There was something apt about having to wait in the curtain department of Harrods to interview Jennifer Aniston. Homely and familiar – yet glamorous – the setting was in perfect harmony with the Hollywood actress.

Aniston was in London last week for the launch of her new, eponymous perfume. A pretty blend of jasmine, rose and sensual musk, it is wearable and simple, unlike the migraine-inducing fugs often tagged with a famous name. Beyoncé might look lovely and sing like a bird, but her nasal capacities are severely limited. 

In the flesh, Aniston is everything you’d expect her to be – swathed in a salmon Valentino strapless dress, she is all treacle tan and Daz-white, sparkling blue eyes. Quite simply, she is the most beautiful everywoman in the world, her look a combination of Hollywood-star breathtaking and the pretty girl who works in IT.

She beckons me in. “Sit back, relax, take your shoes off, smoke a cigarette… actually, I don’t think you can do that in here.” Within two seconds, I want to be her new Courtney Cox. “I don’t know why women feel an affinity with me,” she smiles. “Maybe I’m approachable or accessible. Look, a lot of my life is played out in front of everybody, whether it’s true or not. You can take it or leave it, but what you see is what you get.”

And we do like what we see. The 41-year-old actress has never looked better, with even Victoria Beckham reportedly declaring body envy when a snap of Aniston in a bikini was printed recently. “I’ve been in the business for 15 years, so I have been taking care of myself. I just stay fit and in shape.” She is tiny, but toned rather than worryingly skinny. Sat next to her bird-like frame on the sofa, I feel like the BFG.

So how does a civilian get the famous Aniston glow? “I wake up and wash my face with Neutrogena face soap, or have a pump of soap from Terri Lawton, a facialist I go to in California. I use a serum and then a Dr Hauschka day cream – that’s it!” The American people’s princess makes it sound so easy. “Oh, and I use SPF 30 on my face. Nothing higher – they say that after SPF 30 it’s all bull—-!”

Using a sunscreen means she cares about ageing, but – gasp – she does have wrinkles. I can see them with my own eyes. She has admitted trying Botox but, up close, I believe her when she says it was a one-off.

“Wrinkles happen to human beings,” she laughs. “I think they’re kind of beautiful on women. You know, I’ve got wrinkles on my forehead and smile lines, but what’s wrong with that? I love to smile.” Schmaltzy, yes, but a far healthier route to go down than coveting a frozen face.

Recent surveys have reported the “best” ages for women: we’re happiest at 28 and most beautiful at 31. At 41, does she feel she’s past it?

“I don’t know what ‘it’ is, but I certainly don’t feel past it!” she beams. “I feel like I’m all of that at this age, so I don’t know if I agree. I mean, listen, am I mature at times? Yeah. And I also feel 28 was miserable for me. This is the happiest time for a lot of women I know. I don’t know who this poll has been talking to…”

Looking at this radiant fortysomething, neither do I.