Turning 50 might be a daunting milestone for some, but for voice of TOWIE Denise Van Outen, it’s a new chapter – and she’s absolutely loving it. Looking happier, healthier, and more confident than ever, the star is proof that life goes from strength to strength. ‘I love being 50, it’s great,’ says Denise, who has daughter Betsy, 14, with ex Lee Mead. ‘I’ve embraced it. When you get a bit older you relax and you enjoy everything that little bit more. I’m prioritising my mental and physical health, but not out of some kind of panic because of my age. I just have more free time now that Betsy is older, it’s harder to juggle everything when your kids are younger.’
And Denise is certainly putting that free time to good use. In addition to doing regular DJ gigs, TV presenting and writing a new sitcom, she is throwing herself into exercise. She’s also enjoying breaks abroad, and was recently snapped soaking up the sun on a work trip to the Maldives. So, how does she stay in such good shape?
‘I’m mindful of healthy eating throughout the year, but I eat more colourful foods and fruit before a holiday,’ explains the TV star, who has just been appointed Chief Chill-Out Officer for Marella Cruises. ‘I step up my exercise too, and put in more effort in my PT sessions. At my age, you want to put in a bit of work if you want to feel confident in swimwear.
‘I’ve been training a lot,’ adds Denise. ‘At the weekends, I get up really early and do a PT session while Betsy is still in bed. I also have a personal trainer, who sets me workouts for the week. I mainly do weights, because you need to make sure you have strong bones, but I also walk a lot with my two dogs. I’m always zipping around, I’m quite active.’
Denise is also a fan of intermittent fasting, and credits ditching breakfast with boosting her energy levels. ‘I don’t wake up hungry, so it works for me,’ she explains. ‘I also exercise in the morning, and I don’t like to train when I’ve eaten too much. By the time I’ve done the school run, my emails and bits of work, it’s lunchtime. I don’t do intermittent fasting on holiday though, I love a buffet breakfast!’
Denise adores holidays, so much so that she has just become Marella Cruises' Chief Chill-Out Officer. This is a new role, which involves showing people how they can unwind and de-stress before they start their break.
‘Life for me is a constant juggle and when you finally get on holiday, you realise how much you need it,’ explains Denise. ‘This is about setting that mental out-of-office sooner, instead of leaving it until you get there. Give yourself a chance to prep and get excited, so once you’re on holiday you feel completely relaxed. I’m a massive fan of cruises, you don’t have to worry about anything and it’s brilliant to see so many places on one holiday.’
When she needs to unwind, Denise is a big fan of jumping on her decks at home. ‘I find it really therapeutic,’ she says. ‘It takes me away from thinking too much, and my holiday playlist instantly puts me in a good mood. I use a red light LED face mask too, which is great for the skin. I lie there feeling relaxed, daydreaming about my holiday. I really look after my skin - I have a Bionic facial every six to eight weeks and I always buy products containing SPF.’
Before she hits the beach, Denise also takes time for a bit of self-care. ‘I get a wax and a pedicure,’ she says. ‘I haven’t tried laser hair removal treatment, but I’m not massively hairy! Betsy is my travel buddy, and when I get my nails done, she gets hers done too - we’ll sit and have a catch up. I wear less make-up in the summer, because when you’re out in the heat it can feel a bit stuck in your skin. I go for a natural, glowy look, using a tinted moisturiser and bronzer or highlighter.’
Denise also credits a collagen supplement, Elavate, with giving her skin a boost. She started taking it earlier this year, after she noticed she felt stiff when she did her PT sessions and her skin was looking dry. ‘My nails were weak a few months ago, but they are stronger now,’ she says. ‘It’s helped thicken my hair, I’m doing my PT sessions with more ease and I feel like my skin is glowing.’
Sleep is also a priority for the star, who has spoken openly about taking HRT. ‘I try to mentally switch off in bed now,’ she says. ‘My phone goes on airplane mode, and I read. I got rid of the TV too, because it’s too easy to sit in bed watching it. I'm trying to just have healthier habits, and a healthy approach to making me feel good mentally and physically. Your mental wellbeing is just as important, you need to look after yourself.’
And while her DJ career means she’s a regular on the festival scene, Denise says she’s also ‘pretty sensible’ when it comes to booze these days. ‘Last year was my biggest blow out,’ she says. ‘It was my 50th, so there was a lot of rosé wine, but I’m not a massive drinker and I don’t drink in the week. I do a lot of DJ gigs and festivals, and I have a rule that I never drink when I’m working. You can get amazing alternatives now, you can drink a 0% beer and still feel like you’re part of the party.’
Denise has been appointed as Marella Cruises' Chief Chill-Out Officer, helping Brits switch on their 'mental out of office' and get holiday-ready earlier. Visit @marellacruises on Instagram