Picking the Right Mascara for Your Eyelashes
To some, there's nothing much different from one mascara tube to another. But the truth is, it's important to choose the right mascara for your eye area as it can make a world of difference to both our appearance and comfort. Not everyone is best suited to wearing black mascara, and for those of us with lighter hair and skin tones, it may be more flattering to opt for a brown mascara to soften our look. For those of us with watery eyes, choosing a waterproof mascara is essential to keeping our eye area smudge-free.
If you're looking to get the best curl out of your lashes, opting for a lighter weight formula and a waterproof mascara is going to be your best bet.
Protecting Your Skin From the Sun Is Important
Not protecting our face from the sun's UV rays is one of the single most damaging things we can do to our skin, leading to an increased rate of aging. That's why it's so important to apply sunscreen to our faces on a daily basis and reapply if necessary. It's never too late to start safeguarding against UV damage, so if you're looking for healthier skin and a plumper appearance, finding a sunscreen with a high SPF and a decent consistency is going to be your best bet.
You don't have to buy an expensive sunscreen brand to benefit from its effects, so don't necessarily think that spending more money on a product guarantees better protection.
Let a Good Amount of Time Pass Between Hair Cuts
Thinning hair is just another aspect of aging. But it doesn't have to be all doom and gloom, and some styles are more flattering than others. While long hair has the association of youth and vitality, the reality is that a lob, AKA a long bob, is favored by many women over 50 for the youthful pick-me-up it gives their appearance. It's not too long to expose a lot of split ends but long enough to flatteringly frame their face.
Besides opting for a flattering lob hairstyle, using conditioner regularly to keep your hair feeling soft and looking shiny can work wonders for your confidence and self-esteem.
Your Red Lipstick Might Be the Perfect Under-Eye Colour Corrector
Tons of makeup brands go to great efforts trying to convince us that we need to buy a special product for color-correcting the dark shadows under our eyes. But the perfect color concealing product might already be lying in your makeup bag, as red lipstick has proven itself to be great for reducing the appearance of dark under-eye circles. Simply smudge some lipstick only over the discolored areas and pat with your ring finger, then apply concealer or foundation over the top.
Not only does the red color of the lipstick cancel out some of the darker under-eye tones, but it also moisturizes the area and keeps the skin looking plump.
Opting for Clean Skincare Brands to Reduce Inflammation
Over the last few years, clean beauty and skincare brands have been becoming more popular, with people taking greater care and consideration into the products they apply on their faces. For those of us with sensitive skin, purchasing products with 'clean' ingredients, i.e., ingredients free from harmful chemicals, may reduce skin inflammation and improve its appearance and feel. As a general rule, it's best to always choose brands that are transparent about what goes into their products.
Beware - just because a brand claims to be a clean beauty brand doesn't necessarily mean that it is. Whatever you choose to apply on your face, just make sure it is FDA-approved.
A Higher Price Tag Doesn't Guarantee Better Skin Care
It can be easy to think that spending more money on skincare will guarantee better quality and, therefore, greater health for our skin. But the truth is that many luxury beauty brands don't use ingredients that are best for people over the age of 50. Highly perfumed luxury products are often detrimental to helping our skin retain moisture barriers, a key component in looking and feeling younger. Additionally, much of the money spent often goes towards fancy packaging rather than quality ingredients.
Much of the time, we'd be better off opting for unscented, simple, and lower-cost products for our skincare routine, especially if we suffer from sensitive skin.
Preventing Mascara From Smudging Around Your Eyes
Getting that dreaded smudge under our eyes when applying mascara is never a desirable look at any age, but it can be especially unforgiving for those of us over 50. Luckily, there's a way to prevent it altogether using a simple kitchen utensil. Grab a teaspoon and place it underneath your lower lashes before applying the mascara, thereby blocking the mascara from smudging onto your lower eyelid skin. It's such a simple but useful hack for putting on your makeup in the morning.
If the cold touch of a metal teaspoon would put you off trying this beauty trick, you can always grab a disposable plastic spoon instead.
Taking Better Care of the Skin on Our Chest
As we age, the skin on and around our chest reduces in elasticity and becomes more prone to wrinkles. To help regain your confidence, you may want to consider adopting a regimen for taking better care of the chest skin by ensuring you moisturize every night and apply sunscreen whenever it would be exposed to the sun. Opting for shower gel and lotions with hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, or vitamin E will also help encourage the production of collagen to help the area retain a youthful appearance.
