When it comes to stars like Alicia Keys and Jennifer Lopez, the saying ‘age is nothing but a number’ couldn’t be more appropriate.
Despite finding fame decades ago, and working non-stop ever since, the A-list stars boast youthful looks that outshine when they first found fame.
Indeed, Alicia wowed fans after she celebrated her 42nd birthday on Wednesday by posting a series of snaps showcasing her ever-youthful glow.
Many noted the hitmaker looks just as fresh-faced as when she burst onto the music scene in 2001 with her debut album, Songs In A Minor.
Alicia Keys wowed fans with her flawless glow in pictures from her 42nd birthday trip this week
The singer showed off her stunning curves in a purple and pink bikini as she took to the beach
Back in 2016, The Girl On Fire singer famously chose to stop wearing makeup as a way to try and celebrate natural beauty within the industry – giving the world a clearer look at her enviable glow.
Alongside the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Gabrielle Union and Salma Hayek, Alicia appears to have discovered the best ways to maintain her celebrated looks as the years go by.
Here, FEMAIL rounds up the celebrities over the age of 40 who just keep getting better with age…
ALICIA KEYS, 42
Alicia Keys (pictured left in 2003) is one of the stars who has left fans in awe thanks to her ageless appearance (pictured right in 2022)
Back in 2016, The Girl On Fire singer famously chose to stop wearing makeup and has continued to flaunt her natural beauty (pictured in January 2023)
Alicia Keys instantly made waves for her talent after the release of her debut single, Fallin’, in 2001.
As fans and critics alike praised the singer’s musical ability in the years that have followed, the star’s natural beauty also helped her stand out from the crowd.
Alicia made headlines across the globe in 2016 when she announced she would stop wearing makeup.
She explained at the time: ‘Makeup was a big thing for me; I had been wearing it since I was, like, 16 years old.
‘And then, as I got into the music world, it was what you did every day to do your television, or to do your shoot. So, I did it because I thought that’s what you’re supposed to do. And I realized I became addicted to it; I didn’t feel comfortable without it.’
Nowadays, the star will wear subtle makeup on occasion and even launched her own beauty range, Keys Soulcare, to help celebrate beauty from within.
ANNE HATHAWAY, 40
Anne Hathaway (pictured left in 2004) is another star who has made waves for her youthful looks (pictured right in 2023)
The star previously revealed her plans to stay away from Botox because she doesn’t want to ‘erase’ who she is (pictured in 2023)
Anne Hathaway’s breakthrough role in 2001 movie, The Princess Diaries, made her a household name.
Even since, the star can be relied on to dazzle on the red carpet, and in her many film and TV projects.
Since 2008, she has worked as an ambassador for French brand Lancôme, with the actress fronting their Magnifique fragrance range.
In 2010, the movie star revealed her plans to stay away from Botox because she doesn’t want to ‘erase’ who she is.
Speaking to UK Elle magazine, she explained: ‘I had someone offer me Botox at 23. From the age of 25 to 27 – and this is a little embarrassing to admit – I looked under my eyes every single day, because I thought, “It’s going, it’s going, it’s going!”
‘And then I realized the other day there not wrinkles; they’re smile lines. If you look at pictures of me from a young age, I’ve been smiling the same way since I was little. And I had that wonderful moment when you realize, “That’s who I am.” Botox would erase that.’
GABRIELLE UNION, 50
Gabrielle Union’s ageless looks has left fans begging to know her beauty secrets over the years (pictured left in 2003, and right in 2023)
The actress (seen this month) credits ‘drinking a gallon of water a day’ since she was 30 for her natural glow
Gabrielle Union began her career with a string of iconic supporting roles in films such as Bring It On (2000), 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) and She’s All That (1999).
Over the years, the actress has been praised her ‘ageless’ appearance by fans and is often asked about the secrets to her youthful appearance.
In 2017, the actress had a simple answer as she told the Fashionista: ‘The biggest habit that changed my life when I was in my early 30s was when I started drinking a gallon of water a day.’
She expressed the same sentiment in 2019 tweet: ‘Secret you ask… Water, tequila, boundaries & an extra helping of accountability.’
The star then posted: ‘My “secret”… best anti-aging product there is… #IPeeAlot’.
