Why everyone’s going nude
RUNWAY SMASH
My new style crush is 55-year-old
Kelly Rutherford (above), AKA Lily van der Woodsen in Gossip Girl. She’s now a serious style influencer attending fashion shows and posting regular outfit updates that are very xoxo!
When it comes to make-up, I’m a fan of the-less-ismore approach, which confirms my belief that style tastes and beauty regimes are closely aligned.
I’m fascinated by – and applaud – the growing number of women who go about their day make-up-free. These include several famous faces, all ageing in the spotlight, who are pushing back against the beauty industry norms that prevent women from feeling completely comfortable in their own skin. And the ridiculous attitude that sees wrinkles as a sign of unattractiveness.
Take Pamela Anderson. Once all peroxide locks, miniskirts and big boobs, she now attends glitzy dos in white tailoring and without a swipe of make-up – her pared-back outfits mirroring her new beauty regime. ‘I’m not into the make-up look right now,’ the actress has said. ‘You kind of have to challenge beauty sometimes… I’m not trying to be the prettiest girl in the room.’ The 56-year-old concluded: ‘I feel like it’s just freedom. It’s a relief.’
And 55-year-old Gillian Anderson often addresses her three million Instagram followers having barely run a brush through her hair, pointing out that the version of her you see on the red carpet is just that – a version. Tilda Swinton also famously favours a bare face.
Personally, while I like the au naturel look, I don’t have the confidence to wear zero make-up in public. Instead, I opt for a sheer foundation (Etherealist by Kevyn Aucoin is a favourite). And it would take a lot to get me to part with my under-eye concealer by Laura Mercier. Occasionally I’ll accessorise my outfit with a bright lip and I’m a lover of Hermès moisturising lipsticks (its Corail Flamingo is my go-to summer shade). But I do know people my age who wear no make-up at all.
For example, stylist and owner of the preloved store Re-Collection Therese Bassler, 46, says she’s never really worn make-up and credits her natural skincare regime – she’s been using Dr Hauschka products since she was 16 – for this. ‘It is about creating a foundation for good skin and I have to say my skin is pretty good for my age. For me, beauty is about keeping things natural and working with what I’ve got. I’ve never experimented with make-up. Other than the odd blusher in winter months, it just doesn’t interest me. Instead I feel beautiful when I wear clothes that make me feel good, so I put more thought and effort into this.’
Challenging beauty norms in my opinion is very important for us and future generations of women who deserve to be happy in just their own skin.