Annette Bening: Her Tips for a Stylish Life

The first time I met Annette Bening, she was a babe...and a baby. She was only 31-years-old, dewy-eyed, gorgeous and promoting her first big movie "Valmont."

I remember she had happy, dancing eyes as she talked about how hopefully she would have a film career.

She had a lock on that dream...plus soon would marry Hollywood royalty, Warren Beatty.

At age 53, she's one of Hollywood's A-list actresses who kept the same level of joy and enthusiasm for life, love, and movies.

Mention her high voltage sparkle and the star of movies ranging from "The American President" to "American Beauty" to "The Kids are Alright" just giggles as she drives around doing errands in Los Angeles.

"I don't know if it's the same sparkle you saw all those years ago!" she says. 

A natural beauty who hails from Kansas, Bening is actually better than ever. 

Ask her: How is she facing aging?

"One of the best parts of getting older is you continue to learn – and you crave the knowledge. You appreciate learning new things, which is such a joy," Bening says. "That's what makes up for the aches and pains we all get, which is part of adding the years.

"I always picture myself continuing to act as I get older. I hope I can keep doing all the stuff I enjoy with the people I love," says Bening. 

 Here's what I learned from the amazing Annette:

ANNETTE BENING'S TIPS FOR A STYLISH LIFE

FIND A WAY TO RELAX WHILE GETTING EXERCISE:  "I do try to exercise on a regular basis," says Bening. "We were taught yoga when I was in acting school. "It was one of the best things they offered us because it became a life-long passion and a way to relax and stay fit at the same time. I highly recommend it."

PRACTICE BEAUTY SECRETS THAT WORK

Bening isn't the type to party until dawn. Of course, she has been seen on many a red carpet with her famous hubby.

"Most nights, we're home and go to sleep at a reasonable hour," she says.

Otherwise, she keeps her trademark short, perfectly cropped hair, which she calls "the easiest thing to manage." Lately, cute little round glasses have been added to the look, including on the red carpet. 

Bening is happy to be seen without too much makeup. "Sometimes you just don't have the time to fuss," she says. 

Bening says she doesn't stress out when it comes to looking perfect. "I look the way I want to look for myself and my family. If a role calls for me to look another way then I will if I take on that role," she says.

ASK YOUR KIDS FOR HELP

At the Bening-Beatty mansion, the famed movie star parents are well into the teenage years. "It's great, but it's a lot to have a household of people smarter than we are as parents. We're really in trouble. You think you're the one who is supposed to be smart.

"I ask my 10-year-old how to work the computer when there is a problem," she moans. "The fact that she can explain it to me is quite a relief. They know so much more."

REMEMBER TO FOLLOW YOUR HEART

As for the Beatty brood getting into the family business, Bening just sighs.

"I tell them what one of my college professors told me when I asked him if I should become an actress. He replied, 'Only if you have to.' It was the prefect answer and one that works with any profession. Only if you have to. Of course, it was never a rational decision for me. I just followed my heart."

KEEP CONNECTING WITH YOUR MATE ON ALL LEVELS

 "I would love to work with Warren again," says Bening who met Beatty on the set of their film "Bugsy."

"I'd do it in a minute if it were the right thing. Warren is someone who doesn't work a lot. He really thinks about a project a lot before he does it. But I would love to work with him again.

REMEMBER THE PAST

"As for us watching 'Bugsy,' it has been awhile since I've seen it. What's great is that time goes by and we can forget what it was like to make the movie and everything going on behind the scenes and just enjoy the movie.

"I won't be thinking, 'Oh, that day on Bugsy, it was 120 degrees and I was starving.' You actually remember that stuff. But now it has been so long that I can see that film and it's a great one. Warren deserved an Oscar for that one. No offense to the person who won, but Warren was great."

KEEP DEVELOPING YOUR PASSION PROJECTS – AT ANY AGE

"I always want to do things that are challenging and interesting," she says. "I have four kids and live in LA. Right now, it's hard to get away. But I'm always looking for material and also love to do plays.

"It's very gratifying to continue to do the work you love," she says.

DON'T BEAT YOURSELF UP (AT LEAST NOT ANYMORE)

"Any of us with kids knows that it's about working out your life with this group of people," she says. "I can't complain. I have friends my age who have so many more schedules to follow. They over-schedule themselves and make life harder.

"I believe in stopping and taking something out of your day," she says. "Many of the woman I know really do try to do too much and then we beat ourselves up when we can't do it all.

"Give yourself a break." 

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