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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.

Glynis Barber: These are the strategies that helped me beat stress and anxiety during menopause

Exclusive interview

Glynis Barber: These are the strategies that helped me beat stress and anxiety during menopause

How to wear bold brights for an instant 'youthful boost' in your 50s, 60s & 70s

style tips

How to wear bold brights for an instant 'youthful boost' in your 50s, 60s & 70s

Just like Sienna Miller, I’m less judgmental as a midlife mum

Second Act

Just like Sienna Miller, I’m less judgmental as a midlife mum

Kathy Lette: 'Women don’t give up sex when we get old, we get old when we give up sex' - the joy of sex in my sixties

Sexy sixties

Kathy Lette: 'Women don’t give up sex when we get old, we get old when we give up sex' - the joy of sex in my sixties

Trending

Sarah-Jane Mee: 'There is no 'step' in our blended family'

Family dynamics

Sarah-Jane Mee: 'There is no 'step' in our blended family'

I blew my wedding budget on my 40th birthday — then met my husband a month later

Second Act

I blew my wedding budget on my 40th birthday — then met my husband a month later

Hermione Norris on marriage and menopause: 'I'm suspicious of people who say they're madly in love at my age'

Exclusive interview

Hermione Norris on marriage and menopause: 'I'm suspicious of people who say they're madly in love at my age'

Hermione Norris: 'I'm not who I was 10 years ago - and I really like it'

Exclusive interview

Hermione Norris: 'I'm not who I was 10 years ago - and I really like it'

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

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

Podcast

Relationships

My puppy has transformed my empty nest - and brought me closer to my husband

Empty nest

My puppy has transformed my empty nest - and brought me closer to my husband

When my life blew up, these women saved me — and taught me what it really means to be strong

Inspiring women

When my life blew up, these women saved me — and taught me what it really means to be strong

Twice divorced and dating in my 50s: what it really feels like when your life splits in two

divorce story

Twice divorced and dating in my 50s: what it really feels like when your life splits in two

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

Fitness & Wellbeing

I turn 50 this week and feel better than ever – here's what I added to my routine

Fit at 50

I turn 50 this week and feel better than ever – here's what I added to my routine

Sadie Frost: 'I'm at a landmark time in my 60s'

EXCLUSIVE

Sadie Frost: 'I'm at a landmark time in my 60s'

Donna Ashworth: 'The noise around weight loss jabs can be triggering after battling anorexia - but I've found tools to cope'

Mental health tools

Donna Ashworth: 'The noise around weight loss jabs can be triggering after battling anorexia - but I've found tools to cope'

I want to stop and savour special moments - how I'm determined to master the art of the pause

Prioritising rest

I want to stop and savour special moments - how I'm determined to master the art of the pause

Menopause

It's not a dental issue: An oral medicine specialist says what a painful mouth might actually mean if you're a woman over 50

Health & Fitness

It's not a dental issue: An oral medicine specialist says what a painful mouth might actually mean if you're a woman over 50

Mushroom coffee is going viral for weight loss - but does it actually work?

Health & Fitness

Mushroom coffee is going viral for weight loss - but does it actually work?

The best menopause supplements with top reviews - plus expert intel

Shopping

The best menopause supplements with top reviews - plus expert intel

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

Style

13 best slimming beach cover-ups for women in their 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s

Second Act

13 best slimming beach cover-ups for women in their 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s

Breaking the age myth - 10 lessons Dame Anna Wintour has taught us about fashion (especially if you're over 70)

Midlife fashion

Breaking the age myth - 10 lessons Dame Anna Wintour has taught us about fashion (especially if you're over 70)

Midlife women are all rushing to Marks & Spencer for the viral slip dress to wear under their floaty dresses this summer

Shopping

Midlife women are all rushing to Marks & Spencer for the viral slip dress to wear under their floaty dresses this summer

The best sculpting shapewear for women: From M&S to Skims, Spanx & more

Shopping

The best sculpting shapewear for women: From M&S to Skims, Spanx & more

Beauty

I want women of all ages to know that glittery makeup can be joyful

Beauty

I want women of all ages to know that glittery makeup can be joyful

The 13 best foundations to suit all skin types for those over 40 - and FYI, they all have skincare benefits

Skincredible

The 13 best foundations to suit all skin types for those over 40 - and FYI, they all have skincare benefits

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

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

More Second Act

Second Act

How to capture the best headshots to confidently mark your second act

I’ve been a stylist to the rich and famous but these are the 6 affordable basics all women over 40 should own

Shopping

I’ve been a stylist to the rich and famous but these are the 6 affordable basics all women over 40 should own

I found the best mid-heel sandals for anyone who's over 40 and just can't do high heels anymore

Shopping

I found the best mid-heel sandals for anyone who's over 40 and just can't do high heels anymore

The best hair-loss shampoos for menopausal women - with expert tips on preventing thinning hair

Shopping

The best hair-loss shampoos for menopausal women - with expert tips on preventing thinning hair

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

12 stylish tummy flattering dresses for 40+ women

Expert advice

12 stylish tummy flattering dresses for 40+ women

I'm 41, and I'm a pro at shopping in Marks & Spencer - these 17 new-season 2026 buys look like they're designer

High street

I'm 41, and I'm a pro at shopping in Marks & Spencer - these 17 new-season 2026 buys look like they're designer

20 best laptop bags for women over 40 who want a stylish commute

BAGS OF STYLE

20 best laptop bags for women over 40 who want a stylish commute