Spice Girls fans would do anything to turn back the clock to the band’s late 90s heyday—but it looks like the group has beat them to it… kind of.
Thirty-two years after topping the charts with Spice Up Your Life, Scary, Baby, Sporty, Posh and Ginger have got fans wanting to Stock Up Their Skincare Cabinets, with each of the iconic members looking years, if not a decade, younger than their age.
We asked a leading aesthetician for her opinion on how the singers, Melanie Brown, 50, Emma Bunton, 49, Melanie Chisholm, 51, Victoria Beckham, 51, and Geri Horner, who turned 53 last week, have seemingly held back the hands of time.
Read on to find out what each band member has said about their beauty tricks, and the expert take from aesthetican and nurse Nina Prisk, founder of Update Aesthetics.
Mel B
Beloved by fans for her no nonsense, down to earth attitude, Mel B hasn’t been shy when it comes to speaking about how she has maintained her youthful glow.
And, living up to her ‘Scary’ moniker, she’s tried several medical-grade treatments which hover at the more extreme end of the skincare spectrum.
The singer previously said that her skin care routine includes extreme heat, red LED therapy saunas, an ice bath plunge, she even joked that she dances in the rain.
The singer says previously said that her skin care routine includes extreme heat, red light therapy saunas, an ice bath plunge and dancing in the rain.
The popstar at her recent wedding at St Pauls Cathedral in London
Experts say that her use of red light saunas to stimulate collagen and boost circulation, helps with her skin’s firmness and glow.
She has also splashed the cash, undergoing collagen-boosting non-surgical facelifts that cost £4,000-a-pop.
In 2018, she told fans she had had ULTRAcel Q+, a non-surgical treatment that uses High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) to lift, tighten, and contour the face and body.
Mel, then 43, wrote: ‘I believe in being the best version of yourself and I’m a great believer of looking and keeping your natural beauty.
‘I love the fact that you don’t have to take drastic scary procedures and go under the knife. It’s important we start talking about it more so more people know about the safer and more natural options out there.’
Our expert says that the mum-of-three’s long term approach and dedication to skin health, rather than just her looks, has really paid off.
Nina Prisk said: ‘Mel B’s vibrant skin is clearly supported by her wellness routine.
‘Her use of red light saunas to stimulate collagen and boost circulation, helps with her skin’s firmness and glow.
‘Another wellness ritual she uses is ice plunges, which are great for reducing puffiness and inflammation.’
The band in 1997, when they first shot to fame
The girls, pictured together in 2018, seem to have defied the rules of ageing
However it is not just her wellness routine which is helping to provide her youthful looks, and Ms Prisk believes that she may have used a product like Botox to reduce the visible signs of ageing.
‘Her smooth forehead and lifted brows suggest Botox use to soften expression lines. The fullness in her cheeks and jawline hints at subtle dermal fillers, and enhances her natural contours without looking overdone.’
Emma Bunton
The popstar once said that she wanted to ‘grow old gracefully’
Emma and Mel C pictured at the press night of the Quadrophenia ballet in June this year
Baby Spice has always been coy about her skin care routine, but once hinted that she didn’t ever see herself undergoing any sort of drastic surgical procedures.
Emma previously told Daily Mail: ‘I am hoping to grow old gracefully—I’d like to think I will, but when it comes to things like Botox, I would never say never.’
Ms Prisk thinks that it’s possible that Emma may have had ‘small doses of Botox around the eyes to smooth crow’s feet without freezing expression and maintain her approachable and lively look.’
But the aesthetician says that she believes that a number of key products and accessible treatments may have helped the popstar keep her ‘fresh faced’ look.
She said: ‘Emma likely has a skincare routine which is heavy on hydration and barrier repair, focusing on ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and gentle exfoliation.
‘Microneedling combined with radiofrequency treatments could explain her smooth texture and natural radiance.’
Victoria Beckham
Posh Spice is no stranger to an extensive skin care routine and our expert says that that is the key to her ‘polished skin.’
Victoria Beckham’s skincare routine also includes daily use of an LED lamp
Beckham has mentioned using a serum containing both retinol and vitamin C on a regular basis to keep her skin looking youthful
Posh Spice is no stranger to an extensive skin care routine—or sharing a tutorial while pouting into a mirror with a towel wrapped turban-like around her head—and experts say that that is the key to her ‘polished skin.’
Since 2019 VB has her own range of skincare, and recently collaborated with cult luxury beauty brand Augustinus Bader to develop a Cell Rejuvenating Power Serum, which retails at £195 for just 30ml.