Buying a body scrub or mitt and exfoliating on a weekly basis may also encourage the skin to take on a more youthful and smoother appearance.
Using a Lip Scrub to Help Encourage Cell Turnover
If you're looking for plumper, younger-looking lips, perhaps engaging in a lip exfoliation treatment is the answer you've been looking for. Best of all, you don't even need to leave your house to do it - you can use products you already have lying in the kitchen. Simply mix one teaspoon of honey with two teaspoons of sugar granules and gently massage onto the lip area. If you have the time, leave it on for a further 10 minutes to get the moisturizing benefits from the solution as well.
Remember not to rub too hard and risk damaging the delicate lip area, and be sure to use an intensive moisturizer after the treatment. Your lips should be feeling healthier in no time.
Getting Your Skin Assessed by a Dermatologist
Whether you're looking for a little pick-me-up or seeking to treat yourself and feel rejuvenated, booking a one-time professional treatment can be well worth the investment. Setting up an appointment with a certified dermatologist is the first step to take in assessing what specific treatment or treatments your skin may benefit from. Whether it's chemical peels, facial toning, or laser resurfacing, there's bound to be some treatment that will have you feeling your best in no time.
There are numerous treatments available that target specific skin needs and don't require any kind of cosmetic surgery, so it's definitely worth checking them out.
You Don't Need Surgery to Reduce Wrinkles Around Your Lips
There are a few approaches you can take to reducing the appearance of fine lines around the mouth. Whether you're trying to prevent the deepening of marionette lines or the development of perioral wrinkles, quitting that smoking habit is an important step in promoting healthier skin around the lips, as well as overall health. Additionally, taking the time every day to gently massage the area can help prevent the appearance of more wrinkles.
Giving yourself a weekly or biweekly face mask made of natural, soothing ingredients can also aid in reducing fine lines, so it's well worth doing some research into products next time you're at the drugstore.
Ancient Techniques to Help Brighten Your Complexion
Gua sha is more than just an internet beauty fad. It has a history that dates back more than 2,000 years and only requires a simple stone tool. These days, you can use either stone or plastic to achieve the same effect, and its benefits are numerous. From increased blood circulation to relieving muscle tension, there are a ton of benefits aside from improved skin complexion and a reduction of fine lines.
With a gua sha tool, you're supposed to gently massage your face in an upward and outward motion in a series of repetitions for the best results.
Treat Your Neck the Same as You Do Your Face
When doing our evening beauty routines, it can be easy to forget to pay attention to the neck. But as we age, this area needs more tender loving care than it did in our younger years. The trick is, when applying all the products we use on our face, we ensure to bring that product all the way down our necks and to our clavicle before massaging back up to the chin. To look and feel your best, you'll want to treat the skin on your neck just like you do the rest of your face.
When it comes to looking after your neck skin, make sure you don't forget the most important step in the mornings - applying sunscreen there too!
Opting for More Vibrant Shades of Colour
As our bodies change with age, it can be tempting to hide under dark and baggy clothes. However, choosing to wear brighter and bolder colors can actually enhance our natural beauty and bring much-needed vibrancy to our appearance. Wearing bright hues not only adds a splash of cheerfulness to your look but is also sure to boost your mood and confidence, giving you that extra spring in your step.
Not every color will suit everyone the same way, but there are sure to be sunny, lively shades that would be perfect for your specific complexion and make you look and feel more confident.
Reducing Signs of Inflammation for Overly-Tired Eyes
If you've noticed your eyes getting puffier over the years, it might not all be due to not getting enough sleep. Puffiness and darker purple eye bags might be signs of a bit of inflammation, which can be helped with a simple trip to the kitchen. Simply grab a couple of green tea bags and put them in a bowl or cup of warm water, ensuring that the temperature is not too hot.
Once your tea bags are drenched, wring them out most of the way and lay them to rest underneath your eyes for a few minutes. Puffiness or redness should be reduced within a few minutes.
