Forget ‘anti-ageing’ – it’s about growing older gloriously

Five stylish gurus in the health and beauty industry reveal what makes them feel fantastic – no matter their age

If you were to count how many products you currently have in your bathroom that include the phrase ‘anti-ageing’ on the packaging, what figure would you arrive at? 

My guess is that you’d be into double digits – at least. In fact, the phrase has so oft been used by the health and beauty industry over the past four decades that it has become ingrained in the cultural mindset, affecting not only how we think about age (negatively), but also how we think about ourselves.

Jessica Lange and Vanessa Redgrave have both embraced growing older graciously

However, the tide has begun to turn, as brands such as Nars, Gucci and Marc Jacobs have challenged the seemingly mutually exclusive concepts of ‘older’ and ‘beautiful’ by showcasing actresses Charlotte Rampling (who will be 72 tomorrow), Vanessa Redgrave (81) and Jessica Lange (68) respectively in their advertising campaigns. 

Actresses Helen Mirren and Charlotte Rampling are the faces of major beauty brands and have challenged the seemingly mutually exclusive concepts of ‘older’ and ‘beautiful’

And in August last year, US beauty magazine Allure took things further when it put a 72-year-old Helen Mirren on its cover and banned the term ‘anti-ageing’ from its pages.

Five months on, Helen says it’s time we all make a fresh start and reframe how we think about wellness and ageing. ‘As sure as night follows day, we get older. So you either die young or embrace getting older. I choose the latter,’ she says. 

Actress Helen Mirren, 72, is the fact of L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Make Up

Currently face of the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Make Up range, she believes that, ‘As you get older, new things come into your life that are fantastic. Ageing is a process of learning. I believe that we can all make ourselves look and feel good at any age.’

L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Rouge Lumiere lipstick in Sublime Red, £7.99, boots.com

As for the little luxuries in life that get her there? ‘A really good haircut, pairing sunglasses with killer red lipstick such as L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Rouge Lumiere in Sublime Red, £7.99, boots.com – and a kickass pair of shoes!’

From products to positivity, food and exercise, we asked six prominent women in the health and beauty industry to reveal what makes them feel fantastic – no matter their age.

Susan Harmsworth

Founder of beauty brand Espa, which she sold for a rumoured £72 million last year, Susan, 72, has two children, aged 51 and 50, and six grandchildren, aged from six to 21. She lives on the Surrey/Hampshire border.

My mantra is ‘be the best you can at every stage of your life,’ says Espa founder Susan Harmsworth

Ageing ethos

Now that I’m in my 70s, my mantra is ‘be the best you can at every stage of your life’. I’ve spent many years trying every different fad, diet and trend you can imagine, but you get to an age when you realise that you need to find a practice for life that suits you as an individual. 

By the time I hit my 60s, I’d lost both my parents and been through the turmoil of two divorces, so I decided to take charge and focus on my wellbeing. 

Each morning, I go outside and do some alternate nostril breathing to help me start the day with a positive mental attitude. To me, ageing well means being comfortable in your own skin, so it’s important to be kind to yourself.

My day on a plate

After a consultation with nutritionist Stephanie Moore [author of Why Eating Less and Exercising More Makes You Fat], I cut out sugar from my diet two years ago. I usually start the day with some gravadlax and scrambled eggs on sourdough, and every Sunday I roast a chicken and a huge tray of vegetables, which I eat throughout the week for lunch and supper. 

Every two years I have blood tests to check for nutritional deficiencies. At the moment, I’m taking vitamin D, zinc, magnesium and omega fish oil supplements.

By Terry Rouge-Expert Click Stick lip colour in Flower Attitude, £24.50, feelunique.com; Espa Regenerating Face Treatment Oil, £59, espaskincare.com and Chantecaille Faux Cils Mascara Longest Lash, £62, spacenk.com

In my bathroom

In terms of skincare, serums are skin feeders, oils are strengtheners and creams retain moisture. I’ve been using the Espa Regenerating Face Treatment Oil [£59, espaskincare.com] for 40 years. 

In terms of make-up, my lashes have thinned, but Chantecaille Faux Cils Mascara Longest Lash [£62, spacenk.com] is a great way to amplify them. 

By Terry is brilliant for its Rouge-Expert Click Stick lip colours [in Flower Attitude, £24.50] and Eyebrow Mascara [£26, both feelunique.com] if yours are thinning. I didn’t want my hair to go grey, so every six weeks, I invest in a balayage colour treatment at John Frieda [johnfrieda.co.uk]. 

I felt that glasses aged me, so I had laser eye surgery with Professor Dan Reinstein [londonvisionclinic.com].

A thorough Margaret Dabbs Medical Pedicure once a month keeps my feet in shape [from £85, margaretdabbs.co.uk].

Exercise for life

I don’t think about my age – instead I focus on goals and moving forward, and exercise is an important part of that. I see a personal trainer twice a week – we do strength work and stretching to maintain my muscle mass, bone density and posture.