Sharing a selfie of her holding her gallon of water, she added: ‘I add lemon for taste and try to finish the gallon by 6pm otherwise you go all night.’
GWYNETH PALTROW, 50
Gwyneth Paltrow (pictured left in 1996) has been a staple on the red carpets since she burst onto the scene in the 90s (pictured right in 2022)
When the star turned 50 last year, she chose to celebrate with a nude photoshoot that saw half of her body covered in gold paint
Gwyneth Paltrow has become known for the unique and unexpected ways she attempts to fight off the signs of aging.
After gaining notice for her early work in Seven (1995) and Emma (1996), the actress became an awards circuit darling after her winning role in 1998’s Shakespeare in Love.
Ever since, the star has been regular face on red carpets across the world and has been an ambassador for brand such as Coach and Estée Lauder.
She famously launched her lifestyle company Goop in 2008, and has become known for sharing controversial healthcare methods to try and halt ageing.
When the star turned 50 last year, she chose to celebrate with a nude photoshoot that saw half of her body covered in gold paint.
When it comes to her skincare secrets, the actress created her 79-year-old mother, Blythe Danner, for teaching her an important moisturizing hack.
‘I got this trick from my mom – using night cream during the day; we both have dry skin,’ she said while promoting her GOOPGENES skin range.
‘So I wanted a cream that was that nourishing, one that I could use night and day and my skin would just keep reaping the benefits.’
HALLE BERRY, 56
Halle Berry (pictured left in 1996) started her career as a model in the early 90s before her breakthrough role in the romantic comedy Boomerang (pictured right in 2022)
The actress’ fans have admired the performer’s flawless skin for years and regularly asked for her skincare secrets (pictured in 2022)
Halle Berry started her career as a model in the early 90s before her breakthrough role in the romantic comedy Boomerang (1992), alongside Eddie Murphy.
Ever since, she has often praised for her youthful skin and muscular pins, which she isn’t afraid to show off.
Back in 2019, the star revealed one of the products she relies on to keep her skin fresh.
‘When in doubt, face masks are EVERYTHING,’ she wrote alongside a selfie of herself using the mask. ‘I personally love @olgalorencinskincare’s ageless mask – what do you guys use??’
Speaking about her beauty routine, the star later revealed: ‘As soon as I wake up, I cleanse my face and then nourish and hydrate my skin.
‘The products I use have evolved as I’ve learned more about what skin actually needs, but I’ve been a fan of vitamin C for years. Whether it’s in cream or serum form, it works miracles.’
JENNIFER ANISTON, 53
Jennifer Aniston (pictured left in 1997) has frequently been admired for her youthful look after finding fame as Rachel Green in Friends (pictured right in 2020)
The actress credits her ageless appearance to good genes and regular facials (pictured in January 2020)
Jennifer Aniston looks just as stunning as she did in her days playing the iconic Rachel Green in Friends during the ’90s and early ’00s.
The star has frequently been admired for her youthful looks and credits her ageless appearance to good genes.
‘I inherited good skin from my dad,’ the actress, whose father is late actor John Aniston, told the Los Angeles Times.
‘But one thing I would have to say to my younger self is, “Don’t take that for granted,” because you do have to maintain that. It does have a shelf life.’
However, she does recommend regular facials and previously stated: ‘I love facials and I change up my facialist. It’s like exercise. It’s good to mix it up.’
Finding a daily moisturizer that works for you is also important for Jen, with the star regularly promoting Aveeno’s Daily Moisturizing Lotion as a brand ambassador.
As for how she learned of the product, Aniston told the LA Times that it’s what her late mother, Nancy Dow, bought when she was growing up.
SALMA HAYEK, 56
Salma Hayek (pictured left in 1995) maintained her reputation as a bombshell star over the years (pictured right in 2023)
As for how she maintains her flawless glow, she loves hydrating creams, oils, and serums (pictured in 2023)
Salma Hayek has maintained her reputation as a bombshell star over the years after she made the move from Mexico to Hollywood and landed her breakout role in Desperado (1995).
The wife of billionaire businessman François-Henri Pinault is still looking as youthful and glowing as ever.
As for how she maintains her flawless skin, she told the New York Times in 2020 that she loves hydrating creams, oils, and serums.
