As Cameron Diaz approaches 50, the retired actress has shared how her relationship with beauty and ageing has transformed for the better since leaving Hollywood.
And while we’re sad this means we’re unlikely to get another Charlie’s Angels movie alongside bestie Drew, we’re happy to hear she feels less burdened by the constant worry about her looks.
Speaking on the BBC podcast Michelle Visage’s Rule Breakers, Cameron said her looks are now “the last thing” she thinks about. But it wasn’t always that way…
“I am absolutely a victim to all of the societal objectification and exploitations that women are subjected to. I have bought into all of them myself at certain times,” she said.
“It’s hard not to, it’s hard not to look at yourself and judge yourself against other markers of beauty.”
We’re well aware that being in the spotlight isn’t always the kindest to women. The ageist comments surrounding the Sex and The City reboot earlier this year were just one example of many.
And Cameron reiterate this, saying that while being an actress, it was easy to “start to pick yourself apart”.
“And you’re like, ‘Why I am sitting here like being so mean to myself? My body’s strong, my body’s capable. Why am I going to talk down to it? Why am I going to be mean to it when it’s like carried me this far?'”
Since leaving acting behind in 2014, Cameron says she now prefers a ‘wild’ look. “The last eight years, girl — I’m like wild. I’m like a wild animal, like a beast!”
“I literally do nothing. I never wash my face. Twice a month if I’m lucky, I’ll be like, ‘Oh, I better put this on. One time works, right? Like, is that all I have to do?'” she jokes. “I’m just not in that place right now where I put any energy.”
Instead, Cameron channels her energy towards her current project as the co-founder of wine brand Avaline Wine. And her looks? They firmly take a backseat.
“I don’t care. Literally, the last thing I think about on a daily basis — like maybe not at all during the day — is what I look like.”
We’ll take a slice of that attitude, please. But we’re going to leave the no face washing to Cameron…
Do you relate to Cameron’s comments? How has your perception of beauty changed as you’ve gotten older?
I think Cameron always looks lovely and natural. She has lovely bone structure and skin so probably has enough great genes that she won’t need to take so much care.Lovely lady
She is so stunning!
Cameron looks effortlessly beautiful, she should take better care of her skin though
The stress that goes with acting and modeling and your looks would be enormous. I like her attitude and she’s probably made plenty of money over the years from acting to be able to retire from it and not care at all.
She is stunning, let’s be real.
We know that sexism against women will not end any time soon. Been there for aeons.
Love Cameron!
She’s so right, why do we put ourselves down like that? We wouldn’t let anyone else talk to us like that so we shouldn’t allow ourselves to do that either! I try to stop the negative thinking and self talk, it’s not easy but it’s a start.
I’m exactly the same @Miss19, I keep comparing my body to my 20 year old self but just need to accept who I am at this stage in life and just be happy that my body gets me from A-B and isn’t falling to bits yet!!
She has a beautiful face, so much character, and lovely eyes.
Her attitude is great, and so refreshing for Hollywood!
I had no idea she retired from acting!
Good for her.
So glad that Cameron Diaz is so very down to earth and doesn’t care about her looks, she still does with her daily beauty routine.
love her attitude, something im doing at the moment is not caring too much about what I look like and being happy.
Such a refreshing attitude! Wow how cool is she!!
Fantastic attitude. Always liked Cam. Like her even more now!
I can’t say I’ve lost all my vanity but I’m definitely less vain since I’ve gotten older, and I’ve definitely expanded my notions of beauty. Cameron is as beautiful as ever.
What a beauty!
I didn’t realise she had completely retired from acting.
Not sure about not washing the face ….
As i got older the more i cared about my skin care routine. But i love her attitude and i hope im like that when im older haha
Yeah I don’t care as much anymore what others think of me. I think it started in my early forties when I dyed my hair purple and got a lot of strange looks from people. I have a “yeah, whatever” sort of attitide now.
She seems very down to earth.
I loe her movies and smiles
She never washes her face 🤯
I can’t get past that comment either, Bianca!
Maybe she is referring to not doing a regular cleansing routine with multiple skincare steps? She must wash her face in the shower, at the very least – surely?
I’d be in Zit City without my regular deep cleansing.
Mmmm, I think the title may be a bit misleading….
Yes it would be a hard environment to be in with the constant scrutiny people in the public eye go through. Cameron is a very natural looking person with a great attitude to life.
I kinda feel like this now but I’m not in acting lol. I still try to look after my skin properly though but I don’t buy into the filers and Botox. I couldn’t care less. This is what I look like full stop. Who cares.
Quite sad isn’t it. Sure I wear waaaaay less makeup these days but I still take care of my skin. You only get once chance. If Cameron changes her mind about her appearance, that chance has gone.
I agree, very sad really
Well, she’s also a relatively new mother, and that tends to rearrange your priorities too.
very true
She’s so lucky to have such naturally lovely skin.
Some of us are not so lucky.
I’m thinking she’ll be sorry down the track. Regularity is key
I like her honesty.
What a pity to see her retire. she was great. And so lovely
Love her smile.
There is definitely something to be sad about ageing gracefully & loving yourself for who you are & not what others expect you to be.
I do prefer a simpler skincare routine as I’ve gotten older. Cameron has genes on her side, so that is certainly a huge help
Such a wonderful attitude and obviously managing well with aging.
Good for her! Love her attitude.
I like Cam and I think it’s fantastic that she has created a life that is meaningful and satisfying. I don’t believe that she neglects her skin however, it certainly doesn’t show in the photos (unless they aren’t recent).
yeah I’ve noticed the photos often aren’t recent….a lot of stars photos get regurgitated from the past and then we all think they look like that again
I can understand the don’t care what other people think attitude but I don’t believe for a second that she doesn’t wash her face.
lol agreed!!
haha that’s true.
I’ve been thinking about this ever since I first saw it – does it mean she cleanses her face but doesn’t actually wash it? Seems too weird to take it literally.
My thought was she does not cleanse her face with cleanses but when she showers she most likely does wash her face, maybe not with soap or cleaners. It is true you can wash your protective oils off if you cleanse too much, I don’t cleanse with a product everyday but I do use warm water on my face daily.
Love it
She is lovely.
I didn’t know she’d retired, but good for her escaping the Hollywood rat race!
Well she is beautiful & growing older naturally looks fabulous on her.
She’s so inspiring – I remember watching my first Cameron Diaz movie back when The Mask come out, glad to see she’s still flourishing!
Gee I needed to read this ! What a refreshing way to look at things
I’m wondering if this is a passing phase for her and soon she’ll change her mind again!
Cameron always looks beautiful. I don’t wear make up often but I always cleanse and moisturise my face twice a day. However, if there were no mirrors in our house, I wouldn’t even notice they are missing.
I don;t think she needs to care as she always looks wonderful.
Um…no face washing?? Yuck.
Of course she does not have to worry she has natural good looks anyway. Where are the age wrinkles? Botoxed out?