Ageless Beauty

Dayle Haddon’s face will be familiar to anyone who’s seen advertisements for L’Oréal (or, for that matter, Max Factor, Revlon, or Estée Lauder– she’s the only model to have had four major cosmetics contracts). She’s also twice been named on Harper Bazaar‘s list of the 10 most beautiful women. But her life hasn’t been a breeze. She stopped modelling to bring up her daughter, but, when her husband died suddenly, she was forced back into the workforce. She found herself an unwanted commodity, unable to get modelling work or even a waitressing job. Dispirited and finally reduced to answering phones at a small ad agency, Haddon was shocked to find that a coyote in a Dodge commercial made more money than she did.

By returning to the cosmetics companies and throwing statistics in their faces–40 million women entering their 40s within the next few years–Haddon was eventually able to convince some of them to begin catering to this market–and to use her as a model. Clairol, then Revlon, signed her on and a revolution of sorts began: older women are no longer ignored by the beauty industry.

Now much in demand again at fortysomething, Haddon’s compiled her copious beauty wisdom in Ageless Beauty: A Woman’s Guide to Lifelong Beauty and Well- Being. Like Bobbi Brown Beauty, Ageless Beauty is as much about self-esteem and caring for yourself- -even spiritually–as it is about makeup and beauty. She reveals which specific products she swears by, where to buy them and how to use them; but also offers tips on nutrition, and how to ensure a good night’s sleep, boost your energy, even meditate. While models may not be known for their writing skills, Haddon’s book is down-to- earth, fun to read and sure to appeal. Add the more than 100 full-colour photographs by the likes of Patrick Demarchelier and Herb Ritts, and you’ve got a perfect gift book.