Eva Mendes on Her Imperfections and Staying Fit

You wouldn't say so at first sight, especially since she's considered one of the most beautiful women in showbiz right now, but Eva Mendes too has her “off” moments. However, there's a lesson to be learned from them, she says.

Mendes is promoting her latest film, “Girl in Progress,” in the most recent issue of Marie Claire but, among other things, she also shares her thoughts on body image, working out and basically learning to accept yourself with imperfections and everything, especially if you're a woman.

Asked to offer a piece of advice to the younger readers of the women's mag, Eva says she's learned from her own experience that it's never a good idea to stress yourself over your flaws.

People will end up loving you for them, she says.

“I feel it’s important to let women know that I have similar struggles. What I tell girls is what they don’t like about themselves now, they will probably end up loving as an adult, because that’s what happened to me,” she says.

“When I am complimented on things that I didn’t like when I was 13, like my overbite and my mole, that’s when you realize that your imperfections are why people love you,” Eva adds.

However, that's not to say you're not to strive to improve yourself. Eva, a vegetarian who works out regularly, knows a lot about that – and the effort that goes into having one of the best bodies in the industry.

“I run four to five times a week, mixing it up among distance running, intervals on a track, and running uphill on a treadmill,” she says.

“I don’t eat meat and stopped eating chicken – my skin has gotten a lot better,” Eva explains of her diet.

She even has a tip for great hair when you don't have time to wash it, as learned from her mother.

“I have big, wavy, crazy hair, so it works best for me when I let it be. Here’s a trick I learned from my mother: If your hair is a little greasy and you don’t have the time to shampoo, put some baby powder at the roots and at the ends. It gives you that ’70s textured look,” the actress explains.

More from the interview, including a very gorgeous photospread with Eva, is available here, at Marie Claire.