Author and presenter Fern Britton shares the beauty advice that has kept her grounded and her true feelings about ‘anti-ageing’
Growing up, when I would be getting ready to go out, my mum would have a saying. She would give me the once-over and tell me I looked good and then she would say to me, ‘But who’s looking at you?’ And she meant this as a way of making me feel liberated. Because the truth is that everyone is looking at themselves. So then I’d think, ‘Yeah, who is looking at me?’ And it would be very freeing!
Although my mother was a very glamorous woman – she had jet-black dyed hair that she wore in a chignon and never went anywhere, and I mean not even to the loo, without her scarlet lipstick on – she also wasn’t precious. She’d just as likely be out in the garden up to her knees in mud. So in early childhood, I wasn’t particularly aware of my appearance; I was a tomboy. I discovered makeup when I was around 13 and at that point fell hopelessly in love with it!
I don’t have a signature makeup look. That said, I like to wear eyeliner along my top and bottom lash line with a little flick – Ilove that sort of look and have done since seeing Twiggy in the film The Boy Friend – that and lots of mascara. If I’m going out to an event, I do my makeup myself – Ienjoy it – and I’ll attempt a full smokey eye. A tip I have when using eyeshadow is to apply MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot, £17.50 (8), in a neutral shade first – Ilike Painterly. Pop it anywhere you’re going to use eyeshadow and it will stop it creasing. I’ll finish with something like MAC’s Lipglass in Love Child, £16.50 (5), which, when it’s on, is a very natural lip colour.
I’m anti-nuclear war, I’m anti-sewage in the sea, I’m anti-cruelty to animals – but anti-ageing? It’s madness! You can’t stop that! You can hold back time to a degree by getting some assistance if you want to, but I think it’s less attractive to be constantly anxious about the way you look; it’s not very good for your head, either. I see my wrinkles and I take them on board and I’m trying to celebrate the white hair that’s coming through, too (I’m seeing how my natural colour grows out, although I am addicted to the odd blonde streak!). I’m trying to embrace getting older and what I love about it is that you become increasingly comfortable with who you are. All my friends, all my peers, we’re settling into ageing together – we’re dealing with it. We’re all in our 60s and everyone is looking and feeling pretty damn good!
I very much believe in taking care of my skin. My mum was red hot on that so I’ve been doing it since I was about 15. I love iS Clinical – it’s expensive, so I only use it now and again, but I fi
