I'm a 103-year-old influencer — here are my tips for eternal beauty
A care home gran has found unlikely fame as Britain's oldest influencer at age 103 — after becoming an online sensation with her viral makeup tutorials on Tiktok.
Joan Patridge still 'puts on her rouge' every single morning before starting the day at Millcroft Care Home, in Redditch, Worcs.
Staff there decided to start making videos of her daily routine and were left stunned when one clip attracted almost 300,000 views on TikTok.
The retired tram conductor's newfound internet fame has since led to her becoming a brand influencer for a cosmetics company.
And she says her top beauty tips for staying youthful include not smiling to avoid leaving white lines while applying blush, sweeping the skin to blend and not to use too much makeup.
Great-great-grandmother-of-six Joan said: 'I know I'm 103, but I still like my makeup. I do it every morning when I get up.
'I didn't know much about Tiktok. I thought it was a clock.
'I never thought I would have gained so much attention. I was shocked and overwhelmed.'
Joan, originally from Birmingham, gained fans from all over the world after the care home first shared her tutorial on how to apply her staple blush.
Joan explained how she sweeps her rouge across her cheeks, gently blending it into her skin using her powder pad.
She revealed the trick was to avoid smiling when applying the blush as it can leave obvious white lines where the makeup has missed creases.
While she admitted some people like to smile to highlight the apples of their cheeks — she jokes she can't thanks to having 'that many wrinkles that she can't do that'.
But she warned fans to take time when applying the makeup, warning them to not apply too much for fear of bright red cheeks.
Another top-tip was to 'melt' the product in rather than use circular motions to ensure a super-smooth finish.
And while blush is her favourite, Joan's morning makeup ritual isn't complete without applying her eyeliner to make it look 'like she's got some eyelashes'.
Since the footage was uploaded in April, fans have flocked to thank the gran for her top tips — with some even asking for more.
Makeup brand Collection has since sent the pensioner complimentary gift set packed with blush, lip-gloss and beauty pallets.
Joan joked that she is 'too old to work' but says she is thrilled at the opportunity to 'collab' with the firm.
Joan, who is the eldest resident at the home, added: 'It was lovely to share my way of applying rouge because I've done this for many years.
'If I was asked to do some more to help kids then I'd be happy to help them. I can honestly say anyone who we've spoken to has been lovely, it makes their day.
''Beauty to me means natural all over. It's nice to feel good about yourself, no matter how old you are – you can't go without your rouge.'
Joan applies makeup every day even if she's staying in, adding that it 'makes her feel better'.
Joan, who says a nightly brandy is the secret to old age, said: 'Whether I go out or stay in, I put rouge on, I flick it on.
'I put a bit of eyeliner on so I look like I've got some eyelashes. I've always played about with makeup, I used to take it from my sister, we played makeup shops when we were little.
'But you're as young as you feel and age is just a number.
'I wonder why I'm living so long. It's the brandy I think. That's what keeps me happy and smiling.
'Every night before I go to bed I have brandy, I top it up with lemonade to make it sweeter. I have the Three Barrels brand, just a drop.
'If you think well, you'll be well.'
Joan has since appeared on ITV's This Morning and racked up millions of views on social media and hopes to carry on making tutorials for teenagers.
She said: 'It's very nice to be an influencer as they say, but I'm still an old woman.
'I have enjoyed it, but I feel a fool when people curtsey to me. It's everybody who meets me at the minute.
'Going to London was marvelous, and nobody thought an old woman my age would go off and have a good time.'
Joan's granddaughter Nicola Hulme, 50, added: 'Nan really shocks me, she's always up to some mischief.
'When she came to Millcroft we thought we'd have a relaxing time — but no, she decides to go viral on TikTok.
'I'm very proud of my nan, she's precious to me and all of us. She's very unique and I love her a lot. I always say to her to be good – but not too good.
'She shared all the makeup with everyone in her home. This Morning put nan on Facebook and she's had 5 million views on that alone.'
Millcroft's manager, Lyndsay Sard, said: 'The makeup that she was using, somebody had tagged the company and said, look, she's using your makeup.
'And the company then got in touch with us, which was really nice, to say how lovely it was to see Joan doing something like that.
'And they wanted to send the makeup directly to Joan.'
