Salma Hayek Doesn’t Believe in Botox (Plus, the Beauty Advice That Changed Her Life)

When I arrive at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in N.Y.C. to meet with Salma Hayek about her beauty line, Nuance Salma Hayek, the actress shakes my hand and holds on to it. “Lindsay, come with me,” she says, dragging me into the next room. “Look at how beautiful this bathroom is; they filled it with all my beauty products!” Yes, the room is immaculate, but really it’s Salma who lights it up. At 48 years old, she’s gorgeous beyond words.

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So, what’s her secret? A foundation that works wonders (she swears by Nuance’s Flawless Finish Liquid Foundation) and a good old-fashion beauty routine. “I don’t really take big risks when it comes to beauty,” she tells PEOPLE. “I think a big risk is plastic surgery. I’m very conservative in my beauty routine.” That’s not to say she wouldn’t consider it in the future though. “I don’t know if I would never get plastic surgery. I’m not planning on it right now,” she reveals.

Botox, on the other hand, is a slightly different story. “I don’t believe in Botox, especially when [people] do it so young,” Hayek says. “They destroy themselves. They keep telling young girls, ‘Do it young, so you never get wrinkles.’ No, your face is going to fall. You’ll have to keep getting more and more and more each time. So if you’re going to do it, I recommend doing it as late as you can.”

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She also credits her radiant complexion to words of wisdom passed down through her family. “I had a great mother who gave [beauty advice] to me, which is wash your face before you go to sleep — no matter what,” Hayek says. “She and my grandmother told me, ‘You have to do this for yourself. Just think about how much faster you’re going to age if you don’t.’”

A few other fun facts: She prefers air-drying her hair over blow-drying it, she’d rather show off her cleavage than a little leg and you’d be hard-pressed to find her in flats — she’s a heels girl all the way. (Although, she did kick hers off at the end of our interview.)

For more on Salma Hayek’s beauty routine, pick up the June 22 issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands June 10.

How do you feel about Hayek’s take on Botox? What’s the best beauty advice you’ve ever gotten? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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–Lindsay Schallon