the start of lockdown I didn’t wear makeup for a while. Now, I’ve got back into the habit of wearing it most days, even if just a touch of concealer, a balmy lipstick and a fluffed up brow (I love a fluffy brow). Skincare wise, I struggled at the start of lockdown with a rosacea flare up, so I’ve been focusing on reparative products that support the skin barrier, as well as antioxidant serums and daily SPF (Jan Marini is brilliant). 

For hair, I’ve found some great caring products - Larry King’s new Liquid Hairbrush is amazing! And I love the Fable & Mane shampoo and conditioner too - they smell dreamy. I’ve also been leaving my hair to dry naturally a lot - embracing and caring for my curls. 

For body, I try to moisturise twice a day, once when I get out of the shower in the morning and a quick extra layer before I go to bed (which my husband always laughs at and says is excessive). Nuxe Honey Body Oil Balm is AMAZING. As are Votary Body Oil and Clarins Moisture Rich Body Lotion. I’ve been sporadically self tanning, too, using body Mousse’s from Bare by Vogue, St Tropez and Vita Liberata.”

AO: “I’m immediately going out to buy Larry King’s new product! Clarins Moisture Rich is one of my favourite body products too, it brings back so many memories of summer holidays for me! Have you introduced any more rituals or routines since being at home?”

JW: “I’m working from home at the moment and I’ve taken to removing all my makeup and applying my nighttime skincare routine as soon as I’ve logged offline for the day. The longer those targeted ingredients stay on, the better!”

AO: “Let’s talk about your career, you’ve worked for some incredible titles including ELLE UK and Grazia. Where did it all begin for you and is there any advice you’d give to someone starting a career in beauty journalism today?”

JW: It all began with an ELLE internship after my second year of Manchester University, where I studied Drama (mostly English Lit and writing based as opposed to acting). I had always, always loved beauty - a joy that has stayed with me throughout my career. For anyone starting out I would say don’t get into it because of the products and events that you might see on Instagram (those things are changing all the time) but because you truly love it. You love trying new brands, reporting on trends, investigating articles. If you do, put yourself out there - email all of the places you’d like to work asking for an internship. Turn up and show them what you can do. If you want to write, send the beauty editor pieces during your internship, asking for their feedback. Be proactive, and use the internships wisely. 

AO: “I admire that honest advice. I adore Grazia and the beautiful product pages you create - where do you find the inspiration and how do you plan your features?”

JW: Thank you! We have fortnightly planning meetings as well as a constant flow of ideas on our Teams chat group. On a weekly magazine with around 10 beauty pages a week (roughly 40+ a month) there’s a lot of content needed! As well as producing daily online articles. I find my inspiration from new product launches, speaking to experts, attending (now virtual events) and even chatting with friends - what are they wanting/missing right now when it comes to beauty? (Yes, we ALL want our brows done RN).”

AO: “That is a lot of content but it must be amazing researching and finding new topics, products and trends to talk about. Who is the most ‘pinch me’ person that you’ve interviewed in your career so far?”

JW: “Cate Blanchett was actually the first ever celebrity interview I did for ELLE. She was incredible. Definitely a pinch me moment. That, and battling through a snow storm in New York to interview Gwyneth Paltrow.  One of my favourites - although it was over the phone - was with Zoe Kravitz. Now you’ve got me thinking! So many incredible women.”

AO: “So many inspiring ladies! I absolutely adore Zoe Kravitz, the ultimate cool woman. Did you have any mentors or career role models in the industry when you first started writing?”

JW: “Absolutely. Sophie Beresiner, my boss at ELLE both times (I started there as beauty assistant and went back as beauty editor) has been the most incredible mentor to me. She’s also a wonderful friend, who continues to inspire me daily.”

AO: “Sophie is another of my favourite journalists. You guys are the ultimate duo. Your La La Land video was hilarious! When it comes to hiring a junior member for your team, what do you look for?” 

JW: “Enthusiasm, hard worker and a team player. It’s so important to have one another’s backs.”