My three little luxuries 

• Open-air swimming at sunrise. 
• A glass of crisp pink champagne. 
• A massage – especially after a long flight.

Mary Temperley

Founder of Make Skincare, Mary, 40, lives in Somerset with her husband, three sons, aged nine, six and three years, and nine-month-old daughter.

‘Having children made me think about ageing differently – I don’t let wrinkles get to me,’ says Make Skincare founder Mary Temperley

Ageing ethos

Now that I’ve hit my 40s, I’m taking a more holistic approach to my wellbeing. Having children made me think about ageing differently – I don’t let wrinkles get to me and, actually, I feel better about myself now than I did when I was younger.

My day on a plate

I try not to eat too many white carbs or dairy products as they make me feel sluggish. My grandmother put my grandfather on a dairy-free diet and he lived to 102! 

I’ll dip into books such as the Deliciously Ella series for healthy recipes and start each day with porridge and a green smoothie with moringa powder. 

By the evening, I crave chocolate, but I don’t beat myself up about it. I want my children to have a balanced approach to food, so I need to set an example.

In my bathroom

When I launched Make in 2014, I made a conscious decision not to include the term ‘anti-ageing’ on my product packaging – it’s both negative and misleading for women. 

I like to think that the ingredients I put into and on to my body work in synergy, so I’ve included things like avocado, moringa and beeswax (I love honey) in the products, which I blend individually by hand.

Make-up makes me feel good – so I’ll prep my skin with my Face Glow oil [£22, makeskincare.co.uk], pop on a BB cream, then add a touch of Nars Blush [in Sex Appeal, £24, narscosmetics.co.uk] and a Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick [in Valentine, £24, charlottetilbury.com]. I also rinse my hair in cider vinegar after washing as it makes it shinier.  

Exercise for life

I’ve just started PiYo, which is a mix of core-strengthening pilates and muscle-stretching yoga. I like to go for a run when my husband gets home from work, as it helps to clear my mind.

My three little luxuries 

• I see an amazing reflexologist once a month who unwinds all my tense muscles.
• Cake! My friend makes the most amazing ones, which I can’t resist.
• Escaping to the coast in Dorset.

Linda Rodin

A fashion editor at Harper’s Bazaar in the 1980s, Linda, 68, founded Rodin Olio Lusso skincare – a must-have among the likes of Sienna Miller and Alexa Chung – in 2007. She recently stepped down from the company and lives in New York with her poodle Winky.

‘Now that I’m in my late 60s, I like to think that I’m old and interesting,’ says Linda Rodin

Ageing ethos

Western culture tells women that we become invisible as we age, but now that I’m in my late 60s, I like to think that I’m old and interesting! 

A positive mindset and paying attention to how I present myself has made all the difference. My hair turned white early, so I embraced it rather than dyed it. I also love tinted glasses and strong lipstick. 

People say it’s a statement look, but I never think of it that way – it just feels like me. I’ve been wearing jeans and sneakers since I was five years old and they still feel good – so why change now?

My day on a plate

I look my age and can’t really see a problem with that. It’s more important to me that my physical health is in good shape. Fad diets won’t defy gravity’s effects on the skin, so I eat moderately rather than following a rigorous diet plan. 

I eat vegetables and fish – occasionally some meat – and I like a glass of wine at dinner. Everyone always says we have to drink 100 bottles of water, but I get through about two a day and that seems fine for me.

In my bathroom

I had fillers about eight years ago and hated the way I looked – I felt as though I was morphing into some strange creature. 

 Shiseido Natural Eyebrow Pencil in Deep Brown, £20, johnlewis.com; Rodin Lipstick in Winks, £28, and Rodin Jasmine & Neroli Luxury Face Oil, £105, both spacenk.com

I actually started making my Rodin Jasmine & Neroli Luxury Face Oil [£105, spacenk.com] for myself because it reflected my moderate approach to life and eating: no exaggerated promises, no miracles – just something that makes my skin supple, smells wonderful and gives me a sense of wellbeing. 

My make-up regimen is also very simple. I’ll fill in my brows with Shiseido Natural Eyebrow Pencil [in Deep Brown, £20, johnlewis.com] and wear a lip shade such as my own lipstick in Winks [£28, spacenk.com] every day.

Exercise for life

New York is a walker’s city! I walk in the park with Winky every day. 

My three little luxuries

• Beachcombing: I’m a big shell collector, so being alone on a beach is my idea of bliss. 
• Relaxing in a hot bath after I finish work each day. 
• Sitting in bed reading American classics with Winky beside me.

rodinoliolusso.com

Annalise Fard

Director of Home and Beauty at Harrods, Annalise, 44, lives in Southwest London with her husband and cavapoo puppy Poppy. 

‘I focus less on my outward appearance and, instead, think more about how my mind and body work together to help me feel as good,’ says Harrods home and beauty director Annalise Fard

Ageing ethos

Now that I’m in my 40s, I focus less on my outward appearance and, instead, think more about how my mind and body work together to help me feel as good as possible. 

