With 3 consecutive Sports Illustrated covers under her belt, Christie Brinkley’s age-defying looks continue to be revered by millions. Her beauty and lifestyle secrets are so sought after. With her timelessly striking blonde hair and blue eyes, the American model is as beautiful as ever at the age of 68, and we’re dying to know-how.
From the post office to print
Brinkley was scouted, at the age of 19, by a photographer in a post office in Paris, and her modeling career quickly took flight. Christie Brinkley’s natural, beachy looks booked her a 25-year contract with iconic cosmetics brand, CoverGirl, which was again renewed in 2005 for their mature skin range. Skincare has always been an integral part of Christie Brinkley’s routine, and she has a couple of tips and tricks to keep herself glowing.
Brinkley’s Skincare Secrets
The model exfoliates her skin every day. Yup, you read it correctly. Brinkley starts every single day by gently exfoliating her skin to slough off those dead skin cells:
“I read an article that said men always look five years younger than women who are their same age. They contributed that to them shaving every day, and the daily exfoliating while shaving their skin makes them look younger. I was like, I’m not going to let them get away with that!”
Protect Your Skin
Brinkley also preaches the importance of good-quality moisturizing products, from thick creams to silky oils, in order to seal moisture into the skin. Most importantly though, the model emphasizes the importance of sunscreen:
“I have daughters who are in their 20s and 30s. Both girls have such beautiful skin. Basically, what I’ve done for them is I’ve hovered over them as children, running around with sunblock. That’s what I would tell any 20-year-old,” she says in an interview with Byrdie.
Although vocal about the importance of sun safety, Brinkley prefers to sport a year-round golden tan. The supermodel’s secret weapon for sun-kissed skin without sun damage? Simple: a fake-tanning cream that gradually builds up color for a healthy glow.
“Don’t bake – fake instead.”
Beauty From Within:
Beauty from within is one of Christie Brinkley’s top tips, with her skincare routine including her diet: “I really believe your diet affects your skin.”
Brinkley avoids sugar as much as possible: “It causes inflammation and reduces circulation and can cause all kinds of problems, right up to being linked with cancer. I think avoiding artificial sugar, avoiding white bread, and going for deep, rich, plant-based foods is best,” she tells Byrdie.
Plant-fueled
The supermodel is also almost a lifelong vegetarian, having cut meat from her diet when she was 13. However, she ensures that her body is well-fed by consuming colorful, nutrient-rich foods: “My diet is basically plant-based.” I’ve raised my kids on what I call the “rainbow diet.” I want as many colors as possible. These are all the ingredients that do wonderful things to your skin. The deep greens, the leafy greens, the purples in the skin of the grapes, which produce all the antioxidants and vitamins you get from a colorful, rich diet like that.”
Don’t Deprive Yourself
However, the model makes sure to listen to her body, and doesn’t deprive herself. She revealed in an interview with Women’s Health that after breaking her arm whilst training for Dancing With The Stars, she incorporated salmon into her diet to aid in the healing process. The model also frequently enjoys a glass of red wine with her dinner, as well as allowing herself a treat per day.
Workout Woes
Brinkley’s diet has not only helped her maintain her amazing skin but also her iconic figure that landed her multiple Sports Illustrated covers. It’s clear that age has had no effect on her iconic supermodel body, as she flaunts her toned legs and killer abs on her Instagram. However, the supermodel opened up on Instagram about her workout struggles following her injury:
“After my very nasty break of my right arm and the frozen shoulder it gave me, I couldn’t do downward dogs, planks, push-ups, and at the other end my hip was getting worse with each passing year and long bike rides left me limping…I started to feel limited! Restricted! Dare I say… old!”
Photo: Courtesy of Christie Brinkley’s Official Facebook Page
Sweat The Small Stuff
Limited mobility, in combination with lockdown restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic, resulted in weight gain, but this supermodel didn’t let it get to her, finding alternative ways of getting in a sweaty session. She revealed in an interview with The Cut:
“I noticed that the second you do any activity, and you add your arms as though you’re dancing, it revs you up. Whether it’s walking down the beach and moving your arms like you’re swimming, or picking up rocks and walking with them, you really start sweating and breathing heavily. The second you try to adjust to those teeny changes; they make a huge difference.”
Christie Brinkley also advises to just keep moving: “Once you’re over 50, don’t stop moving because you’ll rust. You have to grease the joints and keep moving. As long as I do that, I feel great. If you start to hold still, they’ll start acting up.”
Christie Brinkley’s Aging Attitude
Christie Brinkley obviously looks incredible for her age, but her attitude towards aging is what is most notable:
“An attitude of gratitude is the formula for a happy life, and I truly believe that happiness contributes to your wellbeing and to your health.”
Reference List:
Women’s Health. 2021. Christie Brinkley, 66, Shows Off Abs And Gets Real About Pandemic Weight Gain, Injuries, And Aging. [Online] Available at: https://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/a35324018/christie-brinkley-abs-instagram-fitness-routine/
Xue, F. 2020. Christie Brinkley Reveals the Secret to Her Ageless Skin (and Hair). [Online] Available at: https://www.byrdie.com/christie-brinkley-skin-tips#:~:text=CB%3A%20Here%20it%20is%3A%20I,who%20are%20their%20same%20age
