If you need any proof that it's possible to somehow age in reverse, look no further than Elizabeth Hurley.
British actress, model and swimsuit designer, 52, has been an Estée Lauder spokeswoman since 1995. In recent years, she's served as the ambassador of the Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Campaign. She'll talk to you fluidly about mammograms, self-exams and the need for early detection. And in person, she's radiance incarnate.
"That’s very kind of you," she says, attributing her glow to a few factors. "Skincare. I have one serum I use all the time. You need to look after your skin. You need to look after your health. If you want to glow from the inside, you have to be healthy. You have to watch your diet. You have to watch your lifestyle. You have to get enough sleep."
But most of all, says Hurley, it's the old adage that it's what on the inside that counts.
"You have to try to stay positive. We all get terrible knocks in life, all of us. Some people have terrible things they have to deal with. You see some people and they just manage to keep their attitude positive. They rise above stuff. Some people get angry. Sometimes I think to glow, you have to let go of a lot of stuff and move on. Be as nice as you can to everyone," she says.
She's embraced healthy living in the British countryside. And she's also dedicated to paying it forward, as part of BCC, which was founded in 1992 by Evelyn Lauder, who created the pink ribbon. Since then, the hue has been synonymous with the disease and October has been designated as breast cancer awareness month.
"I’ve learned how to rest when I need to rest. I understand that I need to do a bit of exercise. I understand about eating healthily. I’ve understood about not smoking. I’ve understood about limiting alcohol intake," she says.
And she's adamant about spreading the message of self-care. Hurley says women approach her, asking direct questions about breast cancer-related issues.
"Younger women want to know what it’s like to have a mammogram. It’s fine. You fear the results. But the actual process itself is fine. It’s a little bit uncomfortable. It’s worth it. Young girls want to know how to check their breasts," she says.
Plus, women ask her to share her own secrets to staying healthy. And no, it doesn't include hours spent sweating in the gym.
"The skin stuff is easy. I’ve been lucky enough to work with Estee Lauder for 22 years. I have an arsenal of products at my fingertips and I use them all. They’re great. As far as exercise goes, I don’t have a definite exercise regime I follow all the time. I’m very active. I’m not at all slothful. I go on long walks with my dogs. I stretch all the time," she says.
When she's away from London, she takes over the kitchen. This model cooks -- and eats.
"I believe in having your food in its natural state if you can. We eat very little processed food in our house. I tend to cook it at home myself. I’m a single working mother. I like to be in the countryside. The countryside is where I unwind. I play with my dogs. I sit in front of the fire. I make jam," she says, eliciting looks of admiration. "Only with fruit that I can gather myself. I much prefer to make jam than cook dinner. I promise. I find that very therapeutic for me and very relaxing. I do a lot of gardening."
Plus, she's learning to put away devices, at the behest of her offspring. Her son Damian is 15 and co-starred opposite his mum on the soapy E! series "The Royals," which has Hurley playing a conniving monarch.
"My son said to me once, ‘Mum, just put two hours aside for your work that comes in. Why don’t you just do it for two hours solid and then put it away?’ I don’t follow it always," she admits.