I'm never pleased when I first catch sight of myself in the mirror each morning. I need time for the creases to vanish, if only marginally. After a hot shower, things look a little better.

When I started modelling in the late 50s, I did well because my image was slightly different. I looked younger than previous models, with long, blond hair and big eyes; before that, it was more about slick, sophisticated, sculpted faces. I was never a beauty, not in a classical sense, although I knew I was pretty. I was lucky because magazines were ready to accept a new look. I stopped modelling when I was about 27, because once I had done four Vogue covers, I thought, "That's it. I've reached the top."

I never felt competitive about my looks; given a choice, I'd have liked to look like Brigitte Bardot or Audrey Hepburn. But, yes, I did feel special at that time. George (Harrison) and Eric (Clapton) wrote songs about me; if we were going out and I made an effort, they'd tell me I looked gorgeous or lovely.

I still feel attractive. It sounds boastful, but I think I'm all right. I've become happier in my skin, probably because I've had no long-term anxiety in my life. I don't mind ageing. I'm stable and quite a happy soul.

I think we grow into our faces, depending on how we feel during our lives. If somebody's been angry or uptight, you can see it in their face. I've always had quite a happy face. I try to have a good attitude to any situation. That's terribly important - I think it's the secret of looking good.

· Wonderful Today, by Pattie Boyd with Penny Junor, is published by Headline Review at £20