Christie Brinkley is 71. Let that sink in for a second. Most of us grew up seeing her on Sports Illustrated covers, usually drenched in salt water and looking like a literal sun goddess. But lately, the conversation has shifted. People are obsessed with seeing Christie Brinkley without makeup, searching for some kind of proof that she’s human, or maybe hoping to find a "gotcha" moment where the supermodel magic fades.
Honestly? It’s kind of the opposite.
When you see those raw, early-morning selfies she posts from her home in the Turks and Caicos, you aren’t seeing a "washed-out" version of a star. You’re seeing skin that has been meticulously cared for over five decades. She’s remarkably open about it, too. No gatekeeping here. She’ll jump on Instagram with messy hair and a completely bare face to talk about her shell art or her latest gardening project. It’s refreshing.
The Reality of Aging in the Public Eye
We live in a world of filters. You know the ones—they turn your skin into a sheet of polished marble and make your nose disappear. Christie doesn't really play that game. While she definitely knows her angles (she’s a pro, after all), her makeup-free photos show real texture. There are fine lines. There is some sun damage from her Malibu upbringing.
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She’s even shared photos of herself post-surgery for basal cell carcinoma. That’s a bold move for someone whose "brand" is perfection. It humanizes her. It reminds everyone that even the world’s most famous face has to deal with the consequences of all those 1970s baby-oil tanning sessions.
Why She Looks the Way She Does
So, how does someone look like that at 71 without a heavy layer of foundation? It’s not just "good genes," though those clearly helped. It’s a combination of high-tech dermatological "tweaks" and a lifestyle that borders on disciplined obsession.
- Exfoliation is her religion. She’s been doing it every single morning for 40 years. Her logic? Men look younger because they shave every day, which is basically a daily peel. She uses a gentle scrub to keep the cell turnover high.
- The "Rainbow Diet." She’s been a vegetarian since her teens. She fills her plate with as many colors as possible—blueberries, kale, beets, you name it.
- Biosil. This is a specific supplement she swears by for collagen and hair health. She’s mentioned it multiple times in interviews with New Beauty.
The "Tweaks" She Actually Admits To
A lot of people assume she’s had a full facelift. She says she hasn't. But she isn't claiming to be "all-natural" in the way some celebrities do while clearly having fresh filler. Christie is a "dabbler."
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In 2025 and early 2026, she’s been very vocal about two specific treatments: Xeomin and Ultherapy.
Xeomin is basically a "cleaner" version of Botox (no accessory proteins). She uses it specifically for the frown lines between her brows. But here’s the kicker—she hated it on her forehead. She once told Entertainment Tonight it made her feel "claustrophobic" because she couldn't move her eyebrows. That's a very human detail. Most people wouldn't admit to a botched-feeling procedure.
Then there’s Ultherapy. She uses this for her neck and chest. Since she spends so much time in bikinis, the skin on her décolletage started to show those vertical "sleep lines" and sun spots. Ultherapy uses ultrasound to kickstart collagen. It’s not a knife; it’s more like a deep-tissue wake-up call for the skin.
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The SBLA Factor
If you follow her, you’ve seen the wands. She’s an owner of SBLA Beauty. She uses their "Neck, Chin & Jawline Sculpting Wand" religiously. Does a topical serum replace a surgeon? Probably not entirely. But when you look at Christie Brinkley without makeup, the tightness of her jawline suggests that her combination of "wands" and clinical lasers (like Fraxel and Clear + Brilliant) is doing the heavy lifting.
It’s About the Spirit, Sorta
It sounds cheesy. I know. But Christie talks a lot about the "smile lift." She genuinely believes that being happy and staying curious keeps you looking younger. She’s always out kayaking, skiing, or running with her dogs, Maple Sugar and Chester.
She’s basically said that if you’re miserable, it shows on your face. You get "the face you deserve" by the time you're 70.
Actionable Steps for Your Own Routine
You don’t need a supermodel budget to steal some of her "no-makeup" confidence.
- Start exfoliating daily. Don't be aggressive, but get those dead cells off. It makes your skin reflect light better instantly.
- Sunblock is non-negotiable. She regrets the baby oil years. Don't make the same mistake. Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 every single day, even if it’s cloudy.
- Focus on the neck. We usually stop our skincare at the chin. Christie treats her neck and chest exactly like her face.
- Consider non-invasive options first. Before jumping to surgery, look into "bio-stimulating" treatments that encourage your own body to make collagen.
The "secret" isn't a secret anymore. It’s just a lot of work, a little bit of science, and a very positive attitude toward the mirror.