Binoculars, Birdsong and Boyfriend Billy Ray Cyrus (Exclusive)

Elizabeth Hurley knows how to stun on the red carpet, but the actress says what really fuels her is bird watching and digging in the dirt of the English countryside surrounding her home.

The actress, 60, who’s dating Billy Ray Cyrus — and who has been spending time on the land near his Tennessee home as well — opens up about her laid-back AM routine for PEOPLE’s My Good Morning series and shares some of her morning favorites. Those include two products that give back to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation through the Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Campaign: Aveda Hand Relief Moisturizing Creamwhich will donate 50% of the $20 purchase price through June 28; and Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serumwhich will donate 20% of the $128 purchase price through June 30. Hurley, who lost her grandmother to breast cancer, is marking 30 years as a global ambassador for the Estée Lauder campaign.

I like to wake up naturally, usually around 7:30 am, to the sound of birdsong drifting through the window. I only set my alarm if I’m filming, which is usually hideously early. I get out of bed the second I wake up and do some gentle stretching for a few minutes.
My idea of ​​hell is the sound of the TV or radio before I’ve gathered my thoughts for the day. I don’t like any noise first thing. I also try not to look at my phone until a bit later.
I live in the country and never go downstairs in my bathrobe, it would feel really weird. In fact, once I’ve left my bedroom, I rarely go back to it before bedtime, unless I need to get ready for something. I usually sling on a tracksuit, brush my teeth, slap on Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair and La Mer Soft Cream and charge down to the dogs. (Hurley has three dogs: Shivraj, Ava and Minnie.)

Rain or shine, I take the dogs out for a good walk. I take my binoculars in case I spot some birds of prey. I always feel energized by a blast of fresh air.

When I get back, I have two espressos and a couple of mugs of hot water. I use exquisite bone china cups that I hand carried back from India, with tiny silver spoons.

Breakfast varies a lot. If I have guests, or my son Damian or my boyfriend (Billy Ray Cyrus) are with me, I sit down and eat properly, usually eggs. But if I’m alone, I grab a banana and an apple or maybe some coconut yogurt, and usually read the news on my iPad.

I’m a book-aholic, but I wouldn’t dream of reading in the morningit would seem like the height of indulgence. The only exception to this is when on vacation where I spend the entire day reading with no guilt.
I’m very energetic in the morningannoyingly so I’m told, and never sit down before lunch. I like to garden in the morning, which is like a workout on steroids. I bend, stretch, dig and carry until I’m exhausted. I do all my desk work in the afternoon.

I hate showers and prefer long, hot baths at night, with lots of Jo Malone London bath oil. This is my time to unwind and think. However, if I get cold, wet and muddy outside I’ll leap under a hot shower at any time of the day.

I have a massive closet full of gorgeous clothesbut get dressed every day from a small shelf, crammed with ‘country clothes’. Everything I wear in the country has to withstand muddy paws and rose thorns. I wear gum boots outside and Ugg boots inside.
My everyday make upwhich I put on very quickly before lunch, is a Bobbi Brown foundation and cream blush, Estée Lauder Double Wear soft smudge eye pencil and Sumptuous mascara, and Aerin Rose Lip Conditioner. I have Aveda and Dr. Jart+ hand creams positioned all around the house which I use all day long.
I feel bereft without a huge slug of nature every morning. It’s hard when I’m filming, so over the years, I’ve really learned to make the most of it when I can get it. Whether it’s a crisp wintry morning or a sultry summer one, the best time of day to be outside is definitely when the sun has just risen and you can greet the new day.