ABOUT ANITA

I’m a journalist who investigates how beauty culture is controlling our lives, and has done for centuries. I explore the ugly truth about our beauty standards, and how pretty privilege can shape our entire lives. And I’m always looking for ways we can maintain autonomy over our looks, because the beauty industry behemoth doesn’t always have our best interests at heart…

I’m a multi award winning journalist, speaker, and the author of UGLY: Giving Us Back Our Beauty Standards published by Blink (Bonnier). This part-memoir, part cultural and historical commentary was first published in hardback in 2023, and was serialised by The Guardian and Independent, featured on BBC Woman’s Hour, and Channel 4 Steph’s Packed Lunch. UGLY was was named a book to watch by Porter, Stylist and Glamour.

This part-memoir, part cultural and historical commentary was first published in hardback in 2023, and was serialised by The Guardian and Independent, featured on BBC Woman’s Hour, and Channel 4 Steph’s Packed Lunch. UGLY was named a book to watch by Porter, Stylist and Glamour.

Read more about UGLY here →

I’m also a beauty columnist at The Guardian Saturday magazine, freelance Beauty Director at Condé Nast Traveller, and have contributed to Vogue, Glamour, Allure, The Telegraph, i-D, The Evening Standard, NME and many more.

As an experienced speaker and moderator, I’ve both curated and appeared on panels at WOW, Stylist Live, and numerous literary festivals. I’ve interviewed CEOs, authors, and celebrities in front of live audiences, and have hosted beauty events in collaboration with global brands like Sunday Riley, YSL and The Body Shop. And appeared as a judge on the Marie Claire, asos, Getty awards etc.

- Best Print Feature Glamour,
‘Is Wellness being Whitewashed?’

As a broadcaster, I’ve worked with Channel 4 Steph’s Packed Lunch as a regular beauty expert, appeared across BBC London, BBC Wales, BBCs Asian Network, Times Radio and others as a speaking head on beauty, wellness and inclusivity.

Prior to being freelance, I held senior beauty and features roles at some of the UK’s biggest media titles, including Marie Claire, Women’s Health and Stylist (read more here →) and have amassed more than 25 awards and nominations for my work as a journalist. I now use my editorial experience to help brands, agencies and institutions deliver content, strategy and insight that finds the optimal place between truly authentic and innovative.

I have an MA in Journalism from Cardiff University, and grew up in South Wales, before moving to London, where I still live.