The Real Housewives of London star Amanda Cronin has revealed the cosmetic procedure that’s helped her look and feel younger than ever.
The model turned skincare founder, 57, underwent an upper blepharoplasty – also known as an ‘upper eyelid lift’ – last November, and it’s taken decades off her face, giving her a major confidence boost.
The procedure, hailed on Harley Street as the ‘best bang for your buck’, involved removing excess skin from her eyelids to achieve a fresher, more youthful appearance.
Mother-of-one Amanda, who received a reported £40million divorce settlement from energy mogul Mark Daeche in 2019, had been considering the surgery since 2020 – but went under the knife only after filming for Real Housewives finished last year.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, the multi-millionaire ex-girlfriend of Wham!’s Andrew Ridgeley admits that seeing herself on screen when the show premiered last August was the final push she needed to go under the knife.
‘I did scrutinise my face. More cameras really highlight sagging skin, especially around the eyes, neck and jawline,’ Amanda says.
The upper blepharoplasty cost Amanda £12,000 but she has no regrets about her decision, adding it’s given her a new perspective on cosmetic surgeries – and the confidence to start dating again.
Amanda, who credits her new glow-up – including going under the knife – with giving her the confidence to put herself out there again, insists that cosmetic procedures are about being the best version of yourse
The model turned skincare founder, 57, underwent an upper blepharoplasty – also known as an ‘upper eyelid lift’ – last November that’s taken decades off her face
Her previous romance with Wham!’s Andrew, 62, made headlines when the pair made their public debut at Wimbledon in June 2022
Amanda’s decision comes amid a surge of upper blepharoplasty procedures in Hollywood.
‘There’s been a huge wave of content online – TikToks, celebrity glow-ups, dissolving fillers, lifted faces,’ Amanda says. ‘Kris Jenner and Lindsay Lohan definitely sparked conversation. But for me, it was really about timing. I needed to be in the right headspace for surgery.’
The procedure, dubbed the best ‘bang for your buck’ option by leading plastic surgeons, has become increasingly popular among women in their 30s, 40s and 50s looking for subtle, natural-looking rejuvenation without the dramatic changes associated with full facelifts.
Unlike the heavily filtered ‘Instagram face’ that dominated the 2010s, today’s cosmetic surgery patients are seeking subtle refinements rather than total transformation, heralding a new ‘undetectable era’ of cosmetic surgery.
‘I’ve always had genetically heavy, hooded eyelids with almond-shaped eyes,’ she reveals. ‘The natural placement of my eyelid skin has always sat very close to the lash line, and as we age that skin can become heavier and crepey, giving the eyes a tired, droopy look.’
The issue became particularly problematic during filming for The Real Housewives of London last year, where she appeared alongside cast members Juliet Angus, Karen Loderick-Peace, Juliet Mayhew, Panthea Parker, and Nessie Welschinger.
‘Make-up was becoming increasingly challenging, particularly during filming’, Amanda recalls. ‘We were constantly trying to disguise the excess skin, which meant heavier make-up and more time in the chair and ironically, heavier make-up can actually age you.
‘I’ve always wanted a fresher, lighter, more natural look, which ultimately looks more youthful.’
Amanda admits that seeing herself on screen when the The Real Housewives of London premiered last August was the final push she needed to go under the knife
Seeing herself on screen was the push she needed and Amanda wasted no time booking a consultation with renowned surgeon Mr Naresh Joshi – five years after they first discussed the procedure.
‘I wasn’t mentally ready for surgery at that point,’ she explains. ‘It’s not something you rush into – anaesthetic, healing and downtime are a lot to mentally process.’
After a full eye examination confirmed she was a suitable candidate, and that around 6mm of excess skin would be ‘beneficial to remove both medically and cosmetically’, Amanda was booked in as a day case just ten days later.
The ‘significant investment’, as she describes it, of £12,000 was a manageable cost for the entrepreneur, who has an estimated net worth of around £50million.
‘I opted for heavy sedation, although most patients are advised to have a general anaesthetic,’ she says. ‘I arrived at 7.30am and was home by 1.30pm. Typical me, I went straight into an office meeting afterwards – streaming eyes and all, mostly due to dehydration.’
