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Forever Young

Eternal Diva: Mariah Carey’s Timeless Beauty Mantra

Pop icon Mariah Carey reveals her unique approach to aging and beauty in Harper's Bazaar UK, including unconventional rituals and her perspective on embracing the diva persona.

Mariah Carey

In a candid new cover story for Harper’s Bazaar UK, pop icon Mariah Carey declared she is actively defying the passage of time: both in mindset and appearance.

“I don’t allow myself to age,” Carey said. “I don’t acknowledge time. I don’t know numbers.”

The 56-year-old singer, whose image has remained virtually unchanged since her 1990s breakthrough, graces the magazine’s coveted September issue. During the interview, Carey revealed that one of her upcoming songs even opens with the line: “I don’t acknowledge time.”

This declaration continues Carey’s long-standing stance on aging. In a 2017 Observer interview via Attitude Magazine, she joked about the age of her debut single, “Vision of Love,” which at the time was nearly 25 years old:

“First of all, don’t round up. If you’re going to round, round down,” she quipped. “I don’t count years. I defy them. I have anniversaries, not birthdays, because I celebrate life.”

The Art of the Diva

Carey also reflected on her embrace of the “diva” persona. “It’s part of my job,” she explained. “What’s the point of glam if you’re not going to own it? If I don’t want to be seen, I’ll stay home.”

She stunned in a series of editorial looks for the feature, including a black gown with a dramatic slit and a classic white suit for the cover shot.

Beauty Secrets and Unusual Rituals

Known for her distinctive approach to beauty, Carey has long shared unconventional tips for staying youthful. From never smoking to insisting on being photographed only from her "good side," she emphasizes the importance of angles and lighting, admitting she’s “tormented by bad overhead lighting.”

Among her more unusual indulgences? Milk baths. In a 2018 Guardian interview, Carey confirmed she sometimes bathes in cold milk for skin benefits. Rumors once circulated, and were reported by US Weekly, that she even paid a masseuse $1,500 to massage her for eight hours while she slept.

Beauty care
Beauty care (Photo: shutterstock/Svetlana Khutornaia)

Subtle Enhancements?

While Carey has never publicly admitted to cosmetic procedures, Dr. Akis Neotinos, founder of Aion Aesthetics, told the Daily Mail he believes she may have undergone minor treatments to maintain her youthful glow.

“It's likely she’s used small doses of Botox in targeted areas,” he said, noting the work appears expertly done, maintaining her natural look while subtly turning back the clock.

With her signature voice, legendary career, and carefully curated image, Mariah Carey continues to defy not only the music industry’s timelines, but time itself.
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