Happy 54th Birthday, Salma Hayek: See Photos Of The Sexy Star Then & Now

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It’s time to bask in the beauty of Salma Hayek! The actress turns 54 today, September 2, and we couldn’t think of a better way to honor the accomplished star than to look back on her transformation through the years. Salma burst onto the scene in the early ’90s and audiences have been in love with her ever since. From her stunning looks to her incredible screen presence, Salma continues to show us just why we love her so much.

Salma captured the hearts of Hollywood producers when she moved to the City of Angels in the early ’90s. Already on her resume was her popular titular character in the telenovela, Teresa. It wasn’t until 1995 that Salma rose to stardom with her first bada**, sexy role in the film Desperado, in which she starred alongside Hollywood heartthrob Antonio Banderas. Soon after, Salma landed major roles in the films, From Dusk till Dawn (1996), Wild Wild West, and Dogma (both 1999).

Then came her 2002 film Frida, which solidified Salma as an astonishing screen presence. Her title role as Mexican painter Frida Kahlo earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, as well as nods for a BAFTA, Golden Globe, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. Oh, let’s not forget about Salma’s Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing in The Maldonado Miracle in 2004. She also received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series after for her role in the ABC comedy, Ugly Betty in 2007.

As the years go by on and off screen, aging isn’t something Salma fears. “My mother always demonstrated the importance of aging gracefully. I never saw her or my grandmother being afraid of getting old. And so I don’t have that fear,” she said during an interview with InStyle magazine last December. That lesson came in handy when she considered trying lip injections and botox for a role.

In the same interview, the actress discussed her role in the January 2020 comedy, Like A Boss, in which she portrayed beauty mogul, Claire Luna. The character called for red hair, grey eyes, big lips and a sultry designer wardrobe. To fully channel her over-the-top character, Salma decided to consult a doctor about cosmetic procedures. “First, I wanted to do Botox and inject my lips, which I’ve never done,” she said. However, since Botox couldn’t be reversed once injected, and she had other work commitments, fillers were the next best option.

As for how she got her puckered lips for the role, Salma opted for fake teeth to plump up her lips. “My friend [dermatologist] Dr. [Maurice] Dray said, ‘I don’t know if you’re going to be happy because it’s going to hurt super bad.’ I said, ‘Well, let’s give it a try,'” she recalled. “He put the first needle in my mouth, and I immediately said, ‘No! Forget it! I’m done!'”

It’s safe to say that Salma choosing not to alter her facial features was the best way to go. — Just look at her today! The actress is natural beauty and knockout talent. Take a look at her evolution through the years in our gallery above.