‘She’s one of the coolest people I’ve ever met’ — Emma Willis’s glam squad share her hair and beauty secrets as she celebrates her 50th birthday
Emma Willis turns 50 today which if the gasps of surprise around the Second Act office are anything to go by, is hard to believe.
While a nation has grown up watching the Birmingham born presenter host the likes of Big Brother, The Voice, This Morning and more recently Love is Blind with her husband Matt Willis, Emma seems to have hardly aged a day.
The reason, we deduced, is down to her impeccable timeless look. The former Big Brother presenter embraced her signature cool girl style early on in her career and sticking to it has clearly worked for her.
© GettyEmma and Matt Willis attend the Better Man premiere
Androgynous smart tailoring with a feminine twist has been her sartorial go-to — but it is her short playful hair that has become almost iconic.
While she’s now of an age where she posts social videos dying her grey roots in the bathroom using reading glasses to go through the instructions on the box of her signature Clairol hair dye, Emma makes a strong case for chopping off long locks when you hit midlife if that’s what you fancy.
“Emma is one of the coolest people I’ve ever met,” says the presenter’s favourite hair stylist Pete Burkill, who works out of Josh Wood Atelier in Holland Park.
“I don’t think it is anything to do with her age, it is her personal outlook on life. She is so kind, funny and she really has a zest for life.”
When she was starting out as a model, very early on she was told to cut her hair and told by agency bosses ‘we want you to be the British Linda Evangelista.’ She has embraced the look ever since.
© InstagramEmma Willis wearing a brown dress at the NTAs
“Emma is the poster girl for short hair, she owns the crop and women come into the salon with pictures of her,” says Pete.
“We are loving undone quiffs at the moment, and by cutting it in a classic way it allows versatility that shows people that having short hair doesn’t have to be worn in one way. She can change it for all the projects she is working on, whether it is scraped back, or we spice it up with a quiff, it is long enough to attach a ponytail.
“Her hair is the thing that she likes to express herself through, it’s her signature look.”
Can short hair make you look younger?
Yes and no…
© WireImageEmma Willis rocking sharp tailoring at the 2025 BAFTAs
“It can 100 per cent make you look younger – if you have the right style,” says Pete. “You can see the neck and collar bone and the really make the head shape look beautiful with the right technique.
“What you want to avoid is looking rounder and older, which can happen with any haircut that isn’t right for you, you want to emphasise your best parts.”
For anyone considering going for an Emma inspired chop, Pete’s main tip is to interview their stylists.
“Emma scouted me out,” he says. “It is a process when you are looking to see who you want to work with – and anyone can do that. You should always get a consultation and most people will do this free of charge. If you don’t connect, try someone else. Trust your opinion and don’t be scared to talk about ideas. Sometimes women have an idea of what they want a particular style and think they can’t have it, but there is always a way around it.”
Emma’s skincare secrets
© Getty ImagesEmma Willis has honed her timeless look
When it comes to skincare Emma has kept her ‘less is more’ approach, often focusing on polished skin, hydration and non-surgical lifting treatments to keep her complexion fresh and glowing.
It is all about the prep to achieve the look with Emma trying out acupuncture facials by queen of the needle Sarah Bradden, a holistic treatment which drains the lymphatic system and lifts the skin, CACI micro-touch beauty treatment and bespoke oxygen facials by celebrity favourite Shane Cooper, who has also treated the likes of Sabrina Carpenter and Sienna Miller with his assortment of red light lasers and his own brand products.
Sarah Bradden has specific ways to unwind after a busy week
When she is prepping for a big event, her make-up artist Amanda Bowen reveals her secret facial hack is the ZIIP Halo machine, also loved by Vanessa Williams. The small handheld device links to a series of facials programmed into an app, which send electrical shockwaves to the skin to boost collagen, treat the lymphatic system, minimise large pores and fine lines, and help maintain a snatched jawline.
Make-up favourites
“Emma has amazing skin and incredible bone structure,” says Amanda. “She likes the ‘less is more’ approach so we always keep skin beautifully polished with minimal product and add a bit of drama to the eyes to make them pop.”
© Getty Images for The National LoEmma Willis’s gorgeous glow isn’t just good genes
Her surprising low maintenance go to is Weleda Skin Food, Amanda reveals.
“She likes to keep it super natural,” she says, favouring a light base such as MAC Face & Body, some sheen to highlight her amazing cheekbones from Glossier Future Dew and Merit Bronze Balm Stick. “Our current favourite mascara is Lisa Eldridge Kitten Lash,” reveals Amanda. “Emma looks great in just about anything but she wears a neutral lip so well Pat McGrath Negligee.”
Welcome to your next powerful decade Emma – we can’t wait to see what your Second Act brings next!
Say HELLO! to your Second Act
HELLO!’s Second Act is a newsletter for women in midlife and beyond. It’s completely free to sign up and is a one-stop-shop for advice and inspiration on the issues our Second Act community have told us matter most: health, relationships, travel, menopause, divorce, careers, finance and more.
