What was it that made you a beauty junkie? Been one since I first bought a Miners eyeshadow, aged 13 - rather tragically it was frosted turquoise! Have learned a lot since then...
How did you get into beauty? I was a features journalist beforehand, writing on everything from Sumo wrestling to Romanian orphans for The Times, Evening Standard, Woman's Journal etc. My first beauty feature - about fragrance - won a Jasmine Award, and from that moment on people never stopped asking me to write about beauty. I bring an investigative approach to writing about it which I think you don't necessarily get if you've only ever worked on the inside.
What 1 piece of advice would you give to women trying to break into this industry? Be prepared to do internships! They are the ONLY way to get a foot in the door, alas, these days...
What item should every woman have in her beauty kit? Great tweezers. Have just discovered Revlon's from their new Accessories & Tools range.
You have to leave the house in just 5 minutes - what do you do to your face? Giorgio Armani Hydra-Glow Foundation SPF15, black eyeliner, Maybelline Define-A-Lash mascara and a swoosh of Aveda Lip Tint SPF15. That's it on any day, pretty much!
What's your best beauty habit? Washing my feet before bedtime - always - if I haven't had a bath. According to Chinese medicine, it stops toxins being reabsorbed overnight and keeps you healthy. I then lavish feet with cream - from Laidbare, Saaf or Neal's Yard Remedies, because happy feet make a happy woman!
And your worst? Weeding without gloves!
What skincare tips and tricks do you swear by? Facial massage for two minutes every night. 8 glasses of water a day.
What is your ultimate beauty no-no? Pink eyeshadow. Pink eyes only good on rabbits!
What's your signature scent? Guerlain Mitsouko.
Which beauty product could you not live without? Liz Earle Superskin Moisturiser.
What's your one beauty indulgence? A weekly blow-dry at John Frieda. I never do my own hair but luckily, a great blow-dry lasts seven days!
Who are your beauty icons? A fabulous artist who died at 105 called Beatrice Wood who was still slicking on a crimson lipstick till the day she died. Dayle Haddon. India Hicks. Marilyn Monroe. Jane Birkin. I could go on...!
What was your worst beauty moment/disaster? A St. Tropez tan which turned me the colour of a chocolate biscuit (and made me smell like one, too!) I didn't leave the house for 3 days.
What's your favourite pick-me-up? Sibergin, a ginseng based supplement from www.victoriahealth.com
What's your biggest achievement? Founding Green & Black's.
How would you like to be remembered? As someone who tried to make a difference (and had a lot of fun in doing so...)
Sum up your latest book Green Beauty Bible in a sentence... A must-have for all wannabe-green-and-gorgeous goddesses.
What's in your handbag right now? In truth, the contents are lying on the floor waiting to be sorted before a trip, but everything from an Oyster card to a PPQ make-up bag, iPod, Anya Hindmarch business card holder, bright pink purse (easy to find in a hurry!), Cross pen and a copy of Shire Hell, by Rachel Johnson.
The Green Beauty Bible is available to buy now!
Click here for our interview with Jo's partner in crime Sarah Stacey...
