It's Summer! Do's and Don't's If You Are Over 50!

1. DON'T wear panthose. Now I love pantyhose and hate the bare leg look when it's the least bit cold. But in the summer, pantyhose don't just look hot, they look sweltering!

2. Do: Use a spray tan just on your legs, a light-colored spray tan if you don't use it on your arms or the rest of your body. Otherwise, use leg make-up. I know, sounds awful, but it looks great, actually much nicer than most spray tans! Sally Hansen makes a great one that you can get at the drugstore.

3. DON'T have arm swing. If you like your arms, you can show them off.  But be realistic; are they really toned and smooth? Did you look at your arms from behind, too?

4. DON"T go as short as you can!  Save the mini-skirts for winter when you can wear opaque tights with them.  With bare legs, the mini on someone over 50 just looks wrong... sometimes almost naked, even if your legs are beautiful.

So many things wrong here! 

5. DON'T pile on the bronzer. Be judicious and use a lighter color bronze than you may think you should use.  You don't want to look like a terracotta pot.  What you want is a glow.

Everyone has seen her, but are you sporting the same look with makeup?

6. DON'T go more than one shade darker with your summer foundation. Again, you want a bit of color, but you don't want to sweat brown or have streaks on your face.  Add most of your color with powder.

7. DO: Change your colors.  Try pinks and corals and lighten up on the red.  This not only goes for your lipstick and blush, but also for finger and toe-nails.  Pinks are especially flattering to older skin.  Dark red polish will age your hands and feet.

8. DO: Wear a sunscreen.  All the time, and all over, not just on your face.

9. DO wear underwear the same color as your skin, especially if you are wearing a lot of white.  People who have to look at you from behind will thank you.  By the way, this tip is good for any age, not just those over 50.

10. DON'T wear short-shorts.  Do I even have to mention this? Good.

A Few Little Beauty Tips To Try Today

• Put clear lip balm on your cheekbones? Try it!  Vanessa Axente, a Hungarian model who is also the star of Endless Euphoria fragrance ads, uses Chanel's Rouge Coco Baume on her cheekbones, then follows with a bit of blush.
• The highest part of the arch of your eyebrow should be jusst above the outer edge iris of your eye.
• Drink 1 1/2 litres of water a day and a good hyaluronic serum should follow your antioxidant serum. Hyaluronic acid can hold and bind up to over 1000 times its own weight in moisture.
• Remember to put sunscreen on your hands and reapply it throughout the day.  Hands show age dramatically.
• Try soaking your feet in apple cider vinegar to make them especially soft.  It's cheap, too!
• Squeeze water out of your hair, but don't towel dry it so that you will avoid the "frizzies"!

The Difference Between Being Older and Looking Old

 Yes, I am a femme d'une certain age, as the French put it so wonderfully. That is, at age 62, I am an older woman.  However, I don't think that I have to look "old" when looking old means looking dowdy, frumpy, or tacky as so many people seem to think.
Many of you may be familiar with the work of Ari Seth Cohen, a photographer based in New York who is known for capturing vibrant and beautiful older people going about their daily routines on the streets of that city.  I've chosen a few of his photos of especially attractive older women who look wonderful, and whose look, I believe, is within the reach of anyone.
One of the things that you will notice that all these women seem to have in common is that they take care of themselves; it shows through even in the photos of those who are dressed casually, so this is not about expensive clothing.
You will also notice that they are not overweight, probably one of the elements that can age us more than anything!
You will also notice that they are all wearing lipstick whether they wear other makeup or not!
Photo, above, yes, she's dressed up, so elegant. Not a ton of jewelry or make-up although she is wearing make-up.

 I love the photo above.  Although not my style, I love the way this outfit is put together. It's vibrant and colorful, but it looks youthful and definitely not like those big-flowered "old lady" prints.
Below, being thin is better. Love her grey hair and that turban although this is a bit much for where I live.

 She is wearing denim, yes, denim, and it looks really good.  Multiple rings and the statement necklace work here (but no earrings).  Those sunglasses add a unique, personal touch. Personally, I hate tattoos, but it seems to work for her.

 Below, I love this lady in her casual outfit.  Her hair is great, not teased, not sprayed, just airy and natural looking.  Her camo jacket works for her over her leggings. And yes, when you are this small, you can get away with wearing leggings even if you have grey hair! Notice though that the boots go with the camo so this looks deliberate, not like an afterthought.

 Her skin is beautiful, her grey hair is beautiful, again, natural looking, not teased and sprayed.

 Below, I love how her lipstick, sweater, and gloves all match.  Natural grey hair pulled back.

 Above, this outfit looks so comfortable! She is wearing fashionable glasses (not little old lady wires), and her handbag is gorgeous.
Below, here she is again. Comfy clothes that don't look sloppy because everything is pulled together (notice how the lining of her jacket is the same color as her pants?) Lipstick! Her shoes are very up-to-date and a great color!

 Below, this is perhaps my favorite photo.  I love her complexion, her eye make-up, her lipstick, the way her hair is pulled back. She is perfect! Those earrings add individuality.

This woman below is old. She looks old.  Her hair is teased and probably stiff; her glasses age her and her rouge looks as though it almost goes down to her chin line. She is not wearing lipstick. Her jewelry looks as though it is plastic.   She has probably worn her hair like that since she was in her teens.

