Sharon Maughan

Friday 1st August 2008

Sharon Maughan tells woman&home why she feels more confident now she is older

Actress Sharon Maughan, 58, lives in London with her husband, actor Trevor Eve. They have three children, including the actress Alice Eve.

My body confidence has definitely grown with age. I've learned to conceal what I don't want to show. We all have things we want to hide!

My style is completely eclectic. I like really elegant chic and also enjoy funky Notting Hill grunge. But I'm totally obsessed with being age appropriate. I never want to dress younger than I am.

I grew up in Liverpool and come from a solid-working class background, so I learnt to deal with everything in a very practical way. If you've got little money, you have to learn to do your own hair, make clothes and take care of yourself. So I'm really good at working and living on the hoof. Interestingly, my new discovery is “preparedness”.

I'm not an extravagant shopper, but I've never been into the low-priced stores either, because of my concerns about child labour. Zara always amazes me, and Topshop is fun. I do buy designer stuff but only in the sales. I love Amanda Wakeley, and I'm a big fan of Vivienne Westwood and Jasper Conran.

In the 80s I was living in California. I had big square shoulders, big frizzy hair and, after I'd discovered mascara for the first time, mighty big lashes. I was gorgeous!

I've got an amazing Betty Jackson jumpsuit that I wore last time around. It's a beautiful dark brown, stretchy crushed velvet. I wore it when I was pregnant with my son George and I still wear it now.

I tried Botox once five years ago, and I was terrified. I felt like the Bride of Wildenstein [the American woman with all the cosmetic surgery], and I think I looked like her too. All I did was rub my face for days trying to break it all down. I'd never have it done again. It's too scary.

I'm not hugely into jewellery. Mainly I just wear my beautiful diamond ring that we could only afford three years ago. We bought our original engagement ring in Woolworths in Norwich for 99p when we first met. I had it for about two years until we bought a real ring exactly like the engagement ring, which I've still got.

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