We've been chatting with Jacqui Lane, mum to HoneyKids writer Jana, about how she's continued to defy Father Time over the years...
Ask any woman what her biggest secret is and she’ll probably tell you it’s her age. In an age where botox, fillers, facelifts and Instagram filters are used to mask and conceal all signs of aging, meeting someone who doesn’t see the point in hiding her age makes refreshing change. Meet Jacqui Lane, 57 year-old mum of three and grandmother of two.
At first glance, Jacqui looks like someone in her early 30s, but when you see her alongside her adult children (one of them is HoneyKids writer Jana!) and grandchildren, 57 makes sense. Jana recently put her mum in our interview hot seat to get the lowdown on her beauty secrets and get some tips on how we too can look like we’ve taken a sip from the fountain of youth…
Enjoy the little things (literally)…
I love being a grandmother, it’s one of the best blessings I have in my life. My two grandchildren always make me smile – they give me so much joy and happiness! I love being with them, their hugs and kisses… I just can’t get enough. Watching them dance, play and listening to their stories, seeing their faces light up when I tell them my own stories, it’s a cliche but it’s really the best feeling in the world! Because they’re always making me smile, I feel like they really melt away my stress – which means less frown and worry lines!
Follow a beauty routine
As soon as I wake up, I splash my face with cold water and tap my chin a few times. I put on Boots No.7 eye cream and then apply Biore watery sunblock. At night, I remove my makeup with Bifesta makeup remover and then I wash my face with Biore face wash. I follow this with serum (I use L’ Occitane’s Immortelle) and then apply Boots No.7 cream on my eyes, face and neck. I think that this routine has helped my skin stay smooth and supple over the years.
Let’s face it, I’m not getting any younger so I’ve started adding to my normal beauty routine. I recently tried RF (a skin tightening technique which uses heat to stimulate collagen production to reduce the appearance of lines and loose skin) which requires you to do it every week or every other week, depending on the condition of your skin. I’m aiming to schedule this treatment for myself at least every other week: it’s one of my resolutions for this year.
Stay away from the sun
You know what they say, being in the sun makes your skin age. I started being very conscious about moisturising, using sunblock and avoiding the sun at the age of 30. If I need to be outdoors, I usually use a large sun hat, sunglasses or cover my face with a fan. I don’t really believe in buying expensive brands for the face. I never did! Look for the best moisturiser and sunblock for your skin type and apply it religiously. In fact, I always tell my daughters: sunblock and moisturiser, PLEASE!
Exercise, exercise, exercise!
If you want to stay young, you need to work for it! I work out three times a week. I cycle for around 15-20 minutes for cardio and also do body weight exercises targeting my arms and legs for toning. It might not sound like much but it’s the best and easiest way to get my heart pumping. I think the easier the exercise routine, the more likely you’ll be to stick to it.
Avoid carbs
Sugar is one of your body’s worst enemies, but I don’t mind indulging every once in awhile. After all, food makes me happy. I don’t really diet but I try and stay away from eating carbs as much as I can. That’s the only thing I’ve avoided successfully!
It certainly seems like all of the above is working, and Jacqui tries to stay positive about the aging process. Instead of panicking and putting her body through an overhaul, she carries on doing what’s working. “I take it a year at a time,” she shares, “As long as I feel good and I’m healthy, I’m grateful.”
Perhaps we should all take a page out of Jacqui’s book and worry less, laugh more, slather on that sunblock, moisturise and exercise regularly!
Thanks, Jacqui! (I mean Mum).