She adds: ‘The aftercare was excellent. I followed the instructions to the letter. One eye felt gritty on the first afternoon, but consistent eye drops brought quick relief.
‘Icing was essential to control swelling, and meticulous wound care is absolutely key to achieving the best results.’
Just six days later, Amanda’s stitches were removed – and that same afternoon, she did a full-glam photoshoot, demonstrating the minimal downtime associated with the procedure.
‘The results have been incredible,’ she says. ‘My eyes look more open, rested and youthful. There’s no excess skin, makeup is effortless, and I’m constantly being complimented. It honestly feels like I’ve had an upper facelift.’
The procedure was just one element of Amanda’s recent ‘glow-up’. She also had her lip fillers dissolved by Dr Arsh Sharif at her own clinic, The Secret Door in Belgravia, followed by her signature 2.5-hour facial performed by her colleague Abi Oleck.
‘Combined with dissolving and reimagining my lips, my Amanda Caroline Ageless Facial by Abi Oleck, a bit of fake tan and lash extensions – I’m feeling confident, feminine, excited. And I’m dating again,’ she reveals.
While she doesn’t disclose details of her new suitors, friends say she has been on ‘a few incredible dates’ recently with ‘a couple of majorly successful international businessmen’.
The former model has been candid about her desire to find love again – even describing the Real Housewives platform as a ‘dating platform globally’.
Her previous romance with Wham!’s Andrew, 62, made headlines when the pair made their public debut at Wimbledon in June 2022.
The Real Housewives of London star has lifted the lid on the cosmetic procedure that’s left her looking – and feeling – younger than ever
However, Amanda later revealed they split because he wasn’t ‘relationship material’. She said at the time: ‘I’m looking for a monogamous relationship. When the next Mr Right comes along, he will have the same set of values that I have.’
Amanda now insists that cosmetic procedures are about being the best version of yourself rather than looking like a different person.
It is a philosophy that extends to both her skincare line and her Belgravia clinic, whose clients include Made in Chelsea alum Millie Mackintosh and Swedish model Victoria Silvstedt.
‘With aesthetics and surgery, you should still look like you, just well-rested and refreshed,’ she says. ‘Over time we lose collagen, muscle tone, elasticity, bone density and even symmetry – it’s a lot.’
The entrepreneur, who has properties worth £12million in Mayfair and £11million in Belgravia, is passionate about being transparent about her cosmetic work – particularly for women over 50.
‘I’m an open book. I love to share, guide, educate and encourage women – especially women over 50. That’s what I do through my clinic and my brand,’ she says. ‘I’m not secretive or embarrassed. I don’t mind being judged or criticised. I’m not a people pleaser – I’m authentic, bold and outspoken. I’m not here to be liked.’
When asked whether people in the spotlight should be honest about cosmetic work, Amanda says: ‘I do think dishonesty can be damaging. When women compare themselves to unrealistic or misleading narratives, it can affect confidence and self-worth.
‘Transparency matters – not to justify yourself, but to normalise choice.’
As for future procedures, Amanda is keeping her options open. ‘Never say never. I believe in thoughtful, well-timed interventions,’ she says. ‘Facelifts are growing in popularity because techniques are more refined and results can look incredibly natural when done well.
‘For now, I’m happy where I am. It’s about balance, not chasing perfection.’
Watching herself back on Real Housewives of London, which is due to return for a second series later this year, was challenging for Amanda.
‘The lighting can be brutal. Angles can be unforgiving, and cameras are right up close to capture real emotion – you can’t win every time,’ she admits.
However, she maintains that her incredible glam and styling team worked tirelessly to help her look her best, and overall, she was happy with how she looked.
‘I don’t lose sleep over my appearance,’ she says. ‘If anything, it highlighted how important rest is – when I’m tired, it shows. Good sleep and not drinking alcohol make a huge difference for me.’
The show saw Amanda navigate complex friendships with her fellow housewives, including tensions with Panthea Parker and former friend Juliet Mayhew, all while juggling her beauty empire and social life in London’s most exclusive circles.
‘I own my journey on RHOLDN – the good, the bad and the ugly,’ Amanda adds. ‘I’m authentic and unapologetically myself. I’m comfortable in my skin, grateful for my life, and I think that confidence really shows.’
