Roberta Whitney, Ageless and Unstoppable.
Roberta Whitney has over 30 years of experience in the beauty sector, starting from a career as an international model and eventually pivoting to Beauty Therapy (Cosmetology), Beauty Tech, Beauty manufacturing and now Beauty Consulting. She has had a diverse, high-level experience of the industry. In this exclusive interview, Roberta Whitney shares why the beauty industry needs to move beyond “anti-aging,” the philosophy behind BIOBEAUTY, and the challenges of changing beauty narratives. Roberta also reflects on her close friendship with Nelly Furtado, whom she styled for a music video shot in Latin America, and the special quote from the singer that now appears on her BIOBEAUTY website. Beyond the industry talk, she opens up about self-care, confidence, and aging gracefully.
FAB: You talk about pro-aging instead of anti-aging, but do you think the beauty industry is truly ready to embrace this shift, or is it just another marketing buzzword?
Roberta Whitney: I’ve become a spokesperson for Models of Diversity, a charity focused on championing advocacy against ageism and all the other ‘isms’. Launching my brand at this time felt like the perfect synergy between what some may call a trend and a growing awareness of wellness and longevity. The wellness industry is booming, and more people want to look and feel their best for longer. That’s why I believe in shifting the language around aging. It’s inevitable; we’re all going to age, so why position it as something to fight against? That’s why you won’t find “anti-aging” anywhere in my marketing.
I don’t want people to feel that aging is something negative or something to resist. Instead, there are things we can do to slow down the process naturally, repair and rejuvenate, and ultimately embrace aging while looking and feeling our best.
Roberta Whitney: Why Anti-Aging is a Flawed Concept & Beauty is a Journey
FAB: You’ve mentioned before that beauty is a journey, not a destination, and that aging is inevitable. But as a public figure, do you ever feel pressured to maintain a certain look or meet societal beauty standards?
Roberta Whitney: I think so. I’m 51 now, turning 52 in July, and people often tell me I look younger. Of course, looking my best is important, especially since I still model, but I’m not interested in having a facelift or any of these things. I prefer a more holistic approach, though I’m not against small tweaks here and there if that’s what someone chooses. However, there’s a limit. Society does place certain expectations on us, and there’s definitely pressure to maintain a certain look.
That said, I think we’re seeing a shift. People have gone from one extreme—where they are overdoing their lips and having this windswept look, which is not natural and, to me, is not attractive at all—to where many now are embracing a more natural, makeup-free look. Ultimately, I believe in balance. Do what feels right for you, as long as it’s not harmful.
FAB: Do you think the concept of anti-aging is more influenced by Western narratives or African societies?
Roberta Whitney: Well, let’s be honest—skin tones age differently. Dark skin, especially, doesn’t age the same way as lighter skin, especially European skin. I come from a mixed background—I’m Coloured South African, with both Black and mixed ancestry—so my melanin offers a different kind of aging process compared to, say, someone with English heritage. So the degree to which our skin will age will be different.
Also, the perception of beauty is different in African cultures versus European cultures. What’s interesting, though, is how Western beauty trends are increasingly trying to emulate features that are naturally prominent in Black women (full lips, curvier figures, higher cheekbones). Procedures like BBLs, lip fillers, and cheek implants are essentially replicating what has always been considered beautiful in African culture. And yet, there’s this contradiction—some of the same people who once looked down on these features are now paying to have them. It’s an irony I’ve always found quite fascinating.
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Does the Beauty Industry Truly Support Aging Gracefully?
FAB: Skincare is often marketed through fear—wrinkles, sagging, aging—creating a sense of insecurity. With BIOBEAUTY, how do you shift that narrative from insecurity to empowerment?
Roberta Whitney: That’s a great question. What I’m aiming to do with BIOBEAUTY is shift the narrative around aging completely. It’s not about trying to stop aging, but about maintaining the healthiest skin at every stage of life. My brand is focused on mature skin, and the ingredients we use are clean—free from toxins, all natural and organic. The goal is to make your skin as healthy and resilient as possible at each stage.
