Debbie Hughes works as a product expert and owns her own clothing business. With her husband Rob she resides in Stoke. She has three children Kris, Brandon, and Heidi. They also have two grandchildren: Theodore (five years) and Dennis (two).
MISSING MIDLIFE PAGEANT QEEN
Miss GB Classic is a pageant that celebrates beauty for those over forty. This was my first year. I hadn’t entered a competition since I was a teenager. Even though I finished third, the experience of being on stage at 52 was a victory in and of itself. Being surrounded by such beautiful and confident women in midlife was an empowering experience.
LONG DISTANCE SWIMMING
At school, I competed in synchronized swimming. Since my kids were grown up, it was time to start training for Great North Swim. This has resulted in toned arms as well as reduced night sweats. I did the 5km swim last June and signed up for next season.
Debbie Hughes, (pictured) who lives in Stoke, revealed how long-distance swimming and cheap skincare contribute to keeping her youthful
TRUSTY CHEAP SKINCARE
I’m an old-fashioned ‘Nivea does everything’ kind of girl. I use their Refreshingly Soft Moisturising Cream (£2.79, boots.com) every day. My husband buys me products, such as Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum (from £60, esteelauder.co.uk), but I don’t think they’re any more effective than my trusty Nivea.
RESTORATION OF EYEBROWS
In the 1980s, I trimmed my eyebrows too much and regret it. I’ve been thickening my brows by getting them tinted every six weeks by my friend Laura (@beautybylauraamelia) and I’m starting to notice a real difference.
RELATIONSHIP REVIVAL
My partner and I have a ‘Phoenix from the Ashes’ relationship. We lived together as children and started dating at the age of 14. When I was 27, we were married. However, our relationship ended two years later. For our children, we were still friends, but 17 years later, we came back together. This year we went on holiday to Plymouth and Dartmouth — it was our first break together without the kids and I had the best time. I felt 14 again.
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