A spokesperson for Collection Cosmetics said: 'We can't wait to see more from Joan and hope the younger generations feel inspired by her effortless style.'
Joan's top 3 makeup tips:
* Don't smile when applying to avoid leaving obvious white lines in creases
* Use a sweeping rather than circular motion to blend
* Less is more — don't use too much blush to avoid bright red cheeks
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Miami Herald
21 minutes ago
- Miami Herald
Lululemon's latest viral product reveals something much bigger
Remember the dress? No, not the one from Lululemon - I mean the dress. That viral 2015 photo that turned the internet upside down because no one could agree if it was white and gold or black and blue. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter It hijacked group chats and Instagram feeds, and sparked debates that lasted way longer than anyone expected. that. Not even close. But if you scroll through TikTok right now, you might catch a glimpse of Lululemon's latest viral moment. Their newest $148 item, a two-in-one piece that can be worn as a maxi dress or a skirt, has taken over social media. Related: Nike, Adidas face rising threat on the golf course Some people love it and swear it's a genius design that's worth every penny. Others don't get the hype, calling it unflattering, overpriced, and suspiciously similar to styles they've seen at Target since 2008. And while the back-and-forth over whether it's flattering or functional is mildly entertaining, that's not the most interesting part. But the more telling story? This product is just the latest proof of how Lululemon's viral playbook keeps delivering real results. This isn't Lululemon's first viral rodeo. Remember the Everywhere Belt Bag? TikTok turned it into a must-have, and the brand leaned in hard with influencer partnerships, restocks, and the kind of scarcity that makes people panic-add to cart. Now, Lululemon's using the same strategy on this two-in-one piece. Influencers seeded the hype. Try-ons and "is it worth it?" breakdowns flooded Reels and TikTok. The product sold out in every size except XL. Clearly, Lululemon ( (LULU) ) knows exactly what it's doing Related: Nike's house is not in order, and customers may pay the price The apparent appeal? The convertible design. Fold the top down and it turns from a fitted dress into a flowy skirt. No bra required, according to dozens of creators. The top is made with the brand's signature Nulu fabric, while the skirt blends silk and technical stretch. Is it clever? Sure. But revolutionary? Not really. And that's what makes it interesting: Lululemon doesn't need to reinvent the wheel. The company just needs to spark a conversation loud enough to drown out the skepticism. Lululemon has figured out the formula: create something versatile, get it into the right hands, and let social media do the rest. It works. Viral products drive site traffic, loyalty, and allow for premium price points most brands can't touch. But that formula has its limits. Not every viral moment builds long-term trust. When a product feels overhyped or underwhelming, even loyal fans start asking questions. The two-in-one piece might be a bestseller, but it also left some shoppers wondering why they were being sold a TikTok trend at luxury prices. There are already cheaper versions circulating online, and the Lululemon version isn't dramatically different from what's been around for years. If every new drop starts to feel recycled, the hype machine might start to lose steam. Still, you can't argue with results. Whether they love it or roll their eyes, people are talking. And in Lululemon's world, attention almost always converts into sales. With Lululemon reporting earnings this week, we will see if the buzz turns into results. The product might not be groundbreaking. But the strategy? That's the real story. Related: Lululemon scores a huge victory over Nike The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Eater
43 minutes ago
- Eater
Moody Soju Cocktails and Dim Sum Reign at Oakland's Neon-Lit Mahjong Den
Just as mahjong reaches new TikTok-fueled heights, an Oakland bar and restaurant swoops in to make good on the legendary pastime. The new 13 Orphans opened Friday, May 30, in downtown Oakland, just upstairs from Baba's House. Jenn Lui, Alan Chen, and Eman Garcia own the entire building now, including the first-floor restaurant space and this second-story newcomer. The Asian American-centered mahjong clubhouse provides tea-infused cocktails — and 'tea-tails' (alcohol optional) — with Filipino and Chinese dim sum-inspired bites and bookable tables for laying down tiles through the late night. At 13 Orphans, Lui handles the drinks while Garcia runs the kitchen. Lui found inspiration in the five elements of traditional Chinese culture; to honor the earth, a 2014 Shu pu'erh tea mingles with lapsang souchong tepache, cinnamon, beetroot juice, black sugar, and pear-infused soju for the Pu'er Petrichor. The watermelon tonic, nodding towards metal, blends a Gongmei white tea