The star also claimed that she never cleanses her skin in the morning and adores using coconut oil.
In an 2015 interview with Elle magazine, she also gave a shoutout to an ingredient which is a staple in her routine: tepezcohuite.
‘I use an ingredient called tepezcohuite that’s used in Mexico for burn victims because it completely regenerates the skin, and there’s no one in the States who is using this ingredient except for us,’ she explained.
‘Some of the ingredients, when I took them to the American labs, they were like “Oh my god! How come nobody is using this?” This is why I have no Botox, no peels, no fillings. I’m 48. I will be 49 this year and I only use my creams.’
JULIA ROBERTS, 55
Julia Roberts (pictured left in 1990) became American’s sweetheart after an iconic run of roles in the 90s (pictured right in 2023)
She previously told People magazine that she never skips wearing sunscreen and always goes to bed with a clean face (pictured in 2022)
Julia Roberts instantly became American’s sweetheart after an iconic run of roles in hit films such as Steel Magnolias (1989) and Pretty Woman (1990).
The beloved actress has been a beauty icon ever since, and is another star who thanks good genes for her looks.
She previously told People magazine that she never skips SPF and always goes to bed with a clean face.
The mother-of-three also told Toronto Sun that she was an advocate of drinking water, getting sleep and staying calm.
Julia spoke about the importance of not only eating mindfully and claims she likes to keep her beauty routine as minimal as possible.
The star has acted as the global ambassador for Lancôme since 2009.
JENNIFER LOPEZ, 53
Jennifer Lopez (pictured left in 1995) has been wowing fans with her flawless beauty for two decades (pictured right in 2023)
Jennifer has previously claimed that olive oil is the secret behind her wrinkle-free skin (pictured in 2023)
Jennifer Lopez has been a source of youthful inspiration to women for decades and the star has even launched her own skincare range to help fans try to achieve her famous glow.
She rose to fame in the ’90s as a triple threat who sings, acts and dances, and she wows with her glamorous looks.
The star regularly shares photos of herself hitting the gym and going through her beauty routine with her followers on social media.
Most of the time she is using products from her range which has the tagline ‘Beauty has no expiration date.’
She has said that ‘ageless isn’t just a mindset – you can feel youthful at any age feel great, not just great for 50.’
Elsewhere, she has claimed that slathering her skin in olive oil has been a key way to keep her skin youthful.
CATE BLANCHETT, 53
Australian actress and producer Cate Blanchett (pictured left in in 1999) always wows on the red carpet (pictured right in 2023)
The ambassador for Japanese skincare brand SK-II said taking vitamins was a key trick to keeping your glow (pictured in 2023)
Australian actress and producer Cate Blanchett – known for her impressive performances in Blue Jasmine (2013), Carol (2015), and Tár (2022).
The ambassador for Japanese skincare brand SK-II said she uses the brand’s Essence underneath her makeup to create a glowing look.
Cate also praised the impact of taking vitamins as she told InStyle: ‘The thing I’ve really started to do is to take vitamins — I’ve noticed a huge change. My nails will never grow, and I’ve been taking these vitamins now for about six months — a huge difference.’
The actress has also revealed in the past that she has a nighttime routine for her skincare before she goes to bed.
In 2018, she told Harper’s Bazaar that she was ‘not panicking’ about turning 50, saying that ‘there are so many lives’ she still wants to live.
ANGELA BASSETT, 64
Hollywood icon Angela Bassett’s youthful appearance continues to leave fans in awe (pictured left in 1993, and right in 2023)
The Hollywood icon has used skincare developed specifically for deeper skin tones in order to maintain her glow (pictured in 2023)
Angela Bassett is one of the most respected living actresses in the industry thanks to decades of iconic roles under her belt.
The star is just as celebrated for her ageless appearance and she’s been happy to reveal her secrets over the years.
Having previously struggled with hyperpigmentation, a common condition where there is an excess of melanin in the skin that causes dark patches to form, Angela took matter into her own hands.
When she noticed that there weren’t a lot of skincare options formulated for her skin type, Bassett paired up with a specialist and created her own—the Dr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones line.
Meanwhile, she loves natural ingredients like coconut oil, which she ‘always’ uses thanks to its beauty benefits.
