Despite being the editor of Vogue, I saw beauty as a chore. Now I’m a midlife MAKE-UP ADDICT
- Alexandra Shulman reveals that now in her 60s she is obsessed with make-up
- The ex-editor of British Vogue says she was transfixed with beauty tutorials
- She shares her five new found cosmetic obsessions, including No7
When, I decided to leave my job as editor-in-chief of Vogue, I had anticipated all kinds of changes in my life. But the one I never imagined was that I would become a late onset make-up addict. That possibility had not entered my mind.
Now, though, in my 60s, after 25 years at Vogue and a decade in other magazines, I have for the first time become obsessed with make-up. Instagram posts and beauty vloggers, department store beauty halls and online make-up hubs — these call to me as persuasively as did the Sirens to those hapless sailors, luring me to endless purchases, very often triumphs of expectation over experience. Yet I’m not deterred.
For many women, this is not particularly unusual. They have always loved make-up. Even relied on it. However, until relatively recently, I had never had much interest in the wonderful world of make-up and skincare. Nor have I ever had any kind of cosmetic intervention, not even a dot of Botox, watching with some curiosity as contemporaries try out various tweaks. Looking my age has never been something that bothers me.
Alexandra Shulman explains how she has discovered a new obsessive love of make-up in her 60s, after stepping down as editor of British Vogue
During all the Vogue years, I had access-all-areas to the beauty cupboard, a treasure trove of products sent in for the department to try out. But almost the only time I delved in was for a goodie bag for a goddaughter or Christmas stocking fillers.
I enjoyed working with the team on stories about beauty, but rarely took advantage of their immense knowledge for personal use.
This wasn’t because I disapproved or felt myself above such trivial matters. Far from it — I would listen riveted as Estee Lauder’s son, Leonard, extolled the virtues of their new acquisition, Creme de la Mer; or Charlotte Tilbury explained her early plans for the make-up business that would make her a billionaire.
I loved to commission stories on women who spent hours and fortunes on their make-up and skincare, but I was not one of them. Having to have my hair and make -up done professionally for photoshoots and public appearances was a chore, not a privilege.
Perhaps my attitude had something to do with my age. The 1960s dolly birds, with their pancake foundation and block mascara, and the painted faces of psychedelia were just before my time, and it was a few years later as a teenager, a period when we form much of our sense of style, that I found my tribe — the women I wanted to be.
These were the freshfaced singer-songwriters of the time, including Carole King, Carly Simon and Joni Mitchell, the ‘natural born women’ of the age who appeared without a scrap of make-up, their long hair free of blow-dries, their tanned faces seemingly bare of anything bar perhaps, a lick of mascara.
Of course, in common with many of my generation I loved a deep berry Biba nail polish, and as the 1970s progressed I, too, indulged in a bit of glittery glam-rock eye make-up.
But essentially, I chose to spend all my cash on clothes and records rather than make-up.
As I entered the professional world, I was always surprised to find so many women who felt unable to start their day without a full face of makeup. And I was horrified when my teenage stepdaughter didn’t appear able to leave the house for school without a thick layer of foundation on her already immaculate skin.
The notion that one might feel unconfident without make-up was anathema to me.
Now, though, it’s all change.
It would be simple to think that my new-found passion for make-up is because, as I age, I look worse without it. Or that I need props to bolster my self-esteem.
But that would be wrong. It’s not about confidence, but pure enjoyment. And my late on-set beauty addiction is pure enjoyment. Indeed, it might even have become a hobby.
Curious as it may seem, this obsession took hold during lockdown. Although I was able to see only my very nearest and dearest, who I doubt would notice if I appeared in full RuPaul, it was during this period that the seeds took hold. Deprived of real life, face-to-face socialising, we all turned into Zoomers, having to confront our own image on the screen more often than we might otherwise choose.
I was probably not the only person keen for a bit of help with the undereye shadows that looked, surely, much worse on screen than in real life? There were those who spent lockdown working out online or learning how to make sourdough or a crocheted hat. Me? I became obsessed with the application of concealer.
I was transfixed by the beauty tutorials that cropped up on my Instagram feed which, previously, I had quickly scrolled past.
