If Elle Macpherson believes ‘love and laughter’ keep her looking young, what’s the reality for us?
Love, laughter, water and sunshine – these are the top tips 59-year-old former supermodel Elle Macpherson gave on maintaining her ‘ageless appearance’ in a recent interview. If only it was that simple, Elle. But let’s be realistic. For many women, beauty is a race against the clock, from desperately trying to conceal our greys, to reducing the appearance of wrinkles, as well as keeping the pounds off (which is so much harder than it was in our 20s!). And unlike the rich and famous, we don’t have endless pots of cash to splash on personal trainers, in-house chefs and cosmetic treatments. But of course, some of us are more than happy to grow old gracefully and embrace every fine line. We’re not all seeking youth and don’t mind ageing – we just want to look our best while we do it. But with endless exposure to airbrushed celebs on social media, plus beauties like Elle claiming it is so effortless, is it any wonder we’re feeling the pressure? A survey by the Centre for Ageing Better found that 49% of Brits don’t think they will look good when they’re old, but should we be pressuring ourselves to keep up with the seemingly impossible standards set by celebs? One woman tells us why she’s proud to age in the real world.
‘THERE’S ONLY SO MUCH I CAN DO TO HOLD BACK TIME’
Tess Stimson, 52, is a writer and journalist
Last week, I went out for dinner with a group of 50-something friends. As the waiter handed out the menus, everyone simultaneously reached into their handbags for a pair of reading glasses. Except me. Not because I have perfect vision — ever since I turned 40, the instructions on a bottle of aspirin have been a blur. But, now 52, I still refuse to get a pair of spectacles. There’s a reason your eyesight deteriorates as you get older — it’s so you can’t see your wrinkles.
When I heard former supermodel Elle ‘the body’ Macpherson declaring the secret to her apparent agelessness as she approaches her 60th birthday is ‘love, laughter, water and sunshine’ I almost snorted out my morning coffee. Well, I’d like to add ‘denial’ to her oh-so-plausible recipe for youth.
Perhaps Elle’s eternal beauty really is down to joyous frolics on the beach — if I’d been blessed with the kind of genes that
