Carrie Coons Decision to Embrace Authenticity Over Cosmetic Enhancements

Carrie Coon, a 44-year-old actress, is not afraid of aging. In fact, she embraces it and chooses to maintain her authenticity over any kind of cosmetic enhancement. In an interview with Glamour, Coon shared her thoughts on the culture that often pressures women to look younger and the decision she made to not undergo any form of "engineering" on her appearance. "Authenticity is more evocative than any kind of engineering you might consider doing to your face or your body," Coon said. "Now this is not the message coming from culture. As a woman who is 44, watching myself in HD is not easy, and it's not comfortable." Coon's decision to maintain her authenticity is tied to her desire to continue working as a character actor. She has been inspired by other women in the industry who have also chosen not to augment their appearance. Her recent role as Bertha Russell on HBO's The Gilded Age, which premiered on June 22, further solidifies her commitment to embracing her age. Despite embracing her age, Coon does not forgo self-care. She loves a self-care regimen that includes lunchtime lasers, gua sha, and myofascial massages. She clarified that she prefers science-based skin care but is not interested in injecting anything into her face. "I like science-based skin care," she said. "But I'm not going to inject anything into my face. It's just...I think it's scary and strange." Coon is not one to judge others' choices, however. She believes that everyone should do what makes them feel good and like the authentic version of themselves. "That is not my place to judge, but I know people are going to judge me," she said. Coon's decision to embrace her age is also evident in her recent work on The White Lotus, where she starred alongside Michelle Monaghan and Leslie Bibb as childhood best friends in their 40s and 50s who decide to reconnect on a much-needed vacation in Thailand. The storyline is proof of widening opportunities for middle- and older-aged women in the industry, according to Coon. "We have three women in their 40s and 50s playing with each other," Coon told Collider earlier this month. "I would never work with them at my own age if it was before this time. So, I just feel lucky that the parts on TV are so compelling that film actors want to be on TV." Coon is also well-versed in navigating comments on her physical appearance. On X, a user pointed out that Coon looks "simultaneously 35 and 55" and "old and young," but still "fine as hell." Coon responded by acknowledging her personal decision to refrain from injections of any kind and sharing her current age and health status. "Thank you. I totally agree and I can answer this one: 43, generally healthy, two little kids and not enough rest, no Botox or filler. Have a marvelous day," she wrote in her response from November 2024.