BBC Hereford & Worcester
BBC News, West Midlands
Even at 103 years old and living in a care home, Joan Partridge still makes sure to apply her make-up every day.
But she never expected a video of her putting on her rouge to be viewed by nearly 200,000 people – leading to a new role as an influencer with a cosmetics company.
That is exactly what happened after Millcroft Care Home in Redditch, Worcestershire, shared a clip of Joan’s routine on social media.
“I didn’t think I would have gained so much attention,” she said. “I was shocked and overwhelmed.”
Millcroft’s manager, Lyndsay Sard, told the BBC it came about after the video was posted to the home’s TikTok page earlier this month, inspired by the platform’s make-up tutorial videos.
“The make-up that she was using, somebody had tagged the company and said, look, she’s using your make-up,” explained Ms Sard. “And the company then got in touch with us, which was really nice, to say how lovely it was to see Joan doing something like that.
“And they wanted to send the make-up directly to Joan.”
As well as hundreds of thousands of views, the video has attracted several hundred comments from viewers, many of them asking Joan to post more tutorials.
“They’re all beautiful, beautiful comments, from young girls and older ladies, all saying how beautiful you are and how much they love your video,” Ms Sard told Joan, as she sat looking at a box of products sent to her by Collection Cosmetics. “And they’d like to see more.”
“Oh no, no, I’m too old to go to work,” Joan replied.
But she is joking – the care home said Joan was embracing her new role as an influencer, and was already planning more videos.
“Can anyone scarcely believe it?” asked Joan’s granddaughter, Nicola, who arrived for a visit as Joan was going through the make-up she had been sent.
“When nan came to Millcroft we thought we’d have a relaxing time. But, no, my nan decides to go viral on TikTok.
“And I can’t stop shouting about it cos I’m so proud of her. She’s amazing.
“But we always expect the unexpected with my nan.”
“Beauty to me means natural all over,” said Joan of her new-found fame. “It’s nice to feel good about yourself, no matter how old you are.
“You can’t go without your rouge.”