Change her glasses, her jewelry, blow-out her hair, and give her lipstick and she could stand her own with the women above. 

 Below - old lady or teenager. If your grand-kids give you this, wear it only around them.

 Below, frumpy (although she's not really old). Her pants are too big, her sweater is too big, and nothing works with anything else. What she is wearing makes her hips look huge!

The thing I also loAnd that's half of really looking good!ve about my elegant older ladies though is that they all seem to know that they look good. 

Aging Gracefully

Pictures of me today! Why? Because at age 62, I have been trying for the first time all the creams and serums that so many people swear by.  While I don't think that any of these will keep me from aging, I am hoping that they will give me soft, smooth skin and help me age, well, gracefully.  Plus, I am having a ball trying different things!  A funny switch for someone who until the age of 59+ used only Purpose soap and Aveeno lotion on her face!
   Now, my routine has changed. No more sleeping in make-up (my huge vice - I'm so often lazy); if I don't shower before I go to bed (with my Purpose soap), I use either Neutrogena facial wipes (it takes me 2 to clean my face, then I splash with lukewarm water) or Estee Lauder's Re-Nutriv cleanser (always splashing water afterward).
   Currently, at night I am using a firming serum called Acure Organics Seriously Firming Facial Serum; afterward I apply L'Oreal's Revitalift (a drugstore, yes, drugstore purchase!).
   In the morning, I may experiment with some sort of serum, but usually I just use Estee Lauder's Daywear. It's very moisturizing, has a sunscreen, and I love the cucumber scent.  When I remember, I may use their foundation primer, but usually I just use Re-Nutriv Ultimate Lifting Creme make-up. It  has an SPF 15 rating so I am doubling up on the sunscreen. If I do decide to go sans foundation, I always put a sunscreen on!

   I've been very happy with the results, best seen in the first picture: no retouching, no photo-shopping. I don't know how firm my skin is, but it is certainly smooth and soft!
By the way, my skin is extremely sensitive, but so far nothing has caused a break-out during experimentation except for Lauder's Swiss Performing Extract. 
   Next experiments will be with lash enhancers!

Four Beautiful Women Over 40

 

Just a short post to celebrate the beauty of these four women who are all over 40. First, above, Nicole Kidman is still gorgeous and drop-dead sexy  no matter what color her hair is (I personally prefer her in red).

S. Epatha Merkerson (Law and Order) is a beautiful woman.  I love her dimples and the sprinkling of freckles that she doesn't try to hide. And what a smile! She is 60; can you believe it! By the way, she is not the thinnest star either, but she still looks great.

Above, Kim Basinger. Enough said. She's 59 years old. Yes, in this picture.

Catherine Zeta-Jones is 44 years old and absolutely stunning despite health problems and possibly marital problems.  
All four of these women prove that you do not have to let a stressful life show on your face no matter what your age.  It is not too late to get enough sleep, take nutritional supplements, exercise, lose weight, and wear makeup.  Don't think of private trainers, chefs, $800 haircuts, expensive make-up. None of that really matters. What matters is that you exercise whether you have someone to train with or not.  That you eat healthfully, even if you eat out or cook for yourself. Get your hair cut by someone who cares what you look like. And drugstore makeup is wonderful these days. Experiment and you can find something that will work for you!

Beautiful Women Over 50

Everyone needs role models, not just young children and teen-agers. I have different role models for different qualities: spiritual role models, intellectual role models, and among others, role models whom I look up to for their beauty and youthfulness. These role models are beautiful older women who are aging gracefully. They eschew both the "grandmotherly" look and the "I'm a teenager look", and are comfortable in their own skins. I look for their beauty tips and secrets whenever I can find them.

Catherine Keener is a beautiful woman over 50 whose sparkling personality makes her seem much younger, as does her gorgeous long, straight hair, and fresh make-up.

Barbara Hershey is 63 years old! She has not succumbed to the trend of so many over 50 women to cut her hair. Note her fresh makeup with ample brows (very youthful looking).

Goldie Hawn may have overdone the sun at one time, but it's hard to tell now. The over 60 grandmother looks gorgeous and as glamorous as ever by playing up her big, blue eyes, softening her blond haircolor, and wearing a color that absolutely makes her glow!

Jaclyn Smith still looks angelic.Soft. long hair a lighter color than it was 30 years ago brightens her face.  Her round, flushed cheeks and bright eyes make her look well-rested and younger than her age. She is an excellent role model for graceful aging.

Susan Sarandon is on everyone's list for a beautiful woman over 60.

Jane Seymour cut her long, long hair to a slightly shorter length and went from stick straight to pretty waves and a lighter color which soften her face.

Geena Davis's smile is her signature. White teeth and minimal make-up give her a natural beauty.

Jerry Hall has been a favorite of mine since the 1970s.  She looks unbelievable!

I believe that Mary Steenburgen is one of the few women who is actually better looking now than she was 30 years ago. She credits her good looks to loving and being loved, always important, but I'm betting a good skincare regimen helps as does her great haircut, winsome smile, and slender form!
Who would you add to this list of beautiful women over 50?