AGE SHALL NOT WITHER THEM
Celebrities share their thoughts on age, beauty and how to maintain a zest for living
Who says you have to act your age, or even look it? Many celebrities continue to defy expectations about how we should age in our 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond. Here's a collection of their wellness advice and musings on getting older, broken down by decade;
IN THEIR 50S ETHAN HAWKE, 50
“There was a great thing that Willie Nelson once said. He said he loved old guitars because they had character, but now that he's old, he has character, so he likes new guitars. I'm the same way. I have character. My clothes don't need it. And there are parts of me that don't look as good, so I have the nice suit.” (via Postmedia News)
PADMA LAKSHMI, 50
“The most important beauty tip I've learned is to really try to reduce stress. I know it really sounds cliché to say `get enough sleep and drink enough water.' But it really shows on your face, and no amount of lipstick or mascara is going to take that away.
“I don't want to look like someone else, I just want to look like the best version of me, and most of that comes from your mental attitude and emotional well-being.” (via Vogue India)
JENNIFER LOPEZ, 51
“One of the big things I would encourage everybody to do from the time they're 15 years old, even younger, is wear sunscreen every day. … That's a big skin-care secret that people kind of do but don't do. They use moisturizers, but they don't put on sunscreen every day. “That is something I have done from that time I was 22 years old.” (via Elle)
LUCY LIU, 52
“(Now) for me, it's about exercise and trying to modulate what I eat. Give yourself treats occasionally, depending on how much you have exercised. If you cut things out of your diet altogether, you will want those foods more and end up bingeing.” (via Los Angeles Times)
LISA BONET, 53
“My favourite form of fitness is dance. I take an African dance class that I live for. I just walked in one day, and I have been doing it pretty regularly for seven years now. I also do Pilates twice a week, yoga once a week, and I go to the gym twice a week.” (via The New York Times)
SALMA HAYEK, 54
“I've never gone to bed without washing my face. Never in my life. Even if I'm sick, tired — heck, even if I was drunk! I might forget to take off the dress, the shoes and the jewelry, but not the makeup. It's second nature.” (via Instyle)
HALLE BERRY, 54
“I do believe that exercise is so related to healthy skin and how you not only feel but how you look. Cardio. Cardio. Cardio. Getting the blood running through your body is so good for your complexion.” (via Prevention)
LENNY KRAVITZ, 56
“I'll hit the organic market or the farmers market and pick up some spinach, kale, carrots, beets, garlic — it really promotes great health. “But I love good food, too. There's a big, fat, greasy man inside of me. I live in Paris half the year, and I love indulging in pastries and fine foods and wine and Champagne. If I do cheat, it's usually with something pretty outrageous. Then I get it out of my system and get back to trying to stay fit.” (via Men's Journal)
BLAIR UNDERWOOD, 56
“Aging, to me, is about just that: continuously expanding your mind. That's what keeps you youthful. There is no big secret or magic bullet.” (via Furthermore)
JOHN STAMOS, 57
“I think sleep is the key to looking young, and I make sure to get a good eight hours every night. I believe that earlier sleep, before midnight, is better. It has been for me. I try to get to sleep by 9 or 10. I love the mornings and get up very early to read and meditate. I feel recalibrated at that time and that I can take on the day.” (via Orlando Sentinel)
VANESSA WILLIAMS, 57
“Whether you are five or 50, you have to be open to what's being offered and brave enough to accept it.” (via Madamenoire)
IN THEIR 60S ANGELA BASSETT, 62
“I think that's what's meant by aging gracefully: The wonder of life. The goodness of others. People who have a level head, a ready smile and are open to expression and creativity, things that are positive. I think that's where it starts, as opposed to being obsessed with that which ultimately fades and diminishes.” (via Prevention)
SADE, 62
“Your physical language determines how young you look more so than if you have plastic surgery. You have to keep that love for what you do and, even in the battleground, keep your head up. So many people let go of that. They get past a certain age and feel they no longer belong. I never really feel that way. I always have something to add.” (via Reuters)
IMAN, 65
“Find something to like about yourself and hold on to that. It's a constant battle, whether you are 16 or 50. As you age, you do really find that quietness inside and that being-comfortable-in-your-skin feeling.” (via Good Housekeeping)
CHRISTIE BRINKLEY, 67
“I wish that women wouldn't feel the pressure to look a certain way. I wish that they would place the emphasis on feeling great. When you feel great you emanate a certain energy that translates as beautiful.” (via Elle)
PIERCE BROSNAN, 67
“Work and love. That's all it is, really. Be grateful that you have a partnership, or a friendship, or a few friends. And just get on with life. I don't know any other way.” (via Best Life)
BEVERLY JOHNSON, 68
“I live in a desert, I play golf and hydration is the most important factor when you're talking about age, because as you age, you don't have the dewy skin, and plumpness that you have when you're younger.” (via The Zoe Report)
IN THEIR 70S JANE SEYMOUR, 70
“I try to stay away from sugar and fried food. I very rarely eat meat.
“I eat what I grow in my garden. Fresh fruits and vegetables are my favourite thing in the world.” (via Hello!)
HELEN MIRREN, 75
“I'm an eternal optimist. I know that when I put my moisturizer on it probably does f--- all, but it just makes me feel better.” (via The Telegraph)
MARTHA STEWART, 79
“I've always tried to eat healthy. I grow just about everything I eat. I'm not a fanatic about it all. Everyone is going to eat a piece of cake now and then.'' (via USA Today)
IN THEIR 80S RAQUEL WELCH, 80
“Look at me. I'm holding together just fine, I'm not doing it with no effort, I'm doing my yoga every day — an hour-and-a-half of that — but really, guys, what is the point of starting to lie about your age?” (via Reuters)
JANE FONDA, 83
“I can't pretend that I'm not vain, but there isn't going to be any more plastic surgery — I'm not going to cut myself up anymore.
“I have to work every day to be self-accepting. It doesn't come easy to me.” (via Elle Canada)
SOPHIA LOREN, 86
“If you accept the aging process and live in the present, then you age gracefully.” (via The New York Times)