Over time, skin naturally changes, and it needs hydration and nourishment. BIOBEAUTY is all about replenishing and hydrating the skin to maintain that plump, youthful glow, rather than adhering to extreme marketing schemes that aging is bad. Aging isn’t something to fear; it’s part of the journey, and our products support the skin at every step.
FAB: It’s one thing to create a great product, but there’s also the challenge of getting consumers to embrace it. What has been the biggest challenge in getting people to adopt the philosophy your brand is promoting—that instead of trying to erase time, we should focus on enhancing natural beauty? What have you found to be the toughest part in encouraging people to embrace this mindset?
Roberta Whitney: I think it’s always difficult for people to embrace something new, especially when you’re competing with well-established brands that have lots of money behind them to spend on marketing and to change consumers’ minds using psychological tricks and incentives to encourage them to buy. Building a brand organically from scratch takes time, and for me, it’s about a slow and steady process because it’s not just about penetrating the market and selling some product. It’s about educating my consumers. My customer is a smart, mature woman who wants something that will benefit her in the long run, not just a quick-fix product that doesn’t offer real value.
The challenge, I’d say, is changing mindsets. It’s about educating people and being patient with that process. It’s a slow burn, but it’s worth it. Also, it’s important to realize that we have an aging population, and many people will eventually need the products we offer.
I do get a little irritated when I see 20-year-olds advertising anti-aging products because they really don’t need it yet. The real challenge is helping people understand that mature individuals need skincare just as much, if not more, than younger people. And now, with younger generations already getting Botox and fillers, the concept of prevention has hit home, and more people are starting to think about taking care of their skin earlier.
FAB: You just mentioned people in their 20s. What’s a belief about beauty or aging that you held in your 20s but have completely changed your mind about today?
Roberta Whitney: When I was in my 20s, there was no social media with its edited photos, giving us this unrealistic idea of beauty. Honestly, nobody I knew back then was getting Botox or fillers—I didn’t even know those options existed.
Now, we’re exposed to so many products, treatments, and procedures that people can start as early as they want. You’ve even got 17-year-olds having breast implants. My perception of beauty has changed only with my knowledge of the industry and what’s available.
If I could go back, I’d still do things exactly the same way because I wouldn’t want to have been exposed to all that from such a young age. I really appreciate the natural approach, especially when you see all the things that can go wrong.
How BIOBEAUTY Redefines Skincare for Mature Women
FAB: Let’s go back to the mindset you mentioned earlier—shifting people’s perspectives and educating them. You emphasize the importance of self-care in beauty, yet many women—especially working mothers and entrepreneurs—struggle to prioritize it. How do you make skincare an act of empowerment instead of just another task on their to-do list?
Roberta Whitney: I believe it’s important to carve out time for yourself. Self-care starts with loving yourself, and even if it’s just 10 minutes a day to apply your skincare, it’s key. Doing something small but consistent can have a profound impact over time—like the concept of compounded interest. Little efforts every day, such as staying hydrated, can make a big difference for your skin.
However, drinking water alone isn’t enough. You also need the right balance of electrolytes, minerals, and nutrients to truly hydrate your cells. There are many small steps to take daily, but it’s about making it part of your routine so it doesn’t feel like a chore. More people are starting to realize the importance of self-care, and they’re finding ways to make the time for it.
Roberta Whitney on Skincare, Imposter Syndrome & Embracing Natural Beauty
FAB: In a previous interview, you mentioned dealing with procrastination and imposter syndrome, something many successful women can relate to. What’s one internal struggle you’ve finally made peace with?
Roberta Whitney: I think I haven’t fully made peace with it yet, but I’m working on it on a daily basis, and it’s definitely the imposter syndrome.
