Nigella Lawson knows a thing or two about good food and it seems the same could be said for beauty. The new Bake Off host has kept her makeup remarkably consistent over the past 20 years or so, proving that ageing doesn’t mean you have to completely reinvent your beauty routine.
If you’re anything like us, the GBBO cast has been taking over your Instagram feed. And in a new video of Nigella, we couldn’t help but notice that her signature smokey eye and glossy nude lip are still going strong.
‘I think there’s a misconception that we need to throw out everything we’ve ever loved about makeup once we reach a certain age, but I don’t agree with that at all,’ says top makeup artist and brand founder Ruby Hammer. ‘What Nigella does brilliantly is understand her features and stay true to them.’
She adds: ‘Beauty isn’t about reinventing yourself every decade; it’s about understanding your face and recognising what brings out your confidence.’
So, how exactly has Nigella managed to make the same look work just as beautifully in her 60s as it did in her 40s? Ruby explains: ‘Her softly smokey eyes, defined lashes and glossy nude lip have become part of her signature, but they’ve never looked rigid or dated, because she’s adapted the finish and texture over time.’
‘Rather than following every new trend, she’s focused on what enhances her natural beauty, and that’s why her makeup still feels modern, elegant and completely authentic to her,’ she adds.
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Ruby tells GH that it’s not about abandoning your signature look or reinventing yourself. Rather, it’s about knowing what works for you – and understanding how to tweak it as your skin changes with age.
‘As we get older, our skin, colouring and features may change slightly. You don’t need a new identity; instead, it’s about refining, editing and adapting,’ she explains.
But what does that adaptation actually look like? According to Ruby, it comes down to three key things: texture, placement and skin prep. ‘There are subtle adjustments that can make a significant difference while still allowing you to keep the essence of the look you love,’ she says.
‘Skincare is completely non-negotiable,’ she says. As we get older, our skin can feel drier, and makeup can settle into fine lines, so hydration is key. ‘Beautifully hydrated skin will allow the makeup to sit more naturally and look more luminous.’
‘I often encourage people to swap heavier formulas for sheerer textures, and try placing colour slightly higher on the face to bring freshness and vitality.’
As Ruby explains, there’s a good reason why certain looks, like Nigella’s, become a signature in the first place: ‘They reflect who we are, and when we suddenly abandon every familiar element, we can end up looking less like ourselves. Keeping details that feel authentic to us and enhancing our very best features will always be the most flattering.’
Proof that you don’t need to fix what isn’t broken.
