‘SO WHAT’S THE SECRET OF OUR ETERNAL YOUTH?’

 

AS POP ICON MADONNA HITS 50, WE REVEAL HOW MERE MORTALS WHO’VE REACHED THIS MILESTONE MANAGE TO KEEP AGE AT BAY…

By Jill Foster

 

BOXTOX & SEX

Angie Patterson is a former Dior model who now works for a financial company. She’s single and lives in Berkshire.

I first had Botox at 31. Lots of women were doing it but no one would admit to it.

It was expensive – I paid £1,000 to a Harley Street doctor, although it only costs around £250 now – but I looked and felt great.

I began having it every year, and now I wouldn’t be without it.

I’m not bothered about having poison injected into my face. If you pay for top practitioners, I believe it’s safe.

Seven years ago I had the filler Restylane injected into the lines between my nose and mouth.

The effect was remarkable. It cost around £500, but I’ve never needed a top-up.

A healthy sex life is also key to looking young. Like Madonna, I have a toyboy.

He’s 15 years younger than me and we’ve been together five years.

We don’t live together – it’s more of a lust thing – but it helps keep me slim. At 5ft 8in, I’m 9st and a size 12.

I think not marrying or having kids has kept me young too.

In my 20s I had a 10-year relationship which ended when he went off with someone else.

I decided I’d never commit to a man again.

As for children, I’ve never wanted them.

And women who have them always seem to look older than those who don’t.

 

GOOD GENES

Wendy Kirton is a receptionist from London. She’s married to Robert, 39, and they have a nine-year-old son, Noah.

My six siblings and I are all blessed with wonderful skin.

My mother is 85 and there’s barely a line on her.

For as long as I can remember, people have thought I’m 10 years younger than I really am.

I was born in the Caribbean but moved to the UK when I was two.

My family carried on the West Indian tradition of eating fresh food and covering their body and face in moisturiser every day.

In the Caribbean, mothers teach their children to moisturise, moisturise, moisturise.

I don’t believe in dieting, and I think obsessing about food is ageing.

As a family we eat healthily, but we don’t beat ourselves up if we enjoy the occasional treat.

I don’t exercise apart from a yoga session once a week, which relaxes me and helps keep me toned.

I’m 5ft 3in and a size 14-16, but most people think I’m a size 12 because I dress to suit my shape.

I was slimmer in my 20s, but I’m fitter and healthier now.

Diet and exercise help, but staying young on the inside is the real secret to looking young on the outside.

 

EXERCISE & SKINCARE

Sharon Scott is a marketing manager. She’s married to Nick, 50, a property developer. They live in Cambridgeshire with their children, Oliver, 24, and Danielle, 21.

I love exercise. Without it, my body wouldn’t be as toned or healthy as it is.

I used to teach ballet but it became too time-consuming, so now I build exercise into my life in other ways.

I go to the gym for an hour twice a week, where I work on the cross-trainer, treadmill and step machine.

At weekends I get up early and go for a brisk 40-minute walk around the village.

I also have a Pilates machine at home, which is good for toning up my abdominals, arms and legs.

I’m 5ft 9in and weigh around 9st.

I’ve always been slim, but as you get older the weight moves around – I have to work at keeping my tummy toned.

I eat healthily too.

I love salads and fruit, and I never eat fast food.

I look after my skin by cleansing, toning and moisturising every day. I use Champneys products because they’re very rich and excellent for more mature skin.

 

 

 

photography: Lancton Hair & make-up: caroline piasecki at time