In a world overrun by fashion and beauty influencers, Trinny Woodall is an OG. The British style queen has been influencing women’s wardrobe choices for over two decades, offering style advice first through a ’90s column for London’s The Daily Telegraph and then through the hit TV show “What Not To Wear.” And while fashion and making women over is still part of her DNA, skincare and beauty are her true north.
Woodall, who shares that she struggled with acne between the ages of 18 and 30, says she “tried everything” in an effort to clear her skin. The experience fueled a desire to learn everything she could about ingredients and skincare so she could create her own line one day. In 2017, Woodall launched Trinny London as a makeup collection, and in 2022, the brand expanded into skincare.
“The premise behind the brand is that you shouldn’t get stuck doing the same thing,” Woodall says. “We should rethink our skincare routine and life quite often, but to do that, you need easy, simple solutions. You don’t need a million products; you need good, clean ones created with active ingredients at the right efficiency levels.”
Ahead, Woodall shares what’s in her wardrobe and in her beauty cabinet with CNN Underscored.
To keep her thick, shoulder-length locks looking full and fabulous, Woodall applies this volumizing mousse to damp hair at the roots to create instant lift. “It gives great hold without being heavy,” she says of her must-have styling hero.
To cleanse her skin, Woodall uses this oil-based cleanser, which is formulated with pineapple enzymes to smooth skin and almond and jojoba oil. She then applies a liquid exfoliant and a Vitamin C serum. Lastly, she applies the Bounce Back Intense Peptide Moisturizer, which deeply hydrates the skin and is powered by hyaluronic acid and peptides. “I do the same routine in the evening, except I replace [the] Vitamin C with a retinoid to encourage the turnover of healthy cells while I sleep,” she shares.
Admitting to being “a very different person now in my fifties than when I was in my twenties,” Woodall says that, like all women, she continues to experience skin and hormonal fluctuations. However, her life and health changed for the better after meeting Dr. Erika Schwartz, a leading authority on hormonal imbalances and disease prevention. “I quit sugar, got my hormones back in balance and have so much more energy. I no longer crash every afternoon. Everyone should read her book, 'The Hormone Solution.'”
Woodall’s mantra for accessorizing is to remember that metallics go with everything. “My can’t-live-without metallic accessories are shoes and a belt, as they pair with everything,” she says. This season, her go-to accessories are these metallic slingback kitten heels and this gold metallic belt from Zara.
Woodall swears by this jojoba- and olive-oil-infused luxe hair serum that mends split ends and protects the hair against color fading and damage. “I love this to counteract all that abuse from the hairdryer," she says.
As for her signature scent, Woodall is a loyal devotee of the iconic British fragrance house Penhaligon. “I love Blenheim Bouquet, which is actually a men’s fragrance,” Woodall shares. “It’s citrusy and spicy and makes me feel so fresh and ready for my day.” Created for the 9th Duke of Marlborough by Walter Penhaligon over a century ago, the fragrance has notes of lemon, lavender and pine.
“I love this power legging in navy! They look good and make you feel good when you’re working out,” says Woodall, who does strength training on Mondays and Wednesdays, yoga on Tuesdays and Saturdays and Pilates on Fridays. Created from a stretchy fabric, these sweat-wicking and quick-drying leggings have a side pocket and a back zip pocket. “You also won’t go wrong in any of Lululemon’s leggings,” Woodall adds.
When it comes to makeup, Woodall shares this expert tip for setting the stage for glowing skin. “I apply a multi-purpose highlight color — my favorite is our Lip2Cheek in Veebee — to my eyes and cheeks before applying our BFF De-Stress tinted serum, which soothes the skin and enhances radiance.” Turbo-charged with skin-enhancing ingredients like stress-busting neurophroline and hydrating hyaluronic acid, this tinted serum gives skin a dewy glow.
A champion of British brands, Woodall is also a fan of Smythson and has this notebook, a cardholder, and a luggage tag all in a statement-making neon yellow. “I love that this notebook says happiness on the cover! It draws you in and makes me want to pick it up and start writing in it,” she says. “I also love having a neon yellow luggage tag, as no one is going to pick up your luggage by mistake.” The cardholder, meanwhile, is the perfect purse for Woodall, who notes that she doesn’t like large wallets. “I used to have one of those credit card holders on the back of my phone, but it fell off, so this is perfect.”
“For me, co-ords are the most efficient item in my wardrobe — I buy them in bright colors, prints and plains; I can wear them together or separately and you can wear the shirt open as a jacket,” says Woodall. “This coordinated set in chic navy is perfect for work and [the] weekend with its slim-crop pants and cute matching balloon-sleeve top.”