Carolyn Murphy at 53: The Surprising Daily Habit That’s Fuelling Her Ageless Powerhouse Transformation
Remember when supermodels ruled the beauty world before it got all tangled up with influencer contracts and celebrity shoutouts? Carolyn Murphy isn’t just a pretty face from the early 2000s—she’s been the enduring emblem of Estée Lauder for a whopping 25 years. Now, that’s what I call legacy. But here’s a thought: Can a skincare routine be as steady as a champion’s focus, or does it morph like the ever-evolving SEO battlefield I’ve battled through? Carolyn’s take is refreshingly simple—no overcomplications, just dedication. Stick around, because we’re diving into a no-nonsense skincare wisdom that’s as solid as a well-built empire, with heartfelt nods to the past and timeless rituals that keep her—and her skin—top-notch through the years. LEARN MORE
5 min readLong before influencer brand deals and celebrity endorsements became the norm, the faces of American beauty were supermodels. One of the most notable early-aughts faces was Carolyn Murphy, who landed her role as the face of Estée Lauder 25 years ago and still serves as an ambassador for the brand today.
“I grew up with the products, but I also admired Estée herself—she was an innovator and a trailblazer,” the model and environmental activist tells Bazaar. “It’s an incredible honor that Estée Lauder has entrusted me to represent it for 25 years and to be part of its legacy. Her granddaughter, Aerin, whom I’m lucky to call a dear friend, carries so much of that same spirit.”
Over the years, as Murphy continues to be a face of the brand, she’s been joined by other ambassadors, like Paulina Porizkova, Karlie Kloss, and Imaan Hammam—all of whom she says “are forces and really do feel like family.”
What hasn’t changed over her tenure with Estée Lauder is her skincare philosophy: “I’m diligent about my skincare, but I also believe in not overcomplicating things,” she explains.
Bazaar caught up with the legendary supermodel for a closer look at her routine favorites, including the serum she’s used for decades and the nighttime ritual she learned from her grandmother.
If you don’t mind sharing, how old are you?
I turned 53 this summer, and I’m quite happy to say it.
What age do you feel you are in your head?
I’ve always said age is just a number; it’s really about how you feel. I feel like a wise child: I’ve learned a few things along the way, but I never want to lose my sense of wonder, curiosity, or playfulness.
How has your perspective on beauty changed over the last 25 years?
My perspective on beauty actually hasn’t changed that much. I believed from the beginning that real beauty comes from within; I just understand what that means more deeply now. It’s kindness, not only toward others but toward yourself. It’s self-care, self-love, self-worth, and learning to extend yourself some grace when those things feel harder to access. On those days, I ask myself what I would say to my daughter. We can be so much kinder to the people we love than we are to ourselves.
Do you have a holy-grail beauty product that you’ve used for most of your life?
I grew up using Estée Lauder products, starting with Clinique, and then I graduated to Advanced Night Repair serum in my early 20s. I’ve been devoted ever since. At this point, it’s less a beauty product and more like an old friend, and it truly is magic in a bottle.
What aspects of your physical appearance do you love more now, as you’ve gotten older?
I love my bum! I didn’t have much of one when I was younger, and somewhere along the way it decided to show up. I also love my unruly, thick, curly hair. I spent years trying to tame it, and now I appreciate it for exactly what it is—especially because, let’s face it, it will eventually thin! And I was teased about my skinny legs when I was younger; now I love showing them off. Maybe that’s part of getting older too: the things you once wanted to change become the things you’re grateful to call your own.
Was any beauty item or wisdom passed down from your mom?
My mother and my Nana were huge proponents of a whole-food, mainly plant-based diet, probably because they grew up on my family’s farm in Virginia. That stayed with me. I love farmers’ markets, and to me, beautiful fresh produce is a luxury.
My Nana also always took a bath before bed to unwind and used Youth-Dew Bath Oil, so I’m religious about that ritual. There’s something wonderful about ending the day that way—slowing down, soaking in the bath, and letting everything else go.
What keeps you feeling vibrant and youthful?
Being with my daughter, my friends—and her friends. Laughter, gratitude, staying curious, tennis, chocolate, travel, the occasional martini, listening to my intuition, saying how I feel, and driving with the windows down, music blaring, singing really loud. I think staying youthful has a lot to do with staying open to life.
What’s one piece of wisdom you would tell your younger self—or even your daughter?
Use sunscreen! I’m serious here. The money I’ve spent correcting unnecessary sun damage is frustrating. Of all the profound wisdom I could pass along, apparently this is it: Wear the sunscreen.
What has surprised you about growing older?
That it’s not so bad and it truly does get better! “With age comes wisdom” isn’t a cliché; you really do begin to understand yourself differently. But maybe what has surprised me most is the ability to laugh at myself more and not take everything quite so seriously. That has been a big, well-earned relief.
What beauty products would you say have aged well?
Advanced Night Repair was so ahead of the curve in its formulation, and it will always be a mainstay for me. The same goes for Re-Nutriv cream because hydration and moisture are really the foundation of good skin. And White Linen perfume—it’s simply timeless. Some things don’t need reinventing.
Many people fear growing older. In your opinion, what is the best part about it?
Growing older is inevitable, so you might as well embrace it and try to have a good time along the way. For me, the best part is feeling more at home in myself. I know myself better—what deserves my energy, what doesn’t, when to trust my intuition and when to let something go. There’s a freedom that comes with that. You realize you don’t have to have everything figured out; you just have to keep showing up, stay curious, and be open to what’s next. That, to me, is getting better with age.
What’s the best piece of beauty wisdom you’ve ever received from someone older and someone younger than you?
Diane von Furstenberg told me to embrace new chapters—no holding back, no regrets—and to live and love to the fullest. And, well, look at her: she looks fabulous! But I think what stayed with me is the idea that being open to life is its own kind of beauty.
My daughter reminds me daily to play and to drink a gallon of water, but she also makes sure I do every step of my skincare routine because, as she reminds me, those extra layers help create a healthy skin barrier. So apparently the wisdom goes both ways.
Please give us a quick breakdown of your current beauty routine.
My current routine is Advanced Night Repair Cleansing Balm, Re-Nutriv Treatment Lotion, Advanced Night Repair Serum during the day, followed by Revitalizing Supreme+ cream and Perfectionist Pro sunscreen. At night, I use Re-Nutriv Ultimate Diamond Brilliance Serum and Soft Creme. I don’t wash my face in the morning—I only splash it with ice-cold water. I see Joomee Song twice a month for facials and do Clear + Brilliant laser treatments twice a year.
Smiry Dog Door Mat for Muddy Paws, Absorbent Non Slip Dirt Trapper, 30x20 | Grey and Black, Quick Dry Washable Chenille Mat for Mud Dogs, Entry Rug for Indoor and Outdoor
$9.47 (as of September 4, 2026 03:07 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Amazon Echo Show 11 (newest model), Vibrant Full-HD 11" display with more viewing area and spatial audio, Designed for Alexa+, Graphite
$189.99 (as of September 4, 2026 03:23 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Dog Grooming Kit with Vacuum, 12000Pa Pet Electric Clipper & Cleaning Brush | PG01 All-in-One Pet Grooming Kit, Low-Noise Dog Vacuum for Shedding Grooming, Pet Hair Remover Vacuum
$62.99 (as of September 4, 2026 03:07 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
ChomChom Roller Pet Hair Remover – Original Size Reusable Lint Roller for Cat & Dog Hair on Furniture, Couch, Carpet, Car, Rugs & Bedding – Portable, Eco-Friendly (White)
$24.99 (as of September 4, 2026 03:07 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Post Comment