You might remember one of the #EditorsPicks; Make-up from Look Fabulous Forever a few weeks ago? Well, I caught up with the lovely Tricia Cusden, Founder of Look Fabulous Forever where she shares her inspiration, career highlights, top skincare and make-up tips and more.
Describe yourself in a 5 words.
Determined. Enthusiastic. Risk-Taker. Intelligent. Confident.
What inspires you?
Taking the risker option inspires me – I like challenging myself and seeing if I can make something happen – sometimes against the odds.
I’m good at…
Persuading people to back me and my ideas
I’m bad at…
Tolerating pessimistic people
What are the highlights of your career thus far?
My first career as a management training consultant started when I was 38 years old and I was given the opportunity to join a consultancy at a time when there were 3 million people unemployed in the UK. I had been told I was unemployable having spent 12 years at home looking after my children – so I was delighted when someone believed that I had something worthwhile to offer! I have had so many highlights since I started LFF but was particularly thrilled to have been named ‘Digital Achiever of the Year’ by Google at the age of 67!
What is the inspiration behind Look Fabulous Forever?
I was inspired to launch LFF because of a profound frustration with sourcing appropriate makeup for my 65 year old face. I was also insulted by the anti-ageing rhetoric of the beauty industry and wanted to run a beauty business that celebrated rather than condemned the ageing process.
Tell us about your Awards.
I have already mentioned the award I was given by Google of Digital Achiever of the Year in 2014. I was also named Entrepreneur of the Year by Nectar in 2015 and in 2017 the National Business Awards gave me ‘Female Business Leader of the Year.’
What are your top tips for women in their +40’s to look fabulous?
First and foremost make an effort! Our ageist society treats older women very badly by making them feel invisible and of no value. By taking the time and trouble to look good by wearing a nice outfit with great makeup and a good haircut you are signalling that you are not prepared to be ignored or overlooked. It also helps you to feel more confident. I get lots of compliments from younger women on the way that I look and I think that’s because I have always made the effort to look the best that I can!
What are your top skincare and make-up tips?
Skincare tips would be all the usual – keep out of the sun, eat a good nutrient rich diet, cleanse and moisturise your skin every day. LFF is just developing a new skin care range which will be available during October. We have worked closely with a formulator to include all the best active ingredients which will improve the appearance of the skin. My top makeup tip would be to use makeup to restore the colour and definition to your face. As we age everything fades as we lose melanin. Skin, brows, eyes, cheeks and lips can all be enhanced with the careful application of the right cosmetics. Every item sold by LFF has been formulated with the needs of an older face in mind.
What’s your favourite food / cuisine? I am not in any way a foodie! I hate cooking and would happily eat the same food every day (and often do just that!) I am much more interested in nutrition so I eat mostly vegetables, fruit, fish, nuts and yoghurt.
What is your favourite exercise?
None! I have no favourite exercise but for the past two years I have worked with a personal trainer twice a week. I just realised that I could no longer pretend that exercise doesn’t matter when it is patently vital for a long and active life. Lindsay, my PT is absolutely wonderful and has motivated me to improve every aspect of my physical health – core strength, aerobic capacity and balance. I doubt I will ever actually enjoy it but I will continue to exercise because there is no other way to age well.
What has been the most exciting collaboration you’ve worked on so far?
Earlier this year we collaborated with Woman & Home magazine to find the Face of LFF. We chose Annee Pain from a shortlist of 12, and she has proved rot be the most delightful and wonderful person we could have hoped for!
What are you working on at the moment?
The launch of our new skincare range. This is a big moment for us and we are very excited about offering these 3 beautiful new products to our customers. It has taken us 18 months of testing and refining the formulations until we are now happy that we have the very best moisturiser, serum and night cream that we can have for our range. I have been using all 3 of the products for about 4 months now and am absolutely thrilled with the way that they have helped to improve my skin..
Do you have any words of wisdom that you would like to pass on?
I have had my fair share of heartache and loss. I have a six year old grand-daughter with special needs and her first year of life was very traumatic for us all as she was not expected to live. I would say that when you are going through dark and difficult times keep saying ‘This Too Shall Pass’ – because it always does and invariably things resolve. India is now a happy healthy child who has far surpassed what was predicted for her development. She is a total joy.
What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
‘Just Do It’. People often want absolute assurance that things will work out and this makes them very cautious. Sometimes you have to jump off the cliff and hope that the parachute will open!
What is your most treasured possession?
My pillow! It would be my desert island essential. I love my bed and I love to sleep so a really soft and comfortable pillow makes for great luxury. I take mine with me wherever I go.
What is your must-have item for next season?
Not sure that I have one, but I would love a red Gucci Soho bag!
Who’s your favourite Style Icon?
I greatly admire Lyn Slater, an American professor who calls herself The Accidental Icon. She’s much more avant-garde and fashionably stylish than I am but I love the way she looks.
Most inspirational person you have met?
The person who gave me my first proper job! He was one of the most interesting and charismatic people I have ever met and he unlocked something in me and allowed it to fly.
Your favourite location?
My house in the south of France
In a nutshell, your philosophy is…
On my deathbed I want to be able to say that I don’t have a single regret and that I have taken every opportunity to live my life to the full.
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