Ragged to radiant: What a difference a month makes for Madonna's face



As Madonna swept past the screaming crowds on the red carpet last night it was hard to believe she had just hit the half century mark. But what a difference a month makes.



It is hard to believe that this fabulous beauty was the same woman who was pictured looking gaunt and haggard at the end of July.

Scroll down to watch the RocknRolla trailer



What a difference a month makes: Madonna, left, and back in July

Dressed up to the nines and wearing plenty of make-up Madonna, 50, joined husband Guy Ritchie at the premiere of his new film RocknRolla in London's Leicester Square.

In her satin bejewelled Stella McCartney dress she displayed a glowing complexion and radiant smile.

But last month the bare-faced superstar revealed the impact of the gruelling health and beauty regime which lies behind the glamour.

Madonna and Guy Ritchie at the premiere of RocknRolla in Leicester Square

As she left a Kabbalah centre in New York in a short-sleeved T-shirt she exposed the veins standing out on arms subjected to endless workouts.



Perhaps the shock of the photos encouraged Madonna to relax her gruelling exercise regime a little.



The stress of this was said to have contributed to her haggard appearance.



Or maybe the queen of reinvention has resorted to more than just yoga, the gym and a macrobiotic diet to reverse the effects of ageing.



Madonna cut a sullen figure with daughter Lourdes last month



She has remained enigmatic on the subject of cosmetic surgery, saying: 'I am certainly not against plastic surgery; however, I am absolutely against having to discuss it.'

Earlier this year a member of her circle told the Daily Mail: 'She's been having work done since her 30s, but in the past year she's really stepped it up, which is worrying.'

This morning it was back to reality for Madonna, who packed her belongings into a couple of oversized designer bags to head to her private gym. The star even carried some fruit squash in a reused water bottle, showing she's not above saving a few pennies.

Designer bag lady: This morning Madonna was back to the gym, carrying her squash in a reused water bottle