TV star Lorraine Keane told how she was proud of her stretch marks and frown lines as she posed bravely unfiltered for a recent RSVP cover shoot.
The brunette beauty said she insisted on no Photoshop as she donned her bikini proudly, not hiding the scars of childbirth.
Lorraine stepped out this week to launch new skincare range Me Today.
Looking flawless, Lorraine, 48, told the Irish Mirror: “I did insist they didn’t filter the photos as I don’t think that’s fair.
“In the photos you can see my skin puckered on my stomach, where I carried two children.
“The photographer’s immediate reaction was to smooth that out for me and take away the lines on my face.
“I just felt you know what it’s not fair, I’m influenced by people and women in particular are very influenced by other women.
“I don’t think it’s right to not tell the story correctly.
“I think that’s probably why I’m still around because if you’re authentic and credible people respond.
“As much as it was lovely having that smooth tummy, I’m lucky that I said to the photographer 'put the photo in the way it was'.”
But gracing the cover scantily clad was a shock at first, she said.
Lorraine added: “I got a bit of a fright when I saw myself on the front cover in the bikini, I mean I didn’t do it in my 20s or 30s and now here I am!
The mum-of-two credits Pilates for her washboard abs.
She said: “I’ve been doing Sway Pilates on zoom, the whole way through lockdown which I really love, so I haven’t had to fight traffic to get there, so no stress.
“I’m contemplating going back to the gym next week, I think as women when we get older we need to do weights, but I don’t like weights.”
Lorraine insists being happy that our vital organs work is more important than worrying about the aging process.
She explained: “I think it’s all about being happy to be healthy and alive. Myself and my husband Peter lost five friends in the last five years before they turned 50.
“It’s like when you get to that stage of your life and you’re still around, it is a privilege.
“That’s one of the nicer things about being younger, youth is definitely wasted on the young.
“I still feel 25, my mother said she still feels 35, so I may get to 35 someday.”
Lorraine’s brainchild Fashion Relief, supporting Oxfam to help the most impoverished across the globe, went online during the pandemic.
She said: “Fashion Relief is doing really well, the pop-up shop in Frascati and Fashion Relief TV.
“I set up the TV from my house, thank God for my former TV3 skillset that I gave out about once, because they made us produce, present, do everything.
“In the first year, Fashion Relief TV won two international awards, one in San Francisco and one in the UK, so I’m thrilled.”
Speaking about the launch, founder and CEO of Me Today Michael Kerr said: “We are very excited to see Me Today launch in Ireland with a new wellness routine.
“We want our Me Today fans to feel their best from the inside out and our natural range of skincare and supplements are specially formulated for this. We can’t wait for people in Ireland to unlock their best tomorrow.”
Lorraine was announced as a Me Today brand ambassador alongside fitness queen and influencer Maeve Madden.
Maeve Madden said: “Self-care is really important to me and something I believe we all need to focus on more in our daily lives.
“Slowing down isn’t always an option but taking some time each day to indulge in little wellness rituals can be a great reset.
“I love the ethos of Me Today and I’m absolutely thrilled to be working with the brand. I’m using the products as part of my own daily routine and love how they make me feel.”
Lorraine added: “There’s so much pressure on women nowadays to look a certain way and follow trends, but it doesn’t have to be complicated.
“I’m really passionate about empowering women of all ages to be the best version of themselves they can be, and this chimes with what Me Today is all about – a range of nurturing, quality products that can help you to feel good from the inside out.
“Their serums and oils have become a staple of my skincare routine since I started using them.”
Me Today is available now in pharmacies nationwide - see Me Today.
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