Quick answer: Yes — Isabella Rossellini really was let go by Lancôme in 1995, shortly before her 43rd birthday, because the brand decided she was 'too old' to sell the dream of beauty. Twenty years later, under new leadership that included women, Lancôme rehired her at 63. In this video, Nikol Johnson tells the story and reflects on aging, ageism, and Rossellini's decision to skip Botox.
Key takeaways
- Rossellini signed with Lancôme in 1982 as the world's highest-paid model, then was fired around age 43 for being labeled "too old."
- She didn't grow bitter — she built a whole new life on an organic farm and earned a master's degree in animal behavior.
- At 63, a new Lancôme leadership brought her back, showing the old "rules" about age were wrong all along.
- She chose to age without Botox — partly out of fear of surgery, partly because it clashes with her organic lifestyle.
- Nikol's takeaway: beauty has no expiration date, and every choice — procedure or no procedure — belongs to you.
Hey ladies! This one is a story I couldn't stop thinking about. I've followed Isabella Rossellini for years, and I even got to meet her back in 1997 at an intimate book signing in Coral Gables. When I later read about what happened between her and Lancôme, I was floored — so I wanted to share it with you, along with what it teaches us about aging, ageism, and staying true to yourself.
Who is Isabella Rossellini, and why does her story matter?
Isabella Rossellini is the daughter of actress Ingrid Bergman and director Roberto Rossellini — the "golden couple" of 1950s cinema. She grew up between Rome and Paris, has a twin sister, and worked in costume design and photography before being discovered by photographer Bruce Weber and landing on the cover of Vogue in her late 20s. In 1982 she signed with Lancôme and became, at the time, the highest-paid model in the world, fronting the brand's fragrances, lipsticks, and skincare for over a decade.
Why did Lancôme fire Isabella Rossellini for being "too old"?
Shortly before her 43rd birthday, in 1995, Lancôme let her go. The reasoning she later recounted was blunt: beauty advertising sells a dream, and — as it was explained to her — "women dream to be young, not to grow old." Her own view was the opposite. As she put it, the biggest dream for many women is "to grow old with beauty and dignity and elegance." She was, by any honest measure, stunning. The problem was never her face — it was an industry that had decided beauty comes with an expiration date.
How did she rebuild — and why did Lancôme rehire her at 63?
Instead of getting bitter, Rossellini followed her curiosity. One of my favorite quotes of hers: "Some chapters close not because you want them to. Of course, I was sad... but I was resilient and thinking, what else is interesting to me?" Over the next two decades she built an entirely new life:
- Bought and moved to an organic farm on Long Island.
- Earned a master's degree in animal behavior.
- Kept bees and chickens and walked guide puppies — and became an animal activist.
- Made playful short films, including ones about the sex lives of insects for Robert Redford's Sundance Channel.
Then, about twenty years later, Lancôme called again — and rehired her at 63. What changed wasn't Isabella; it was the leadership. She's described arriving at the meeting and watching a woman named Françoise pull up on a motorcycle, and realizing instantly that things were different. Where she'd once dealt with older male executives she found paternalistic, now a woman was in charge — one who understood that women want to see real, mature faces they can relate to. That, to me, is the whole point.
No Botox, no apologies: Rossellini's take on aging
Rossellini has been candid that she doesn't do Botox — partly because, in her words, she's frankly afraid of it, and partly because it doesn't fit her organic, farm-based life. She was born with scoliosis and has had two spinal surgeries (one at 13, one in her 60s, after which she couldn't walk for six months), so the idea of an "operation" is genuinely triggering for her. She's never had cosmetic surgery, though she admits her neck sometimes tempts her — and says she'd "prefer a little scarf to an operation." Her daily routine is refreshingly minimal: a cream, a lipstick, and perfume — and she famously wears a red lip even out on the farm, calling it part of her "wardrobe." That is music to my ears, ladies. The power of a color you love is real: it changes how you show up, whether anyone else sees it or not.
To be clear, this is her choice — not a rule. If Botox or fillers are right for you, that's your choice too. I share stories like hers so we all have options, not so anyone feels judged. (And with any skincare change, it's smart to patch-test new products and check in with a professional for anything medical.)
The bottom line
Isabella Rossellini's story is the reason Nikol Beauty exists. Mature women aren't done with beauty — we're its most passionate, loyal audience. That's why I formulate for real, grown-up skin, from a bold lipstick and long-wearing eyeliner to easy complexion products — because I refuse to accept that beauty ends at 40. Ready to find your own red-lip moment? Explore our lipstick collection, browse all things lips, or start with our best-sellers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Isabella Rossellini fired from Lancôme?
Lancôme dropped Rossellini in 1995, shortly before her 43rd birthday, after more than a decade as its face. The reasoning she later recounted was that beauty advertising sells a 'dream' of youth, and that women 'dream to be young, not to grow old.' The decision has been widely criticized as ageist.
How old was Isabella Rossellini when Lancôme rehired her?
She was 63. About twenty years after letting her go, Lancôme — then under new leadership that included women — invited Rossellini back as an ambassador. As she put it, 'You let me go at 43 and now I'm 63. I haven't got any younger,' but she agreed to meet out of curiosity.
Does Isabella Rossellini use Botox?
No. Rossellini has said she avoids Botox partly because she is genuinely afraid of it, and partly because it doesn't fit her organic, farm-based lifestyle. She has never had cosmetic surgery, though she admits her neck sometimes tempts her — adding that she'd 'prefer a little scarf to an operation.'
What did Isabella Rossellini do after leaving Lancôme?
She followed her curiosity. Rossellini bought an organic farm on Long Island, earned a master's degree in animal behavior, kept bees and chickens, walked guide puppies, and made playful short films — including ones about the sex lives of insects for Robert Redford's Sundance Channel. She became an animal activist.
Is ageism still a problem in the beauty industry?
It persists, but Rossellini believes it has improved in recent years — largely thanks to more women leading cosmetics companies. Nikol agrees: mature women are beauty's most loyal, passionate audience, and more brands now feature women in their 50s, 60s, and beyond.
What is Isabella Rossellini's daily beauty routine?
Minimal. She has said that every day she uses a cream, a lipstick, and perfume — and she wears a red lip even on the farm, calling it part of her 'wardrobe.' It's a philosophy Nikol shares: a swipe of color can change how you feel, whether or not anyone else sees it.
