I do not have any nightly skincare ritual and in fact, I'm pretty
sure my skin has suffered significant sun damage because I love tanning
at the beach.
So what are my
secrets for staying young – other than
that I was lucky to inherit my father Hajji Alejandro's genes and
youthful looks? Here are my tips for looking fresh:
1. Be like Peter Pan. Ageing is mostly in the mind.
The trick to not getting old is to be like a kid. I don't mean be
immature and not face up to problems or responsibilities –
but whenever possible, always choose what will be most fun. When you're
enjoying what you do, you don't feel your age and lose track of time.
STAYING YOUNG. Rachel 10 years ago, remarkably not much different from the way she looks now. Photo by Rachel Alejandro
2. Be good to your body, be kind to yourself. People
often take for granted that getting enough rest is important to health.
When I was younger, I would work or party all night, sleep a few hours,
get up and hit the gym. Like a good soldier, I'd power through my
work-outs even if I had a hangover. That takes its toll on the body
eventually, so I don't do it anymore.
Also, I prefer to invest in comfort - in the way I travel and in the
places I choose to rest my head. I know lots of people who wouldn't
think twice about buying a designer bag but would scrimp on a
comfortable seat on the plane. I never got that but then again, to each
his own.
3. Go to the salon often. The confidence boost you
get from getting a good haircut or color is priceless. Get a massage,
manicure and pedicure regularly. When you pamper yourself and are
properly groomed, you feel more put together and ready to face the tasks
at hand. And voila, you look well-rested and not harassed!
4. Avoid monotony. There is a very good reason why
showbiz folk like myself tend to look younger than other people our age,
but it’s not that we have it easier or that we have the budget to get
regular facials or plastic surgery. When you're a singer or an actor,
every day you are doing something different. But even if you go to the
same office everyday, you can change up your routine. Engage in
interesting conversations, learn new skills, check out different places
to eat, etc. Whatever you do, don't let yourself get stuck in a rut.
5. Do exercises regularly. It's the only way to maintain a nice, supple and toned body that is resistant to the pull of gravity.