MICHELLE YEOH, 60
After a career that has spanned decades, Michelle Yeoh (pictured left in 1997) continues to wow thanks to her flawless skin (pictured right in 2023)
The iconic actress makes sure to never skip SPF and uses eye patches and face sheet masks every day (pictured in 2023)
After a career that has spanned decades, Michelle Yeoh continues to wow on the red carpet.
During her career, Yeoh has been a celebrity skincare ambassador for the likes of French cosmetics company, Guerlain.
The iconic actress makes sure to never skip SPF, and uses eye patches and face sheet masks every day.
The star is also known to use a two-step duo consisting of the Augustinus Bader moisturizer and Tatcha smoothing essence to create her glowing skin
Michelle also uses the Guerlain Orchidée Impériale Mask, which has been formulated to treat skin that has been damaged by emotional and environmental stress.
Meanwhile, she likes to rejuvenate her skin by taking warm showers and ending it with a splash of cold water.
JENNIFER GARNER, 50
Jennifer Garner (pictured left in 2000) has been a longtime ambassador for affordable skin brand, Neutrogena, thanks to her flawless skin (pictured right in 2022)
The actress has previously stressed: ‘I wash my face every single night, no matter what’ (pictured in 2023)
Jennifer Garner often appears like she is 50 going on 30, thanks to her glowing visage.
Born in Texas, the actress rose to fame after her leading performance as CIA officer Sydney Bristow in the spy-action series Alias (2001-2006).
Since finding fame, she has been a longtime ambassador for affordable skin brand, Neutrogena.
Speaking to InTheStyle ahead of her 50th birthday, she stated that she relies on two hero products – the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel and Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil.
When reflecting on her skincare routine, she explained: ‘I’ve focused on having the best possible skin that I can for my entire adult life.’
‘First off, I wash my face every single night, no matter what,’ she added.
‘I honestly wear no makeup unless there’s a reason to, but if I happen to have eye makeup on that day I’ll remove all of it.’
SHERYL LEE RALPH, 66
Sheryl Lee Ralph (pictured left in 1989) has won over a new legion of fans thanks to her role as Barbara Howard on the ABC mockumentary sitcom Abbott Elementary (pictured right in 2023)
The actress has been actively picking up beauty tips from the women in countries she has visited (pictured in 2023)
Sheryl Lee Ralph made her screen debut in the 1977 comedy film A Piece of the Action, before landing the role of Deena Jones in the Broadway musical Dreamgirls (1981), for which she received a Tony Award.
She has won over a new legion of fans thanks to her role as Barbara Howard on the ABC mockumentary sitcom Abbott Elementary.
Over the years, the actress has been actively picking up beauty tips from the women in countries she has visited.
She told Conde Nast Traveler: ‘I’m always looking for—and I know this sounds strange, but—what is the beauty tip of the women of that country, of that city? What is it that they do that makes them beautiful, or feel special?
‘I had a cousin that traveled to and from Bahrain and she came back with this black powder, kajal, and I couldn’t wait to figure out how to use it. She had these beautiful eyes and she would put this kajal on her eyes. Now that has become a staple.’
She continued: ‘In Jamaica, it’s castor oil, but it’s not the castor oil that we get in [grocery] stores—it’s the pounded, pure castor oil that has a way of making hair incredibly soft.
‘The women in Japan, the way they take the time to calm their nerves in the making of the matcha tea, and how being calm helps create and loosen the muscles of their face to give that serene look, which is basically beauty from the inside out. Oh, there’s so many things that I’ve learned by traveling about women and their beauty!’
TRACEE ELLIS ROSS, 50
Tracee Ellis Ross, who is the daughter of singing legend Diana Ross, has revealed she uses anti-aging body cream to make sure she is always red-carpet ready (left in 2001 and right in 2022)
The Blackish star is someone who credits water and regular exercise for her youthful glow
Tracee Ellis Ross, who is the daughter of singing legend Diana Ross, first made her name as an actress in the hit TV series, Girlfriends (2000).
The Blackish star – who founded haircare company Pattern in 2018 – claims that focusing on happiness is the ultimate key to looking youthful.
Meanwhile, she makes sure to moisturize regularly and drink lots of water daily.
The film star also likes to use anti-aging body creams like the one from Dr. Barbara Sturm.
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