The Cast of

25.09.2025, 02:24 allure.com

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I could have sworn the first season of The Golden Bachelor was a fever dream I had two years ago. It shouldn't have been groundbreaking for a reality TV show to feature a couple dozen women over the age of 50 vying for love—no insulting gimmicks, no downplaying their worth—but it was. Although the love shared by the first season's winning couple was fleeting (Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist divorced just three months after their live televised nuptials), the impact its cast had on us as viewers remains. It rewired people's perceptions about women “of a certain age."

We watched the women form genuine connections with one another, battle complex feelings about love and marriage, goof off in the mansion, and get fiercely competitive during group challenges. Audiences fell so hard in love with Joan Vassos, she became the inaugural Golden Bachelorette last year, when the nation rooted for her to finally find her match—which she did, with now-fiancé Chock Chapple.

And now we all get to do it again. The Golden Bachelor returns to ABC on September 24, and it promises to be every bit as heartwarming as its predecessor. And much like the original cast, the competitors of season two are a bunch of absolute knockouts (respectfully!) in their 50s, 60s, and 70s. If you know anything about the Bachelor franchise, you know they were mostly in charge of doing their own glam work on set and prepping their hair and skin before arriving at the mansion—so I asked the cast to break down their MVP beauty products, the tools and treatments they can't live without, and the advice they'd give to their younger selves.

Her day-to-day beauty routine: I’m pretty simple with my skin care. I use Olay cleansing wipes at night and their Regenerist moisturizer. Occasionally, I’ll use a serum and undereye cream. I only wash my hair once a week and use an argan oil hair mask. I also use heat protectant before I blow-dry. I’m very simple on makeup; foundation and mascara are the most important.

The best beauty tip she learned on set: To use sunscreen all the time and wear a hat and sunglasses in the sun.

Her non-negotiable skin care must-have: I have used prescription Retin-A cream 0.05 percent on my neck and face every evening for 36 years. I swear by it. I am 77 years old, and my facial wrinkles are limited and have been forming around my eyes just in the past four years.

Her biggest beauty regret: I wish I had learned to avoid the sun in my 20s and 30s. I do my best to avoid the sun now—I have been since my early 40s. I also just began using sunscreen (I know...bad girl!).

Her pared-down makeup routine: I did not use makeup at all before filming The Golden Bachelor. I only wore it once at my wedding over 50 years ago. A professional applied it. Now I use a little. I use mostly L'Oréal eyeliner, Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Mascara, and MAC lipstick. I am pretty basic.

Her non-negotiable beauty must-haves: For skin, my own “fountain of youth” face serum and body butter. I created them—they’re organic and better than any product I could buy, especially for mature skin. For hair, the Wet Brush Detangler. For makeup, the IT Cosmetics CC Cream foundation.

The best beauty tip she learned on set: When you wear fake lashes, use mascara, swiping up from your top waterline to glue your fake lash to your real lash—plus, it makes the lashes look fuller.

Her beauty splurging philosophy: I don’t splurge. I believe in a plant-based diet and lots of sleep. The two best inside-out beauty “products.”

Her biggest beauty splurges: I love getting facials that are tailored to my skin needs, and eyelash extensions are a delightful splurge. I prefer natural extensions that add a subtle pop to my eyes. Massages are a little luxury that I consider essential. They help relax my muscles, reduce stress, and improve circulation, all of which contribute to a radiant complexion.

Her biggest beauty regret: I wish I had spent more time exploring and experimenting with makeup during my 30s and 40s. Over time, I've lost some confidence, and now feel like I'm playing catch-up, especially when it comes to current makeup applications. The last thing I want is to look outdated with old practices that inadvertently age me.

Her “straightforward” day-to-day beauty routine: I absolutely love the Molecular Silk Amino Hydrating Cleanser by Allies of Skin. It's so gentle and leaves my skin clean without that annoying residue. I’m all about sun protection, so Black Girl Sunscreen is my go-to because it doesn’t leave that dreaded white cast. When it comes to my hair, I keep it simple with my sisterlocks. I’m pretty low-maintenance and only use products when it's shampoo day. My favorites are NVLX Locs Loading Shampoo and Lush Locs Nourishing Hair Oil. As for makeup, I’m all about enhancing what I’ve got. I swear by Pat McGrath foundation, eye shadows, and blushes, and I can’t leave out my favorite for lips, Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb.

The beauty products she can’t live without: Wildling Moonbounce Bioretinol Moisturizer, Pureology Hydrate Shampoo, and Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer.

Her biggest beauty splurge: Hair extensions.

