Written by LAURA REGENSDORF

An in-demand aesthetician like Melanie Grant understands that maintaining glowing skin is a coordinated effort: good sleep and microneedling and long walks all of a piece. This is, after all, the woman whose custom facials keep the likes of Victoria Beckham and Dua Lipa ready for the limelight, and whose 2022 book, The Modern Guide to Skin Health, is the definitive word on the subject. (Her skin care edit at VIOLET GREY is the shoppable version of that advice.) Grant is ever on the go—from her home in London, to her New York treatment studio above the Madison Store, back to her native Australia—which makes the momentary pauses all the more valuable. Here is how she unwinds, from the Cotswolds to her nightly bath.

WHAT’S IN YOUR MORNING CUP?
I like to start with room-temperature water mixed with the juice of two lemons, followed by a strong coffee—either black or, if I’m home in London, homemade almond milk. It’s honestly so easy to make, I can never understand why you would buy the packaged version. I also love chicken bone broth with lemon—I often drink two liters a day. In London I have Daylesford; in Australia, it’s Star Anise from Bronte. Both are organic, easy, and amazing. 

WHAT IS YOUR DOWNTIME UNIFORM?
For winter, I hide comfortable leggings and a knit underneath a beautiful coat and chic boots. I love the Demi wool leggings from Nagnata with a simple long-sleeved cashmere knit. This way, I’m super comfy and warm, but still look put together. For summer, always a beautiful dress. I love cotton voile or ramie with a great sandal. Dresses are easy as it’s a complete outfit, so you don’t have to think too much.

HOW DO YOU UNPLUG FROM WORK?
I recently removed emails from my phone. This has been a game changer for me, as I have to open my laptop or PC to read emails. Given that my business sits across multiple time zones in Australia, the US, and the UK, it was becoming unsustainable. I’ve also removed my WhatsApp notifications, so I have to open the app to check my inbox, rather than my phone constantly pinging.

IS YOUR PHONE EVER ON DO NOT DISTURB, OR ARE YOU ALWAYS REACHABLE?
I’ve started to use DND and sleep mode. I’ve also removed the phone from my bedroom. This has been so beneficial for my sleep.

WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO ESCAPE INTO NATURE?
The Scottish highlands, for sure. There’s nowhere more beautiful. I love the seafood, the people, and of course all the outdoor pursuits.

WHAT’S YOUR PREFERRED WAY TO GET MOVING ON A DAY OFF?
I love to take my two English cocker spaniels for a big walk in Holland Park. If I’m in Australia, I love to go for a proper swim in the ocean.

YOU HAVE A POCKET OF TIME FOR A CULTURE FIX. WHAT ARE YOU CATCHING UP ON?
I love galleries and museums. Favorites would be Galleria Borghese in Rome or a walk through the garden at the Musée Rodin. Also the Tate Modern in London and the Frick, now that it’s back on Fifth Avenue! I’m not one for podcasts, but love a great book. I’m currently reading When the Going Was Good by Graydon Carter.

WHAT’S YOUR TELEVISION GUILTY PLEASURE?
Law & Order. SVU, CSI, Organized Crime—all of them! And definitely a guilty pleasure: Real Housewives. I love the Beverly Hills one.

WHAT SELF-CARE PRACTICE DO YOU MAKE TIME FOR?
A bath—I draw one at the end of every day. It’s my favorite thing. I add salts, oils, magnesium, etc., and apply a cream face mask. Sometimes it’s only 10 minutes and sometimes it’s 90. It always feels like a luxury.

WHAT IN-OFFICE TREATMENTS ARE WORTH A FEW DAYS OF DOWNTIME?
I love a good laser to refine skin texture and brighten and unify skin tone. It’s tried, tested, and proven to work, as long as it’s the correct modality and wavelength for the specific skin type and concern. I also really like peels and microneedling with exosomes.

YOUR BAGS ARE PACKED FOR A WEEKEND TRIP. WHERE TO?
I love the English countryside. I’m packing my wellies and a big coat for long walks in the rain, and then back to the hotel spa for a cozy afternoon before getting dressed up for dinner with my husband. We love Estelle Manor in the Cotswolds and Grantley Hall in Yorkshire. 

WHAT SO-CALLED CHORE AT HOME DO YOU TAKE PLEASURE IN ON A DAY OFF?
I love reorganizing my closets: clothes, shoes, all of it. And refreshing the flowers, as in changing the water, trimming the stems. I find this to be a real pleasure.

WHAT SIDE PURSUIT IS AN OUTLET FOR YOU?
I really love interiors—I love changing and updating my home and the studios. Are flea markets in Italy and France a hobby? I love to cool-hunt vintage furniture.

WHAT BEDTIME RITUALS HELP YOU WIND DOWN?
Always a bath, a cup of tea, and lay down underneath my LED.