Make like Madonna

10:53am Saturday 16th August 2008

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Madonna reaches her half century today. Maxine Gordon looks at how to be fab at 50.

LOVE her or loathe her, there’s no getting away from the fact that Madonna looks amazing as she turns 50.

As the Material Girl celebrates her half century today, she sets a new standard for women who want to turn back time.

With the figure of a woman half her age, and a fashion and style direction that is envied and copied the world over, Madonna continues to turn heads and set trends.

Granted, she has a personal trainer and chef to help her keep in shape and limitless funds to spend on hair, make-up clothes and anti-ageing treatments.

As one of the world’s most famous and wealthy entertainers, a crucial part of her job is to look good.

But you don’t have to be a multi-millionaire superstar to get the ‘Madonna effect’.

Here we ask a panel of health, fashion and beauty experts for their top tips on looking and feeling fab at 50.

We also have a competition for three readers who have reached the big 50 to have a glamorous make-over, with facial, manicure, make-up, cut and colour at Browns of York.

Skin

First impressions count, so looking after your skin as you get older should be a top priority.

Beauty therapist Sophie Cleminson has opened her own luxury salon at Skelton near York, where she exclusively offers Madonna’s favourite treatment, the Oxyjet facial, a non-invasive alternative to Botox.

“It uses pure oxygen and pressure to ‘inject’ active ingredients into the base layer of the skin,” says Sophie. “It helps smooth out lines and amplify collagen.”

Regular facials and using the correct products are great ways to keep your skin looking younger, she adds. “As you get older, your skin starts to dry out. A professional can advise you on the right products to use and which anti-ageing facials to have.”

Drinking plenty of water and eating and sleeping well will all reap dividends too.

And Sophie has another tip: “Have a professional lesson in how to put on make-up. A lot of women in their 50s wear the same make-up they wore in their 20s. But there are lots of techniques you can learn and lots of new products to try, but you do need to have someone explain to you how they work.”

Sophie Cleminson at the Beauty Room, Skelton, York. 01904 471805 www.sophieatthebeautyroom.co.uk

Hair

“There are three things people notice when they look at you,” says Heather Revell, of Regis hair salon, at Browns of York. “Your skin, your nails and your hair.”

So it pays, she adds, to keep your hair looking fabulous, in terms of its cut, colour and condition.

“As people get older, their hair becomes drier, courser and harder to manage,” says Heather. “We advise our clients to come in and have a consultation with one of our stylists. They can advise on which style suits a particular face shape as well as what colours to use. Their job is to being out the best in the client.”

Regis, upstairs at the Davygate department store, also offers special conditioning treatments for ageing hair, using Kerastase’s Age Recharge range.

Heather adds: “In many ways, age is irrelevant. What is important is to find out what suits a person best and a good stylist will have the skills to do that.”

Regis at Browns, Davygate, York.

01904 623003

Fashion

No woman wants to be tagged ‘MDL’ (mutton dressed as lamb), but turning 50 is no excuse to turn frumpy.

That’s the view of York image consultant Linda Saxton who runs her own agency, Dressence.

“We talk about the ‘flirty fifties’,” says Linda, who at 58 looks a good decade younger.

“Anything goes, as long as you feel confident in it. Probably the only no-no in fashion terms is a mini skirt – and ridiculously high shoes and false eyelashes.

“You can still enjoy fashion and look good. Keep yourself feminine, take supplements for your hair and skin, keep your hair and make-up up to date.”

Many women put on weight at this time in their lives, particularly around the tummy.

“You need to draw the eye away from that area,” says Linda. “Use accessories, such as some nice jewellery around your neck.

“So many women start to wear baggy clothes when they get middle-aged spread, but that can make you look bigger. Wear a belt, and try to give your clothes some shape.”

Linda added it was also vital to keep your hair and make-up up to date.

“Use a tinted moisturiser or something like Estée Lauder’s Daywear Plus, it looks like Polyfilla but when you apply it, it adapts to the colour of your skin and gives you a healthy glow. YSL’s Touche Eclat is brilliant for getting rid of dark circles under the eye and a cream blusher. Avoid powders, they just settle into the lines.

“With lipstick, wear a lighter shade as dark colours can accentuate any feathery lines.”

Linda Saxton at Dressence. 0845 652 0856 www.dressence.co.uk

Body

YORK fitness expert Grace Hucey says you don’t have to work out like Madonna to look good at 50 – but you do need to keep active.

“Government guidelines suggest that people should do 30 minutes of activity daily – that doesn’t have to be in a gym, it can be walking the dog, but you need to raise your heart rate for 30 minutes to get any cardio vascular benefit,” said Grace, who works as a personal trainer at Next Generation fitness club in York and runs pilates classes across the city.

Getting motivated can be difficult, particularly if exercise is not a well-established part of your life.

This is where a personal trainer can help, says Grace. “You don’t have to be a star to afford a personal trainer and they can help guide and motivate people as well as analyse individual problems and give excellent training advice.”

Activities such as golf, tennis, walking, running and dancing are excellent too because they are social, added Grace.

To combat ‘wobbly bits’ and guard against osteoporosis (brittle bones), Grace advises people to do resistance exercises, using weights, which are also excellent for toning.

Keeping flexible is important too, says Grace, which is why pilates and yoga are ideal for the 50-plus.

She added: “They are great at keeping you mobile and keeping your joints supple.”

Finally, Grace says it’s important to watch what you eat. “As you get older, your metabolism slows down. If you are not as active, you need to reduce your intake of food, cut down on fat and eat healthily.”

Smoking, she adds, is a no-no and alcohol should be consumed in moderation.

Grace Hucey, personal trainer and pilates tutor. 07772 435 418