Find the Short Hair Style That Suits Your Face Shape
Some people feel nervous about opting for a big chop and braving the world with a new short haircut. However, shorter hairstyles can be extremely flattering on many of us, even if it means having to take more frequent appointments at the hair salon to maintain the style and length. The key to rocking a gorgeous short hairstyle is choosing a style that suits our features and face shape.
Whether you choose to get a side-swept pixie cut with bangs or an asymmetric long bob, wearing your shorter hair with confidence is the key to pulling it off.
Finding the Perfect Highlighter for More Mature Skin
Highlighting the face with makeup has become increasingly popular, but it's crucial to do it right, especially for women over the age of 50. Selecting the wrong highlighter can accentuate texture on our faces and emphasize fine lines, rather than enhancing our cheekbones. It's important to opt for a highlighting product with fine shimmer particles and in a shade slightly lighter than our skin tone for subtle yet effective results.
It's well worth the effort to find a highlighter that works for you, as it provides a youthful sheen that will have you glowing and feeling at your best.
Bring Those Brows Back to Their Glory Days
It's not uncommon for your eyebrow hairs to thin out as the years go by. By reintroducing some thickness into your brow, you can easily make them look more rejuvenated and much like they did a few years ago. Powdered eyeshadow is a great way to fill in those bare spots or gaps in your natural brow without looking too dark or drawn-on, as is using an ultra-thin brow pencil the same color as your eyebrow or even a touch lighter. With a light hand, the colour should blend in like a dream.
As we get older, some individual brow hairs are also likely to grow longer, so trimming back those wayward hairs is a great tip for making you look and feel your best.
Lymphatic Drainage for a More Youthful Glow
If you're not massaging your face regularly, this is your reminder to start doing so. Giving yourself a gentle facial massage every night can help improve your skin, and therefore, how good you feel in it! Increasing blood circulation will keep your skin glowing and youthful and encourage the production of collagen, the protein responsible for skin elasticity. You don't necessarily need any special tools for a good face massage, but using them isn't a bad thing either.
For those of us prone to puffiness in the face, massage will stimulate lymphatic drainage and reduce swelling. Facial massage is one of the most effective things you can do to feel better.
Take to the Internet to Learn Some Lymphatic Drainage Techniques
Lymphatic drainage offers a ton of benefits when practiced properly, and these days, it's easier than ever to learn some crucial techniques to practice on yourself at home. It works by moving lymph fluid away from tissue areas and into the lymph nodes, slimming the face and reducing puffiness in the process. Many people who practice lymphatic drainage also notice a visible improvement in dark under-eye circles and a dull complexion.
As we get older, improving blood flow across our face is a great way to bring vibrancy to our appearance and make us appear more youthful.
Reducing Puffy Morning Eyes With a Cold Metal Spoon
Next time you wake up in the morning with puffiness around the eyes, just know there is a simple solution waiting for you in the kitchen drawer. You need not buy any fancy gadget or new beauty product to help combat a puffy under-eye area, as a cold metal spoon can do wonders for the area when applied for a few minutes. If the spoon warms up upon touching your skin, just run it under some cold water from the tap for a second to regain that cooling sensation.
Thanks to the cooling touch of a metal spoon, the blood vessels in the under-eye area should constrict, which causes the swelling to calm down.
Home Solutions to Help With the Appearance of Spider Veins
If you feel as though the appearance of your skin is blighted by the sight of spider veins, then this home remedy is worth giving a go. By putting some witch hazel solution on a cotton pad and placing it on the affected area, it may be able to reduce the appearance of the veins thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. But if you don't have witch hazel at home, apple cider vinegar is also said to work well as an alternative.
When you're trying this method, make sure to leave the cotton pad on the spider veins for a minimum of 20 minutes to see results.
A Softer Eyeliner Look Can Be More Forgiving
You may not even realise that the way you apply eyeliner could be adding years to your appearance. A harsh opaque black line might look more glamorous, but sometimes a softer, smudgier kohl pencil is more forgiving on our appearance. You can still draw a winged eyeliner on, but the smokier edges can soften your appearance and make you look less sharp and severe. It's the small things that can make a world of difference.
And don't worry if it doesn't look amazing the first time you try a new product or technique. Like with anything in life, the more you practice at it, the better you'll get.
