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Seventy and stunning

Dianne Bourne
14/ 8/2008

AGE is no barrier for glamour these days. Celebrity hairdresser James Roberts an make-up artist Christopher Raine were determined to prove just that when they invited a group of over-70s for a special makeover day in Manchester.

And, just to add to the glam factor, James invited along a host of his stylish pals from Coronation Street - including actresses Katherine Kelly, Michelle Keegan and Alison King - to swap fashion and style tips with the guests.

Salon owner James Roberts, who styles the hair of a host of celebrities, was happy to do a bit of myth-busting. He says: "The key thing for the older lady is to keep some volume. It can help to create a really quite youthful effect, but it shouldn't be too overdone - not too `set' looking. In terms of colour, it should be absolutely about the individual's skintone.

"It's a myth that as you get older you should go lighter. It all depends on your skintone and about your eye colour, and older ladies can still look great with richer, darker tones."

Masterclass

Proving that point was Leila Refson, 70, from Altrincham who looked fab with her rich red-toned hairstyle. And she also benefited from a make-up masterclass with Christopher.

Christopher says: "I am a self-taught make-up artist, I learnt everything by practicing on my mum, so I know what works on all different age-groups. More mature ladies should avoid shiny or oily foundations as they may look OK when they go on, but after an hour it's a different story.

"You still want enhancement, so I go for a `good' shine on the eyes and cheeks, but always use a matt, oil-free foundation.

"It's not lines that age people, it's the shadows, and the key to correcting that is to choose the right concealer and apply it carefully to dark areas, like under the eyes. With the eyes, I'd go for clean, tight eyeliner, with vertical strokes. The trick is not to go heavy on the whole eye, which will look ageing."

Faye Rapoport, 87, from Wilmslow, had her own beauty tip for keeping her face line-free - Oil of Olay - which seems to have been working a treat for her smooth face. Her makeover concentrated on giving her hair a boost, with added volume to the crown of her short hairdo.

Charity

And there was a glam "big hair" transformation for Isabel Robins, 83, from Whitefield, too.

The event was organised with the South Manchester branch of welfare charity Lubavitch, which organises a range of fun activities for the ladies to get involved with, including bingo mornings, shopping trips and house visits.

And the ladies at the makeover day couldn't speak highly enough of the charity.

Nita Hodari, 82, from Didsbury, who was getting style tips ahead of her son's upcoming wedding, said: "The charity's workers are so wonderful.

"To be at this stage of life and to find young people who care so much is unbelievable."

Corrie's Katherine Kelly, who plays Becky Grainger in the soap, was particularly keen to get involved with the event as she used to work in a residential care home as a teenager.

She says: "I love being with older people. At work, I hang around with Malcolm Hebden (who plays Norris). He always says `Have you not got friends your own age?' The ladies here all have a fabulous spirit and look fantastic."