Legs Talk: Millie Kendall OBE
The original beauty influencer, in her 30-year career Millie Kendall has worked across the business in brand creation, co-developing renegade makeup brand Ruby & Millie, co-founding pioneering beauty shop BeautyMART, and in marketing with Brandstand PR. In 2018, she became the first CEO of the British Beauty Council, an initiative conceived over dinner one evening at the Electric in Notting Hill with myself and ex-Vogue beauty director Anna-Marie Solowij. In this role, just two of Millie’s initial achievements were commissioning the pioneering industry report The Value of Beauty, showing for the first time the economical significance of the British beauty industry, and launching British Beauty Week, to bring together brands, consumers, press and policymakers in our business and highlight the influence of British beauty brands here and overseas.
WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE WALK AND DO YOU PREFER A COMPANION (DOG, FRIEND, CHILDREN, ETC) OR GOING SOLO?
I walk Hampstead Heath most weekends. I tend to walk with friends or my niece. Most of my friends have dogs, so I am never short of someone to walk with.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE JEAN STYLE?
That’s hard as I would wear most styles. I am a bit of a fan of a Levi 501, oversized and very well worn.
WHERE HAVE YOUR LEGS TAKEN YOU TODAY?
I have walked the small town of Marittima in the heel of Italy, it’s been the Festival of the Fig, so we have walked around town and then danced to a local Pizzica music in the town square.
WHAT ARE YOUR BEST TIPS FOR EASING BLOAT/PUFFINESS?
I am a leg raiser, I tend to get bloating above my knee so a bit of lymphatic drainage and leg raising usually helps.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR LEG CARE ROUTINE.
I am a huge fan of morning rituals, I don’t body brush, but wish I had the discipline to, I use your Cellu-Lite oil and cupping. I like the results of cupping and it helps reduce my swelling with getting the leg stimulated.
YOU FOUNDED THE BRITISH BEAUTY COUNCIL. CAN YOU SHARE WITH US WHAT SET YOU ON THIS JOURNEY AND, HAVING ACHIEVED SO MUCH, WHAT YOU ARE MOST PROUD ABOUT SO FAR?
This is a tough question because I firstly didn’t do this alone, I had a lot of support and guidance but I knew I wanted to do something that involved my love of beauty and my personal desire to have a greater purpose. It was a chance meeting with a politician that led us on this path really, and the impending challenge of Brexit to Britain’s beauty industry. I think I am proud of so many things, but probably first and foremost the fact I have raised two fantastic children without compromise.
CAN YOU SHARE WITH US YOUR ALL-TIME BEAUTY BESTS?
Big fan of Nuxe aftersun, By Terry rose lip balm, Subtle Energies Rasayana Blend, Gucci lipstick Millicent ( yes a lipstick that has my full name!).WHAT SONG MAKES YOUR LEGS HIT THE DANCE FLOOR?
Brenda Russell So Good So Right is at the top of play list at the moment, it’s probably more of a swaying song, I am going through a soft soul phase. I am super into Teddy Pendergrass.
WHO IS YOUR LEG ICON/LEG ROLE MODEL?
Didn’t Helmut Newton photograph the best legs?
WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL MOST CONFIDENT ABOUT YOUR LEGS (BODY CARE, EXERCISE ETC)?
It’s the one area of my body that feels pressure first for me. After a long day I really can feel it in my legs. My legs are in pretty good shape texture wise, I need to stretch much more often. I think yes stretching my hamstrings makes me feel so much better. But I think a small heel often makes my legs look better.