BEST TUTORIALS FOR GROWN-UP COSMETICS
Inspiring: Trinny’s before and after YouTube videos
Trinny Woodall’s (pictured) YouTube channel convinced Alexandra that Miracle Blur was going to do ‘something wonderful to my face’
Magic: Lisa does Victoria Beckham at lisaeldridge.com
Celebrity make-up artist Lisa Eldridge (pictured left), who did Best Actress Joanna Scanlan’s make-up for the Baftas, has become a favourite of Alexandra’s
But then I discovered the soothing, escapist quality of watching a blotchy -faced woman transform into a glowing goddess by the application of moisturiser, serum, primes, foundation, concealer and blusher. The pandemic may be fizzling out, but not so my love-affair with make-up.
Celebrity make-up artist Lisa Eldridge, who did Best Actress Joanna Scanlan’s make-up for the Baftas, has become a favourite, and only yesterday I spent an enjoyable half hour watching her use 30-odd different products for what she calls her ‘patchwork’ technique. ,
Trinny Woodall’s slightly bonkers breathy delivery, as she sells her Trinny London brand, convinced me that her Miracle Blur was going to do something wonderful to my face.
And when I’m feeling a bit flat, Donna Francis @thebeautyed’s tutorials are cheerfully inspiring as I watch her pat this and that onto her suntanned face.
As someone who had access to professional make-up artists over the years, I had already picked up quite a bit of information and tips. I know how to mix serums and foundations and BB creams and concealers to get the right coverage for me.
I’ve learned tricks to blur those pesky fissures at the side of my mouth which the wrong lipstick seems to amplify.
But that knowledge doesn’t prevent me being riveted by these videos which entertain me in the same way others may be watching Nigella do clever things with Marmite.
Over the years, I’ve learned what suits me, but ringing in my head is that mantra ‘don’t get stuck in a rut’. This is very useful, as it justifies endless new purchases. In the same way I imagine a new life with every new piece of clothing I buy, for a short time every brand-new, unsullied lipstick offers Nirvana.
Of course, I know that there’s every chance that once I’ve used it and realised life hasn’t changed and it makes my skin look more sallow, it will remain loitering in my lipstick graveyard. But the expectation invested in new make-up is not rational — or not in my case.
So much make-up so little time. In the past weeks, I’ve discovered a new Chanel lip colour which looks pretty good: not too dense, or matt or shiny.
I’ve fallen for almost all of make-up queen Bobbi Brown’s new Jones Road range, and have mastered her Miracle Balm that adds a touch of summer colour to skin.
I’ve bought several of Victoria Beckham’s Satin Kajal Liners because she’s such a great saleswoman on Instagram and says they are the perfect one-stop eyeliner, but I do wish they didn’t run.
And I’m trying really hard to learn to love moisturiser, which still seems the boring part of the whole thing.
How to use a concealer, though, to get rid of the dark potholes in the corners of my eyes? That skill remains elusive.
No matter how many beauty tutors I have watched rubbing pale potions into the area, I’ve failed to find a product that makes a difference. Any tips would be much appreciated.
MY FIVE NEW FOUND OBSESSIONS
The pencil is great to dab on to small blemishes and swipe over redness without giving heavy cover. And it’s easy to carry around in your handbag.
The Sparkle Wash is an eye colour which you brush onto your lids to give a subtle touch of glitter. It looks good alone, or I wear it over a darker eyeshadow in the evenings.
jonesroadbeauty.com
This wakes me up in the morning. It smells heavenly, and as I am someone who isn’t brilliant at removing make-up at night, it means I start the day feeling clean. It’s a thick, waxy potion that you remove with a warm cloth, and it never leaves your skin feeling at all dry.
demamiel.com
These are just excellent colours at a great price. I like the deep violet shade, but there’s a huge range of more neutral colours.
boots.com
I find intense lip colour does me few favours so a more translucent balm is much more flattering, although you have to apply it more often than matt. I would love to be a person who can wear a deep red, but it adds about 20 years to my face. This range has excellent pinks and corals.
chanel.com
This cream from Ainsworths, the homeopathic pharmacy, is rather magical. If you have dry skin, or small blisters or sores, it is a huge help. I don’t use it every day, but whenever I do, it does the business.
ainsworths.com
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