Lunch with Dame Joan Collins is everything you want it to be. The legendary actress, author and columnist is the walking embodiment of glamour with more wisdom and sass than the entire cast on Dynasty.
We joined Dame Joan for lunch at London's Claridge's for the launch of her Timeless Beauty range for Marks & Spencer.
Who better to dole out beauty and life advice to live by? This is what Joan had to say...
On where she food shops: 'Marks & Spencer'
Her ultimate beauty tip: 'Stay out of the sun and don't put soap on your face.'
On the time it takes to do her make-up: '25 minutes. I don't do my eyes every day.'
On how to travel in style: 'Never wear jeans.'
On her beauty idols, past and present: 'Ava Gardner, Vivien Leigh, Elizabeth Taylor, Carmen Dell'Orefice and Dita Von Teese because they all wear a lot of make-up.'
On her trademark smoky eye: 'It gets smokier and smokier as the day goes on.'
On fashion: 'High fashion is rather scary at the moment. I mean, the Met Ball. Was that fashion? It's fancy dress. But I like the high street. M&S and H&M.'
On her make-up no no's: 'Blue eyeshadow, green eyeshadow, lip liner that's darker than your lipstick, contouring, over-plucked eyebrows.'
What she said to her goddaughter Cara Delevingne when she asked advice about getting into acting: 'Don't.'
On actresses today: 'They can't do their own make-up or style themselves. Individuality has dissipated.'
Her favourite tipple: 'Lychee martinis. I had two last night.'
On Brexit: 'I'm all for it. We need our own rules.'
Joan Collins Timeless Beauty launches in Marks & Spencer, 9 May
