Isabella Rossellini, 65, reveals how she deals with ‘offensive’ age comments – and it’s so inspiring

Isabella Rossellini is one amazing woman.

She began her career as a model, becoming the first ever face of Lancôme in 1983, a role she held for 15 years while juggling a successful acting career and starring in films including Blue Velvet, Death Becomes Her and Wild at Heart.

At the age of 42, Isabella was dropped by Lancôme for being “too old”, but more than 20 years on, she’s been rehired – proving that age really is just a number. And when it comes to the subject of age? She’s got a few things to say about it.

Speaking to woman&home exclusively for our July issue, she revealed she’s been on the receiving end of unwanted age comments before – and her reaction is pretty inspiring.

“I do get a little offended when someone says to me, ‘You still look good’”, she told us.

“The ‘still’ part bothers me! And when people say, ‘Oh, you’re 65 – you look much younger,’ I find that to be a double-edged compliment. I want to be accepted for who I am, and I want to still be beautiful, or elegant, or sophisticated.” Too right.

The actress and model - who is the daughter of the late Swedish actress Ingrid Bergman and Italian director, Roberto Rossellini - also told us that she refuses to see getting older as an undesirable thing – and why should she?

And as for slowing down? She has no plans to do it. “For me, ageing is about starting new chapters in life”, she told us.

“I could have finished my career after modelling for Lancôme the first time, but I continued as an actress, and then I began writing and directing my own films. Now I’m also running a farm and I’ve done a master’s degree in animal behavior. Age has given me time to do all the things I’ve always wanted to do.” That’s just the motivation we needed.

Isabella Rossellini is the campaign face of Lancôme Renergie Multi-Glow, available now nationwide, RRP £64. Read the full interview with Isabella in the July 2018 issue of woman&home, on sale now.