'I was super-masculine': Jessica Alba poses in red bra as she reveals embracing her feminine side helped build business empire

PUBLISHED: 16:10, 4 February 2016 | UPDATED: 17:15, 4 February 2016

Jessica Alba says she learned to embrace her feminine side while building her billion-dollar- business.

The actor and Honest Company founder posed in three stunning looks for the cover of Cosmopolitan's March issue, as she opened up on her career ambitions and self-made fortune.

The 34-year-old looked stunning in a red bra and blazer and a tiny navy and silver top as she discussed being 'a woman in a man's world.'

Lady in red: Jessica Alba posed in a red bra and blazer on the cover of Cosmopolitan's March issue

The actress has built her eco-friendly line of cleaning and household products The Honest Company into a powerhouse, with Forbes now putting her as one of America's richest self-made women.

The 34-year-old, who began acting at age 13 and was cast on TV show Dark Angel at the age of 19, told the magazine she always wanted to be equal to men in the industry.

'I always wanted to be a big action star, to be as relevant as men,' she told the magazine. 'I was very aggressive with the vision and manifesting it.'

'Most of my life, I identified more with my masculine side,' Jessica said.

'I was kind of aggressive and super masculine in my early 20s -even into my mid-20s. I got boobs when I was young... and I was like, 'What do I do?'

Self-made: The 34-year-old said she was always aggressive about pursing her career, and wanted to be taken as seriously as her male colleagues

'I was never the girl who they marketed. I was always feeling angry, like an imposter. I learned how to be cool with the feminine later in life,' she said.

Jessica said she now sees her 'feminine side' as an advantage in business.

'I'm in a man's world in business,' she told Cosmopolitan.

'But I know what women want, [men] don't,' she said. 'Whenever [male colleagues] question me in meetings, I'm like, 'Go home and ask your wife. This is a pointless conversation. Go home and talk to her.'

Girlie side: The actress said she was more 'super masculine' in her 20s, but has learned to embrace her feminine side

'When we were talking about package designs, I was like, 'Are you really giving me notes on packaging for feminine care? I literally can't with you.''

Jessica wed producer Cash Warren, 37, in 2008, and they have two daughters: seven-year-old Honor and four-year-old Haven.

But she said there is still a long way to go before women are truly equal.

CEO: Jessica was all smiles as she celebrated the launch of Honest Beauty in New York City in September

"There are not as many women in government titles, business titles. It's just not equal,' Jessica said.

'And until there is equality, you're going to feel that no matter what industry you're in. But from day one, I was like, girls should have an equal seat at the table,' she said.

'Take Jennifer Lawrence. I mean, she's opening movies -she's the box office draw as much as any guy in the movie, if not more. She should be compensated for that.'