The term ‘anti-ageing’ comes with very negative connotations, but by using phrases such as ‘age-defying’, brands send a message that’s far more empowering.

My day on a plate

I follow the Louise Parker Method [louiseparker.com] – 80 per cent of the time! I try to make each meal a balanced mix of protein, ‘good’ carbohydrates and fibre. I’ll soak oats overnight with yoghurt and berries for an easy, Bircher-style muesli.

I also take Philip Kingsley’s PK4 hair-boosting supplement [£28, philipkingsley.co.uk], omega oil, vitamin D and glucosamine for my joints and muscles. That said, I still love red wine, coffee and a great steak with rich sauce.

In my bathroom

As I’ve grown older, I’ve realised how important cleansing is. I always double cleanse with Fresh Soy Face Cleanser [£11.50, fresh.com/uk], followed by Sarah Chapman Rapid Radiance Cleanse [£33, sarahchapman.net]. 

YSL classic Touche Eclat in Luminous Radiance, £25.50, yslbeauty.co.uk, and Bobbi Brown Instant Detox mask, £34, bobbibrown.co.uk. Right: Fresh Soy Face Cleanser, £11.50, fresh.com/uk; Diorshow Iconic Mascara, £25.50, and Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips and Cheeks in Calypso Coral, £22, both harrods.com . Philip Kingsley PK4 hair-boosting supplement, £28, philipkingsley.co.uk , and Sarah Chapman Rapid Radiance Cleanse, £33, sarahchapman.net

My skin has gone through a tricky, breakout-prone stage recently, but Bobbi Brown Instant Detox mask [£34, bobbibrown.co.uk] is a great remedy. 

My make-up has to be quick and easy, but three products I rely on every day are YSL’s classic Touche Eclat [in Luminous Radiance, £25.50, yslbeauty.co.uk], Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips and Cheeks [in Calypso Coral, £22] and Diorshow Iconic Mascara [£25.50, both harrods.com]. 

Exercise for life

We launched the Harrods Wellness Clinic – where there’s a mix of medical and holistic wellbeing services – last May, and since then I’ve been doing personal training in the Louise Parker Studio there. 

I also mix it up with pilates, yoga and spinning with my buying team at Boom Cycle [boomcycle.co.uk].

My three little luxuries

• A 7am walk in the park with my husband and Poppy. 
• A cosy Sunday pub lunch with friends. 
• A Body Holiday break in St Lucia [thebodyholiday.com].

harrods.com

Arabella Preston

A make-up artist, beauty editor and co-founder of Votary skincare, Arabella, 39, lives in Kent with her husband and two children, aged seven and nine. 

‘If we could all see ourselves more objectively in the mirror, rather than listening to our inner critic, we’d probably feel better about ageing,’ says Votary skincare founder Arabella Preston

Ageing ethos

I try not to obsess about physical changes. After all, as a make-up artist, I never look at someone else’s flaws – I’m drawn to their individual beauty. 

Whether it be great cheekbones, a killer arch to the brow or lovely long lashes, I enhance a woman’s best features, rather than ‘fix’ any perceived flaws. 

If we could all see ourselves more objectively in the mirror, rather than listening to our inner critic, we’d probably feel better about ageing.

My day on a plate

As a family, we’ve gradually started to eat less meat, and we feel a lot better for it. We get organic vegetable boxes [riverford.co.uk] delivered, so we can make meals from scratch without me having to schlep around the supermarket all the time. 

That said, I love coffee and a glass of red wine, and a big bag of salty crisps is my downfall!

In my bathroom

As most make-up artists will tell you, great make-up relies on great skincare. I spend ten minutes massaging in Votary Super Seed Facial Oil [£70], then a cream such as our new matt-finish Votary Super Seed Nutrient Cream [£65, both votary.co.uk]. 

I apply a touch of concealer only where necessary, then step back from the mirror to see if and what I really need to add afterwards. 

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Nude Bronze Light, £45, johnlewis.com; Votary Super Seed Facial Oil , £70, and Votary Super Seed Nutrient Cream, £65, both votary.co.uk

Less is more as you get older, so often it’s just a dusting of Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer [in Nude Bronze Light, £45, johnlewis.com] over my forehead and across the bridge of my nose to create a glow.

As we age, our eyelids start to drop, so we need to adapt the way we apply make-up. In my 20s, I would just flick eyeliner on with my eyes closed. Now I need to look straight into the mirror and keep my eyes open as I line them so that I can draw it on a little higher and flick it slightly up at the corner to create a lifting effect.

Exercise for life

I do a weekly yoga class and take brisk walks across the fields at lunchtime with my friends. I also run a monthly gardening club with a gaggle of girlfriends – we have great fun and get lots of exercise lopping trees!

My three little luxuries

• I have terrible circulation, so a roaring fire in winter is heaven.   
• Radio 4 keeps me up to date and provides company when I’m working at home. 
• Picking up my kids from school. I feel lucky to be able to work and have that window of ‘mummy time’ each day.

votary.co.uk