Helen Mirren Reveals the 'Cheaper' Trick She Uses Instead of a Facelift

She's played queens, killers, and commanding matriarchs — but now the Hollywood icon is handing down beauty advice that's as unfiltered as it is unforgettable. See how she's evolved through the years below.

In a world dazzled by filters and fixations on flawlessness, Dame Helen Mirren is offering a surprisingly simple alternative — and she's doing it with her trademark wit, warmth, and candor.

The legendary "MobLand" and "1923" actress has opened up in a candid new interview, sharing her thoughts on the rise of cosmetic enhancements among younger generations — and gently encouraging a more empowering way to see ourselves, one mirror at a time.

While not opposed to going under the knife, Mirren — now 80 and still radiating that unmistakable charisma — understands that plastic surgery can be a lifeline, if it truly helps someone feel whole again.

Speaking with Elle in December 2025, she noted that if a man or woman feels truly disheartened or low when they see themselves in the mirror — and they have the means and mindset to make a change — then she sees no problem with them doing so.

But for those feeling uncertain or pressured by today's ruthless beauty standards, she has a different idea. One that's surprisingly low-cost… and oddly effective.

Though the actress isn't pointing fingers, she does worry about the impact apps and filters are having on young people's confidence.

She acknowledged how social media and photo-editing apps can distort reality so much that people end up feeling genuinely depressed when they compare themselves to what they see online.

"I think that's a very, very sad state of affairs," she admitted.

So what's her advice for anyone feeling down about their reflection?

"Before contemplating anything, get really good lighting in your bathroom so that whenever you look in the mirror, you are lit beautifully and look great. Because from that point on, it really doesn't matter," she said.

Yes, good lighting. That's the whole tip. And yet… maybe it's brilliant.

"Bad lighting is so depressing," she added. And — in true Mirren fashion — she didn't skip the punchline:

"It's a lot cheaper than getting a facelift."

The Oscar-winning actress has never clung to the elaborate skincare rituals pushed by influencers. In fact, she barely has a routine. All she does is cleanse her face and use a moisturizer every night and every morning.

She even admitted, "I grab whatever's there."

Her go-to? Whatever's on hand — usually from the drugstore. It's this low-key, no-nonsense approach that makes her feel relatable, grounded, and utterly herself.

Of course, that self-assurance wasn't always welcomed in Hollywood.

"I was told to have a nose job in my 20s," she revealed during The Hollywood Reporter Actress Roundtable in May 2025. "Someone said, 'You'll never get work if you don't have a nose job.' I said no. I didn't want to be a pretty actress anyway. I elected to be not so pretty."

It was a bold move — and one that would shape the course of her career.

Even as the global ambassador for L’Oréal Paris, Mirren isn't selling unattainable ideals. In fact, she questions the very word "beauty."

"I don't like the word beauty," she said. "I've always preferred the word swagger. So my legacy would be: 'She had good swagger.'"

That message carries through in everything she does. Her philosophy?

"We're not trying to be beautiful, we're trying to be authentically and genuinely and happily and positively ourselves, whether that's beautiful or not."

Take a walk down memory lane and see how she's evolved into the fearless, fabulous icon she is today.

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