Peachy Keener: How Catherine Keener Looks and Feels Great

Actress Catherine Keener has such a great attitude about aging that it's actually contagious.

"The decade marks – 40 or 50 – weren't big deals at all," she says. "I even have a full proof way to have a happy birthday. The key is I never plan anything.

"My friends are always on call in case I want to do something. Generally, I always want to do something," she says with a laugh. "Doing something is just in my nature."

What she doesn't do is lament the numbers. Hers is 52 years young.   

"The most important thing about getting older is that you have to elevate your attitude with each number. Why moan about another year?" she poses. "My attitude is that I'm happy I achieved it."

Here's the best beauty secret from an amazing woman: "My whole life has exceeded expectations. I don't chase anything. I don't want to be anyone else. I don't want to be younger. I just feel grateful," she says.

Keener is one of Hollywood's MVPs and super achievers. She's known for her critically acclaimed films including the recent "Trust" with Clive Owen, the classic "Being John Malkovich," plus "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" and "Capote."

She's not just a fresh voice at the multiplex, but someone who has been up, down, and all around.

KEEN LIFE ADVICE

"My best life advice is that you can't dwell on what I call the Pain Authority," says Keener. "You need to do something about pain and move past it.

"Everyone has pain, but it's hard to be proactive about it when you're just in a spiral all the time dwelling on it.

"A lot of women are in the middle of change, which can be scary. I prefer to say a lot of women are in the middle of finding a better spot for themselves, which is a great thing."

GREAT STYLE =  NOT SPENDING A MINT

Keener is known for her effortless style including a long layered dark shaggy cut and natural makeup. Her biggest beauty tip is moisturizing.

"Dry skin is what looks so bad," she says. "You want to moisturize a lot especially in bad weather."

She has used Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels for a bright, red carpet look.

Keener is known for gorgeous eyes, which makeup artists often line in Dior Waterproof Eyeliner in Trinidad Black.

In the film, "Please Give, now out on video, Keener plays Kate, a midlifer struggling to get her life together and control her spending.

"She's a very materialistic woman, but she's starting to feel very guilty about that and wants to let that side of her go. The key to her is a good lesson. You can't obsess about every moment of your life.

"That's hard to do, but you must stay present and keep your wits about you," she says.

"Luckily, we have people running our country now who are saying we have to make sacrifices," she says. "There's nothing wrong with making sacrifices."

This brings her to her own beauty regime. Forget about those $300 creams and serums.

"We were taught to believe that a $700 purse was OK and that we were worth it. That amount of money is insane," she opines. 

"How you feel about yourself should never be based on money. I spend eight dollars on a cream and feel great."

FUTURE PERFECT

Soon, she will star in "The Oranges" about families who live across from each other in New Jersey. "One is going through a marital crisis. Things ensue," she says. "Hugh Laurie and I are a couple and we have a marriage that's definitely on the outs.

"Too bad," she cries. "I like Hugh. He's very cute. But I try to patch things up with him in the movie."

As for some feel-good-look-great tips for summer, Keener says it's key to work on de-stressing.

"Get in a car. I love the idea of driving cross-country with the dog," she says. 

"The best thing ever was driving in the Badlands and having to pee really badly with my dog at my side and one of my best friends next to me laughing harder than we did as teenagers.

"I don't care how old we are. We felt great," she says. "I'll never forget being on this one road that's pretty sparse. We just pulled over and peed behind a tree.

"At this age!" she says with a laugh. "I don't know if I'm telling too much.

"But I'll never forget standing on a big rock in the middle of nothing overlooking the Grand Canyon.

"Our country is so beautiful. It's the best beauty secret. Just get in your car and drive anywhere," she says. "When you return your life will be different."

"The more you get away, the better you feel," she says.

CHECK OUT MORE STYLE GOES STRONG EXCLUSIVE CELEBRITY INTERVIEWS

Sexy in Any City: Kirstin Davis

5 Celeb Summer Beauty Tricks

Sarah Jessica Parker's Good Scents

A Jon Bon Jovi Hair Moment

Scott Bakula's Healthy AM Shake

Everybody Loves Exfoliating Except Ray Romano

Cher on Men, Beauty, and that Killer Bod