‘If you go around with a face like a wet weekend you aren’t going to look young’

RHODA SMITH is 65 and from Angus. She laughs off any comments from me that she could pass as a decade younger.

There’s no denying she looks fantastic. And it’s mainly down to a lucky combination of Nivea, Simple and good genes.

Rhoda believes the most important aspect of ageing is a healthy mindset, though.

“It’s attitude isn’t it? If you go around miserable and with a face like a wet weekend, you’re not going to look young and lovely, are you?” she laughs.

“I mean, don’t get me wrong, ageing can be a total nightmare – I wish I was 16! “We’re coming to the end of the summer holidays and I’ve been looking after two of my grandchildren.

“One is nearly 15 and one is nine and when I look in the mirror after being with them, i t’s hard.”

Rhoda is adamant, though, that surgery is not for her.

“I’d never have Botox, or any sort of cosmetic surger y,” she adds.

“It’s not for me. The thought of hav ing anything done that cou ld possibly go wrong would put me off.”

She looks great, but can be as self- critical as the rest of us.

“Oh, I could do with a jowl lift!” she jokes. “But then once you get that done, you’d have to get abrasion round your lips, to get rid of the wrinkles.

“Once you start, would you not have to go on? Also, the money you would spend getting treatments could be a fantastic holiday.”

Rhoda has had a basic skincare routine throughout her life but follows one rule that perhaps helped keep her looking youthful.

“I haven’t used soap on my face since I was about 16,” she explains. “It’s far too drying.” Far from spending a fortune on expensive products, she has always bought cheaper products.

“For years I used Nivea,” she says.

“Then I think they changed it, as it just stopped working and I got dry patches on my face.

“Now I use Simple products most of the time.

“However, my daughter bought me some Estee Lauder skincare for Christmas and it’s gorgeous, but it’s about 10 times the price.

“I’m weighing up whether to continue using it. I don’t think I’m excessively wrinkled, so is there any point at my great age?”

Rhoda isn’t obsessive about her appearance but she does love to have her “face on”.

“I wouldn’t go a day without putting my make-up on,” she says.

“Well, maybe if I’m spending a day cleaning, I would. But then it’ll get to five, I’ll glance in the mirror and think, ‘Eeeugh!’

“I do it for me, it takes me about seven minutes and I just feel so much better once it’s on and my hair is done.”

As for diet, Rhoda admits she’s more careful about it nowadays.

“I eat things that make me feel good.

“Pickled eggs were great when you were 17, but not when you’re 65.

“And I’ve stopped drinking. I used to like a glass of wine with meals but it gets such a bad reputation, so I’ve given up.”

Ask her for an example of someone who is wearing well and she doesn’t hesitate.

“Goldie Hawn,” she says. “She’s got great hair, that’s half the battle.

“But mainly it’s her attitude. She has a young outlook, I think.”

My make-up takes about seven minutes and I feel much better once it’s on