Helen Mirren says it’s a ‘terrible mistake’ for young people to get plastic surgery

At 80, Helen Mirren knows a thing or two about longevity in Hollywood.

The Dame spoke to Elle Magazine, discussing the decision she faced when she was told to get a nose job more than half a century ago.

“That was a different era. I’m so glad that I’ve lived long enough to witness the social changes that have happened, and the diversification and embracing of many different types of sexuality, physicality and race,” she began.

“I wasn’t pressured — just some film director told me I’d never have a career unless I had a nose job,” she continued, “I said no. I didn’t want to be a pretty actress anyway. I elected to be not so pretty.”

Though plastic surgery is not the route that Mirren has chosen for herself, she’s careful not to support everyone’s own personal choice. “I’m not against plastic surgery, incidentally, and I want to say that very clearly. If it makes [someone] feel better, then why not? Life’s too short to be miserable about elements of your face.”

However, she cautions against the youth jumping under the knife too quickly: “I think it would be a terrible mistake to get plastic surgery when you’re in your twenties,” she declared.

“Your face changes. I don’t like to criticize or attack people for doing what makes them happy. But to try to look like a fake picture of yourself would be terrible.”

Her pro tip? Good lighting.

“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 suggests, continuing, “You’ve just seen that last image of yourself and think, ‘Oh, I look fabulous.’ And off you go. It’s a lot cheaper than getting a facelift.”

Mirren is not the only celebrity to caution against plastic surgery.

Just a month ago, Kate Winslet criticized Hollywood for perpetuating unrealistic beauty standards, calling it “f—king chaos.” “No one’s listening because they’ve become obsessed with chasing an idea of perfection to get more likes on Instagram,” she added adding, concluding, “It upsets me so much.”

Earlier this summer, Jamie Lee Curtis stood on the same side of the line, who strongly stated, “Once you mess with your face, you can’t get it back.”