‘Nobody can tell me how I should live or look – I’ll do it my way’
TV and radio presenter Amanda Holden on her new make-up edit and the attitude that keeps her young
If we were to make a list of the celebs we’d want to take beauty advice from, Amanda Holden would probably – alright, definitely – be in first place.
At 51, her skin is sublime. Could it be down to good skincare and professional beauty treatments? Perhaps it’s that glass of wine with lunch which she credits for being “very helpful” to her wellbeing. Either way, she’s a girl after our own hearts.
Amanda tells us she’s raring to go into full glam mode with party season just around the corner and filming for Britain’s Got Talent starting in January.
With a new collaboration with make-up brand Revolution Pro, she’s also busier than ever – so it’s lucky that her 10-piece Revolution Pro X Amanda Holden Glam Edit, £35, is packed with essentials that take her from day to night in a flash…
Congratulations on the make-up edit, Amanda! Tell us about it…
Well, it’s great for all skin tones and types – that’s been the feedback. The thing I love about Revolution, aside from the quality, is the price point. The packaging is also to die for… it’s stunning.
Are these 10 products you use daily?
Yes. The best thing is the Soft Focus Primer. I always say I need lots of primer [laughs]. It’s so nice putting it under foundation every day. Then the best-selling product is the Goddess Glow Shimmer Brick. It’s absolutely fantastic and I have that on for Heart Breakfast every single day.
How does it feel seeing your face on a make-up edit?
It’s like a dream for me. To get a collaboration with a make-up company at age 50, it’s through the roof. I was thrilled when Revolution said it was a section they thought was missing and that they wanted me to fill that gap. Make-up is for everyone, and I’m showing everybody they can wear it at whatever age.
Amen to that. So you want to inspire women in their 50s+ to feel great?
Definitely. As we get older, my peer group looks at someone like J.LO and thinks how fabulous she is. My mum’s generation were like, “Oh dear, I’ve got to 50 or 60 now and I’m not going to
dye my hair any more and I can’t wear a short skirt.” It’s a generational thing. I think, hopefully, as I hit my 60s and 70s, I’ll still dress exactly how I want to. You make your own rules.
On the subject of rules, would you ever go out without make-up on?
For me, looking good is a sort of self preservation. It’s a dignity I have within me, regardless of the industry I’m in. Watching my own mum and my grandmother as working women, they were always cooking supper in lovely skirts with their blouses tucked in and their hair and make-up done. This is now me. I don’t feel any pressure other than what I put on myself. I have a way of life where I always want to look my best.
Any beauty decisions you wouldn’t make now that you did in the past?
I’m very lucky to have my eyebrows back! It’s funny, I looked so different back then but I’ve done nothing, I haven’t had a face lift or anything like that. Bigger eyebrows are a game changer. If you can be patient and wait for them to grow back, they are the things that will bring you youth.
If you have a big event, do you start skin prepping well in advance?
I’m filming Britain’s Got Talent in January so that’s what I’m gearing up for now. I’ll have [skin-tightening treatment] Morpheus8 this month then your body starts to lift and work on it. By January I should look around 13, which is fabulous.
Are you a “more is more” make-up girl?
I take it up a notch at nighttime. I go heavier with a smoky socket and maybe an in-line eyeliner.
‘Looking good is a dignity I have inside me… I always want to look my best’
Party season is coming. Will you go big this year?
Oh yes. I’m planning on hosting a Christmas party, so I’m going all out.
Please tell us you’re all for glitz and glamour at Christmas…
I go big, sparkly and everything. We need to celebrate life and we don’t need to deny ourselves anything. There have been so many stupid rules made and broken over the last few years. You just think, I’m not having anybody dictating to me how I should live or look. I’m going to do it my way.