Helen Mirren's Cheap Facelift Alternative: "Get Good Bathroom Lighting"

Dame Helen Mirren has shared a simple and cheaper alternative to cosmetic surgery: installing flattering bathroom lighting. The Oscar-winning actress warned against the pressure to get procedures, especially for young people influenced by social media filters. She reflected on her own experience of being advised to get a nose job in her twenties, which she refused. Mirren made these comments while discussing Hollywood beauty standards with fellow actresses.

Key Points: Helen Mirren's Facelift Alternative: Good Bathroom Lighting

  • Mirren suggests good lighting over surgery
  • Warns against surgery in your 20s
  • Critiques social media's beauty distortion
  • Recalls rejecting a nose job in her 20s
  • Discusses Hollywood beauty standards with peers
2 min read

Helen Mirren shares 'cheaper' alternative to getting facelift

Helen Mirren advises against plastic surgery, suggesting good bathroom lighting as a cheaper, happier alternative to looking great in the mirror.

"Before contemplating anything, get really good lighting in your bathroom... It's a lot cheaper than getting a facelift. - Helen Mirren"

Los Angeles, Jan 14

Actress Helen Mirren shared her thoughts on the cosmetic procedure that's gaining popularity among a younger population.

"If women or men are seriously diminished, defeated, or depressed when they look in the mirror and are brought down by what they see, and they have the financial ability and the mental ability or whatever to change it, fine," the 80-year-old told Elle.

Mirren continued, "I do think because of social media and what apps can do, you (can) look at the reality and you get literally depressed. I think that's a very, very sad state of affairs."

The Oscar winner then suggested the one simple change that could sway someone's decision to go under the knife.

"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 ... It's a lot cheaper than getting a facelift. I am serious about the good lighting in the bathroom," she said, reports people.com.

"Bad lighting is so depressing. I think it would be a terrible mistake to get plastic surgery when you're in your twenties. 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."

Mirren in 2025, reflected on the beauty standards in Hollywood alongside Kathy Bates, Niecy Nash-Betts, Parker Posey, Cristin Milioti and Keri Russell.

During the conversation, the star revealed that she was "told to have a nose job in my 20s."

"Someone said, 'You'll never get work if you don't have a nose job,'" Mirren recalled, adding, "I said no. I didn't want to be a pretty actress anyway. I elected to be not so pretty."

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Rohit P
Respectfully, while I admire Helen Mirren, this advice feels a bit out of touch for regular people. Good lighting won't fix deep-seated insecurities fueled by Instagram filters. The real issue is the beauty industry and social media algorithms that profit from our dissatisfaction. We need systemic change, not just better bathroom bulbs.
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Ananya R
Her story about refusing the nose job is powerful! In Bollywood too, there's so much pressure to conform. It takes real courage to say no and embrace your natural features. Aging gracefully is a beautiful concept we seem to have forgotten. #NaturalBeauty
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David E
Interesting perspective. The social media angle is spot on. My daughter is constantly comparing herself to filtered images. Mirren's practical tip about lighting is a good first step to break that cycle of negative self-talk. Simple solutions are often the best.
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Kavya N
So true about bad lighting being depressing! 😄 My bathroom has that harsh white tube light and I always feel terrible in the morning. Maybe it's time for a warm, soft light upgrade instead of thinking about other "upgrades". Thank you for this sensible advice!
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Siddharth J
This resonates. In our culture, we're taught to respect elders and see wisdom in aging. But now even aunties in their 50s are getting fillers to look 30. Where did that wisdom go? Mirren is right – your face changes, and that's okay. Character shows in your lines.

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