Reese Witherspoon’s secrets to aging backwards at 47 and the $10 serum she swear by for red carpets
REESE Witherspoon has unlocked access to the fountain of youth which is evident by her age-defying appearance.
The actress, 47, has an enviably svelte figure and youthful glow despite being in midlife – but what is her secret to looking younger than ever?
Having appeared in several local TV adverts at just age seven, Reese sparkled on screen and was soon securing major movie roles as a teenager and throughout the 1990s.
She is arguably most well-known for her iconic roles as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde and Madeline in HBO’s Big Little Lies.
The world’s richest self-made actress, according to Forbes, she sold the majority stake in her production company Hello Sunshine in 2001 and just this month also sold her fashion brand, Draper James.
This all took place while she was juggling multiple acting roles including Apple TV+’s The Morning Show and the highly-anticipated Legally Blonde 3.
Many of us would suffer skin breakouts and fine lines from the stress and her hectic schedule, leaving little time to rest.
The mother-of-three has spoken candidly about her skincare routine throughout her career and even shared a step-by-step guide with her almost 30 million Instagram followers.
So here, we round up Reese’s anti-aging secrets, from must-have cosmetics to nutrition and everything in between…
SKINCARE
Reese was announced as the global face of clean beauty brand Biossance in April 2021, after falling in love with their products in lockdown.
She was especially impressed with the brand’s Rose Oil for $74, which has become a staple of her skincare routine.
She applies it after Biossance’s Squalane Marine Algae Eye cream for an instant boost to tired-looking skin.
This is followed by an application of Squalane + Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum and Squalane + Omega Repair Cream for a glowing complexion.
Reese said in a statement: “I have always been conscious of what’s being put on my skin, but after all the time I’ve spent on sets throughout my career, I’ve learned so much.”
She revealed that the Squalane + Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum has helped her with hyperpigmentation, having suffered from little brown spots on her chin since the birth of her children.
“My skin has never felt healthier and I’m proud to work with such a strong industry leader in sustainability and care for our planet,” she added.
Reese has also been a longtime fan of Elizabeth Arden’s skincare products and keeps several on rotation in her routine.
Among them are Elizabeth Arden Superstart Probiotic Cleanser, Superstart Skin Renewal Booster for $105, and Prevage Progressive Renewal Treatment for $170.
Elizabeth Arden Superstart Probiotic Boost Skin Renewal Bio Cellulose Mask is also a must-have on her list as it nourishes skin with hyaluronic acid and coconut water.
“This is so luxurious and moisturizing. Sometimes I wear it on planes,” Reese said of the mask.
MAKEUP
The Sweet Home Alabama star has relied on makeup artist Kelsey Deenihan to get her red carpet ready throughout the years.
Surprisingly, the LA-based beauty expert uses budget buy The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Serum and a few drops of the brand’s Q10 Serum to plump Reese’s skin before applying makeup.
The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Serum costs less than $10.
“When drawing inspiration, we always first look at the dress and go from there,” Kelsey told Byrdie.
“Reese has amazing brows, so I simply want to ensure her natural hairs stay in place by combing through them with the BareMinerals Strength & Length Serum-Infused Brow Gel in Clear.”
The eyebrow gel which costs $22 is available in four shades.
She also swears by The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream “to prevent concealer from creasing as well reduce puffiness and any unwanted darkness.”
Reece joins the likes of celebrities including Kim Kardashian and Meghan Markle in having Armani Beauty in her makeup bag.
Makeup artist Tracey Levey combined Armani Fluid Sheer Highlighter and Armani Luminous Silk Foundation to achieve Reese’s flawless complexion at the 2021 Oscars.
The highlighter is available in several colors for $39, while the foundation is $69.
Reese told Refinery29 that she avoids wearing matte lipstick and uses lip liner to make her color last longer.
“I always have lipstick in my bag. I really like the Elizabeth Arden in Red Door Red. I don’t like really matte lipstick,” she said.
She also travels with Cetaphil facial cleanser and a budget eyelash curler from Revlon.
Reese takes off her makeup at the end of the day using Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Cleansing Face Oil.
“I love this. It takes off all my makeup and makes my skin so soft and moisturized,” she said.
HAIR
Reese could be mistaken for her daughter Ava, whom she shares with fellow Cruel Intentions actor Ryan Phillippe.
She and the 24-year-old both have voluminous glossy blonde hair that only celebrity stylists have been trusted to color and cut.
