It’s practically magic! Nicole Kidman, 59, and Sandra Bullock, 62, have barely aged a day since starring in the original film 27 years ago. Here’s the secrets to their ageless figures

It’s been nearly 28 years since the first Practical Magic movie – yet leading ladies Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock seem to have barely aged a day as they celebrate the release of the film’s sequel.

The actors, aged 59 and 62, respectively, were the epitome of glamour as they graced the blue carpet last night at the star-studded premiere as the second installment to the 1998 cult film gets set to hit cinemas.

Nicole opted for a custom, sleeveless, silver Chanel gown, while Sandra opted for a strapless leopard print dress from Givenchy and black strappy heels as they posed amid rows of candles at the Leicester Square Odeon in London.

From their matching figure-hugging dresses with daring thigh-high splits to their radiant complexions and flowing, stylish hair, the two A-listers put on an age-defying display at the event.

But what is the secret to their youthful figures?

Nicole, who regularly shows off her toned, enviable arms, previously shared her fitness tips during an interview with the Los Angeles Times, explaining: ‘Variety is the best way [to become fit] I’ve found.’ 

She added: ‘If you think you are going to wake up and run five miles every morning for the rest of your life, you’ll get bored and hit the snooze button after a week. So I try and mix it up with sports, running, yoga and even just going for a walk.’

Indeed, the star is often seen sharing pictures of herself enjoying runs, hikes and horse-riding sessions on Instagram.

Although she has always been known for her svelte and lean physique, the Eyes Wide Shut actress has long stated she doesn’t follow any diet, but instead chooses to follow an 80/20 lifestyle.

‘It’s walking a path that’s ultimately 80 per cent health, 20 per cent… sometimes it falls to 70 per cent,’ The Northman star admitted to Women’s Health in 2013.

The 80/20 diet is based on packing 80 per cent of the diet with whole foods while allowing for reasonable indulgence in the remaining 20 per cent.

Nicole continued: ‘But that’s why I think you have things like natural health remedies – you find out what works for you. And I do a lot and I have a lot of energy.’

Speaking to the Los Angeles Times in 2014, she stated again: ‘I’m actually not that strict with my diet. I pretty much eat anything, but all in moderation.’

In another interview with Food & Wine in 2017, The Undoing star admitted her favorite food is a ‘fresh seafood platter with Sydney rock oysters, tiger prawns, mudcrab and lobster’.

Her other favourite food, according to her 73 Questions video with Vogue from 2015, is ‘homemade warm bread with Reggiano.’

When she is travelling, the actor previously said she takes a daily multivitamin to help her make up any nutrients her diet might be lacking. 

While the star has continuously denied undergoing any surgery, she instead credits healthy lifestyle choices as they secret behind her tight, youthful complexion.

‘To be honest, I am completely natural’, she told Marie Claire in 2007.

Aside from shocking fans with her smooth, wrinkle-free appearance, Nicole has pulled off many hairstyles to make her look years younger in recent months and years.

She has also been regularly wearing wigs on the red carpet to make her red tresses more voluminous.

Despite denying cosmetic surgery rumours, Nicole isn’t shy from experimenting with minor ‘tweakments’ here and there as she previously admitting to getting Botox.

But she soon realised it wasn’t for her and quickly got it dissolved, she told German magazine TV Movie in 2011.

She said: ‘I’ve tried a lot of things, but aside from sports and good nutrition, most things don’t make a difference.

‘I even tried Botox but I didn’t like how my face looked afterwards. Now I don’t use it any more and I can move my forehead again.’

After the star credited a healthy lifestyle as the secret to her looks, she said: ‘I wear sunscreen and I don’t smoke. I take care of myself. I’m very proud to say that.’

Meanwhile, Sandra has previously revealed the fitness routine she follows to stay in shape, explaining to Instyle in 2009: ‘I do Pilates, kickboxing, weight training. When I’m at home, I run or ride a bike. If I can work out every day, I will.

‘But there are times when I won’t do anything for two weeks and I’m, like, “You know what? I talk enough to burn calories”.’

The Hollywood star also discussed her diet, saying she likes to plan her healthy meals but does have a ‘weekly cheat day’. 

