Melania Trump began her journey towards fame and the American Dream as a model in her home country of Slovenia. She moved to the United States when she was just a teenager, and despite facing some tough years, the woman who is now the First Lady would eventually find significant success in a very competitive industry.
Now, at 54, Melania has continued to take care of herself, focusing on both her body and her mind. Even so, some experts claim she has undergone plastic surgery or received Botox injections—claims that she has repeatedly and firmly denied.
Melania Trump has been praised for her looks for a long time, and the degree to which she has been able to fend off the aging process is quite impressive. So, what is the secret? One factor could be her makeup—and an expert has now revealed the specific techniques she uses.
A Return to the White House
Melania and her husband, Donald Trump, are back at the White House. Four years after their exit following the election loss to Joe Biden, they have made their comeback, and the First Lady has gone on record to state that this time around will be different.
“The difference is I know where I will be going, I know the rooms where we will be living. I know the process; the first time was challenging,” Melania told Fox. “But this time, I have everything — I already packed, I already selected the furniture that needs to go in. So it’s very different.”
The former model is reportedly set to split her time between the White House, Palm Beach, and New York City. She and Donald’s son, Barron Trump, enrolled at Stern Business School at New York University last fall, and Melania aims to do her best to be with him as much as possible to support him in the “Big Apple.”
A Growing Confidence
As mentioned, Melania has promised that Donald’s second presidential term will be different for her, and others are inclined to agree. Speaking to Hello! Magazine, her official photographer, Regine Mahaux, states that her self-belief has grown significantly in recent months and that a “new” First Lady is walking through the doors at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
“She’s always been hands-on, but she’s more free nowadays to make a statement,” Mahaux said. “She’s a different person than she was eight years ago and has always been true to herself. This time, it feels like a different energy with new people that the President has surrounded himself with.”
Mahaux added: “She’s always in the right place. She’s always behind her husband. He’s in the light; she doesn’t need the light. She’s a very good number two. It’s always her husband first, and I like that; she has strong family values, to be a good wife and to make sure they’re happy.”
The Debate Over Cosmetic Procedures
Melania started from humble beginnings in Slovenia. As a teenager, she moved to the U.S. to pursue a career as a model and did well for herself. Over the years, the First Lady has always been considered a natural beauty, which has sadly led to persistent rumors about her possibly having gone under the surgeon’s knife.
There has been much speculation about her possibly benefiting from plastic surgery, Botox, or lip fillers. If certain “experts” are to be believed, there is no doubt she has made subtle changes to her appearance. However, this remains speculation; no one can say for certain whether she has received cosmetic enhancements.
“Her face has a stony look from being overfilled and over-botoxed,” Dr. Franklin Rose told The Skincare Edit. “Melania’s forehead is as smooth as a baby’s rear end, so she’s had liberal amounts of Botox for sure. Her cheeks, along with the nasolabial lines between the nose and corners of the mouth, likely have fillers. [Her rhinoplasty] is a beautiful job. Whoever is treating her now is just a little overzealous with the injectables.”
Dr. Dev Patel, medical director of Perfect Skin Solutions in Portsmouth, agreed with Rose, saying there have been “obvious signs” of her “likely” having done Botox treatments. “She was giving a rather personal account of her background, yet her upper face was not moving in harmony with her words. In fact, it was not moving at all. This suggests too heavy doses are being used by her doctor,” he said.
A third expert, Dr. Jag Chana, says that when comparing pictures of Melania when she was younger to her later life, her nasal shape has changed. “The nose is narrower and the tip is more refined… the top lip appears fuller. This likely is a result of lip fillers. The forehead is completely smooth and wrinkle-free—so likely Botox.”
Dr. Munir Somji added, “I would say Melania has had forehead contouring with filler to make it more rounded, with Botox to lift the brows. She also appears to have had buccal fat removal to slim the face, alongside fillers around the jawline with radiofrequency tightening to give a chiseled look.”
Dr. Dev Patel also estimated that these possible procedures might have cost around $13,000. “I would be extremely surprised if an ex-model (who has such a spotlight on her) would not be doing the same,” he noted.
Melania’s Stance: “Against Injections”
According to Melania herself, she has never made any changes to her appearance. Speaking with GQ in 2016, she also denied having undergone breast augmentation.
“I didn’t make any changes,” Melania said. “A lot of people say I am using all the procedures for my face. I didn’t do anything. I live a healthy life, I take care of my skin and my body. I’m against Botox, I’m against injections; I think it’s damaging your face, damaging your nerves. It’s all me. I will age gracefully, as my mom does.”
Skincare and Makeup Secrets
Melania has previously spoken about her healthy food choices and her non-drinking lifestyle. Another way she stays young is through her makeup. In 2017, Melania’s makeup artist, Nicole Bryl, shared secrets with Women’s Wear Daily: “I certainly spend the most amount of time on my client’s skin. Ensuring that there is always a gentle, flawless glow and that everything is blended perfectly is a skill I never tire of perfecting.”
Melania herself revealed her daily beauty regimen to Refinery29 in 2012: “I take vitamins and use a moisturizer that’s an oxygen cream. Everything is natural. It’s A, C, and E, and I mix them together. It’s so important to care for your skin — inside and out from morning to night!”
Going Against Standard Advice
Celebrity makeup artist Philippa Louise told Hello! Magazine that Melania uses slightly heavier makeup, which “women are often advised against” at her age. Louise explained: “When you reach your 50s, makeup should be paired back… Makeup should empower, not overpower you. For anyone over 50 such as Melania, you can get away with a slightly heavier look for a big event, as long as it is applied in the correct way.”
Louise noted that Melania likely follows a strict skincare routine: “Glow, glow, glow and hydration are essential! This is not an overnight process; it’s an ongoing one which I am sure Melania religiously follows.”
Lifestyle and Hair Color
Amish Patel, a skincare expert at Intrigue Cosmetic Clinic, explained to the Daily Mail that Melania’s lifestyle is a major factor. “Melania also clearly looks after herself… A healthy diet full of vitamins and antioxidants, drinking plenty of water, avoiding too much sugar or alcohol, and getting enough sleep play a role. Melania is also said to enjoy pilates and tennis.”
Finally, her choice of hair color contributes to her youthful appearance. “As the years have passed… she has gone lighter with more honey and golden hues, which are flattering on maturing skin,” Patel added. “The classic haircut is timeless and soft on the face.”