Stylist to the stars Lona Vigi shared the process of doing Reese’s hair in a post on his Instagram stories, making use of Virtue Labs’ lightweight Dry Shampoo and Volumizing Mousse.
He also teased that the popular Dyson Supersonic hair dryer, which costs $430, is key to achieving body and bounce.
According to Red magazine, Reese maintains the radiant shine of her hair using a popular kitchen ingredient in between salon visits.
Reese said: “Take a big spoonful of coconut oil and massage it from mid-strand to ends, avoiding roots. Shampoo it out.”
The actress also follows in Jennifer Garner’s footsteps by strengthening her hair using Virtue Labs Healing Oil.
FITNESS
Reese does 30 minutes of cardio six days a week and sculpts her body by lifting weights, with support from celebrity trainer Michael George.
Alongside encouraging her social media followers to get active by either walking or running, the actress has admitted that she’s a fan of hip-hop dancing.
“That’s sort of a secret a lot of people don’t know,” she told Wome’s Health.
“I’ve got a dance in my heart at all times.”
Reese often dons activewear from Draper James on Instagram while practising yoga outside.
Experts have claimed yoga has the ability to boost both physical and mental health, with the mindfulness also helping to reduce stress.
Celebrity yoga instructor Kirschen Katz has worked with Reese just hours before big events such as the Golden Globe.
Speaking to PopSugar, Kirschen said: “There’s so much chatter in the head.
“These are high-profile, super busy women.
“Sometimes we need to calm that brain down.
“If you can tap into the breath and the emptiness between the breaths, that’s where you really can become creative and calm.”
DIET
Reese has admitted that she went “completely off the rails” before learning about health and nutrition.
She told Marie Claire that people around her intervened after they noticed her unsustainable diet as a teenager.
Reese said: “I was lucky enough to have people come in my life and say, ‘look you’re not going to be able to sustain energy for 12, 14, 15-hour days if you don’t start eating right and exercising.’”
She explained that her love of pastries, pasta, and tequila hasn’t completely gone away but she is now able to eat them in moderation.
“I exercise every day and eat right every day, no matter what is going on. If I’m working way into the night, I eat with frequency and I take care of my mind and spirit,” she said.
Her average day starts with coffee and Kim Snyder’s Glowing Green Smoothie.
She then packs protein into her lunch with a grilled chicken or kale salad, which is sometimes swapped for lentil soup.
Despite being a big fan of Italian food, vegetables remain the centerpiece of her dinners and are teamed with lean protein such as fish or chicken.
Caterer Annie Campbell, who often cooks for Reese, told Oprah.com, that the actress likes to have Southern food when she’s entertaining.
Annie said: “Fried chicken is so simple, but it’s such a luxury to have it at home. This is a typical menu when she entertains, and people love it.”
RELATIONSHIP
Keeping stress low is important for avoiding deep frown lines and forehead wrinkles.
However, Reese has had a turbulent dating history including two divorces.
She first met Ryan Phillippe at her 21st birthday party and the pair went on to work together on the cult classic Cruel Intentions.
Reese was pregnant with their first child Ava when they tied the knot in June 1999.
They welcomed their son Deacon in 2003, however, just three years later they released a joint statement announcing their decision to split.
Speaking about the divorce to W magazine, Ryan said: “The darkest, saddest place I’ve ever been.
“There were a good four or five months of not being able to get out of bed. It was the worst time of my life.”
Reese went on to date fellow actor Jake Gyllenhaal for two years.
An insider told US Weekly that the couple “fought constantly” towards the end of their relationship.
It seemed like Reese had finally found her “perfect fit” when she married Hollywood agent Jim Toth after a year-long romance.
Reese told Marie Claire: “Now I feel a great sense of relief and an incredible amount of support from my husband…
“Somebody close to me once said, ‘Oh, no man will ever accept your children.’
“And I just thought it was the most horrifying thing someone has ever said to me in my entire life.
“I was determined to find somebody who would make that not true. And I got lucky. I did.
“I got very lucky, and he’s wonderful. And so wonderful with the children. I’m very blessed.”
The pair were together for over a decade and share a son Tennessee James.
Many were surprised when Reese filed for divorce on March 30 and agreed on terms of a settlement.
She has since had to shut down claims of being linked to Tom Brady and revealed that she’s in “no big rush” to date.