Beauty tips from the world's most glam grannies

With the beauty industry getting more and more high-tech every year, it’s easy to forget the vintage tips and tricks that always ring true, whatever the latest fad. I’ve rounded up some of the best beauty advice from our favourite celebrity grandmas, as well as a few from some of our very own glamorous grans. There’s no doubt about it – these old gals have some serious beauty wisdom!
My gorgeous nanna, Judy, 72 –
“The only thing I’ve ever used on my face is NIVEA Crème – it costs nothing and is just as good as more expensive products. Oh, and don’t ever give in to grey hair!”
(She's kind of a fox, right? To soften your greys, try L'Oreal Paris Casting Sublime Mousse)
bh’s Christine’s beautician (who's also a granny) Angela, 55 –
“Polenta with your cream cleanser is an AMAZING daily exfoliant.”
(Being a beautician, this glam granny knows what she’s talking about! Try Lush Let The Good Times Roll Cleanser, which contains polenta to even out the skin tone)
Actress Jane Fonda, 77 –
“Sleep is my survival tip. It's the hardest and most essential thing.”
(I couldn’t agree more with this one. To get the most out of your beauty sleep, try the Trial Team-rated Anti-Ageing Pillows)
hh’s Anna on her late nonna, Lucia –
“My nonna had a beautiful garden, grew her own fruit and veggies and worked really hard her entire life. You’d think her hands would be rough and show the wear of all her work, but they were always so, so soft. She used Clarins Hand Cream religiously every day for as long as I can remember.”
Actress Goldie Hawn, 69 –
“You need to know where to put your highlighter. It’s about knowing your face. A make-up artist I worked with all the time taught me to put it under my nose, because that’s where you get indentations, and also under the eyes and on the cheekbones.”
(To get Goldie’s radiant look, try Australis Cosmetics Mineral Highlighter)
bh’s Kelly’s Nanny Shirl, 82 –
"A pimple, cold sore, scrape, bite, burn… No matter the skin impediment, put some camphor on it – it will fix it right up!"
(For a similar effect, try Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Cold Sore Cream, which contains camphor as well as menthol to soothe pain and discomfort)
"People are so busy these days. They should have a nice long bath to relax. I have one each and every day."
(Shirl’s favourite bubble bath is the freshly scented L'OCCITANE Verbena Foaming Bath)
bh’s Carli’s grandmother, Sophie, 87 –
"I don't go anywhere without Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream for my lips. When the tube's running low, I cut it in half so that I can get to the cream easier.”
Actress Susan Sarandon, 68 –
“When it comes to beauty, it’s simple: don’t smoke cigarettes. Tobacco is the worst. The sun is also terrible and so is too much alcohol, it ruins your skin. Being happy, eating well, getting exercise is key.”
bh’s Aja on her nan, Phyllis, 82 –
“Despite being 82, my nan goes on a walk for at least 40 minutes every single day and really believes this is the reason behind looking – and more importantly, feeling – younger and healthier. I mean, check out those legs; they don't look a day over 25!”
Actress Helen Mirren, 77 (ok, she’s not technically a grandma, but this dame’s a mega-babe) –
“I love beauty products, and I'm always trying new ones. One thing I consistently use is Latisse [a prescription lash-growth serum]. It really works, and if your eyelashes look great, you can let a lot of other things be crap.”
(Mirenesse 4D Secret Lash Evolution Serum is also great for growing lashes)
What’s the best beauty advice your grandma has given you? Do you use any of these beauty tips and tricks?
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59 Member Comments
All such beautiful women with some amazing tips!
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omg what an awesome bunch of ladies! inspirational :) Helen Mirren is just the best, if I look half as good as her in a bikini at 63 then I will be happy!
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The no smoking & get plenty of sleep are the 2 things the older generation passed onto me that apply to all ages
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I have heard don't use too much foundation as you age as it gets trapped in the skin and may even expose more wrinkles than you need to !
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Absolutely impressive! Something - or someone - to aspire to. ;)
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All these women look fantastic!
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They all look good.
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Susan Sarandon is stunning
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Good on you ladies. You all look great.
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I love Nivea creme. It's a staple!
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Love these tips. they all employ a bit of common sense!
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awww, beautiful grans.
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As Susan Sarandon says don't smoke, keep out of the sun and don't abuse alcohol and keep moving. And Helen Mirren is only 69 not 77.
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I loved this article and beauty is lovely at any age
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What a lovely blog. My Mum and Nana both swore by never going to bed without cleaning your face. It certainly worked.
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Have to agree with Jane Fonda about sleep - wise woman!
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My grandma used to put make up on every morning. She also used a moisturiser every day. So does my mum. So do I.
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I loved this article! Both on the celebrities and more importantly the bh's nanna's - many of their tips I relate to. "When the tube's running low, I cut it in half so that I can get to the cream easier.” Love it!
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Helen Mirren is just beautiful.
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I remember my grandma always moisturised and her make up was using "FANBO", old traditional Chinese cube-sized white powder om her face. she was soo beautiful and i miss her every single day
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They all look gorgeous! It's nice to see people aging beautifully! :)
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Hooray an article that I can relate with and rejoice over. I think they all look good. :-). I didn't have any grandmas or nannas to pass on advice to me. Thankfully my mum guided me with a few tips on skincare when in teens.
After reading about the anti-ageing pillows here and umming and ahhing, I did eventually get one and loving it. That reminds me must do a review on that also. So many reviews to do, just not enough time to sit down yet, due to operation. Will get there soon.
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Looking good ladies!
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Inspiring article
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