The fascinating life of Barbara Bradbury.

Article by compiled by BR Natalie

Last week we wrote about women who look 20 years younger than they are - mainly celebrities, with the odd chat-show guest thrown in.  And many of you said that as well as genetics playing a huge part in these time-fighters, the larger budget helped, especially when it came to going under the knife!

And then something happened - we were Tweeted the photo above showing BR member BarbaraB - and the office got chatting.  Why?  Because this fabulous, gorgeous lady is 64!  we got in touch with Barbara and asked her if she'd divulge her beauty secrets - does she have a secret elixir of youth hidden in her vanity drawers?  

Barbara answered our questions and more - she's kindly told us a little bit about her life and the iconic looks from decades passed that have shaped her own beauty journey.  Here's that journey in her own words and photos:

I'm a year younger than Twiggy.

In the early 1960s we all screamed at The Beatles, had fringes over our eyes and kept white lipstick to in our blazer pockets to smear on when the nuns weren't looking. Max Factor mascara came as a block in a box with a little brush. ​You ​spat on the black block and brushed it on. Now I can say I've been wearing mascara for 50 years; it's come a long way! 

Dame Mary Quant changed everything about clothes and makeup. She was young and set out to revolutionise ​young ​clothing; tiny mini (named after the car) skirts, white patent lace-up boots, makeup in "paint boxes" and the famous black and white daisy. Tights overtook the stockings our mothers wore, knickers were tiny and not white! We did dark eyes, pale lips and I remember black on white daisy transfer nails on one hand and white on black the other. 

Twiggy makeup was all about eyes. I wore false eye lashes every day in the late 60s, sometimes two pairs, even put single ones of the lower lids with tiny lashes painted in between. All my earnings went on clothes; little straight dresses, I remember a tiny blue and white kilt and a very short shiny plastic raincoat worn with my Guys and Dolls blue platform boots.

​My best shop ever, ​Biba opened in Kensington Church Street. I wore the plum eye colours and  dusky purple lips to match the dark velvet jackets and wide floppy bell bottoms and maroon suede boots that came over the knee. I still have the makeup box somewhere. My Biba bell bottom jeans were the best I have ever had!

London was THE place to be and I loved it. Christchurch in the mid seventies, after my hippy trail overland journey through Europe and the East, was a shock.  I was the first secretary at the University of Canterbury to wear jeans to work!  Now I live in Devonport, Auckland and work in Westmere in a private hospital where I run the office and am the face at the door. It's casual though, I pick my style for each day. I've always done office work and this won't be my last job.​ 

I've always looked after my skin. My granny said she never used soap on her face and always put Nivea creme on morning and night and I endorse that advice.  However good the party has been I never go to bed with makeup on and always slap on the moisturiser.  I've used luxury creams and supermarket specials and for me I think constant use is the key, not expensive products.  I'm currently favouring the Skinfood cleanser and a Trilogy day cream. I try new products and then if I'm in budget mode I go back to Nivea when it specials on the shelves. I know I am blessed with good skin​, I'm thankful​ and I do look after it.

I've had hair every length and every colour except black. I loved colouring my hair with henna - bought in Iran in the mid 70s and carried all the way to NZ!  I used to mix it with coffee and copper coins and leave my head wrapped in plastic wrap all day. Best hair days ever. Worst hair era was a mid 80s cropped top, long back punk disaster. Now I'm grey I will always be a light blonde. Style change is good, ask my hairdresser of 20 years!  This is the first time I've stayed short, and as soon as someone says its sensible I'll grow it​  again!

I don't think I've had a favourite look because hair and makeup ​styles ​evolve and that's all the fun and excitement of creating new looks.   I loved the 70s  and the makeup though I don't look back.  I don't say "in my day", it's all my day in my life. You never find me without a face on, ever! Single parenthood for a while, three boys, ups and downs, I've always done my face in the morning. Once done, smile in the mirror feel confident, and you'll be surprised how many people smile back during the day, whatever it brings.  

I'm a glass-half-full girl, you have to file away the bad bits and always look ahead at the light shining on the new stuff. Your face shows where you are at, let people know you and show your best. Never be afraid to experiment and always, alway​s use brushes.  Hand cream is a must - handbag, desk, kitchen bench, create a habit for a lifetime because it pays off. I've been doing acrylic nails for 5 years, occasionally had a break though actually I don't think they do any harm.  Just go somewhere reputable.

Nowadays I'm favouring neutral shades for eyes, smokey with waterline emphasis. Good old Revlon for reliable blending and my new duty free Estée Lauder box for love-my-makeup days and special occasions. Maybelline mascaras come out on top, eyebrows​, or the lack of, are always a challenge.  I mix and match foundations and BB creams, Estée  Lauder ​Double Wear ​currently with Nivea colour correction Q10. Always open to ideas for blushers, my E.L.F. Is finished, the Beauty Box ZA Creamy Cheek is on trial. I like creamy, coral-ish lipsticks. Like cardigans, I dare not count how many, but there is always another perfect one to look for. I like traditional perfumes, now a Chanel No 5 convert and never ever celebrity scents.

If I look for a current day role model: Twiggy 2015, Helen Mirren, Glenda Close, Judi Dench.

I'm Granny to Olive who's in Auckland and Sam in NSW.  Dave and I live in Devonport which I love, apart from the traffic to get anywhere.  I love shopping and can't wait to travel again!  As for work, well don't mention retirement, there's always something new around the corner.

I'm not afraid of growing older; I pierced my nose last year and had​  a large beautiful flower fairy tattoo on my leg​ to celebrate being 60​. ​It's​ not as much fun as being young though I want to be a feisty old lady who always takes care of herself and remembers to feel beautiful.

Thank you so much Barbara for indulging us and telling us about your beauty history and sharing your gorgeous photos.  What a beautiful lady, inside and out!  xx