S4, Ep3 – In conversation with Alice Hart-Davis
23 February 2024
Life & Smile continues the Season Four conversation as Dr Reena is joined in the Harley Street recording studio with a name that effortlessly merges the media industry with that of the medical and aesthetic world.
Alice Hart-Davis is a journalist and household name, featuring in The Times, The Telegraph, The Daily Mail, and Hello Magazine. She is renowned as an industry insider who is highly regarded for providing trusted advice on tweakments, practitioners & getting the best results via The Tweakments Guide.
Conversation Show Notes – The Recap
Dr Reena opens the show by welcoming Alice, and they begin by recapping how it all started for Alice’s career. She reveals that she landed her first job at Vogue Magazine straight out of university, following an internship. Although the role wasn’t particularly glamorous—she describes it as mostly “putting the commas into the right places”—she calls it the best training ground.
A decade at The Telegraph followed, where Alice moved around in various roles for about ten years.
The pivotal turning point came when her time at The Telegraph ended. This moment, although difficult, pushed Alice to take the leap into freelancing. A self-described “pretty cautious creature,” losing the security of her full-time role actually opened many doors. It gave her the freedom to explore the health and beauty landscape, leading her to write for ES Magazine and delve into the world of non-surgical cosmetic procedures, or “tweakments” as Alice affectionately calls them.
Her introduction to the tweakments space came early in her freelance career, when her second baby was just three weeks old. Although she imagined she’d have time to organise family photo albums, decades later those albums remain untouched, as her freelance life took off quickly.
Alice is particularly passionate about regenerative approaches, focusing on new, non-invasive methods in aesthetic medicine. She notes she dislikes the word “trends” when it comes to aesthetics, preferring a more thoughtful discussion. Still, she highlights how skin conditioners and similar treatments are currently at the forefront. Her latest research, particularly on fillers, has sparked significant industry discussions.
Her advice to aspiring journalists is clear: becoming a journalist takes hard work. In today’s landscape, in-house teams are often very small, so much of the market is driven by freelancers. She emphasises the importance of getting your work in front of the right people—show editors that you know your subject and maintain a strong online portfolio.
Alice’s platform, The Tweakments Guide, was born after 20 years of writing about tweakments and skincare. As public curiosity grew, people began asking whether toxins or fillers were right for them and who they could trust—she saw a need for better guidance. The space was confusing and lacked transparency, so Alice wrote a book to share trusted, insider knowledge.
This later evolved into an online platform, offering users a way to explore tweakments and skincare options while connecting with highly regarded practitioners.
Alice keeps a very full diary during the week, filled with meetings, filming, content creation, SEO, marketing, and many external appointments. Despite her busy schedule, she aims to maintain a grounded routine—early morning exercise, meditation, cold showers, and as much as possible, avoiding alcohol and sticking to early nights. Walks in Hyde Park with her little dog, especially watching the swans, are a favourite way to unwind.
Her must-have handbag essentials? Among the cycling glasses and selfie stick, Alice always carries eye drops, tinted lip balm, hair ties, and a body cream—all carefully selected as small but effective pick-me-ups throughout her day.
Episode Key Takeaways – The Best ideas
There is often a pivotal moment in your career that pushes you to take the next step. Without embracing it, you could miss out on valuable opportunities.
Be persistent—keep your work visible to the right people and follow up consistently.
Stay flexible and open to new possibilities; sometimes unexpected opportunities can be truly amazing.
Your career can be multi-hyphenated, blending multiple roles and skills to create a unique path.
On social media, instant feedback is invaluable; understanding your audience’s preferences can greatly enhance your approach.
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