Dorinda Medley has revealed that the beauty gadget she keeps inside her Hermès Birkin is regularly mistaken for a sex toy by her friends. The 61-year-old The Real Housewives of New York City star made the admission during a handbag reveal in New York City, published on Tuesday 27 October 2026, as she pulled out a black, cylindrical red-light skincare wand.
'This, people always think is a dildo, but it's not,' Medley said, explaining that she carries the device to use on her face. The wand is intended to help with puffiness, although Medley did not identify the brand or model.
What Is the Red Light Wand in Dorinda Medley's Birkin Bag?
Despite its resemblance to a vibrator, the item is a handheld device designed to shine red light across skin. Medley held it against her cheek while describing how she uses it whenever she has spare time. 'And anytime I have downtime I'm always just red lighting,' she said.
Red-light therapy, also called photobiomodulation, uses red or near-infrared light, often delivered through LEDs, to address skin concerns including wrinkles, redness and uneven texture. Devices are sold as masks, panels and handheld wands, with professional treatments generally using more powerful equipment. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, studies suggest some devices can produce modest improvements, but researchers have not established the ideal at-home treatment schedule or long-term outcomes.
That does not mean every wand delivers the same results. The design, light output and instructions vary between products, and Medley did not specify the device she owns. Dermatologists advise users to follow manufacturers' directions, including eye protection when required, rather than assuming that a celebrity's routine will work for everyone.
Inside Dorinda Medley's Birkin Bag
Her skincare device shares space with other everyday essentials inside a black Hermès Birkin adorned with a bright yellow-and-pink scarf, which she showed off while wearing light-wash jeans, a black blouse and pointed heels. The outfit included a yellow cocktail ring that coordinated with the scarf. Medley used the handbag reveal to show how she mixes beauty products with things she likes to have ready for unexpected situations.
Among them was a Chanel Navy Tweed Beauté Cosmetic Pouch, which she uses to hold her makeup and smaller belongings. She also carried miniature scissors, explaining that friends often come to her when an unexpected practical problem arises. A perfume bottle completed the selection, although she did not reveal its scent or brand.
Medley also produced a copy of I Know a Thing or Two About a Thing or Two, her book scheduled for 17 November 2026. The 256-page Gallery Books title combines personal experience with advice about resilience, confidence and navigating life's changes. The book also offers advice on managing money, dealing with grief and dating after 50.
Dorinda Medley Returns to Reality TV
The former New York Housewife returned to screens with The Golden Life, which premiered on E! on 20 October 2026. The programme reunites Medley with Sonja Morgan, Luann de Lesseps, Ramona Singer and Kelly Bensimon as the group relocates from New York to Palm Beach, Florida. Its premise centres on friendship, dating and the tensions that follow the longtime cast into a new setting.
Medley's career on The Real Housewives of New York City made her known for candid remarks and the elaborate gatherings at her Berkshires home, Bluestone Manor. In the new series, she has spoken about finding a renewed sense of purpose after marriage and motherhood. The new series also follows Medley as she prepares for her book launch while adjusting to life in Palm Beach.