The beauty treatments she swears by: Botox and laser skin treatments.

The beauty lesson she wishes she’d learned in her 30s: Stay out of the sun. We used baby oil to tan…yikes!

The beauty products she can’t live without: SkinCeuticals eye cream, Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream, Almay mascara, and Colorescience Brush-On Shield.

Her biggest beauty splurges: Photofacials [aka Intensed Pulsed Light or IPL treatments], hair treatments, perfume.

The best beauty tip she learned on set: Debbie taught me to use retinol on my chest and neck, followed by shea butter.

The beauty treatment she swears by: My biggest beauty splurge is probably a laser facial treatment called Cutera that I do to keep my face free from dark spots and blemishes. It stimulates collagen production to soften fine lines and wrinkles.

Her skin care routine: I love Neutrogena Makeup Wipes to remove all of my makeup nightly. I follow up with retinol and then a moisturizer to lock in hydration and reduce irritation; I love CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. In the morning, I apply a vitamin C serum. I also frequently apply organic castor oil to my face and hair. I also take bioidentical hormones, which help with my dry skin. At 72 years old, I need all the help I can get!

The beauty lesson she wishes she'd learned in her 30s: Instead of chasing every new product, I would have stuck with a few timeless ones: sunscreen, vitamin C, and patience.

Her biggest body care secrets: No. 7 Retinol Serum mixed with Eucerin body moisturizer to reduce crepiness on the neck and décolletage. Westmore Beauty body makeup. I’m pretty sure all the women in the mansion were using this product. It’s a lifesaver! Peta Jane Self-Tanning Mousse is seriously the best self-tanner on the market. I love how evenly and easily it goes on, and that it doesn’t have that nasty smell to it. The Ordinary Glycolic Acid—I saturate a cotton pad and use it under my arms for reducing dark patches. It’s magic. I wish I had discovered it sooner!

The best beauty tips she learned in the mansion: Less is truly more when it comes to foundation. Use a cream blush that melts into the skin. Hydrate like crazy. Use hydrating primer. Eye patches before makeup. Avoid heavy hair spray. Use blotting papers instead of constantly applying more powder.

Her drugstore-heavy makeup rotation: I wear L’Oréal True Match Tinted Serum Foundation every single day and love it. Fit Me Pressed Powder by Maybelline. Milani blush and bronzer are better than any high-end product out there. MAC pencil eyeliner in Teddy is pretty much the only eyeliner I use. Maybelline Lash Sensational is simply the best! E.L.F. setting spray—I loved how most of the women on the show used it. Stila Shimmer and Glow Liquid Eye Shadow in the color Grace. Superb!

Her beauty advice for her 30-something self: Never go without sunscreen….ever! Start using products for your neck and décolletage. Get regular facials and be sure to exfoliate once a week. Don’t sleep with your makeup on. Keep hydrated and make sure you get proper sleep. Invest in quality serums like vitamin C and hyaluronic acid as well as retinol. DO NOT OVERPLUCK! A good primer makes all the difference. Don’t spend a fortune on your manicures.

The skin care products she can’t live without: SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic Serum, Chanel Sublimage La Creme Yeux, Zo Skin Health Hydrating Cream, Tatcha Kissu Lip Mask, Peter Thomas Roth 24k Gold Hydragel Eye Patches, Follow the Sun Golden Face & Body Oil (from my local Malibu farmers’ market).

Her biggest beauty splurge: Professional blow-outs—worth every penny! My hair is naturally frizzy, and when it's sleek and shiny, I feel my most confident.

Her favorite way to moisturize: I coat my body in organic coconut oil, wrap myself in towels, and watch TV or read—it is the most nourishing and affordable moisturizing ritual!

The best beauty tip she learned on set: During filming of The Golden Bachelor, the makeup artist introduced me to Le Mieux Derma Relief Serum. It gives the perfect dewy base under makeup. I've been hooked ever since!

Her aging philosophy: In my 30s, I thought beauty was about perfection. Now, I see fine lines as proof of laughter, wisdom. Beauty evolves, and leaning into that makes you truly radiant!

Her must-have beauty products: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser, Isdin sunscreen, SkinMedica TNS Ceramide Treatment Cream and TNS Recovery Complex, Ourself HA+ Replenishing Eye Serum, L'Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox shampoo and mask, Tom Ford foundation, Charlotte Tilbury eyeliner pencil, brow pencil, and blush, and L’Oréal bronzer powder.

The beauty lesson she wishes she’d learned in her 30s: Retin-A! I still don't