Joanna Lumley On Her Beauty Routine and Skincare Essentials

From her routine to her skincare essentials, we met model-turned-actor Joanna Lumley to discuss her views on the true meaning of beauty

From entering the world of modelling in the early 60s to becoming an actor and taking on a long list of iconic roles – The New Avengers, Sapphire & Steel and, of course, Absoutely Fabulous, to name a few – Joanna Lumley’s career is nothing short of incredible

Her life’s work has seen her grace many red carpets, attend numerous awards shows (where she has won plenty) and travel the world. So, it’s fair to say that Lumley has picked up plenty of beauty-related tips over the years

In fact, when Stylist meets Lumley on a rainy day in London, she tells us that she often does her own make-up and hair for a lot of her time on camera and at big events. So, we took the opportunity to quiz her on everything she knows, from her go-to routine, how she gets ready for a red carpet in 10 minutes flat and what beauty truly means to her. Here, she shares all the lessons she has learned.

What does beauty mean to you?

“So many things have been written about beauty. It is hugely powerful. People have killed for beauty, people whose names are still remembered for their beauty, like Helen of Troy, the face that launched a thousand ships. Was it beauty to us, though? Ordinary people who’ve all got working lives and don’t live in such glamour? I think beauty must come from the inside but it can be helped from the outside. So, start off every day determined to be adorable to everyone you meet, loving everything you see – you’re allowed to hate it later, but love it first of all – and use reliable skincare products. They should be things you know are going to work. If you found something you know and love, trust it. ‘Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried, grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel.’ There you go – that’s Hamlet and that means stick with the things you love, they won’t let you down.”

How has your approach to your own beauty routine changed over the years?

“I was a model in the 60s, when it was standard to wear three layers of false eyelashes, draw on freckles – almost like painted dolls and the textures were thicker. Now, make-up is much subtler, much lighter. Funnily enough, I prefer heavier make-up. I much prefer painting on my face. People say, ‘You don’t need to put on all that make-up’, to which I say: ‘Yes I do, because I love it!’. And I love to see that fashions which go in and out, come back into style again. For example, false nails are back in fashion and this time, with little pictures on them. Adorable.”

What does your skincare routine look like today?

“It’s fairly basic. Again, I use the things that I know and trust, which I have to say: Lancôme is a brand that I’ve been using for more years than I can count, because I can trust it. I love it, I love the feel of it, I love what it does. The new Rénergie Collagen+ Lift-Xtend Cream is extraordinary.”

Why is Lancôme’s Rénergie Collagen+ Lift-Xtend Cream the one skincare secret you swear by?

“Because it works – a) it’s divine and b) it smells of freshness and gorgeousness. You use a little bit and pat it in lightly. Don’t rub your skin, pat it in and I promise you’ll find the most extraordinary difference. Feel where your skin needs it and put it on gently. Beauty is important in terms of where we are: in our houses, in your gardens and look at this tub, too. Is there anything lovelier to have on your bedside table or beside your basin? I love it. And stick with it – don’t use something for just 10 minutes and then expect it to always work.”

From starting your career as a model to your acting career today, how do you feel the industry’s approach to youth has changed over the years?

“I think beauty has changed in that we’ve been encouraged to believe what you look like is good. You are good. So it makes you feel like, ‘Oh OK, I don’t have to disguise myself.’ I think in the old days, you tried to look like somebody else – whereas now, we can all look like ourselves.”

What do you look for in your skincare routine?

“I do a lot of travel shows, for which I’m my own make-up artist, hairstylist and stylist. I do it all myself and sometimes we stay in grand hotels but quite often we don’t. Sometimes we stay in tents, places that have a single light and sometimes, no light at all. So, you have to be adaptable and you can’t always luxuriate in having a hairdryer or even a basin. You’ve got to be able to do things fast. I always use a make-up remover and a good quality night cream like Lancôme’s Rénergie Collagen+ Lift-Xtend Cream.

You have 10 minutes to get ready for a red carpet. What steps are you doing?

“Foundation. I don’t like a shiny finish on me, so I powder that. Shape my eyebrows. I like shaped eyelids, a smokey look around the eyes. Mascara. If you’ve got time, a bit of blusher. It depends on what the event is: if it’s a red carpet and you’re going to be out there, be bold.”

If you could bottle up one piece of advice for women feeling pressured to stay ‘forever young’, what would that be?

“If you’re feeling sad, pretend you’re happy. Be nice to people, even if you don’t know them, be friendly. Arrive at things and say, ‘Isn’t this lovely?’. Say, ‘I love it!’. Start off by loving things, love things and that light will shine out of you and at once, you’ll look lovelier.”

Main image: Getty