You might remember her as the cold and calculating Hatsumomo in “Memoirs of a Geisha” or maybe from the 2006 film adaptation of “Miami Vice” or more recently from the 2007 film “Hannibal Rising”. One thing is certain: it’s impossible to forget Gong Li’s beautiful features. In fact, she is considered one of the most beautiful women in the world…even in her forties.

Beauty is not the only thing Gong Li has going for her. She’s also one of the most successful actresses in Chinese cinema and is quickly becoming an international star. Some of her performances have been recognized with awards from the Venice Film Festival and New York Film Critics Circle.

Angela Bassett (who in my opinion should have won for best actress when she portrayed one of the most resilient women in show business – Ms. Tina Turner in the incredible movie “What’s Love Got to Do with It”!). Angela turns 49 this year and by the look of those well-sculptured arms, she can out-curl (as in arm curl) any 23 year old! It’s obvious that she chooses weight training to maintain her form as she ages. Adopting twins and becoming a mother in her mid-forties has surely not stopped Angela from feeling and looking amazing. In a recent interview, Angela expressed her gratitude at the fact that North American men (and women) are finally catching up to what Europeans have known for decades – women in their 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond are fabulous!

During my teen years, I bought many copies of Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue to see what my idols of the time were wearing. I needed to know how they styled their hair and which were the latest make-up colours they favoured. They might have been in my age group, but the first officially baptized group of Super Models was a world apart from mine.

From Naomi to Cindy, these ladies have moved from their teens into their twenties into their thirties and in some case, into their forties, but they still all look as dazzling as they did when they graced the catwalks of Milan.

I really cannot say that I’m a fan of “Desperate Housewives”. I did watch a few episodes because it was the hit show of 2005, but I never was able to be seduced. The few episodes I did see allowed me to observe how well Nicollette Sheridan is looking in her forties. The British-born blond (in 1963) has been seen in many episodes wearing short-shorts and tight-fitting tank tops that reveal a great form. Rumour has it that Nicollette might have had a breast augmentation and she might have resorted to injectable fillers. Whether or not this is true, she’s in her forties and en fuego (on fire)!

Yes, Sharon Stone (born in 1958) may have a high-priced personal trainer, a personal chef, a crew of housekeepers (which means her hands never get wet) and she must have her anti-aging team of specialists on speed dial on both her home phone and mobile phone. But let’s face it she is aging remarkably well.

Let’s all remember the first time most of us saw her on screen — she was drop dead beautiful in her mid-twenties. Now more than two decades later, Sharon — who is pushing 50 — is giving a lot of twenty-something girls a run for their money (that might be why she replaced the Olsen Twins in the new fall ‘06 Badgley Mischka ads).

I first saw Iman on the cover of Yves Saint Laurent brochures. Back in the mid-80s Yves Saint Laurent presented each new make-up collection via a high gloss/high quality brochure with the picture of one of his most beautiful models (YSL’s make-up line is the first line I ever bought with my allowance money…that’s growing up in Montreal for you). Mr. Saint Laurent was renowned in the fashion world during the eighties for having the largest number of ethnic beauties on his runways. He also used quite a number of them as spokesmodels for his make-up line. I still remember Iman’s Queen-like picture.

The 79th Academy Awards might have come and gone, but I could not start a journey about aging well without commanding Oscar winner Dame Helen Mirren who looked radiant at the Oscars last month. She’s showed us 30-something and most 20-something gals that being and feeling beautiful doesn’t stop at a certain age.

There not much more to add at this point about this British actress that has not already been said. In such, I will close with Jack Black’s quote during his comedic performance at the Academy Awards: “Helen Mirren, you’re hot!” Isn’t that the truth?

“Dame” Helen Mirren, born Ilyena Vasilievna Mironov in 1945 in England simply shined at the recent Golden Globe Awards. Could it be the thrill of being nominated in two distinct categories and actually winning Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-series or Motion Picture Made for Television (Elizabeth I) and Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama (playing Elizabeth II in the Queen) in the same year? This half-Russian, half British thespian is not only a superb and talented actress she is also breaking new grounds when it come to turning 60 on the big screen. Personally, I thought Dame Helen looked radiant in her Donna Karan blue dress at the Golden Globe Awards. She looked flawless lounging in one of the post-award star-lounge rooms and looked regal by choosing to sport her stylish grey mane.

Dame Helen Mirren is my Celebrity Beauty Match Pick because during the 2007 Golden Globe Awards ceremony she gave a lot of those younger actresses a serious run for their money by looking so phenomenal. Dame Helen makes 62 sizzle!

Matt Dillon graced the screen as a young and eager boy in the 70s, 80s and 90s. Matt’s first film came out in 1979 which means that he is truly a veteran actor with almost three decades under his belt. He did a few forgetful roles in the early part of the new Millennium to emerge as an Academy Award-nominee for his role in the 78th Academy Award Oscar for Best Picture — Crash ( March 2005).

Today at 43, Matt Dillon (born in 1964) has certainly not allowed a few more candles on his birthday cake to change much in his toned physique. It’s also quite obvious from recent pictures that Matt takes great care of his skin and hair. Could it be Matt’s Irish lineage that allowed him to age so well or just the desire to look as good as he possibly can? Either case, he’s surely doing a good job at looking good in his 40s.

Matt is my Celebrity Beauty Match Pick because after almost 30 years on the silver screen, he’s definitely showed us how to age gracefully.