Bleach Unwanted Facial Hair to Help Soften Your Appearance
People who never had to deal with unwanted facial hair may find their mustache area becoming more prominent with age. Luckily, there's an easy way to help reduce the appearance of unwanted hair around the mouth—mustache bleaching. A mustache bleaching kit can be picked up from most drugstores, providing an inexpensive and effective way to deal with face fuzz from the comfort of your own home. Just make sure to follow the instructions on the packaging.
Make sure to test the solution on a small patch of skin first, and leave the bleach on the area only for the amount of time suggested to avoid skin irritation and redness.
Some Nail Shapes Are More Forgiving Than Others
Enjoying a beautiful manicure, whether done at home or at a salon, often depends on the nail shape. If you find that maintaining a long almond or oval shape manicure is more hassle than it's worth, remember that there are several elegant short nail shapes that are much easier to live with. You don't have to compromise on having attractive nails when there are other stylish options available that are less prone to breakage and less likely to snag.
For example, a square, squoval or a coffin nail shape can be both beautiful and more practical than other options, even though it's a less common choice.
The Lip Contouring Trick That Gives the Illusion of Fullness
It's natural for our lips to lose volume over time. However, with the right makeup application knowledge, you can make your lips appear fuller and plumper without resorting to cosmetic surgery. One effective technique is lip contouring, which creates the illusion of larger lips and boosts confidence. Simply take a lip liner that's a darker shade than your natural lip color and apply it to the edges of your lip outline, focusing on the inner corners.
Then, use a lipstick a shade lighter than your natural lip color to blot the center of your lips and deposit just the right amount of product. Hey presto, your lips look fuller than ever!
Using Baking Soda to Lift Away Stubborn Tooth Stains
Over the years, the color of our teeth is likely to change, particularly for those of us who regularly consume coffee, tea, or smoke. Fortunately, there's a home remedy you can try that's known to successfully remove stubborn stains. Simply find the baking soda in your kitchen cupboard and mix a small amount with water to create the solution. Then, using a soft toothbrush, gently brush over the surface of your teeth to lift away the stains.
Keep in mind that baking soda is abrasive, so it's important to use a light hand when employing this technique and avoid frequent use of the solution.
Eyelash Curlers Can Enhance Your Natural Beauty
There are many of us who don't like the idea of using an eyelash curler. Their design hasn't changed for several decades, and they look more like some kind of torture device than a beauty gadget. However, the benefits of using them outweigh the negatives, so they are well worth getting used to. Curling your eyelashes can make your eyes appear bigger and brighter, giving you a more youthful look.
It's best to use an eyelash curler before the application of mascara to avoid making a mess and risking losing any of your natural lashes.
Opting for the Natural Beauty of Grey Hair
People are increasingly embracing their grey hair, sparking a surge in styles that enhance its natural beauty. Depending on the extent of your greying and where it's located, there's a plethora of gorgeous styles to consider that complement those silver strands. If you've been regularly dyeing over your greys, it might be time to put down the hair dye and explore the stylish possibilities that grey hair has to offer.
Not to mention, embracing your natural hair color can lead to significant savings on expensive trips to the hair salon or purchases on bottles of hair dye.
Attend to Acrylic Nails as Soon as They Lift Away
They don't tell you this after your nail salon appointment, but it's crucial to attend to your nails the moment your acrylics start to lift away from the nail bed. Usually, it first happens around the cuticle area, and if not taken care of promptly, it may cause damage to your natural nails. Grab yourself a pair of cuticle trimmers and cut away any edges that are raised away from your natural nail to prevent damage.
Invest in a cuticle oil to apply to the area. Since we're constantly washing our hands, it's important to rehydrate the cuticle area to maximize the benefits of our acrylics and encourage healthy nails.
Always Keep a Pair of Oversized Sunglasses on You
Keeping a pair of oversized sunglasses on hand has nothing to do with how sunny it is outside; rather, it’s about having a stylish and practical accessory at your disposal for the days when you really need it. A fashionable pair of shades can be a lifesaver for those moments when you need to be out and about but aren't really feeling your best. A solid pair of oversized sunglasses will instantly elevate your look, making you appear elegant, sophisticated, and a little bit mysterious.
This ultimate accessory for women over 50 serves as a chic shield from the rest of the world on days when you need a bit more privacy.