AO: “What does a typical day look like for a beauty director (when we aren’t in lockdown!)?:

JW: “Lockdown days are very different! Pre-lockdown, my days would usually start with a breakfast meeting in central London, or perhaps a press event, followed by catching up on emails and internal meetings in the office in Camden. In the afternoon I might have another meeting, or an expert interview, or an evening event. I might be on a work trip, or shooting a beauty editorial in a studio. Really no two days are the same and that’s one of the aspects of my job I love the most. The variety.:

AO: “And how has that changed since going into lockdown?”

JW: “Now I kickstart the day with emails and checking sites and social for any beauty news. I then go into a big meeting with other departments to chat through ideas for the day - both for online and print. I then crack on with emails, writing, team brainstorms, virtual events, virtual interviews, moodboarding for shoots. There’s still plenty of variety!”

AO: “Variety is key - my job is similar in that no day is the same and it makes such a difference. Personally, I love the feeling I get from flicking through a tangible magazine and will always buy my favourite weeklies and monthlies. With the rise of digital media, what do you think is the future for traditional beauty journalism?” 

JW: “There will always be a place for beauty journalism and print media. Even during lockdown I’ve noticed people returning to print for its informative escapism.” 

AO: “What do you love the most about working in such an inspiring industry that is filled with empowering females?”

JW: “Exactly that. Working with such inspiring and creative people on a daily basis. I thrive off good, positive energy and there’s a lot of that around.”

AO: “If you had to choose, which 3 makeup products would remain in your routine for life?”

JW: “I could never choose three for life! The commitment! But, my current 3 favourites seeing me through lockdown are. Chanel Soleil Bronzer, Urban Decay Concealer, Iconic Highlighting drops, benefit gimme brow... ok that’s four, but I could go on.”

AO: “What kind of ‘scent’ person are you?” 

JW: “I have an eclectic taste when it comes to fragrance. I love an uplifting citrus scent. I love a musky scent. I love a dusty rose scent (nothing too sweet). I’m currently obsessed with the new Loewe Paula’s Ibiza fragrance - it smells like summer - and Le Labo Another 13 - just so bloody good.” 

AO: “I’m the same - I couldn’t possible have one favourite scent! Molecule 01 is my current obsession. Having a wind down routine is so important for my wellbeing. I’d love to know what your evening routine looks like?”

JW: “As I mentioned, in trying to kickstart my skincare routine earlier on in the evening. A thorough double cleanse is key. Then I’ll put my track pants on (who am I kidding, most of the time I’m wearing them already), I’ll light a candle, cook while listening to Smooth radio and chatting with my husband. Then it’s likely Netflix, and a good book before bed. I’ve just finished Where the Crawdads Sing - such a brilliant book.”

AO: “That sounds like an idyllic evening. Before I go, I have to mention your beautiful French Chateaux wedding. How did you pick your hair and makeup for the day? Was there much trial and error or did you know exactly what you wanted?”

JW: “The wonderful Larry King did my hair - and we did a trial a few months before. We did one up do, one ponytail, one down look. I went for the relaxed ponytail. For make-up, the brilliant Amy Conway from Bobbi Brown came over to France. Again, we did a trial a few months before, and she got exactly what I was after.”

AO: Well, it looked incredible. I loved seeing all the behind the scenes of your day. Now for a quick fire round…”

JW: “Let’s do it!”

AO: “You’re hosting a pizza party and can invite anyone you want, who’s coming?”

JW: “Husband. Siblings. Friends. And my parents if I could get them down from Yorkshire. A pizza party is my favourite thing. I don’t do fancy food.”

AO: “Favourite accounts to follow on Instagram?”

JW: “@thelondonpantry foodie account. @velvetcoke throwback pics. And, of course, @graziauk.”

AO: “First restaurant you’re going to visit when we are out of lockdown?”

JW: “I went to Trullo, Islington for bowls of delicious pasta, hunks of sourdough in olive oil, burrata and peaches, cheese plate, the works.”

AO: “Bold lip or a bold eye?”

JW: “Both. At the same time. Because, well, why the hell not?”