SETTLING down to watch the first season of The Traitors, Amanda Lovett was eager to see how her character unfolded throughout the hit series.
The 57-year-old became a standout success on the BBC show, winning the nation’s heart as the “loveliest yet most fierce competitor” in the debut season of the BAFTA award-winning programme.
However, no matter how much her character triumphed over the rest in the series, there was one thing Amanda couldn’t take her eyes off – her jawline and “sagging” skin.
The mum-of-five and grandmother-of-six had always been dedicated to caring for her skin, investing in expensive creams and undergoing facial threading – a non-surgical procedure designed to lift sagging, ageing skin and stimulate collagen production for a more youthful appearance.
Yet, despite spending £500 to £650 per session on the procedure, as well as splashing out on high-end creams, Amanda found that the effects were only temporary.
Within a couple of months, gravity would take over, and her face would begin to droop again – so, she decided to do something about it.
Amanda, who lives with her husband, Justin Jones, in Swansea, Wales, opted for a neck and lower facelift.
She explains: “I was looking at myself on the camera, and I kept seeing myself at all these different angles that I had never seen before, as it’s so different to having a picture taken.
“I noticed my face and neck were just getting saggier and saggier.
“I started to think about needing to wear a scarf or polo necks just to hide this area of my body that I didn’t like.
“But then I thought, why should I do that when there is help out there that can sort this issue out and take the years back a bit?”
So October last year, Amanda decided to book an appointment with celebrity cosmetic surgeon Dr Carlo at the Signature Clinic in London and document her journey in the new series Olivia Attwood: The Price of Perfection, available to watch on ITVX from Thursday (12 June).
“I told him I wasn’t happy with my jowls and my neck,” she explains.
“He said that he could sort it, but added that I didn’t actually need anything done higher up on my face – as I also flagged that I didn’t want to look like I had been in a wind tunnel or like I had been sucked by a Henry Hoover.
“I just wanted a more enhanced look, and so he suggested a neck and lower facelift, rather than a full facelift.”
The cosmetic procedure cost £7,600 and took between four to five hours to complete – all while Amanda was awake under local anaesthetic.
They put these tiny little barbed wire threads into the tiny veins in your face
Amanda Lovett
“I was a bit apprehensive at first – I wondered how bad it would be choosing to be awake rather than asleep, but it really wasn’t that bad. It felt like a lot of tugging, pulling and tugging.
“Dr Carlo was talking me through every step of the surgery. I found it comforting – I even dozed off at one point.”
It took three to four weeks for the swelling to go down for Amanda and three months to fully recover from surgery.
She says: “It takes time to heal, but I was back going out with friends after three weeks.
“Now I haven’t got a scar or anything. It’s absolutely amazing.”
Amanda couldn’t believe the results, especially when compared to her previous thread facelift.
She says: “The thread facelift was definitely more uncomfortable than getting a facelift.
“They put these tiny little barbed wire threads into the tiny veins in your face, and they lift the thread, so they pull your skin right back.
Drooping skin
“They say it’s supposed to last for about two years, but I think mine lasted about six months before the results had disappeared and your face is dropping down again, as the threads dissolve in your face.”
Despite being apprehensive at first, her children have loved how happy it has made her – and it has reignited a spark with her builder husband, Justin, as well.
“I met my husband when I was 16, and now he keeps saying to me I look like I was 20 again. “In the morning, when I haven’t got makeup on, he’ll be complimenting me, telling me how young I look. It’s so lovely.
“Other friends and family members are telling me that I have definitely knocked off 10 years.
Whether I’m in a nursing home or not, I’ll be having my eyelashes, my extensions done, it’ll all be done
Amanda Lovett
“However, I did have one comment asking if I didn’t want to ‘grow old gracefully,’ but just because I want to look after myself and make myself look better, why does that mean it’s not growing old gracefully? That’s silly.”
Overall, Amanda is thrilled with the results as she has found a new lease of life again.
“I feel amazing within my body now, I am absolutely thrilled with the results,” she explains.
“I think cosmetic surgery used to be so frowned upon for people my age, or seen as something vain or only celebrities do, but it’s not. If a woman wants to go and do it, while feeling good about herself, then why not?
“We all need to be holding each other’s crown and encouraging each other to do what it takes to feel confident again.
Amanda feels like a new woman with her latest transformation[/caption]
“Joan Collins is my idol, and no one ever says she’s not ageing gracefully.
“I’ve told my children and my grandchildren, I think Joan Collins is absolutely fantastic.
“She’s still beautiful, she’s still glamorous, and I say to them, that’s how I’m going to be.
“Whether I’m in a nursing home or not, I’ll be having my eyelashes, my extensions done, it’ll all be done.”
Top 3 beauty products every woman should be using
Hayley Walker, Beauty Expert at Justmylook shared the holy-grail products every woman needs to be using.
A cleanser, SPF, and hair oil are must-haves within beauty routines.
A cleanser is crucial for healthy skin as it removes dirt, oil, and other impurities for flawless skin. This skincare step not only cleanses the face and removes dirt, but also prevents breakouts and premature skin ageing, helping you maintain a healthy, youthful, and blemish-free complexion.
The Aveeno Face Calm+ Restore Nourishing Oat Cleanser is a go-to of mine due to its gentle formula that soothes and restores the skin’s appearance and texture.
SPF is non-negotiable and should be in everyone’s daily skincare routine.
Even on cooler, cloudier days, our skin is exposed to the sun’s UV rays which can be harmful to unprotected skin and even lead to damage. These damages include sunburn, pigmentation changes, and wrinkles which can impact the skin’s texture and appearance. In some cases, prolonged exposure to UV rays can cause skin cancer.
Applying SPF daily prevents these damages and protects the skin from harmful rays. I recommend the Beauty Of Joseon Rice & Prebiotic Sunscreen PA++++ SPF50+ for its lightweight, non-clumping texture that absorbs quickly for a natural finish and maximum protection.
Hair oil has many benefits and should be regularly used. This treatment can strengthen and protect the hair from external stressors while improving its appearance and shine. Regularly applying hair oil can also reduce breakage and even encourage hair growth for longer, fuller locks. Hair oils also target the scalp, reducing dandruff and improving its health through exfoliation.
I recommend using this deeply nourishing treatment a couple of times a week or more depending on the hair’s moisture levels. The Hair Syrup Rapunzel Pre-Wash Oil Treatment is a nutrient-rich treatment that revitalises strands to promote a happy scalp and healthy-looking locks. Apply the syrup throughout damp hair before washing; massage from root to tip and allow the formula to penetrate strands before rinsing and styling.
