Actor Nia Long was seven years older than her ex-boyfriend Ime Udoka. However, it might’ve been hard to tell since many agree she hasn’t aged all that much even since her Fresh Prince days. And although Long is usually flattered by all the remarks about her agelessness, she warned that it isn’t always the compliment some might think it is.
Nia Long reflected on the pressures of staying young
Long doesn’t try to hide her age, although an argument can be made that her genetics hide it well enough for her. The You People star is frequently reminded that she looks the same way she did decades ago. The only time she was told she ever looked too old was when she was turned down for a role in Charlie’s Angels. But she added that the constant compliments could be a lot for her to live up to sometimes.
“I so appreciate the compliment,” she said in an interview with People. “But I have to tell you, there’s so much pressure in this industry to stay beautiful and to stay young. And I’m really not interested in leaning into this idea of perfection.”
Additionally, Long accepted that she’s not going to look the way she does now forever. She’d rather embrace growing older instead of always having to meet unrealistic standards of beauty.
“I am a proud 51, and eventually I’m going to age in a way where it’s obvious and I want it to happen beautifully and gracefully. I don’t really want the pressure of feeling like I have to be beautiful and perfect because I think beauty comes at any age,” she said.
At the same time, however, Long doesn’t want others to think that she doesn’t appreciate how she looks.
“The skin gods have definitely blessed me,” she said. “I’m always grateful and thankful for my good, clean, healthy skin. But I don’t take it for granted. And in order to maintain healthy skin, you have to do the work.”
What Nia Long does to maintain her ageless appearance
Long’s genetics might not be the sole reason for her youthful appearance. She also credits her skincare regimen and dieting for maintaining her looks. But she asserts that her beauty routine isn’t necessarily an attempt to stay young.
“I don’t do anti-aging things, or use products because I think I look old or am trying to avoid aging,” she said. “I use products to stay healthy and to keep healthy, vibrant skin. There’s a difference.”
One of the ways the Fatal Affair star doesn’t take her ageless skin for granted is by using specific moisturizers like Chantecaille’s.
“It was designed with the idea of making Botox last—I personally don’t have Botox— but it moisturizes and tightens at the same time and you don’t feel like you’re really greasy. It’s really hydrating,” Long once said in an interview with Glamour.
Additionally, Long also applies Chantecaille’s rosewater on her face when her skin doesn’t feel as good on her as it usually does.
“I have dry skin, and most African American women have oily skin. What happens is when you’re under the lights all day, whether you have oily or dry skin, you start to feel dry. And what I’ve learned over the years is—Chantecaille has this amazing rosewater—and I spray the rosewater on my face, and then I dab a little bit of moisturizer in the areas where I see the foundation or powder is cakey. It just instantly brightens your skin. But the key is you can’t wipe, you have to dab,” she added.
In a 2014 interview with New Beauty, she gave the most credit to her mom for aging gracefully.
“She blessed me with good skin,” Long said. “She is in her late 60s and looks amazing—I hope to look as good as her.”
