To think Catherine Zeta-Jones is an inspiration!

[Parisa5]

I was in the hairdressers yesterday and so provided with the obligatory copy of “Hello” magazine. Anyway, in it was CZJ and I just thought she looks fantastic. I’m 45 now, so the 50s are looming and I love seeing a woman like that who is 50, but more stunning than ever. I also think the same about Amanda Holden who I’ve met a few times and she’s another one who has improved with age. I know AH is not popular on MN, but why not? AIBU to think these two defy the myth that women should just let it all go as they get older?

The point is not they have had work done - as you say OP we can all make an effort to do tihngs which "improve" our appearance, but that because they started out beautiful, (luck), and are rich enough to have access to the best beauty enhancements, it is not somethign that the avergae woman can hope to achieve, whether inspired or not.

Also as others have said - what is it about being beautiful that is inspiring?

Theyve both had work done and hairbrushed beyond belief. And tbh I dont like A H but I do like C Z J.
Helen Mirren and Judy Dench are inspirational.
Not only are they great actresses they come across as lovely people.

I thought this thread was goung to be about her publicly talking about her mental health struggles, not the fact she's 50 with a frozen face .

I don't find her inspirational, but I think it's very unfair of women to be all "yeah but she's had loads of work done". Women are treated very unfairly in the film industry, once they start looking older.

TBH I've never understood the hype around Helen Mirren. Tried to watch Catherine The Great and she was absolutely wooden. The fact that the script was dire and anachronistic didn't help.

Helen mirren has had a shit load of work done, 🤣

@TheVanguardSix what is it that I obviously don’t know about Christy T? I only know about her 90s modelling heyday.

I do like this idea of picking over 50s role models.

Agree with PP (Also, Helen Mirren does look great but has absolutely had a lowers face lift and fillers. She’s just very very careful, has small amounts done at a time and cleverly leaves her eyes alone. I know her make up artist and there are photos on the Net of her just post work).

When I say “inspiration”, I think it’s fairly obvious that people can be inspiring in a multitude of ways and I don’t think there’s any need to get all holier-than-thou or compare them to certain activists or female role-models or whatever. This goes without saying.

I do however think turning 50 can be difficult for many / most women, whether they admit it or not. Sadly more difficult for women than men because of the unfortunate notion that women are “past it” by a certain age. So when you see women such as CZJ looking as she does, it kind of defies that notion. That’s all.

What's inspirational about her? The way she looks?

Is that really what you find an inspiration? I feel very sorry for you

A clue for when people in the public eye have major work done: they drastically change their hair. For example, Helen had pink hair on the red carpet once...

I'm more inspired by normal women in their 50s who look fabulous with no wore at all.
I am 53 next week and have nice hair and skin and dress for my age and shape. I do a tough but rewarding job which I make massive difference to people's lives in. I am a mum of 5 from 7 to 35 have loads of friends and a lovely husband. I eat well and lead an active life but also enjoy some booze and good food.
I had aggressive cancer at 26 and am still here.
I am my inspiration 😉

I think the perception of 50 has definitely changed. Look at Jennifer Lopez, Kylie, Halle Berry. All 50 and look amazing.

You’re basically saying that you admire two women for the effects of their plastic surgery, though, OP. That’s quite depressing.

Can I recommend Gutsy Women by Hillary and Chelsea Clinton? Stories of truly inspirational women, based on what they have achieved and not what they look like.

www.amazon.co.uk/Book-Gutsy-Women-Favourite-Resilience/dp/1471166996/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1XIL3S6XMD6ES&keywords=gutsy+women&sprefix=Gutsy+%2Caps%2C278&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1570781422&sr=8-1

Just looking like an ordinary 50 year old woman is a valid choice too.

I clicked on here thinking CZJ had done something amazing that I didn’t know about! But you are talking about her appearance… People can do what they want to their bodies and faces, but I do think that a lot of the time, rather than looking, say, 10 years younger, the person actually looks like someone older trying to look younger. If that makes sense! I have seen pictures of a lot of beautiful women – Cameron Diaz, Elle McPherson, Carla Bruni - who got it wrong at some point and ended up looking ‘off’. I like Kristen Scott Thomas - beautiful and elegant. I’d rather follow her example as I age rather than Amanda Holden.

Re Helen Mirren a quick google says she was considering plastic surgery in 2014. She would have been 69/70. She still looked amazing!

It doesn't 'defy that notion' at all OP - it strengthens it: if the only way to become 'acceptably old' is by having loads of plastic surgery then you've defeated your own argument. Which is pretty facile really. Yes it's nice for people to look nice, good for them blah blah. Please don't tell us it's 'inspiring' of itself though, because it really isn't. It's superficial and plays into the hands of every stereotype going.

You should probably find their surgeons and beauticians an inspiration. It's really their skills that you are lauding here.

I don’t get the hype about Helen Mirren either. I think she’s a very average actress. Also she’s perfectly nice looking but you often read people going “Oh but Helen Mirren is stunning!” erm, no she isn’t. No shame in that but if she was sitting behind a til in the Co-Op nobody would be saying “Oh that lady who works in the Co-Op - you know, the really beautiful one” whereas CZJ would still be amazing looking even if she was in a hairnet and no makeup and selling you a scratchcard.

"Its a lot easier if you start out stunningly beautiful and have a fortune to spend on your self care and clothes."

Yup!

And CZJ looks her age, doesn't she?

She also looks very good for her age, but not "OMG I can't believe she's 50".

Yes, they are beautiful. If either of them can frown and feel their own lips I would be impressed. I doubt this though.

There is some seriously bad botox/filler jobs out there. I actually think it is rather ageing and you can't see someone's personality through it, so they kind of lose the youthfulness they are supposed to gain. . I find someone who is a bit more rugged, but who is able to be more expressive much more youthful and attractive. I would be more inclined to start a conversation with them than someone who is heavily botoxed. I think people just assume they are rather vacuous and vain.

Yy to Christy Turlington. She reminds me of Audrey Hepburn at that age - the lines only make her more beautiful.

Like it or not, fillers and Botox are available and here to stay.

Indeed they are. But how does this make people who choose who use them ‘inspirational’?

she’s another one who has improved with age

Aye, 'improved with age' and a ton of cosmetic surgery!

What have they done with their lives? There are tons more inspirational women out there. Mary Beard, for example. Don't define women by their looks!! Especially when they have a shit ton of money to spend on themselves.