Dame Helen Mirren leads incredible new beauty movement for over-60s
Dame Helen Mirren stole the spotlight again as she made a glamorous appearance during Paris Fashion Week.
The A list actor, 76, stepped onto the catwalk for the L'Oréal Paris show on Sunday looking razor sharp in an embellished, monochrome trouser suit for the fashion event.
But the most dramatic aspect of her look was undoubtedly her make-up, with the star rocking a thick, sultry black eye liner with elongated flick, which she wore with a messy, high-top bun.
It wasn't long before fans shared their appreciation for the bold look on social media.
“Dame Helen Mirren spent Sunday afternoon looking fierce on the catwalk for L'Oreal in their latest show at Paris Fashion Week.
“Let's not forget... she's 76!!!!" one user wrote on Twitter.
“STILL THINKING ABOUT HELEN MIRREN IN PARIS FASHION WEEK,” another added.
"Dame Helen Mirren is a goddess," yet another agreed.
Dame Helen Mirren spent Sunday afternoon looking fierce on the catwalk for L'Oreal in their latest show at Paris Fashion Week.
Let's not forget... she's 76!!!! 😏#ParisFashionWeek2021 pic.twitter.com/yrosrebF5p— ▪︎BEHIND THE WOMAN▪︎ (@behindthewoman1) October 3, 2021
STILL THINKING ABOUT HELEN MIRREN IN PARIS FASHION WEEK pic.twitter.com/njYrMQMXZn
— geicy, hecate e pippa conta de trisal (@donadoasilo) October 3, 2021
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Dame Helen Mirren certainly isn't the only slightly more mature celebrity who isn't afraid to experiment with a bold make-up look, with stars such as Madonna, Annie Lennox, Debbie Harry, Joan Collins and Joanna Lumley all refusing to tone down their signature beauty looks as they age.
And why the hell should they?
It used to be that there was something of an expectation that women 'of a certain age' would pare back their make-up looks, wiping off the eyeliner and switching bold eyeshadow and red lipstick for something altogether more 'safe'.
But recently a whole slew of 50, 60, 70 and even 80-something celebrities have been challenging out-dated beauty boundaries and calling out the age-shamers, as they hit the red carpet in whatever make-up look they want.
"Age is just a number and mature women are tearing up the rule book and embracing experimental make-up looks," explains Laura Kay, make-up artist and found of Laura Kay London.
"Society's perception of beauty has changed, giving older women the confidence to go against traditional beauty standards.
"For example, it is no longer a taboo to grow your hair out grey and older women are even celebrated for embracing their grey," she adds.
With Dame Helen Mirren leading the way, Kay says other female celebrities are following in her footsteps by throwing out any preconceived notions of how they should look by a certain age.
"A new generation of beauty is emerging, and cosmetic ageism is becoming a thing of the past," she explains.
"Every woman has a right to look and feel beautiful, so it's great news that this trend is picking up pace".
Make-up artist, Lauren Patricia Maybank, believes part of the reason so many more mature women are opting to tear up the beauty 'rule book' is that they are using make-up as a form of expression.
"Make-up has always been a way to express yourself," she explains. "And the fashion industry is finally embracing women of a certain age experimenting with make-up.
"There are absolutely no rules when it comes to make-up - it's all about having the confidence to experiment with bold and dramatic looks because beauty and make-up is ageless!"
Watch: What thing did Helen Mirren do daily during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Maybank hopes Dame Helen will inspire others to try out new make-up looks.
"You can see from the images Dame Helen exudes confidence and feels empowered by her choice," she explains.
"Her bold, high fashion look will hopefully encourage women to experiment more, whether it’s a bright lip to accentuate features, or a bright coloured mascara."
Read more: Helen Mirren reveals the two unlikely household items she has been loving in lockdown
Shanice Croasdaile, make-up artist and star of Netflix's Glow Up is thrilled that celebrities like Dame Helen are turning their backs on beauty standards which have dictated the lives of make-up wearers for far too long.
"People all over the world are finding comfort in self-expression, showing up as who they truly are, and sticking a big fat middle finger up to anyone who tells them they're 'too anything' to do what they want," she says.
"This whole 'you can’t wear certain makeup, once you hit a certain age' thing has never sat right with me, and I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to see more and more women of age turning their backs on the forever changing 'rules' that do nothing but make people feel insecure and unworthy."
Croasdaile says Dame Helen Mirren dominated this year’s PFW at the L'Oreal show in 'what can only be described as the most hauntingly beautiful' reverse cat eye that she has ever seen.
"But she’s not the first, and definitely not the only grown and sexy woman who wears whatever the hell she wants on her face," she continues.
"Angela Bassett has been known for her flawless dark and smoky looks, Vivienne Westwood has always pushed the boundaries of makeup and fashion, often inspiring a lot of younger makeup artists, myself included!
"All of these women and so many more, who might fit into the age category of 'nude tones only', wear anything but, and show the rest of the world, time and time again, that age is nothing but a number, a number that absolutely has no place in the world of makeup!"
