When she’s not busy on set, Hannah Waddingham has been cementing her status as a beauty icon. At 52, she’s more than earned her status as a blonde bombshell, proving that great beauty has no age limit.
Not only does she look phenomenal, but her beauty choices are refreshingly uncomplicated, too. Whether it’s a simple makeup swap or a clever hair switch-up, she proves that small changes can make the biggest difference.
Naturally, here on the GH beauty desk, we’ve been taking notes. So, we’ve rounded up seven of Hannah’s best tricks and the lessons we can all learn from them.
Blonde that brings glow
There’s blonde, and then there’s Hannah Waddingham blonde – impossibly glossy, creamy and bright. But beyond being a beautiful shade, Hannah’s blonde has another flattering benefit: it helps to make her complexion appear more radiant.
‘It has a multi-tonal finish that makes it far more youthful than a single-process blonde,’ says Jason Collier, celebrity hairstylist and key opinion leader at Jerome Russell Bblonde. ‘This also gives it a light-reflecting quality, which works almost like built-in lighting for the face. When the hair has shine and dimension, it bounces light back on to the skin, helping the complexion appear fresher, brighter and more radiant.’
Proof that the right hair colour will work exceptionally hard.
Prepping for a perfect base
We’ve all been there: staring at red-carpet pictures and wondering just how celebrities manage to get their makeup looking quite so smooth and flawless.
The secret? It’s all in the prep. Hannah’s makeup artist, Stephen Sollitto, revealed on Instagram how he nourished her skin ahead of her recent glowy glam.
‘Exfoliation and hydration are the best keys to makeup prep,’ he explained. For Hannah, that meant reaching for a few Paula’s Choice heroes, including the cult-favourite 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant and Pro-Collagen Peptide Plumping Moisturiser. Consider us influenced.
One shade, three ways
Hannah is proof that there’s no need to overthink your glam. In fact, one of our favourite looks of hers came down to one simple trick — using the same shade across the eyes, lips and cheeks.
For Hannah, this was a beautiful soft baby pink. ‘Using a trio of the same shade really brings balance and harmony to the makeup look,’ says celebrity makeup artist Fiona Florczak. ‘It gives you an ease of knowing your makeup is always going to work – there are no clashing tones. Just really beautiful and soft.’
Not only does this guarantee a flattering finish, but it streamlines your routine, too. One product can work the job of three.
Lashes above all
Nothing works harder than a great lash and Hannah is proof. With a soft base and an easy ponytail, she shows just how lashes can instantly glam up even the simplest of looks.
It’s a trick celebrity makeup artist Hannah Martin swears by, too. ‘There’s nothing like dark, beautiful lashes to immediately open up the eyes, whatever your age,’ she says.
Once a closely guarded secret, Hannah’s makeup artist, Gita Bass, recently revealed that the Elizabeth Arden Grand Entrance Mascara is a favourite of Hannah’s.
Elizabeth Arden Grand Entrance Mascara
The transformative hair flip
If you’re craving a hair change but aren’t quite ready to commit to a full-on makeover, Hannah’s clever trick might be all you need.
The actress recently proved that you don’t need to take drastic measures to refresh your look. Her secret? Simply switching up her parting.
‘It’s a small change that makes a surprisingly big impact,’ says Jason. ‘Over time, our hair naturally settles into one direction, so flipping the part instantly creates lift at the roots, making the hair look fuller and giving the face a different frame.’
The do-it-all manicure
There’s nothing quite like a fresh mani. But when you step into a salon, the sheer number of options can feel overwhelming. Finding a shade that works with every outfit and every occasion is no easy feat. Enter Hannah’s chrome mani.
It’s what nail dreams are made of. A soft, easy-to-wear shade elevated by a glossy chrome finish. ‘A pearly finish over a soft natural pink looks subtle and classy,’ says celebrity manicurist Jenni Draper. ‘It’s not as stark as a metallic chrome, it looks delicate and modern, and you can wear it with anything,’
Rethink your eyeliner
The easiest way to make your eyes pop? Trade your black liner for burgundy. Colourful eyeliners and mascaras have made a real comeback, but don’t worry – they’re a far cry from the electric shades of the 80s.
Instead, rich hues such as burgundy feel surprisingly wearable while still making an impact. It’s all down to colour theory. For those with blue or green eyes, like Hannah, the warm hue will contrast and help them pop. Meanwhile, on brown and hazel eyes, burgundy will highlight their richness.
