Beauty insider
We talk to this week’s model Clare about her thoughts on ageing…
Beauty-wise, do you feel more or less confident now than you did in your twenties?
I’m much more confident now. In my twenties, I lived in jeans and a T-shirt – lipstick was a stranger to me. In my forties, I became completely invisible, but after my 50th birthday, I made a conscious decision to wear make-up in my everyday life. Following that decision, and my transition to going grey in the years that followed, I’ve never had so much attention – and with that attention comes the confidence.
What do you wish you could do more of in your beauty routine? I would like to give myself a weekly face mask or have a deep cleansing routine to get rid of that surface skin slough as I know my complexion looks better for it. It’s so easy to do, but it’s something I put off. What’s your best anti-ageing beauty tip?
I work in an environment full of lots of young, vibrant, passionate people, and they help me to feel current and reasonably up to date with both fashion and beauty trends. Still working as I head into my golden years has enabled me to stay engaged as much as possible, and to be aware of and willing to try out new looks and products – I hope I can carry that attitude forward once I head into retirement. Also, I don’t think you can over estimate the value of a good haircut and haircare products, even after choosing to go grey. What do you think the secret is to ageing gracefully? As you get older, you develop your own style that suits you, whether it’s clothes, hair or make-up. That said, it’s also good to be open to tweaking all of those elements to stay true to yourself but also up to date with current beauty trends. Also, if you are happy with who and where you are in life, I believe you will naturally age gracefully – a smile takes 10 years off a face... that and not overdoing the lipstick or blusher!
Which celebrity beauty do you most admire and why? Like most women my age, or any age probably, I adore Helen Mirren. She is so sassy and owns her advancing years. I think Jane Fonda looks incredible, but her face is so pristine that it is somehow missing out on the story of her life. Helen’s gives us an inkling of just how incredible hers has been.