The Protocol
Nell Diamond
July 24, 2024 Back to blog
July 24, 2024
The Protocol: Nell Diamond
Our series featuring the daily routines, expert advice, and beauty tips of industry insiders (read: those who’ve got it down to a science). Because we should all have a Protocol.
Dual Ivy-League educated, former Deutsche Bank analyst, UNICEF campaigner, and once named one of “Wall Street’s Hottest Offspring,” Nell Diamond is an undeniable force with no shortage of resume items. But there’s more.
Born and raised in London to American parents, Nell Diamond is the founder and chief executive officer of Hill House Home, a wildly successful lifestyle brand she launched in 2016, while still a student at Yale School of Management.
Today, the label boasts brick-and-mortars in Palm Beach, New York, Nantucket, and Charleston. The line offers a curated edit of everything from monogrammed bathrobes to swimwear to kids apparel—and of course, trademark prints of the sellout Nap Dress, which rocketed the brand to viral status during peak pandemic. Their latest launch? The Get Unready Set, a limited-edition skincare set exclusively co-created with U Beauty.
Here, the visionary mother-of-three reveals her daily beauty rituals, exercise non-negotiables, and personal protocol for “an extra luxurious way to reset.”
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
Usually one of my three children wakes me up by climbing on top of me and screaming “MAMA, WAKE UP” directly into my eyeballs. If for some reason I’m up before them, I roll over and check my phone for the time.
Describe your morning and evening skincare routines.
In the last two years I’ve really struggled with hormonal acne, so recently, on the advice of my aesthetician Elizabeth Grace Hand, I’ve been double-cleansing my face every morning. Then, I put on sunscreen and makeup and I'm out the door. I usually work out in the morning, so I wash my face and reapply after that as well.
My evening skincare routine is much more intense. I double cleanse again, and use a clean skin club towel to dry, then I apply a serum of choice. I've also been using a high frequency wand by Nuderma, which feels very high-tech. After the high frequency wand, I use my Dr. Dennis Gross LED mask. I then apply moisturizer and whatever active I’m using that night. I usually switch between a retinol and a serum. And then, go to bed!
Name your favorite U Beauty products and why.
The Tinx + U Beauty PLASMA Lip Compound in Rom Com, because I love a touch of glitter in my gloss. I also always opt for a rosey, pink shade, so this shade has become a fast favorite.
The Get Unready Set. It was such a pleasure to curate this exclusive bundle with U Beauty featuring our iconic Hotel Robe and my favorite Heart Claw Clip—seriously, I have at least two on me at all times. As someone who greatly prioritizes my sleep and my 10-step bedtime routine, I believe I'm qualified to say this set makes for the perfect self-care gift.
The RETURN Eye Concentrate is a simple, perfect eye cream. Love the lightweight formula and how well makeup wears on top of it.
What's the last thing you do before you go to bed?
First, I do three things on my phone:
Check my security alarm in the ADT app - I have make sure it’s on before I can sleep.
Set my iphone alarm for the morning
Turn on brown noise in my Spotify app
Then I spray a lavender mist on my pillow, put on my eye mask and fall asleep.
Who’s your beauty idol?
My mom. She takes such good care of her skin – and mine. She obsessively applied sunscreen on me from the day I was born. She always told me I would be so grateful when I was older that she was crazy about my sunscreen, and I really am grateful. Even though when I was in summer camp my fellow campers would call me Casper due to the amount of sunscreen I wore.
What’s the most high-maintenance aspect of your beauty protocol?
I have been loving laser treatments recently. I see Lia at Dr Dennis Gross’s office. I tried microneedling and I get a laser genesis facial every few months, and it’s really changed my skin. I also do botox with Dr. Gross a few times a year. The nightly high-frequency wand every night isn't particularly low maintenance, either.
What’s the best piece of beauty advice you’ve gotten?
Be crazy about sun protection. Wear a ton of sunscreen and a physical barrier – UPF hats or clothing – on high UV days.
What’s your 24-hour plan for getting ready for a big event or photoshoot?
I don’t have a special 24-hour fix. I used to be in the “drastic quick fix” mindset and I found it triggered something negative for me from a mental health perspective. Instead, I try to keep my routine consistent, and focus on long-term results vs. short-term fixes. I have some non-negotiables that keep me feeling my best – a mix of cardio and strength workouts (usually walking/jogging and pilates) at least 3-4x a week, weekly therapy, nightly LED mask, and staying up-to-date with routine beauty appointments like facials, eyebrows (I see Mauricio at John Barrett) and nails (I use Glamsquad).
What do you do when you want to reset, regroup, or detox?
I try to workout and sweat. I love SOTO Method and Forma Pilates in the city. An infrared sauna or lymphatic massage at Ricari Studios are always an extra luxurious way to reset. And a good night of sleep does wonders. If I’m having a really tough week I will literally get in bed, in my matching PJS, at 8pm, right after putting my kids to bed.
What’s your favorite way to let loose and have fun?
I love dressing up and going to a really fun, fancy dinner with my husband and friends. I also love a random dance party with my three little kids. My youngest son’s favorite song is “Pour Some Sugar On Me,” and he requests it just about every night.
