‘Botox is addictive and it freshens you up. I want to grow old disgracefully!’

Some celebrities who have cosmetic surgery often deny it when the signs are there for all to see.

Margaret Cowan is the opposite. She’s loud and proud about having a little help here and there and thinks being open is the way to go.

“If I’m thinking of getting something done, I’ll tell people – it shouldn’t be seen as something shameful,” she says.

“It’s like a facial was decades ago – it’s all just moved on a bit and I don’t really see why it’s a big deal to let people know.”

Margaret started off by getting Botox when she was 53.

“At the time everyone was starting to get it done and I thought I’d go for it. And once you start, it’s quite difficult to stop,” she says.

“It is quite addictive because it just freshens you up so much.”

Last spring, Margaret, of Glasgow, had an eye lift.

“Well, I just looked really tired,” she says. “And, as you get older, it doesn’t matter how much Botox you’ve got, you’ll never get rid of that hooded look on your eyes. You either live with it or do something about it.

“Getting my eyes done cost about £1500 and to get Botox you’re looking at about £300-£400 a time. It is money well spent.”

Margaret describes herself as “68 years young”. And she also believes it’s her young- at- heart attitude that helps her to cope with ageing.

“These days 68 isn’t old. It’s your attitude to life in general that counts,” she says. “I still work part-time doing accounts, and that’s part of that frame of mind. It gives you something to get up for in the morning.

“Get dressed, do your hair and get your make- up on. I work with younger people and they’re great.” She pauses. “One of the girls I work with was talking about her aunt who was ill. She said she was really old. I asked her what age she was, and she said 64,” she says. “I reminded her that’s four years younger than me – but she said I didn’t look or act my age.” So what does Margaret say to those people who suggest we should all be happy to grow old gracefully and accept that wrinkles and a bit of sagging are part of life?

“No way,” she says. “I want to grow old disgracefully. I don’t try to pretend I’m any younger. I just want to live life to the full. I see some people my age and think they’ve let themselves go. That’s fine, but it isn’t for me.”

Margaret cares about her appearance, but isn’t swayed by the claims made by expensive “anti- ageing” lotions and potions.

“I use Nivea and other high street brands that aren’t too expensive,” she says. “I’d rather save my money for getting my hair and nails done. Although I don’t think I’d have a full facelift, I will have more Botox. And I’m never out without having my lippy on.

Margaret says if people are hesitant about having “work” done, they should do their homework and then go for it.

“I went to La Belle Forme in G lasgow because I knew people who had been there and were pleased,” she says. “I had absolutely no trouble at all and I have always been delighted. The confidence boost it gives you is just fantastic.”

Ask for her beauty idol and she picks an unsurprising one.

“Helen Mirren looks good and natural, too. That’s always been my aim. It’s not about looking frozen-faced and unnatural.”

I want to live life to the full. I see some folk my age and they’ve let themselves go