Confidence, grace and authority, this is what real beauty looks like at 40.
Anne Hathaway (Age 43)
Anne Hathaway is a recognizable face. Her big brown eyes, dark hair, full lips and prominent features lend to her timeless beauty. She can appear glam in an evening gown, but also look stunning with minimal makeup and tousled hair.
Hathaway’s acting credits include standout performances in films such as The Princess Diaries, The Devil Wears Prada, and Les Misérables.
Her beauty styles have evolved over time as well. She has transitioned from subtle and natural makeup to strong eyeliner, red lips and experimented with many hairstyles. That pixie cut she sported while promoting Les Misérables stands out as one of her truly unforgettable styles.
Vogue captured many of her best looks throughout the years, demonstrating her fun and creative hair and beauty looks.
Charlize Theron (Age 51)
Charlize Theron’s strong bone structure gives her a beautiful elegance, even when wearing minimal makeup.
Her high cheekbones, sharp jawline, light-colored eyes and blonde hair are instantly recognizable.
The actress has also appeared in both serious and action-packed roles throughout her career and is also known for being the face of Dior’s J’adore fragrance.
Over the years, Theron has been recognized for her hair transformations, adapting them for acting parts and personal expression, which has expanded her overall look.
Gemma Chan (Age 43)
British actress Gemma Chan has a demure beauty that often shines through in her everyday style. Dark hair, almond eyes and strong features keep her look refined and elegant.
Chan rose to fame with Crazy Rich Asians and has since starred in films such as Captain Marvel and Eternals. She has definitely upped her red carpet game as her career has taken off, finding a sweet spot of elegant fashion and natural beauty.
Chan typically goes for a fresh, minimal makeup look. However, she’s proven that she can definitely glam it up if the occasion calls for it.
Some of our favorite beauty looks from Chan include a red lip and softened features, or a smoky eye with a pop of red lipstick. We’ve seen her fresh beauty looks featured on Vogue as well as the smoky eye and red lip combo she wore for Vogue World in 2023.
Penélope Cruz (Age 52)
Spanish actress Penélope Cruz has radiant, emotive beauty. Dark hair, brown eyes, bold brows and lush lips give her lots of personality.
She’s worked in Spanish films and major Hollywood films and won an Academy Award for her performance in Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
When it comes to beauty, she ranges from fresh makeup looks to dramatic red carpet styles, and often leaves her hair dark.
Thandie Newton (Age 53)
British actress Thandiwe Newton has expressive eyes, beautiful cheekbones and olive skin. She can even wear minimal makeup and her features stand out.
Newton has appeared in films and television shows throughout her career from Mission: Impossible 2 to Westworld. And Newton has styled many different looks through a variety of roles.
Her short haircuts, natural curls and sophisticated red-carpet outfits also demonstrate how she can transform her beauty while maintaining her features as the focal point.
Cate Blanchett (Age 57)
Australian actress Cate Blanchett possesses stunning, almost sculptural beauty. Her fair skin, light eyes, high cheekbones and strong jaw line are so distinctive that it’s hard to imagine anyone else playing her iconic roles.
She’s had a career filled with notable films such as Elizabeth, Blue Jasmine and Tár and is a two-time Academy Award winner. Cate has been known to take some risks when it comes to her beauty and fashion looks as well.
It’s a common sight to see her sporting unusual hair, makeup, or gowns that highlight her features instead of downplaying them.
Gong Li (Age 60)
Gong Li’s classic beauty has been one of her trademarks throughout her career. She has dark hair, expressive eyes, high cheekbones and strong facial features.
Among Chinese film stars, Gong Li is truly a standout. She has appeared in films like Raise the Red Lantern, Farewell My Concubine and Memoirs of a Geisha.
Gong Li’s makeup and beauty styles tend to be elegant and refined, allowing her strong features to stand out.
Jessica Chastain (Age 49)
There’s something about Jessica Chastain’s look that makes her immediately identifiable. Her fiery hair, pale skin, green eyes and strong eyebrows contrast beautifully.
Jessica has starred in many notable films including The Help, Zero Dark Thirty and Eyes of Tammy Faye for which she won an academy award.
She tends to select red-carpet makeup that complements her natural glow. Think neutral eye looks, pale pinks and rich reds.
Zoe Saldaña (Age 48)
Actress Zoe Saldaña has an effortlessly elegant, athletic physique. Her intense dark eyes, strong features, and long hair lend her a unique beauty.
Saldaña has had the opportunity to highlight her abilities in major franchise films like Avatar, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Avengers. You can also see her dance background reflected in her physique.
With Saldaña, it’s either a very natural look or a glamorous one, but she always manages to look sleek.
Rachel Weisz (Age 56)
British actress Rachel Weisz is naturally beautiful without the need for heavy styling. Dark eyebrows, brown eyes, full lips and warm smile provide an inner strength to her face.
She’s known for roles in The Mummy, The Constant Gardener, and most recently, The Favourite, a film that earned her an Academy Award nomination.
Rachel often wears natural makeup allowing her dark hair and notable facial features to stand out.
Marion Cotillard (Age 50)
Academy Award-winning French actress Marion Cotillard has a chic, almost mysterious beauty. Her blue eyes, dark hair, strong cheekbones and expressive face make her stand out.
She won an Oscar for the film La Vie en Rose and since has starred in both French and international films.
Cotillard’s beauty ranges from soft makeup and natural hair to smokier eye looks and glamorous red-carpet styles.
Danai Gurira (Age 48)
Actress and playwright Danai Gurira is full-figured with highly expressive features. Strong cheekbones, a lively smile, and her natural hairstyles make her stand out.
She rose to fame on The Walking Dead, then became even more famous playing Okoye in the Black Panther movies.
Danai often lets her natural beauty shine on the red carpet, allowing her features and hairstyles to play a key role in her looks.
Freida Pinto (Age 41)
Indian actress Freida Pinto exudes effortless warmth. Her deep brown eyes, black hair, full lips and golden skin balance out her facial features naturally.
She rose to fame with Slumdog Millionaire and has since appeared in movies, TV shows and other ventures.
Freida’s beauty looks range from loose curls and minimal makeup to glamorous red-carpet styles.
Eva Green (Age 46)
Few actresses possess a more striking physique than French star Eva Green. The pale skin combined with her dark hair and blue eyes is a high-contrast look that grabs your attention when you see her face.
Famous for roles in Casino Royale and Penny Dreadful, she often plays sinister or mysterious characters.
Green’s beauty looks tend to match with smoky eyes, dark lips and dramatic updos or hairstyles that highlight her compelling features.
Lupita Nyong’o (Age 43)
Mexican-Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o has gained fame for her bold beauty looks. From her rich brown skin and bright eyes to buzzed hairstyles, Lupita exudes a signature look.
After her roles in movies like 12 Years a Slave, Black Panther, and Us, she has become one of the most iconic actresses of this century.
She isn’t afraid to play around with bold eyeliner, colorful lipstick, and unique hair sculptures rather than sticking to one beauty style.
Rebecca Ferguson (Age 42)
Born in Sweden, Rebecca Ferguson has elegant, timeless beauty. She has blue eyes, blonde hair, and prominent facial structure that allow her to pull off minimal makeup with ease.
Known for appearing in Mission: Impossible, The Greatest Showman, and Dune, she is a household name in many countries.
Her look on the red carpet tends to be sleek and refined, but not over-done. With gentle makeup and beautiful hair, her remarkable eyes and bone structure truly stand out.
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
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