Julia Louis-Dreyfus covers the spring issue of New Beauty magazine to promote the fourth season of Veep, which starts in April. I’m struggling to realize that she’s 54 years old (just like Antonio Banderas). Julia looks fresh, but she doesn’t look like she’s been “refreshed.” If she’s using Botox, her doctor knows how to use it sparingly. There’s probably a sweet combination of good genes and healthy habits at work too. Julia looks fantastic. In this interview, she discusses how to cope with her 17-hour workdays during filming, which make staying on track difficult:

On makeup: “As I’ve gotten older, I realize that less really is more–especially when it comes to makeup. I’ve found that a huge mistake you can easily make that ages you instantly is putting on too heavy foundation. All it does is define the lines you have. One thing I absolutely hate doing is taking my makeup off. I’m not someone who can fall asleep with my makeup on, that’s disgusting to me, so I have to take it off. But I really hate it!”

On aging before an audience: “You’ve seen me age! I’ve been in showbiz for so long. From the first time people saw me on Saturday Night Live until now … it’s no secret that I’ve gotten older. I’ve gotten older in front of you and that is odd – it is still so strange to me that everyone has seen me age on a public stage. It’s totally changing and difficult.”

Making healthy choices: “It can get really hard on-set and the biggest challenge is getting enough sleep. And, when I don’t have enough sleep, my metabolism goes crazy and my decision-making when it comes to good food choices is not the best–it’s very easy for me to go off the wagon as the hours of the day get longer. I am lucky that we have a really great craft services that does give us healthy choices and high-protein options, which helps me not make the bad food mistakes. I try to have some healthy choices on hand. I like Kind Bars and I recently found Santa Barbara Bars. I also always have almonds with me.”

On fitness: “Besides hiking, I like spin classes and I like doing cardio. But I have to admit, I am not so great on a bike. But I do try to do cardio–or anything aerobic–one day a week if I can because I think it’s so important and anyone feels better after they do it. I’m admittedly a lot better in smaller classes and groups though; when there are gobs of people, I start to get self-conscious.”

[From New Beauty]

Julia gives some good tips here, and I think she’s correct about how a little foundation goes a long way. There are also some types of foundation that don’t settle into fine lines and wrinkles as much. Not that I would know, seeing as makeup is not my specialty. Lip stains and mascara are my jam.

Her recommendation about Kind bars is a good one. They’re a little pricey but can be found on sale (usually in bulk form). All of their sea-salt flavors are so good. Do you buy Julia’s claim to only do cardio once per week? Maybe she’s talking about structured cardio, and she hikes a lot too. Whatever Julia’s doing, it’s working for her.

Photos courtesy of New Beauty & WENN