There’s a familiar story told about women in midlife that suggests the boldest chapters and most exciting years are already behind you. But for many women, that idea no longer fits.
Just ask Rachel Hunter. At 56, she moves between countries, projects and phases of life with an ease that comes from letting go of the need for a plan. She never set out to flip the script on midlife, yet that’s what she’s doing.
“I think that’s what midlife is,” she says. “We have this second opportunity to go, ‘Who am I and what do I want to do?’ It’s the opening of new doors and it really is an exciting opportunity – whatever it is you choose to do. It makes me sad to think people might be worrying that their best years are behind them. What a waste of energy.”
Spend a short time with the supermodel and it becomes clear she sees this stage as an opportunity for a new beginning – one defined less by obligation and more by a newfound confidence, sense of self-worth and acceptance that can only come with life experience. She’s determined to live life on her own terms.
And as she teams up with L’Oréal Paris to share her experience, she says the partnership feels fitting given their shared belief that beauty helps people feel confident in who they are, not just how they look. For Rachel, the iconic “I’m Worth It” tagline is less a phrase and more a way of life.
“Every single person is worthy of a beautiful reset and rejuvenation,” she says.
For years, she’s felt uneasy with the idea that ageing is something women are expected to fight against, because in her experience, the opposite is true. Some of the most striking, compelling women she knows are in their fifties, sixties and beyond.
“Age equals knowledge and wisdom,” she says. “And that’s a beautiful thing.” Her personal approach to beauty reflects that same mindset – simplified and stripped back to what is important.
“Everyone wants to look their best, but it’s skin condition that is the most important thing for me now. I’m always trying to get that dewy, plump look.”
Her routine is refreshingly simple. Mornings begin with a rinse of her face with water, followed by a rich moisturiser. Makeup is minimal – a light foundation and her favourite L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Mascara.
“My L’Oréal Paris mascara is the best,” she says. “I’ve used it for years. When I go to India, I take five because I’m so scared to be without it.”
Discovered at 16, Rachel quickly rose to international fame. But even then, she says, her idea of beauty was never confined to appearance.
“Beauty is a feeling,” she says. “It’s the energy someone brings into a room.” She is no longer chasing an ideal or worrying about what others think of her. Now she’s focused on how she feels in her own skin.
“The older you get, the more you realise less really is more,” she reflects. “The more you’re looking after your skin, the better it is.”
Today, Rachel’s work includes her highly sought after meditation and yoga retreats, which she hosts in various places around the world. Bringing women together to grow and learn is something she sees as a great privilege, and insists she learns as much from the participants as they do from her.
Like many women, Rachel’s midlife shift was shaped by a series of changes – her children Renee, 34, and Liam, 32, leaving home, the loss of her mum Janeen and some personal health challenges.
“Becoming an empty nester was devastating – I felt like a ghost in my own house,” she recalls. “You go from being incredibly busy to suddenly thinking, ‘What do I do now?’” But with challenge comes new beginnings, she says. “All these things that come along to jolt us – they’re opportunities. They’re uncomfortable, but they’re transformational.”
It’s a message that midlife isn’t something to fear, but something to step into. She rejects phrases like “50 is the new 30” because why should we always be harking back to our younger years? For Rachel, this stage of life is about feeling empowered to simply be herself and follow her own path.
“When your responsibilities ease, you can reconnect with that – the curiosity, the sense of wonder,” she says. “It’s about asking, ‘How do I see the world now?’ You hear people at this stage starting again in different ways. It’s an incredible opportunity. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
Shop Rachel’s L’Oréal Paris must-have
L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Mascara
$32.99 from Chemist Warehouse
When it comes to timeless beauty, Rachel Hunter keeps it simple with L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Mascara. Its precision, flexible brush separates and coats every lash for clean, clump-free definition, while the lengthening formula creates lashes that look up to 70 per cent longer. Smudge-resistant and lightweight, it’s perfect for everyday wear.
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