Courteney Cox's secrets to ageing like an A-lister

By Elsa Mcalonan

PUBLISHED: 19:11 EST, 24 November 2013 | UPDATED: 07:04 EST, 25 November 2013


This week, Elsa puts a reader’s big beauty query to Friends and Cougar Town star Courteney Cox...

Like you Courteney, I’m about to turn 50. What’s the secret behind your glossy mane and flawless make-up?

Sally, Livingston.

Courteney Cox in 1984 Dancing In The Dark video
Courteney Cox

'As long as you look after your hair, there's no reason why it can't look great at any length and any age,' said Courteney Cox (pictured in 1984, left, and today, right)

I always make sure that I use a really good conditioner when I wash my hair — especially now that I’m older.

My hair has definitely changed and if I don’t look after it properly, using good, deep moisturising products, it can get a bit dry and coarse.

I have been using Pantene Expert Collection Advanced Keratin Repair Conditioner  (£5.99, nationwide).

Other than that though, I’m a real wash-and-go girl.

I hate using lots of product on my hair and I’m useless at blow-drying, so I tend to leave it to dry naturally and scrunch it with my hands — it probably helps to keep my hair in good condition that I don’t use lots of styling tools.

I’m pretty simple, though. I like a mussed-up, undone look and will sometimes use sea salt spray once my hair has dried to give it a bit of added texture. 

 

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That said, when I need to look a bit more ‘done’ I go to a salon in Los Angeles for a blow-dry.

My stylist is Chris McMillan — I’ve been going to him for years now and he’s fantastic and really knows what works with my hair and what I like.

I think the most ageing thing you can do is wear a short style that is set in place. My mother’s been doing that since she was 40.

I remember when I was young, people used to say women shouldn’t have long hair when they got to a certain age, but I think those rules are old-fashioned and the idea of women being seen as old at 40 is long gone.

As long as you look after your hair, there’s no reason why it can’t look great at any length and any age.

That said, I do think it’s nice to change and am thinking about the possibility of having a new look, but I just don’t have one in mind yet.

I’ve had a few different looks over the years but I always end up going back to my signature long, beachy style.

It’s inevitable that you will keep returning to the same look when you find one that suits you and feels comfortable.

I’ve had a few cuts in the past that I definitely won’t be returning to though — one being the one I had in Bruce Springsteen’s Dancing In The Dark video (left) in 1984!

In my make-up bag, I always have Edward Bess Lash Volumizing Mascara (£18.70, beautybay.com); Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser in Sand, (£33, SpaceNK); Stila Convertible Colour Lips and Cheeks Blush in Peony (£16, stila.co.uk); and a Shiseido The Makeup Eyelash Curler, (£18, feelunique.com).

My secret buy is CeraVe Moisturising Cream, (£17.49, amazon.co.uk).
I sometimes mix it with Lucas Australian Pawpaw cream, (£5.25, pawpawshop.co.uk) to make a really

thick mask when I feel  like my face needs a really good moisture boost.

Courteney Cox is an ambassador for Pantene Expert Collection Advanced Keratin Repair.

Send your beauty questions to elsa@dailymail.co.uk. Elsa reads all your correspondence but cannot reply personally.


Treats to make your Monday marvellous

Pots of gold to make parties sparkle

Maybelline Nail Forever Strong Metal Gold
Estee Lauder Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Brushed Gold

For pale yet substantial colours, try Maybelline's Forever Strong Metal Gold (left). My gold standard is Estee Lauder Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Brushed Gold (right)

Ever since Jessica Ennis flashed those gleaming fingernails after her Olympics win last year, gold polish has been a best-seller.

Some prefer bright and shiny; some like their golds to glitter and some prefer a more subtle approach. For me, it has to be yellow based and bright — but no sparkle or shimmer, please.

My gold standard is Estee Lauder Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Brushed Gold (£13.05, John Lewis).

Revlon’s Nail Enamel in Gold Coin, (£6.49, Boots) is a deep subtle gold, while the new No7 Gel-Look Shine Nail Colour in Golden Sands, (£7, Boots) is perfect for those who prefer a less brash effect.

