Helen Mirren news is our favourite kind of news. Why? Because it seems like every time the Oscar winner opens her mouth, she opens our minds along with it. Though we still love to report on the fun things like which lippy she wore to the SAG Awards, or the brief romance she had with Liam Neeson; she has a refreshing and strong perspective on the way in which women are treated that always leaves us feeling inspired.
Unsure what we’re talking about? Just Google ‘Helen Mirren empowering quotes’ and have a squizz.
Our personal favourite when it comes to her words of wisdom? The 77-year-old’s stance on anti-ageing and why she wants us to break up with the term once and for all.
Why Helen wants us to stop using the term ‘anti-ageing’
“It’s extremely annoying to women of my generation and others following mine to have beauty products sold on a 15-year-old face,” she said speaking to Grazia. “How can a product be ‘anti-ageing?’, she asked. “That’s like saying ‘i’m anti-sun’, well, the sun is going to rise, ‘well no, I’m anti it.’”
So, if given the choice would she wind back the clock and relive her thirties? Absolutely not. “When you really think about it you’d go, ‘No, actually, I want to be who I am.’”
During her work as an ambassador for L’Oréal Paris, Helen doubled down on her stance to The Cut, where she noted, “With each era, it’s the start of something new, so I absolutely believe in beauty products for all ages and all skin types, but I don’t like the term ‘anti-ageing.’” She continued, “I think it’s demeaning actually. L’Oréal doesn’t use the term and I appreciate it.”
“All of these fences have been slowly broken down. And I think what L’Oréal have done is they’ve truly embraced it. They’ve incorporated different ages and genders, they’ve incorporated race, they’ve incorporated disabilities,” she said. Such changes have been made possible thanks to powerful voices like Helen’s rallying for brands to do better.
However, don’t get her stance confused with how she feels about beauty as a whole. “It’s not vain to wash your hair and then brush dry it, or to put makeup on,” said the Oscar winner. “I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone vain, actually. I think people can get obsessed with their own looks in this world of social media, but I suspect that really mostly comes from a sense of insecurity more than self-love.”
Happy birthday, Helen!
What do you think about the term anti-ageing?
I agree, it’s a horrible term. I have heard of ‘de-ageing’ as a alternative but it’s not great.
Yeah…
She is such a good ambassadore for seniors. Always looks lovely
She’s very sensible, and I think I agree with this.
Same here 🙂
I think she is one of those those people who actually age beautifully.
She’s absolutely right
Do not care much.
Well said.
Helen Mirren is such a breath of fresh air in Hollywood – she’s so down to earth and a great role model
Agreed
I’m not bothered by the term, what I AM bothered by is something that Helen alluded to: all the 20-something models in the ads spruiking “anti-ageing” products. Gimme a break! I see straight through that BS.
Also, I’d only go back in time to relive my youth if I could bring with me the wisdom I’ve accrued along the way. Otherwise, it’s a hell no.
I’m thinking right now about the one with Kendall Jenner – Oh, puh-lease! Nobody’s got wrinkles at her age!
OMG she’s absolutely spot on
When its explained how Helen explained it, it really does come across as a negative term. I love that she embraces her age.
Helen Mirren has a point with this term. She is full of life and a perfect ambassador.
She is lovely and always shines in my book
I agree with her comments about social media. As for the anti-aging term, I understand where she’s coming from and I don’t have any problem with aging. Beauty advertising should promote looking our best no matter what our age.
Very true
Its a sales pitch for the insecure -What I would prefer if I age well -A lovely clear skin with a nice glow and wrinkles are just expression lines so hopefully happy wrinkles
Aww, nice perspective
Not bothered by the term at all.
She’s so right!
Yes I have to agree with Dame Helen Mirren on Anti-aging so many products always promise that it will stop you Aging. Many actually do myself personally you need to look after your Skin from a Young Age.
I think the term is mainly used in the context of marketing
Yeah, it gets old after a while
Totally agreed. I have been saying this for ages! I don’t want to age in a world where people and brands are ‘anti-ageing’ – ageing is a privilege and we should embrace it. Brands need to stop trying to shame us into needing to look younger.
good on her
and i hate the term middle aged more
Dost thou prefer mediaeval, Shoppe? Haha!
all the terms in marketing for non-young people suck
She is fabulous.
I love it! Helen is such an icon!
I love her, she’s so inspiring!
Helen is always inspirational.
Agreed 🙂
She has always been an inspiration.
I think it is a great idea, anti is so negative, what we need to use is the word prevention, so maybe “preventative aging”?
She is totally right.Everyone need to be who they really are.
It does sound negative
Very well said
Helen Mirren is a deadset legend!
I tend to look for specific benefits (like moisturising) rather than a meaningless term like “anti-aging”.
Not a great term :/
I adore Helen Mirren. She is stunning and doesn’t need to worry about the need to look younger. I agree with her regarding the term “anti-ageing.” There is far too much emphasis on telling women they can look younger and they are constantly reminded of it by the images on social media. As a mature woman I am more concerned about my skin looking great for my age and really you need to have some form of cosmetic surgery if you really have the desire to look younger. Me – I’m perfectly happy with my skin and I stick to my daily routine which works for me.
“Anti-aging” is just a marketing term so I’m not bothered by it. But I do dislike advertisements that use models with perfect skin to advertise anti-aging products.
I agree, beauty products appropriate for the age you are is better
Agreed.
Fair enough she has a point