‘I start Friday night and I end Saturday night. This allows me to indulge in whatever I want for 24 hours, including dark chocolate with bacon in it, raw cookie dough, or a doughnut,’ said the actress. 

Elsewhere, Sandra famously played a detective forced to go undercover as a beauty queen in the Miss Congeniality movies.

However, at the premiere of the second film, she revealed that she had picked up some hacks from the world of pageantry. 

‘My favorite beauty-pageant secret: I didn’t realise that putting hemorrhoid ointment on your face is acceptable in the beauty business,’ she explained. ‘But apparently butt cream does help lines around the eyes.’

Dermatological and aesthetic doctor Dr Nora Jafaar advised however, to be cautious. Even though the hack sounds effective (and most formulas will likely set you back around £5 maximum), it’s not suitable in the long term.

‘Many haemorrhoid formulations contain vasoconstrictors and corticosteroids,’ she said. ‘While these may temporarily reduce periorbital swelling, chronic use can lead to dermal atrophy, collagen degradation, and increased risk of ocular complications due to percutaneous absorption in this thin skin area.’

‘As much as the ingredients inside hemorrhoid creams are good, at the end of the day it’s not made for your under eyes,’ William added.

‘And if you use this product and it ends up in your eyes it can be very dangerous and leave you with permanent problems.

‘I don’t understand why you would opt to do this when there are so many eye creams with ingredients that are made for the eye space. Such as L’Oréal Paris HA eye serum, the Inkey list caffeine eye cream. Both these eye creams reduce puffiness.’

Commenting on Sandra and Nicole’s age-defying looks, Dr Ross Perry, Medical Director of Cosmedics Skin Clinics, told the Daily Mail: ‘From a cosmetic medicine perspective, there are a number of reasons why both continue to look so youthful and refreshed.

‘Firstly, both have clearly invested in an excellent skincare regime over many years. Consistent daily use of a high-factor SPF, good-quality moisturisers and active ingredients such as retinoids and antioxidants can make a significant difference to the appearance of the skin over time, particularly when it comes to pigmentation, fine lines and overall skin texture.

‘For me they both look incredible for their age, and the quality and condition of their skin is so credible. Both appear to have excellent skin texture, very even complexions and a healthy luminosity. 

‘That is often the result of a combination of genetics, skincare, sun protection, lifestyle and, potentially, carefully performed minimal aesthetic treatments.’

Dr Paul Banwell, Cosmetic Surgeon and Aesthetics Specialist, meanwhile, told The Daily Mail: ‘Nicole and Sandra are fantastic examples of how looking youthful doesn’t necessarily mean trying to look 25. 

‘At 59 and 62 respectively, what really stands out is the refreshed luminosity of their skin and the definition through the face.

‘Nicole in particular has extremely luminous, even-toned skin and we know she has spoken openly about being very diligent with SPF, which is probably one of the least glamorous but most important anti-ageing ‘secrets’ there is. 

“What is particularly striking with Sandra is that she still has very good facial definition. As we age, we don’t simply develop wrinkles, instead there are changes to the fat compartments of the face, skin laxity, collagen levels and even the underlying bone.’

For beauty expert Laura Kay, the celebrities matched their makeup to one another, which seemingly made them seem even more youthful.

She said: ‘Looking at pictures of them side-by-side on the red carpet, it really looks like they have matched their looks and outfits to complement each other, which is why it works so well. There is a contrast between them, but their makeup is actually very similar.

‘They both have the same dewy skin and glowing complexions, with very similar satin lips. Their eyes are defined with smoky colours, but they haven’t gone too heavy.

‘Their brows are also really important, as they have expertly defined the shape to flatter and frame their entire face.

‘They have also both kept their signature hairstyles, so although their looks complement each other, they still look like themselves.’

Practical Magic 2, set over 25 years after the original film, is adapted from Alice Hoffman’s 2021 sequel story, The Book of Magic.

The new film – which will be released on September 11 – also stars Joey King and Maisie Williams, while Nicole reprises her role as Sally Owens and Sandra as her sister Gillian, who have been raised as witches and are typically at the centre of town gossip.

The film properly introduces the next generation of the family, Sandra’s on-screen daughters Kylie and Antonia, played by Joey and Maisie respectively.