Can you believe Lulu will celebrate her 75th birthday this week? Ali Kirker celebrates the forever-young singer
1 She’s Got Attitude
Lulu may be turning 75 on Friday – but she was touring with her own show earlier in the year, and she appeared with Boy George at his concerts in the Hollywood Bowl just a few weeks ago.
She’s taken doctors’ advice and paused her For The Record tour to recover from some symptoms of long Covid, but has no plans to give up live performance – because she loves it too much. We love her attitude to life. “I still wouldn’t say I’m grown up,” she said – when she was 69!
2 She’s A Style Inspiration
Lulu very much has her own style and doesn’t follow fashion. How would you sum up her look? Casual, quirky, slightly rock chick cool maybe begins to describe it. She herself says it’s “rock and roll with a twist”. She loves a hat and can rock a trilby or a fedora with ease. Lulu’s style tips? It’s all about the details. “Accessorising is the key for women of an older age. I love hats. And avoid beige – colour is great!”
“I never go out looking like a bag lady, even to walk the dog,” she says. She’s happy to share her beauty tips, too.
“Beyond a certain age, it’s all about radiance. Use a cleanser that combines a gentle micro-dermabrasion, a moisturiser with light-reflecting minerals that bounce off the skin.” She likes MAC Lipglass for bigging up her pout. And hair? “Don’t get stuck in a rut. Change is good – and hair grows.
Layers are sexy, give movement and avoid the helmet look.”
3 She Steps Out Of Her Comfort Zone
A few years ago, Lulu took on a West End role in 42nd Street, despite her last stage appearance having been back in the ’80s.
Arthur’s Whisky,a film in which she stars with Diane Keaton, will be released shortly. She took on the role even though her previous acting parts didn’t always draw universal acclaim. She’s still out there, giving new experiences a go.
“I’m still ticking, so why not?” she says. “One of the things I am blessed with is to still be here. No doubt about it.”
4 Mental Health? She’s Happy To Talk About It
“I’ve always been very anxious,” Lulu says. “I used to run away from who I