Funny side note: there was a time when I had a close friendship with Nelly Furtado, who, by the way, wrote ‘Maneater’ about me. We were having dinner once, and she was complimenting how delicious my food was. And I remember thinking, “Wow, she’s Nelly Furtado, a superstar, and she likes my food.” Because at that time, I thought if I’m good at something, it wasn’t worth valuing.
So, part of this journey of creating my brand is accepting that I am good at something. That imposter syndrome has bled into all areas of my life. Even though I had been modelling and had worked with some incredible companies, I never really valued those achievements. I almost didn’t feel like I was good enough. And even though people would say you are so good, I just didn’t feel it.
Looking back now, I realize that was imposter syndrome at play. It’s been through this process of building something for myself that I’m starting to believe in my own abilities—acknowledging that I am smart, capable, and good at what I do. For years, I would downplay my successes, but now I understand that imposter syndrome is just part of the journey.
FAB: Only God knows how many of us are dealing with that inner voice—the one that constantly tells you you’re not enough. It’s that negative voice that asks, “Who do you think you are?” and makes you question your worth.
Roberta Whitney: I think that for me personally, it comes from childhood and how I grew up. So, in my community and even in my family, I’m getting a bit personal, but if you had lots of confidence it was not appreciated, I would be asked. Who do you think you are? You’re conceited, or even worse comments. What may have started out as natural confidence got watered down and got kind of suppressed to the point where I didn’t think that it was a good thing.
I wasn’t celebrated for it as a child. So I think I grew up suppressing it. Becoming an adult and then realizing when I had a child and could see similarities, I thought, Oh gosh, no, I need to change these generational negative traits. Yeah, childhood plays a big part. As an adult, undoing and unlearning all of these negative traits that hold you back.
FAB: You’ve mentioned your upbringing, and that leads me to a question about mentorship. You’ve been a mentor to young women in South Africa. What’s the most powerful lesson you’ve learnt from them in return?
Roberta Whitney: The most powerful lesson has been gratitude. They’re so grateful for the little that you do because they don’t have anything. It really hits home for me because I grew up with nothing. When I moved to London and started modelling, I went from having secondhand clothes from the church, given to me by my grandmother, to wearing thousand-pound dresses. That journey has taught me the true value of gratitude.
FAB: If you weren’t in fashion or beauty, what industry do you think you would be dominating right now?
Roberta Whitney: I would like to have a wellness clinic near a clean body of water, like a stream or river. I’d love to host wellness retreats in a peaceful, remote location, where guests can enjoy clean, delicious food prepared by a chef who specializes in healthy, organic meals. I’d also be exploring biohacking and wellness practices.
FAB: Many women are conditioned to fear aging. From your experience, what’s one important lesson you wish every young girl understood about the process of growing older?
Roberta Whitney: Aging is inevitable, and it’s something to be embraced. Everything you do today may not show immediate effects, but eventually, you’ll see the results. So, whatever choices you make, be mindful of them. Whether it’s smoking, drinking, or other habits, remember that it might sound like a good idea today, but you’ll notice them on your face later on.
FAB: You’re working on rebranding your beauty podcast. What conversations are missing in the beauty industry that you are hoping to bring to the forefront?
Roberta Whitney: My goal with my podcast is to create a really beautiful ecosystem of people who are like-minded. Initially, I wanted to rebrand it to focus on reverse aging. Beauty is such a broad topic; it can be seen as superficial, so I wanted to narrow it down to specifically reversing the signs of aging—how we can live longer, maintain our beauty for longer, and feel more energetic and vibrant.
I plan to interview movers and shakers in the wellness and beauty industries to share tips and strategies for longevity. The more I learn about it, the more I believe aging is something we can slow down with the right practices. I want to share these insights as I discover them so everyone can benefit from them too.
FAB: And finally, if your career were turned into a book or a documentary, what would the title be and why?
Roberta Whitney: Well, I could have various books. One would be a comedy because of the ups and downs, twists and turns my life has taken. As for the title, I’d say it would be Ageless and Unstoppable.
