Angie Harmon's Advice to Midlifers

Angie Harmon is not going for the glam. Her object is to get her man (or woman) depending on the perp of the week.

On the set of TNT's "Rizzoli & Isles," the Texas beauty is hiding her inner glam goddess, who is just waiting to burst out.

Mine is in the Witness Protection Program today, but soon Angie will help release her, too. 

"I try to keep my character Jane as minimal as possible. She doesn't even wear makeup," Angie says, while explaining her Boston homicide detective Jane Rizzoli on the hit series, which returns in July.

"This character is really tomboyish," Angie says. "She basically hangs out with a bunch of guys in her field and she wants to fit in with those guys."

Yes, it has caused a bit of a beauty withdrawal for the Texas lovely.

"This girl doesn't even get a manicure," Angie whoops with a laugh. Then she has a confession.

"Of course, she has a pedicure because I love pedicures," she confides.

"That's hidden," she says with a laugh. "That's my little part of being a girl. It's not privy to anyone else – except I just let the cat out of the bag."

"So underneath those sensible shoes I wear on the show, I can be as frilly and girly and sexy as I want!" she says. "We can all hide our inner glam if necessary. The important thing is to do what makes us feel good at any age."

That's not the only lesson taught to my midlifer self by the fabulous Angie.

*Angie proves you can eat right, but cheat.

Angie admits to keeping her sugar intake low and eating a lot of lean protein, but she occasionally slips up and it's fine. Just look at her figure after two kids.

 "Doritos," the Texas born Angie says in that trademark deep, husky voice. "They're just so tasty and I refuse to deny myself if I get a craving and want to eat a few. You get to an age where you think, 'You know what? An occasional Dorito is okay.'"

Those are major words for a woman who is one of the most stunning screen beauties.

"There is no point in denying yourself," she says. "Trying to say, 'I will never eat sugar or never have a piece of birthday cake doesn't do anyone any good."

"Once you cut out anything, all you do is want it!" she says with a laugh.

*Angie proves you can juggle it all.

Harmon is doing it all this summer: She's starring on the next season of her hit series "Rissoli & Isles" and she's also a busy mom who is married to athlete Jason Sehorn, a retired New York Giants defensive back.

He famously walked out on "The Tonight Show" and proposed to her.

How does she juggle Jason and two daughters? "You just take a deep breath and dive in, but put the family first," she says. "There are days you don't think it will get done, but it does."

*Angie's real life beauty routine fits any midlifer who doesn't want to buy too many products. Instead, she takes the common sense approach to stunning.

When it comes to real life, down-home beauty, she prefers to keep it simple. A little lip-gloss. A few swipes of mascara and an eyeliner. She's out the door. "The lip gloss is easy and you'll always have pretty lips – especially when someone moves in for a kiss," she says.

"I really do try to eat right. I know you've heard it again and again, but it's crucial to drink a lot of water. It's an easy thing to do that makes your skin glow at every age," she says.

"Otherwise, I moisturize like crazy," she says. "As we age, our skin loses that moisture and it's really important to use as much as your skin wants. There are nights where I swear I'm using the entire tub, but it's important because my skin drinks it in."

She even uses a nipple cream to keep her lips supple. "Until the day I die, I will be smoothing Lansinoh nipple cream on my lips," she says.

*Angie says to look to your diet to clear up lifelong skin issues.

She says women who have skin issues should really look at their diets for clues.

"I learned a long time ago that our skin is a reflection of what's going on inside," she says. "So, I do what's right for my body. I eat the fruits and vegetables. I try not to do too many sweets.

"Your body will tell you by your skin and how you feel if you're on the right track," she says.

"Your body will tell you what it wants. You just have to listen," she says.

Yes, you will even crave blueberries or a salad instead of a slice of pizza.

"Your body will even say to you, 'This sugar doesn't feel good,'" she says.

*Angie insists that you hit the sack.

She says her other beauty secret is to try to get some zzzzz's.

"It's not always easy in a house with kids, but I really do try to sleep," she says. "If the choice is stay up late and watch a movie or get two extra hours of sleep go for the sleep."

*And finally, give yourself a break about aging.

Harmon doesn't mind another birthday. "You embrace age and rejoice in getting older," she says.

 "The key at any age is just to be good to yourself," she says. "Take a minute just for you in a day. Even if it's just a minute. Give yourself a tiny pat on the back."

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