Kathleen Baird-Murray: A Complete Biography of the Beauty Editor, Author, Founder, and Storyteller
In the world of British beauty journalism, very few names carry the quiet authority, emotional intelligence, and storytelling depth that Kathleen Baird-Murray does. For more than three decades, she has shaped how readers understand beauty, ageing, wellness, and identity. Her unique blend of sincerity, elegance, and experience sets her apart from traditional beauty writers, making her one of the most respected voices across the UK media landscape.
Who Is Kathleen Baird-Murray?
Kathleen Baird-Murray is a British beauty journalist, author, editor, and the founder of La Pyae Apothecary. She has spent 30 years writing about beauty and style, becoming known for her honest and thoughtful reflections on appearance, ageing, confidence, and the emotional side of beauty.
Her current work includes serving as a Contributing Beauty Editor at British Vogue, where her monthly essays often go far beyond product talk. They explore memories, personal identity, ageing gracefully, and the cultural meaning of beauty.
Alongside writing, she presents her own podcast, Keeping Face, and continues to build her fragrance and lifestyle brand, La Pyae Apothecary.
Kathleen Baird-Murray Age — How Old Is She?
Although she does not centre her age in her public persona, information from her published essays confirms that Kathleen Baird-Murray was born in March 1968, placing her at 57 years old in 2025.
What makes her age meaningful is the honesty with which she discusses it. Rather than hiding the realities of ageing, she embraces them, exploring topics such as cosmetic treatments, confidence, changing skin, and the privilege of growing older. Her writing reflects the lived experience of a woman who has grown with the industry rather than raced against it.
Education — Where Kathleen Baird-Murray Studied
Before stepping into the beauty world, Kathleen completed her Bachelor of Arts in Law at the University of Sussex. While her path shifted toward journalism, her legal studies helped develop the analytical thinking, clarity, and structured writing that later defined her editorial voice.
Her transition from law to global beauty journalism demonstrates her flexibility and willingness to follow her creative strengths.
The Career Journey of Kathleen Baird-Murray
Early Career in Australia
Kathleen’s editorial story began in the late 1990s when she worked as Beauty Editor at Marie Claire Australia, a role she took on after being invited to Sydney by Jackie Frank. This was her first major leadership position and the beginning of a long and impactful editorial career.
Leadership Roles Across British Magazines
From Australia, she returned to the UK to join Tatler as Beauty Director, a role she held for nearly six years. Her reputation quietly grew as she became known for her steady leadership, refined writing style, and ability to guide beauty pages with both skill and intuition.
Her career later expanded to Vogue, where she twice served as Acting Beauty Director:
-
In 2011 under Alexandra Shulman
-
In 2017–2018 under Edward Enninful
During these periods, she oversaw all visual and written beauty content, managed creative teams, commissioned contributors, and steered the magazine’s beauty direction through challenging times — including the start of the COVID-19 lockdown.
Her Time at NET-A-PORTER
As Beauty & Health Director for Porter magazine, she helped build the visual and editorial identity of the publication during its early launch years. Her combination of digital and print expertise strengthened her reputation as one of the most versatile beauty editors of her generation.
Writing for the Financial Times
Kathleen wrote a longstanding monthly beauty column for the Financial Times (Life & Arts) for eight years. Her work blended personal essays, beauty philosophy, and lifestyle reflections — a writing style that readers continue to praise for its emotional honesty.
Author, Storyteller, and Podcast Host
Writing has always been at the heart of Kathleen’s work. She has authored three books:
-
How to Be Beautiful: The Thinking Woman’s Guide
-
Face Value (a novel)
-
Vogue On: Ralph Lauren
Her writing ranges from non-fiction guidance to fiction and fashion biography.
She is also the creator and presenter of Keeping Face, a podcast that features conversations with beauty founders and innovators. Through these discussions, she explores the human side of the beauty business, extending the storytelling tradition she brings to her articles.
La Pyae Apothecary — A Brand Rooted in Heritage
Kathleen’s entrepreneurial side shines through her brand La Pyae Apothecary, a beauty and lifestyle label inspired by her Burmese roots. The brand’s first fragrance, Catch Me If I Fall, reflects her ability to translate memory, identity, scent, and emotion into a sensory experience.
Her brand stands apart from trend-driven beauty labels because it carries her personal history, cultural connection, and storytelling voice.
Kathleen Baird-Murray Husband — Who Was She Married To?
Readers often search for Kathleen Baird-Murray husband because of the personal references she occasionally includes in essays. Publicly available information confirms that she was married to Olly Daniaud, a French restaurateur and co-founder of The Westbourne, a well-known London eatery.
In her own writing, she refers to that chapter of her life with warmth, but she does not reveal her current relationship status — a reminder that even public figures choose what to keep private.
Kathleen Baird-Murray Children — Her Son and Daughter
Kathleen is a mother of two children, whom she has mentioned affectionately across social platforms and in personal essays.
Her Son — Armand
Her son Armand, now 26 years old, appears regularly in heartfelt Instagram captions. She has described him as her sunshine, reflecting their close relationship.
Her Daughter — Emmanuelle
Her daughter Emmanuelle is the younger child. Though she maintains a quieter presence online, Kathleen has spoken about her in the context of family memories and motherhood.
Family as a Source of Creativity
Kathleen’s reflections on her children often shape her writing about ageing, identity, and the passage of time. Her family life adds emotional dimension to her professional storytelling.
Why Kathleen Baird-Murray Stands Out
Kathleen’s strength lies in her authenticity. She has never written about beauty from a superficial standpoint. Instead, her work links beauty to humanity — exploring how we see ourselves, how we age, and how rituals connect us to memory and emotion.
Her career spans magazines, books, fragrance creation, public speaking, and podcasting, yet her voice remains consistent: thoughtful, reflective, warm, and deeply human.
Conclusion
Kathleen Baird-Murray’s story is one of evolution: a law graduate who became a beauty editor, an author who became a founder, and a mother whose experiences shaped her writing voice. She continues to influence modern beauty culture through her honesty, elegance, and emotional insights.
Her age, education, family, and career form a complete portrait of a woman who has spent 30 years shaping how beauty is understood in Britain. And as more readers discover her through British Vogue, the Financial Times, La Pyae Apothecary, and social media, her impact continues to grow with grace and authenticity.