with goji-infused soju and pei pa lo, a Chinese herbal cough suppressant. Lui worked with Hatching Dragon and Teaphile, a source and an importer of Chinese teas to the Bay Area. Garcia walked through a variety of inspirations for the small bites-focused menu. The Chinoy siu mai is a pork belly, prawn, water chestnut, and smoked trout roe play on the classic dim sum dish popular for Chinese and Filipino diners alike. Plates are just a few bites-worth, sort of the opposite size and scope of the kamayan meals he's prepared with his friends and family for Baba's House events since its debut over three years ago. The first floor, previously BHK, is now exclusively Baba's House. The food and drink menus for that project are still forthcoming. Getting a table at 13 Orphans aims to be difficult: Groups book a game table for just 45 minutes. There are just 16 seats at the reservation-only space. The name 13 Orphans is a nod to an obscure hand to draw in mahjong, a game Lui points out is essentially gambling. Throughout the years at Baba's House, mahjong nights were booked out over and over. The comedy nights and live music were well-attended, too, sure. But mahjong just kept doing numbers. They've hosted free classes for more than three years now. Lui, at least, says she feels the game is reaching a fever pitch due to a generational passing of the torch through immigrant communities to the digital natives, the same that are eschewing binge drinking and clubbing more than their predecessors. 'Once we took over the restaurant, we were trying to identify who we are,' Lui says. 'The personality forming within our community.' Baba's House itself sprang from Lui's mind. The hope was to honor her dad, who died in 2020, and Chen and Garcia joined her on her quest to build community and feed their friends. Chen points out that all three co-owners claim Chinese ancestry, though only Lui is fully Cantonese (Chen is half-Taiwanese, and Garcia is Filipino, as well). Now, this project is meant to give the three founders a chance to move their intentions into an even more specific, upscale project. 'With Baba's House, we did what we thought was going to make our community happy and grow our community,' Garcia says. 'Now with 13 Orphans, we can be intentional and deliberate about what we want to do, and we've built up a community that trusts us [to do that].' 13 Orphans (410 15th Street, Oakland) is available for reservation and open 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Sign up for our newsletter.
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Woman Fosters a Cat Short-Term—Her Pet Instantly Decides He's Not Leaving
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A pet owner recently agreed to foster another feline for what she assumed would be a temporary arrangement, but her cat, Yonkers, had other ideas. In a heartwarming TikTok video shared in May, under the username @yonkieboy, the two kitties can be seen cuddling and grooming each other as if they had always been friends, despite it being their first encounter. "POV [point of view]: you decided to foster a cat short term, but this is him and my cat on the first day they meet," the owner writes in the clip. The caption reads: "Idk [I don't know] if it's going to be a short term visit …" Although cats have a reputation for being solitary animals, some of them may thrive with companionship, though it is important, before getting a new feline, to determine whether your kitty actually needs one. But how do you know if your cat needs a companion? Some changes in behavior can give you a hint. Loneliness, excessive clinginess, irregular eating habits, or destructive behaviors can all be cries for help. However, these behaviors don't automatically mean that your cat is asking for a second feline. Veterinarians stress the importance of ruling out medical condition before treating their behavioral changes as just loneliness. If indeed your cat is healthy, and they just need a companion to be happy, it is very important to introduce them gradually, starting with separate spaces and supervised interactions until they are comfortable with each other, says Pet MD. Stock image: A black cat and a tabby share a small bed. Stock image: A black cat and a tabby share a small bed. getty images The video quickly went viral on social media and has so far received over 510,000 views and almost 100,000 likes on the platform. One user, D-Nice-79, commented: "That's how we ended up with a cat named Kitten. We called him Kitten to discouraging ourselves from keeping him but our other cat decided." Chubbyandclumsyme posted: "One of my foster cats fell in love with my cat IMMEDIATELY, she cuddled him right away so I knew it's going to be a foster failure." Sarah Disassociating added: "I think your cat just adopted a cat, so technically you still only have one cat, who happens to also have a cat." Newsweek reached out to @yonkieboy for comment via TikTok comments. We could not verify the details of the case. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
