Is it witchcraft? Is it surgery? Is it all the fantastic sex as a single man? Whatever his secret, Brad Pitt has been looking fantastic in recent years. Like King Théoden of Rohan, freed from Wormtongue’s spell (if you don’t know this LOTR reference we’re no longer friends), Pitt has shed the greying shackles that bound him and his skin during the Brangelina days and has emerged brighter, tighter and altogether more glowing.
On the Once Upon A Time In Hollywood Pitt came out strong, flaunting an LA tan and a slick ‘do. It’s on the recent round of Bullet Train press junkets that he's really shining though. Not only has he got a brand new wardrobe, bursting to the brim with laid-back looks from up-and-coming slow-fashion designer Haans Nicholas Mott, but he's leaning into his late fifties with panache, allowing his hair to go ever-so-slightly grey (still tinged with blonde), while he's got barely any wrinkles.
Here, to help you get a head start, some of the industry’s most prominent grooming experts offer their tips for looking as youthful as Brad for as long as Brad.
1. Avoid surgery where possible
“Brad truly looks after himself. He’s not trying to look younger, but looks the healthiest version of himself. This is evident by his lack of botox or visible surgery. Men shouldn't rush into surgical interventions. Even though Brad might benefit from blepharoplasty surgery to soften heaviness in the upper eyelid and iron out the skin on the lower eyelid, he has been savvy enough to avoid it and maintain a completely natural look.” Dr Costas Papageorgiou, medical director, NYDG London
2. But jowls can be tackled gently
“Hormonal and other changes cause a man’s skin to thin, dry, lose elasticity and sag. Facial threads – a process in which bio-adaptable threads are inserted into the skin to lift sagging skin with no telltale effects – may help solve the jowl problem.” Dr Barbara Sturm
3. Exercise regularly and eat well
“Diet and exercise are key to maintaining a youthful glow into your fifties, as this will affect the skin cells' metabolism and keep the skin working its best.” Dr Costas Papageorgiou
4. Take proper precautions in the sun
“Brad also appears to have protected his face and neck from the sun to preserve skin elasticity, inflammation and redness. Many men start to battle with rosacea and solar elastosis when they pass middle age due to not following a healthy sun care regime.” Dr Costas Papageorgiou
5. Fear (and tackle) inflammation
“Inflammatory triggers swirl around us our entire lives – pollution, sun exposure, smoking and drinking, stress, lack of sleep and bad diet. Inflammation is the ultimate skin killer and as you age the damage shows more profoundly. Ageing men especially need to cut down on exposure to these inflammatory influences and adopt an anti-inflammatory lifestyle. This includes taking supplements that protect and reduce the visible signs of inflammation, such as my Repair Food, Anti-Pollution Food and Skin Food.” Dr Barbara Sturm
6. Get on board with vitamin supplements
“Brad is also likely to have benefited from tailored vitamin supplementation, targeting inflammation and oxidative stress within the body.” Dr Costas Papageorgiou
7. Noninvasive treatments are better prevention than cure
“It’s never too late to start to delay the ageing cascade, as regular sessions of energy-based treatments, such as ultrasound or infrared treatments, will improve skin laxity and tone the muscle beneath the skin. My favourites are Ultherapy, Titan and Lasergenesis. Another trick to keep a youthful appearance is volumising agents – filler such as Allergan. In the right hands an aesthetician will have the expertise to achieve the ‘unnoticeable change’.” Dr Costas Papageorgiou
8. Avoid aggressive skin products like the plague
“Heal rather than attack your skin. Avoid harsh skincare products and quick fix treatments, such as acid peels and aggressive lasers, that inflame and kill healthy skin cells. ‘Feeling the burn’ is a sign of injury, not skin health. A high-concentration formulation of hyaluronic acid serum should be the "white T-shirt” of an ageing man’s skincare routine, as it binds up to 1,000 times its weight in water, drenching increasingly dry skin with ultra hydration, boosting the natural skin barrier function and bringing anti-inflammatory active ingredients into deeper skin layers. A de-puffing eye cream is worth its weight in gold for growing eye bags and circles that become more prevalent in the fifties. An enzyme cleanser keeps nasal and other pore sizes under control, as pollution and other irritants make a man’s pore size balloon in the fifties. Invest in an anti-ageing face mask, for soothing, hydration and further combatting inflammation fighting. My husband started using my face mask when he turned 50 last year and now he is addicted to its instant effect. Finally, get a facial once a month to maintain your skin health.” Dr Barbara Sturm
9. Get the right haircut for your face
“Brad’s current haircut is a contemporary twist on a classic look. As men get older it’s more about learning what works with your hair, face and style of dress. Our face changes, as does our hair texture, so it’s important to take all this into consideration. Brad’s cut has a lot of texture and softness added to it, which gives it an effortless bed-head look. The key is having the weight removed but keeping the length. Brad also has a slight wave to his hair and this helps with the shape and the overall look. It is a classic example of not trying too hard but getting it right.” Joe Mills, founder, Joe & Co and Mills Barbers
10. Use the right products and fewer of them
“When it comes to products, use a leave-in conditioner to help nourish your hair. Grey hair needs more hydration. Then, use a sea salt spray to achieve some movement and texture and finish with a grooming cream for light hold and an almost invisible look. Less is more as you get older.” Joe Mills
11. Don’t be afraid to recolour
“If you have a bit of grey and want to hide it then look to lighten it a little. That sun-kissed look helps to hide it, without it looking like you have dyed your hair. Make sure, therefore, that your stylist has a great understanding of colour.”Joe Mills
