In a world where beauty often seems synonymous with flawless, youthful skin, Denise offers a refreshing perspective.
As an ex-model and photographer, she emphasizes the importance of maintaining healthy, radiant skin over simply chasing the ideal of wrinkle-free beauty.
Her approach underscores a deeper understanding of skincare—one that values the natural vitality and well-being of the skin above all else. In this enlightening article, TELVA delves into Denise’s philosophy on skincare, exploring how she balances the demands of her profession with a genuine commitment to skin health. Through her insights, we gain a valuable reminder that true beauty shines from within and that caring for our skin with a focus on health can lead to a more authentic and enduring glow.
Read on to discover how Denise’s approach to beauty can inspire a more holistic and satisfying skincare routine.
The interview is in Spanish, but at the bottom of this article, you can read the English translation.
Denise Boomkens, model and photographer: “I believe it’s more important for my skin to be healthy and radiant than to be wrinkle-free.”
If there is a Dutch model and photographer we admire not only for her style but also for her real beauty, it is Denise Boomkens. She is the one who encourages everyone to change the current perspective on aging.
She explains that she has worked as a model, traveling to various cities around the world, and now enjoys her life as a photographer, capturing women of all ages. We are talking about Denise Boomkens, the Dutch woman who inspires positivity and aims to overturn the current view on aging. She is a muse for real beauty and style as an ambassador for Rituals.
Now that she is nearing 50, she has been feeling a certain dissatisfaction with the aging process of women over 40, as well as younger women who believe they are no longer relevant after a certain age. “In the end, both often follow the unrealistic example set by social media and filters, and many anti-aging campaigns feature models who are barely in their 20s or who have undergone various procedures to look younger, which is very confusing,” she explains.
Denise Boomkens’ wish is for women to accept themselves regardless of age and without photo retouching. Courtesy of Denise Boomkens.
When she had her son at 40, her perspective changed, and what she once considered important suddenly no longer was. She decided to embark on a new project called AndBloom, a community of women over 40 that grows every day. She felt she was at a new turning point in her physical and mental life, much like other women who felt the same.
Her motto is to give visibility to women aged 40 and 100 to inspire and invite reflection, avoiding comparisons with younger women who alter their images with Photoshop. Her wish is for both social media and the media to represent older women so that they can believe they look normal at any age and accept themselves without fear.
NATURAL AGING IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL
How did you start working as a model?
I was discovered on the streets of Amsterdam when I was 16 and moved to Paris. At 25, I returned to the Netherlands and studied photography. Then I transitioned from being in front of the camera to being behind it. Now, I enjoy my career as a fashion photographer more than being a model.
How do you identify with Rituals, the beauty brand you represent?
We developed a wonderful connection that blossomed into a beautiful collaboration. I am very proud to work with this amazing Dutch brand as a content creator. Additionally, I have followed its development and growth and am a big fan of their products and their “ageless” campaign.
You are a natural beauty icon; how do you take care of yourself at 49?
I’ve realized that natural aging is the most beautiful thing. There are many ways to support it both internally and externally. I am a fan of self-care. With skincare, the results are quite visible, though not enough. You can’t shine on the outside if you don’t take care of your body on the inside. Therefore, good nutrition, exercise, sleep, mindfulness, and the right supplements are part of my daily beauty routine.
We love your freckles… How do you pamper your skin?
I’m sad to see that my freckles seem to be fading as I get older, and I wish I still had many of them. Nowadays, they have been replaced by age spots, which are considered less charming, right? I follow a two-step facial cleansing routine (cleanser and toner) morning and night. After that, I always apply a serum followed by a day or night cream and regularly add a booster.
The Beauty Tricks of the Dutch Woman Who Displays Her Real Skin with Elegance
Your tricks for showcasing wrinkles with great elegance.
Smile and keep smiling.
How do you take care of your gray hair?
I stopped dyeing my hair three years ago, after experiencing hair loss due to a hormonal imbalance. I had dyed it for many years. However, my hair is turning gray very slowly. Now, I’m considering getting highlights again. It’s not that I don’t accept my hair color or want to hide anything, but I think it’s also fun to try something different.
What do you see when you look in the mirror?
It depends on the day. Sometimes I get confused. I always feel like I’m 30 (I think we all have an age where we get stuck and stay there for a long time). We all age differently. Some women (and men) remain wrinkle-free for a long time. I have thin skin that is more prone to wrinkles. However, my appearance is youthful, and sometimes I see women who don’t have wrinkles but look very aged.
