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Second Act

Enjoy midlife in good company. Second Act is our vibrant community for women over 40 — a place for smart advice, stylish inspiration and honest conversations about health, fitness, beauty, relationships and work, plus stories of women doing amazing things in midlife and beyond.

Like EastEnders' Honey Mitchell, my GP didn’t listen — so I took my perimenopause into my own hands

perimenopause

Like EastEnders' Honey Mitchell, my GP didn’t listen — so I took my perimenopause into my own hands

Your divorce questions answered: from dealing with a hostile ex to the lawyer myth

Divorce without drama

Your divorce questions answered: from dealing with a hostile ex to the lawyer myth

I've been dressing celebrities for the gym for a decade and this is why Gen Z are wrong to call out tight activewear as ‘cringe’

Midlife fitness

I've been dressing celebrities for the gym for a decade and this is why Gen Z are wrong to call out tight activewear as ‘cringe’

Sarah Beeny: I'm 'in denial' about my sons leaving home - but there's one thing I'll do to cope

Empty nest

Sarah Beeny: I'm 'in denial' about my sons leaving home - but there's one thing I'll do to cope

Trending

Sienna and Savannah Miller are so lucky - I felt so lonely having babies in my forties

midlife motherhood

Sienna and Savannah Miller are so lucky - I felt so lonely having babies in my forties

Sarah Beeny: "I'm endlessly, slightly disappointed in myself"

Midlife inspiration

Sarah Beeny: "I'm endlessly, slightly disappointed in myself"

Supermodel Helena Christensen on how her childhood shaped a new career path in her fifties

EXCLUSIVE

Supermodel Helena Christensen on how her childhood shaped a new career path in her fifties

Reese Witherspoon at 50: 'I like getting older. Am I going to be an 85 year-old old lady still doing the bend and snap?'

hollywood legend

Reese Witherspoon at 50: 'I like getting older. Am I going to be an 85 year-old old lady still doing the bend and snap?'

The midlife happiness hacks that make Gaby Roslin feel forever 33

Happiness hacks

The midlife happiness hacks that make Gaby Roslin feel forever 33

My evening of menopause myth busting with Mariella Frostrup – and Cate Blanchett watching on!

Second act

My evening of menopause myth busting with Mariella Frostrup – and Cate Blanchett watching on!

Fierce at 50

'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

The eternally youthful faces at the Oscars make me feel uncomfortable - but I know I'd do it too

Wealthy ageing

The eternally youthful faces at the Oscars make me feel uncomfortable - but I know I'd do it too

Podcast

Relationships

Q&A with amicable co-founder Kate Daly on all things divorce

As it happened

Q&A with amicable co-founder Kate Daly on all things divorce

Daughter Amber on Yasmin Le Bon: 'Mum is a dragon - I don't want her disciplining my child'

Grandparent rules

Daughter Amber on Yasmin Le Bon: 'Mum is a dragon - I don't want her disciplining my child'

Rachel Weisz in Vladimir captures the secret midlife libido explosion - and I think it’s down to HRT and weight loss jabs

midlife sex boom

Rachel Weisz in Vladimir captures the secret midlife libido explosion - and I think it’s down to HRT and weight loss jabs

Yasmin Le Bon: 'Simon still makes me laugh more than I want to kill him!'

Marriage truths

Yasmin Le Bon: 'Simon still makes me laugh more than I want to kill him!'

Fitness & Wellbeing

What happened when I tried Cindy Crawford's viral 2.5 hour morning routine as a 52-year-old mum

Tried and tested

What happened when I tried Cindy Crawford's viral 2.5 hour morning routine as a 52-year-old mum

Why vitamin D is so important during menopause — and you might still need supplements when the sun is shining

Menopause wellbeing

Why vitamin D is so important during menopause — and you might still need supplements when the sun is shining

Gaby Roslin: 'I've been sober for 8 years and it's changed everything'

Sober life

Gaby Roslin: 'I've been sober for 8 years and it's changed everything'

Sleep essentials for women over 40: The tips, tricks & products you need to try

Shopping

Sleep essentials for women over 40: The tips, tricks & products you need to try

Menopause

Do you bruise easily? Why this common sign could be a brain health warning after 40

SEE HERE

Do you bruise easily? Why this common sign could be a brain health warning after 40

13 best moisturisers for dry perimenopausal skin: Hydrating face creams tried & tested

Shopping

13 best moisturisers for dry perimenopausal skin: Hydrating face creams tried & tested

Heidi Klum highlights new curves in head-turning dress after addressing menopausal weight gain

Star Style

Heidi Klum highlights new curves in head-turning dress after addressing menopausal weight gain

Struggling with 'menopause brain'? 4 simple ways to 'rebuild' grey matter

Health & Fitness

Struggling with 'menopause brain'? 4 simple ways to 'rebuild' grey matter

Style

25 best occasion dresses for women in their 50s, 60s and 70s

Dress to impress

25 best occasion dresses for women in their 50s, 60s and 70s

I tried on the best barn jackets (aka the midlife purchase of the moment) and the verdict is officially in

Shopping

I tried on the best barn jackets (aka the midlife purchase of the moment) and the verdict is officially in

Dating after divorce in your 60s: What to wear on a first date

Midlife dating

Dating after divorce in your 60s: What to wear on a first date

The best loungewear for women over 40 who are in their 'I want to be comfortable AND stylish' era

Shopping

The best loungewear for women over 40 who are in their 'I want to be comfortable AND stylish' era

Beauty

8 best tanning drops for your face to get your glow on - tried & tested on mature skin

Shopping

8 best tanning drops for your face to get your glow on - tried & tested on mature skin

8 best new perfumes for women over 40: The talked about fragrances for spring

GET SPRITZING

8 best new perfumes for women over 40: The talked about fragrances for spring

The ultimate dermatologist guide to menopause skin

Skinspiration

The ultimate dermatologist guide to menopause skin

Hair is shorthand for how society values women – so Demi Moore's 'bold' bob at 63 is a major statement

Beauty

Hair is shorthand for how society values women – so Demi Moore's 'bold' bob at 63 is a major statement

More Second Act

11 thoughtful wellness gifts for burnt-out midlife women

Expert advice

11 thoughtful wellness gifts for burnt-out midlife women

Why MLMs target midlife women - and 99.6% actually lose money

Midlife money

Why MLMs target midlife women - and 99.6% actually lose money

12 stylish tummy flattering dresses

Expert advice

12 stylish tummy flattering dresses

Jane Fallon before her breast cancer diagnosis: ‘I want to be a healthy me for as long as possible’

Exclusive interview

Jane Fallon before her breast cancer diagnosis: ‘I want to be a healthy me for as long as possible’

Midlife confidence

Too old to follow your dreams? Stop right there and follow these expert confidence tips

I was scammed by 'spiritual charlatans' on social media who target midlife women - here's how you can avoid them

Spirituality

I was scammed by 'spiritual charlatans' on social media who target midlife women - here's how you can avoid them

Help – I'm Gen X and have no idea what jeans to wear! Are skinny jeans back in? And can I pull off double denim?

Fashion advice

Help – I'm Gen X and have no idea what jeans to wear! Are skinny jeans back in? And can I pull off double denim?

'My friendships are like soul food': Sugababe Heidi Range on the power of peer support in perimenopause and beyond

International Women's Day

'My friendships are like soul food': Sugababe Heidi Range on the power of peer support in perimenopause and beyond