The secrets of Tess Daly’s 2024 ‘Barbie’ transformation for Strictly & a £5 beauty buy she swears by to look young at 55
TV’S Tess Daly looks better than ever on this season of Strictly Come Dancing.
The 55-year-old host has undergone a Barbie-like transformation, with fuller hair, flattering fits, and a budget anti-ageing beauty buy.
Tess returned to screens in late September as the 22nd season of the show went to air.
Previously a model, Tess looked more glam than ever before with her shoulder-length blonde locks styled in wavy curls.
Speaking to Good Housekeeping about her past looks, she described her hair in the early days of Strictly as looking “a bit limp.”
And her tresses aren’t the only thing she has worked to transform, together with her new stylist Laury Smith, she has created a look that flatters her toned physique.
Fashion and beauty editor Amber Graafland spoke exclusively to Fabulous about Tess’ transformation.
“When it comes to style Tess Daly hasn’t put a sparkly foot wrong whilst hosting our favourite Saturday night dance show over the past two decades,” she said.
“However, the mum-of-two has been showcasing some seriously stunning looks in the latest series.”
INJECTION OF MEGA-WATT HOLLYWOOD GLAMOUR
Amber described Tess as always looking “uber polished” but added that she “seems to have undergone a dramatic transformation of late, which hasn’t gone unnoticed by her fans.”
“Her new blonder locks look glossier and bouncier, the tan is deeper and richer and even her teeth look whiter,” Amber said.
The beauty expert praised the work of Tess’ long-time glam squad, which consists of make-up artist Aimee Adams and hairdresser Alex Price.
She pointed out that the “only recent change” is the addition of British costume designer Laury Smith to the team.
“Based in L.A. the creative consultant and fashion stylist is known for working on American Idol and has a celebrity roster that includes the likes Alesha Dixon and Nicole Scherzinger,” she explained.
According to Amber, Laury has injected “a new sense of mega-watt Hollywood glamour, the kind that most mere mortals can only dream of achieving.”
TOTALLY TAILORED
“There’s an incredibly fine line when it comes to making celebrities look TV and red carpet ready, and Laury has a knack of not overdoing it,” she said.
“While the results are always incredible, she knows just how to far to push it and doesn’t take things too far.”
Tess Daly's Strictly Journey
Tess has hosted every season of Strictly Come Dancing since it first began airing in 2004.
She co-hosted alongside Bruce Forsyth until he left the show in 2013. Since 2014, she has been joined by Claudia Winkleman.
Tess missed the first half of the second season due to the birth of her daughter, she was briefly replaced by season one winner Natasha Kaplinsky.
Amber detailed why Tess’ glow up is perfectly tailored to the 55-year-old.
“The interesting thing is that Tess’s new look has been achieved by paring back on the make-up, going bigger on the hair and wearing more high-end designers,” she explained.
“The black Rebecca Vallance dress she wore to the NTAs being a good case in point.
“Tess has gone on to wear several dresses by the Australian designer, including an off the shoulder pink dress and a beautiful black embellished puff sleeve dress.”
Laury Smith also spoke to Fabulous about the new looks she has created with Tess.
“Tess has a great eye and it’s always been fabulous to work together,” she said.
“In terms of her style this season, we are focusing on modern, chic looks with clean silhouettes.
“From asymmetrical shapes to fresh tailoring, sculptural clothes are front and centre, that match Tess’s strong personality.”
She explained that Tess’ skin tone is also great for wearing bright colours.
“We are mixing brands and price points, covering labels from Reiss and Mint Velvet to Lavish Alice , Rebecca Vallance and McQueen,” Laury explained.
“Dozens of viewers wanted to track down the blue sequin jumpsuit from Nooke that Tess wore last weekend, and the silver asymmetrical Lavish Alice dress from the launch show sold out within days.
“It was the most beautiful dress and was only £138, so I wasn’t surprised. But we’re having a lot of fun and have some great looks coming up.”
BEST SHAPE OF HER LIFE
She pointed out how Laury’s styling has helped to show off Tess’ figure.
“She has done away with the frills and focused more on figure flattering cuts that accentuate Tess’s incredible physique, in contemporary silhouettes and expensive fabrics and statement hues.”
Amber added how “At 55, Tess is in the best shape of her life.”
“From the blue jumpsuit she wore at the weekend to her bubble gum pink one shoulder The Andamane dress and the red McQueen tailored all-in-one she wore for the first live show, we can’t wait to see what else she has in store.”
Tess has been vocal about her fitness journey, posting clips stretching alongside her personal trainer Sam Shaw.
The pair have also worked together on Tess’ wellness book 4 Steps to a Happier, Healthier You.
She has described the passion project as an “inspirational food and fitness guide,” which contains over 40 healthy recipes.
In the book, the presenter emphasises the importance of eating, breathing, moving, and sleeping.
Tess previously spoke to Good Housekeeping about the steps she takes to look as fresh-faced as when she first began presenting Strictly 20 years ago.
“I’m usually sleep deprived, so I look for products that cheat sleep and make my skin look a little bit more dewy and radiant than it actually is,” she explained.
She revealed that she is “obsessed” with the £5 Simple Booster Serum with vitamin C, E, and F.
“I’m always seeking the glow,” said Tess, who uses the product under her moisturiser as an “extra plumping and hydrating layer.”
Now the official face of the Simple brand, Tess says she has sworn by the beauty products for years.
Her 15-year-old daughter Amber is now one of the beauty brand’s newest fans.