A tribute to Dayle Haddon (and some of her secrets)
We were so sad to hear that our friend Dayle Haddon died, over the Christmas break, in the most tragic of circumstances – apparently, because of a carbon monoxide leak. (A reminder to all of us to check that we have adequate means for detection of this gas in our own homes.*)
An actress, model and humanitarian whose career got a huge late-life boost via a contract with L’Oréal – so importantly, blazing a trail for the featuring of more mature women in cosmetics advertising – Jo got to know Dayle more than 25 years ago, and they worked together on her book Ageless Beauty (Aurum Press), at Jo’s home in Portobello Road, in Hastings (which she loved!) and in New York. ‘It was simply a case of channelling Dayle’s wisdom,’ says Jo. ‘She knew so, so much about beauty, health and wellbeing, and was so generous at sharing it. Dayle was what I’d call a “golden soul” and it was a privilege to know and work with her.’
We thought as a tribute to Dayle, we would revisit some of the timeless secrets she shared in Ageless Beauty – including her ‘Magic Bath’, which we indulge in often.
• ‘Invest in small weights – 1.5 and 2.5 kilos – and keep them in sight. I do this so that I can lift, even for a short time, while watching TV or listening to music. If you tuck your weights away in the close, it’s “out of sight, out of mind.” No matter what form of exercise you use, my advice is just to keep at it on a regular basis. You’ll love your body and it will love you back.’
• ‘Soothe puffy eyes with a sesame-filled “bean bag”, placing it on your eyes while lying down. These bags – usually covered in silk – weigh down on the eyelid, relaxing the eye muscles and soothing the area. I find this blissfully relaxing. It eases tension around the eyes, especially if you’ve been reading too much or working at the computer. Your eyes will feel revived after just minutes using the weighted bag.’
• ‘As a friend of mine says, “You never regret taking a walk. You only regret not taking one.” Be prepared for all the great ideas you’ll have when walking. Walking is for dreaming, problem solving and meditation. Buckminster Fuller – architect, engineer, inventor and poet, known as one of the original thinkers of the 20th century –said that when we have an idea, we have 11 seconds to get it down before it disappears; don’t kid yourself you’re going to remember that amazing brainwave when you get home, so record it [on your phone].’
• ‘It’s never too late to learn new tricks or perfect your make-up skills. Make-up isn’t surgery; it washes right off. It’s fun to play and experiment with new techniques, new colours, new tricks – and you should never stop enjoying the fun of it.’
• ‘Aside from my walking, I take a smorgasbord approach to exercise. I experiment. If I get bored with a particular class, I switch – but I don’t use boredom as an excuse to give up altogether. Exercise delivers such dramatic psychological benefits; when you are depressed or blue, for instance, something has to break the circle – and the key, for me, is always exercise. Even when I don’t feel like it. Especially when I don’t feel like it.’
And now, Dayle’s recipe for that ‘Magic Bath’…
‘Concoct your own bath potion depending on exactly what you are feeling at the time. Aromatherapists say that the nose can lead you instinctively towards what your mind and body need. Sniff the bath products that you have and whichever smells good to you is what you should be using at the time. You can throw in bath salts; I sometimes use lavender-scented, while common Epsom salts are a time-tested recipe for relieving aching muscles, as are Dead Sea Salts. Adding a tablespoon of oil – massage oil, almond oil, jojoba oil – can help fight dryness of the skin. Sprinkling in seaweed powder (from the bath section of natural food stores) has a detoxifying and relaxing effect and is like bringing the sea into your bathroom. Bubbles spell luxury – and the playfulness of being a child again. Part of the fun is creatively selecting and mixing all the ingredients, so no two baths are ever alike…’
So, darling Dayle, we’ll think of you whenever we sink into a Magic Bath. And will miss you very much…
* The carbon monoxide detector that we have recommended in the past is by Fire Angel, with a recommended price of just £17.99. (Find it online at Amazon here for less than that, NB.) We have carbon monoxide alarms in our own houses and this tragic incident with a beloved friend is proof that it’s better safe than sorry.
