From the runways of Paris to Milan, world-renowned supermodel and former peach holder of The Real Housewives of Atlanta Cynthia Bailey truly exemplifies her season 8 tagline, “Seasons may change, but Cynthia Bailey never goes out of style.” She is publicly known for her business acumen and timeless beauty but underneath the glitz and glam is a trailblazing, kind-hearted woman who walks to the beat of her own drum. Recently turning 55, the multi-hyphenate is embarking on a new career journey in acting and is determined not to allow societal standards, ageism, or limiting beliefs to hinder her from fearlessly living her best life.
NEW YOU had an opportunity to chat with the television personality. She revealed her anti-aging beauty routine, dealing with perimenopause symptoms, and fibroids’ mental toll on a woman’s overall health. The reality star also offers wellness tips to help women over 50 live a more healthy, balanced, and fulfilling lifestyle.
NEW YOU: What is your best beauty advice?
Cynthia Bailey: Beauty is looking and feeling good on the inside and not just on the outside. There is an inner glow that comes from peace and happiness. But I would say something physical that you can do for yourself is maintenance. I’m a woman of a certain age, so I suggest not waiting until you reach 55, like, I am to start taking care of yourself.
NY: Can you share your skincare habits for maintaining a natural glow and clear skin?
CB: I play around a lot, experimenting with many different products. I would advise trying different things and seeing what works for you because skincare is very individual, and something that works for me may not work for you. I try to get facials once a month and use very intense anti-aging products that hydrate the skin and contain Vitamin C or collagen.
NY: As a world-renowned model, having been in the industry for quite some time, where do you see your influence in the beauty world?
CB: When I first started modeling, you didn’t see a lot of Black women being represented on makeup or skincare brands, and it wasn’t diverse at that time. I’ve witnessed the evolution of seeing Black women of different shades more visible and represented with their own products and skincare lines. My presence in some of those beauty campaigns early on affected where we are today with inclusivity in the beauty world.
NY: So, how do you personally feel to know that you broke down barriers within the beauty industry?
CB: It feels great! I am a very humble person, and I came from very humble beginnings – a small town in Alabama. But I was always a dreamer and always had ambition; if I could have told my ten-year-old self now that I would be who I am today, I would have been, like, ‘Oh my God, I’m not ready.’ I kept walking toward my purpose, dreaming, and going for it. I have to write a book to properly document my life and journey because it has been incredible.
NY: Thank you for being a huge advocate and speaking about your fibroid journey. What do you think people get wrong about how fibroids affect your mental health, and what do you want people to know?
CB: I struggled with fibroids for years, and I honestly don’t know what was worse: the physical part of having heavy periods, being anemic, or being in a dark state of feeling tired, which can make you a little depressed.
If you’re dealing with fibroids and they are severe enough, you never really feel 100% no matter what you do. And that’s frustrating! I’m glad I decided to talk about fibroids on The Real Housewives of Atlanta and show my uterine fibroid embolization procedure. Although I’m no longer suffering from fibroids because I’m perimenopausal, I still want to keep the conversation going.
NY: What are some of the perimenopause symptoms you are experiencing?
CB: The symptoms I have been experiencing in going through perimenopause are mood swings, hot flashes, sometimes cold flashes, and irregular periods. I can go months without a period. I want to talk about perimenopause because we don’t talk about it enough. Getting older is a luxury, and it’s nothing to feel bad about because many people don’t live to get older. If you get older and you’re a woman, you’re going to go through it. I know it’s not sexy to talk about it, but it wasn’t sexy to talk about fibroids either.
NY: Lastly, how would you say your fitness or wellness routine(s) have evolved or changed in your 50s?
CB: I would say that my health and wellness routine has become more serious. When you get older, you have to prioritize your health more than when you’re younger, and at this age, it’s not an option. No matter what the shell looks like on the outside, you have to make sure everything is working properly on the inside, and you have to keep tuning it up. I’m an outdoors person, and I drink a lot of smoothies. I gained some weight during the pandemic, and as you get older, it’s so hard to get the weight off because your metabolism slows down.
To help me with this, I take a lot of vitamins. I take vitamin D, and I started taking OmegaXL over a year ago. That’s the one thing that I take religiously. I used to have so many joint issues, especially with my knees, but after taking my OmegaXL, I feel better, and I don’t struggle as much as I used to. I don’t think people realize just how great it is. If I ever slack off, I can always tell because it helps me with my overall wellness and skin, and it even helps me sleep better. I don’t think I can live without it, to be honest with you.