For pale yet substantial colours, try Maybelline’s Forever Strong Metal Gold 821, (£3.10, Tesco) and Cheeky’s Gold Digger, (£7, urcheeky.com).

And if you still can’t make your mind up, the best buy is the Barbara Daly Gold on Gold Gift Set, £5, which includes two shades. Wear on their own or layer up.


A mask for every need

Superdrug's new range of mud masks has six to choose from - including Exfoliating Raspberry, Cucumber and and Deep Cleansing. They cost £2.59, so you can mix and match your masks without feeling too guilty

Superdrug's new range of mud masks has six to choose from - including Exfoliating Raspberry, Cucumber and and Deep Cleansing. They cost £2.59, so you can mix and match your masks without feeling too guilty

Skin can go from being dehydrated to being oily or dull and blemish-prone in just a few days, so it’s important to choose the right mask.

Superdrug’s new range of mud masks has six to choose from — including Exfoliating Raspberry, Cucumber and and Deep Cleansing.

They cost £2.59 (superdrug.com) so you can mix and match your masks without feeling too guilty.

Use something soothing and calming the day after a mask that unclogs pores to keep breakouts to a minimum.


Unsung hero

Pond's Cold Cream Cleanser: This affordable, no-frills cream now enjoys cult classic status

Pond's Cold Cream Cleanser: This affordable, no-frills cream now enjoys cult classic status

Pond’s Cold Cream Cleanser (£4.07, nationwide) was originally created to remove heavy theatrical make-up, but this affordable, no-frills cream now enjoys cult classic status.

In an age when we are all looking for multi-tasking products, this cleanses thoroughly and is gentle enough to be used on the eyes.

It also doubles as a hydrating face mask for extra-dry skin and as a deeply moisturising
hand cream.




Heathcote and Ivory Beau Jardin Exfoliating Hand Wash
The Nicki Minaj Pink Friday Deluxe Edition

Heathcote and Ivory Beau Jardin Exfoliating Hand Wash (left) helps remove dead skin cells. The Nicki Minaj Pink Friday Deluxe Edition (right) contains a floral musk

Bargain buy

Heathcote and Ivory Beau Jardin Exfoliating Hand Wash (£10, heathcote-ivory.com) comes in an old-fashioned glass bottle that looks far more expensive than it is.

Finely ground walnut shell helps to remove dead skin cells, while essential oils, their scent inspired by a French country garden, keep skin soft.


Elsa's pick

The Nicki Minaj Pink Friday Deluxe Edition (£49 for 100ml, The Perfume Shop) goes on sale this week.

The U.S. rap star’s original fragrance launched in April and was a huge seller, beating everything but Chanel No 5 and Coco Mademoiselle.

The striking and surely collectable bottle contains a floral musk with key notes including starfruit, mandarin, boysenberry, lotus flower, jasmine petals, caramelised pear, musk  and wood.

Comments (27)

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WRONG !! LONG HAIRED OLD WOMEN ARE LIKE VICARS IN POLKA DOT SHORTS PREACHING THE GOSPEL

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DM have turned into Trolls, Courtney Cox has got the worst plastic surgery and is turning into a Tweenie, I'd rather have the wrinkles thank you very much, she needs to stop, she was a lovely looking woman.

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She was so plain when she was younger.

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Ermmmm it's botox and filler honey

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Courteney Cox does not use Pantene!

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I was nearly rushing out to buy some Pantene....... til I read she's paid to say it. Just an advert dressed up as an interview.

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This article seems nothing more than a blatant attempt to disguise advertising as news.

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Are you joking? She looks horrendous now. Too much Botox/surgery. Look at her in the first 3 seasons of Friends, she was easily the prettiest and now? Wow.

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Who gives a hoot !! You can't defeat time or getting older !! Celeb or not celeb.fact !!

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This article is pure make-believe! I am sure Courtney uses quite a few high-end products, not Superdrus Mud Masks. She looks more like the Oxygen-facial girl and these go for up to a few hundred per session.

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