Thankfully she hasn’t forgotten her humble Hertfordshire roots, and it’s not all spenny products and pricey gadgets behind her glowing complexion… the start of her routine is accessible even to us mere mortals.
She previously told Glamour Magazine: ‘In the morning I start by splashing some cold water on my face to reverse any puffiness or dullness (or glass of tequila) from the prior night.’
This is then followed by applying a serum, and one of VB’s favourites contains both retinol and vitamin C.
Both of these ‘active’ ingredients are especially good for brightening the skin and combating signs of aging, and when used together, are a potent combination.
After patting on her serum, she applies a cell rejuvenating moisturiser containing black tea, papaya enzymes, and avocado oil.
The mum-of-four’s skincare routine also includes daily use of an LED lamp.
When she has the time, Posh Spice admitted that she loves winding down at the end of the day with a rejuvenating eye mask.
Aesthetician Ms Prisk believes that Mrs David Beckham has likely had some tweakments done to compliment her skin care routine.
‘Victoria’s signature polished skin likely comes from a mix of laser resurfacing and advanced peels to even tone and refine texture,’ said Ms Prisk.
‘Her subtle cheek and lip volume point to conservative filler use, while Botox smooths lines in the forehead and around the eyes.
‘Skin-tightening treatments like Morpheus8 or Thermage may also be part of her routine to keep contours sculpted and firm over the years.’
Melanie C
Known for her athletic physique, Sporty Spice has long defied ageing.
Mel C has admitted to trying Botox, but she was wary about overdoing it
Known for her athletic physique, Sporty Spice has long defied ageing, and our expert thinks that her dedication to exercise and keeping fit are in-salon skin tightening treatments.
Ms Prisk said: ‘Mel C likely focuses on treatments that enhance skin texture and tone.
‘Laser resurfacing or fractional laser treatments would explain her even complexion and glow, while minimal Botox in targeted areas may help keep fine lines at bay.
‘Her strong jawline and cheekbones suggest little to no filler, relying more on muscle toning and skin-tightening treatments such as Ultherapy.’
In 2017, Mel told Good Housekeeping that she had tried anti-wrinkle injections, but she was wary of going overboard.
She said: ‘It can be a slippery slope. I’ve done musical theatre and I want to be able to move my face.
‘I’ve had bits of Botox done.
‘I do like it, but it does freak me out because I don’t want to turn into that person that everyone thinks looks like Michael Jackson.’
She has also admitted to taking supplements packed with minerals and vitamins designed to get her glowing from the inside out.
Mel also previously promoted The Body’s Shop’s Edelweiss range, which has been especially designed to strengthen the skin barrier.
She said: ‘The day smoothing cream is really lovely, it feels very moisturising but it’s not heavy, so you’re getting that lovely hydration, but you don’t feel slathered in it.’
Geri Halliwell
Over a decade ago the then 43-year-old once admitted she dabbled in a touch of Botox to help her fight the ageing process
Geri has still got the cheeky glint in her eye which made her a fan favourite in the 1990s
Ginger Spice turned 53 this week, and our expert says that she still has a great ‘glow’.
In 2009, when she was aged 36, the now mum-of-two told Red Magazine that she was dubious about Botox, even though she had tried it.
She said: ‘I look at people who have dabbled in it and it looks fine and you don’t notice, but with others it changes their character.
‘I’m trying to do without it as an experiment, to allow myself to be a human being.
‘Years ago in America, when Botox was new, I had some squirted into my forehead and it gave me a headache.
‘I’m not saying I’ll never do it again, but for now I strive to look for examples that show me it’s OK to age.’
In 2023, she made a similar declaration when she appeared in a video for Harper’s Bazaar which outlined her nightly beauty routine.
She said: ‘I don’t want to look younger, I just want to look my best, that’s it.
‘Beauty is an inside job, cause you can put all these creams on, which is great, but if you don’t feel good here [in your heart] it’s not quite as good, and sometimes you need a little outside validation.’
Ms Prisk thinks that Geri has maintained her radiant complexion with a combination of professional skincare and light aesthetic enhancements.
‘It’s likely that she uses high-strength chemical peels or vitamin C-based therapies to help brighten her skin, while dermal fillers are placed strategically in the cheeks and lips to maintain youthful volume,’ she said.
‘Botox is also likely used moderately to soften forehead lines, preserving her expressive features.’