What ingredients and creams do you use to care for your facial skin?
Personally, I am a big fan of products with Vitamin C, but I notice that my skin looks more radiant when I use peptides. AHA and BHA also work well on my skin. I exfoliate once or twice a week and find it more important for my skin to look healthy and radiant rather than focusing solely on having or not having wrinkles.
The Diet of the Coolest Dutch Woman
What do you eat and how do you take care of yourself internally?
I have the terrible habit of forgetting to eat. I don’t eat until I’m hungry. A positive aspect is that I never gain unwanted weight, but unwanted weight loss isn’t fun either. I have an 8-year-old son who is growing fast and is always hungry, so I serve him plates full of vegetables. I eat very little meat, very little sugar, and very few dairy products, but I have a bowl of Greek yogurt with 10% fat once a day to avoid losing weight.
Foods that are a staple in your diet.
My diet includes Greek yogurt, fruits (especially berries, blackberries, and raspberries), chia seeds, and flax seeds. I also consume honey, lots of nuts, vegetables, and only drink water and herbal tea. I haven’t eaten bread since 2013, and I feel very good without it. Due to my endometriosis, I started following a specific diet, and it has become a part of me. This means: no red meat, no coffee, no sugar, and no dairy products. I also drink fresh juices like ginger or vegetable shots.
Makeup for Fun and Body Positivity
Have you ever felt insecure when facing influencers who set beauty standards?
It’s difficult for me to see so much false content on social media. It’s a challenge because many women don’t even realize it’s fake. They believe they’re seeing something real. As a result, they start doubting themselves, which creates insecurity. That’s unsettling to me. I also have bad days. On those days, I might want to use a filter to hide my mood. Often, I don’t, but sometimes I do. However, generally, I’m bold and add an extra sharpness filter to my videos so my face is even clearer and more real. It’s a bit rebellious, but I prefer being this way than pretending to be something I’m not.
Would you go out without makeup?
Almost every day, I drop my son off at school without makeup because I often forget. But I think wearing a bit of makeup can make you look a little happier. I’m a big fan of mascara and blush.
Your three tips for flattering makeup for mature skin.
It’s very personal because we’re all different, but I think using the least amount of foundation possible is key. Additionally, there are some lightweight foundations that don’t give that heavy feeling on the skin. Eyebrow touch-ups, a bit of self-tanner, blush, and orange lipstick.
“The World is Realizing That Women Over 40 Also Matter”
What daily wellness and self-care rituals do you follow?
I maintain an active lifestyle, a healthy diet, get enough sleep (8 hours), and take good care of my skin.
Have you felt different with the beauty standards that have been imposed, or do you think things have changed for models with gray hair and wrinkles?
Six years ago, when I started AndBloom, there was no inspiration on Instagram. There was only a group of active people over 40, but no movement for gray-haired women or influencers advocating for aging. Much has changed in the last six years. Now, the world is realizing that women over 40 also matter. I’m incredibly grateful to have inspired many women to stand up, and I believe we’re on the right track, but we are far from finished.
How do you feel about your body?
I used to want more curves, but today, I’m happy with my slim figure and grateful for my small breasts. I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with my body, partly due to endometriosis, which caused me many problems. And against all odds, I’ve been able to have a child, and now I love my body.
“Feeling Young Has to Do With Attitude, Not Age”
What do you like most about yourself?
My positivity, creativity, perseverance, and discipline. And I like feeling young, which has nothing to do with age but with attitude.
Who is your beauty and style icon that always inspires you?
My muses are the great women of past times, such as Katharine Hepburn, Sophia Loren, and Brigitte Bardot. But I’m also inspired by contemporary women like Vivienne Westwood, Diane von Furstenberg, and Frida Kahlo.
Your self-care rituals for self-love
For me, self-care involves exercising one or two hours a week, reading a good book, gardening, and writing. I should take more walks in nature and really need to get back into meditation and yoga. There’s too much to do and so little time…
Original interview: TELVA
Journalist and beauty editor: Clara Sanchez de Ron
TELVA is a leading Spanish magazine focusing on fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. It offers its readers the latest trends, expert advice, and inspiration in various aspects of life, including fashion, beauty, health, and culture. TELVA is known for its high-quality content and in-depth articles, making it a popular choice for those interested in luxury and style.
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