When Going to a Hair Salon Is the Right Choice
Some things in life are worth the extra splurge. If you've resorted to dyeing your hair at home to save money, it might be worth considering the added value a professional salon hair dye job can bring to your look. Not only can dyeing your own hair be tiresome and time-consuming, but it can also be challenging to achieve a seamless finish when you can't see all around your own head.
Going to a professional hair salon to dye your hair may be just the thing you need to enhance your appearance and have you feeling more confident.
High Heels With Comfort in Mind
Wearing shoes with a heel can work wonders in helping us feel like our better selves. In addition to giving us a little extra height, they can completely change the way we walk and make us feel more elegant and put together. Best of all, it doesn't have to be an uncomfortable experience, especially if we opt for a slightly smaller or thicker heel. Don't forget to look for shoes with a comfortable strap, as that can make all the difference after a long day on our feet.
Don't forget that if there's something not quite right about the strap on a pair of heels, you can have them adjusted at a local cobbler or shoe maker for an affordable price.
Shoes Can Turn a Daytime Look Into an Evening One
Sometimes, a complete wardrobe overhaul isn't necessary to achieve a fresh look. Even a small change, like switching up your choice of shoes, can completely transform an outfit from casual and frumpy to elegant and polished. On days when you're seeking a confidence boost, consider opting for shoe styles with a sleek silhouette or graceful texture to elevate your look. Just by selecting the right shoes, you can effortlessly turn a casual everyday outfit into a chic evening ensemble.
Jewelry can also work wonders in elevating an outfit, so it's a good idea to keep a pair of evening earrings with you when you go out if you're uncertain about where you'll end up.
Using a Clean Cotton Swab as an Eyelash Curler
Did you know you don't need to use a traditional metal eyelash curler to curl your eyelashes before applying mascara? It's possible to get away with using a simple cotton swab to lift your lashes and keep them looking curled and lifted all day long. It may even be more effective than your average eyelash curler, as you need to apply heat to the swab to help manipulate the eyelash hairs better.
Heat up the cotton swab with a hairdryer or by running it under hot water from the tap, then press it onto your lashes for a couple of minutes in an uplifted position.
Check in With Your Stress Levels
One of the most overlooked aspects that contribute to excessive aging in our appearance is stress. We might not even realize how often in the day we feel stressed or under undue pressure, but calm and relaxation is important in helping us maintain not only our best appearance but also making us feel like our best confident selves. We all have stress in our lives, but it's important not to get used to experiencing too much of it in our daily lives over long periods of time.
If, after some introspection, you find that stress plays a major factor in your life, it's in your best interest to find ways to limit your exposure to stressful situations or generally make some life changes.
Trimming Your Nails to Keep Your Feet Healthy
It's no secret that the older we get, the less tolerance we have for bad footwear. But we may not realize that shoe discomfort could be coming from our toenails, particularly if we're not trimming them regularly enough. Keeping your toenails on the shorter side is healthier for a number of reasons, as it reduces the likelihood of getting fungal infections, snagging a nail and exposing the delicate nail bed, and preventing ingrown toenails.
Only you can know how how often you need to cut your toenails, but make sure to stay on top of it for optimal foot health.
Seeking Professional Guidance on Redness Around the Nose
If you have redness around the corners of your nose, it could be a sign of a skin condition that that can be treated by a doctor or dermatologist. Schedule an appointment with your family doctor or a lcoal dermatologist to determine if there's a cream or medication that can help reduce any inflammation. You don't necessarily have to endure the perils of a red nose, so it's important you get the right diagnosis before seeking treatment.
Many of us become accustomed to redness on our faces, but the truth is that some of us may be suffering from skin conditions without even realizing it.
Make Nose Bleeds a Thing of the Past
Some of us experience nosebleeds frequently, especially when the weather changes. Whether it's cold or hot weather that agitates the inside of your nose, there's a very simple solution to prevent any more surprise bleeds. Using a cotton swab or your little finger, apply a fragrance-free moisturizer to the inside of the canal to help remoisten the area and prevent cracks in the skin. Some people prefer to apply it both in the morning and evening, but applying it once a day before you go to sleep at night should be fine, too.
Just bear in mind that if you are prone to allergies, applying a hypoallergenic cream for sensitive skin will be best when trying out this method.
Remove Your Fake Eyelashes at Home Safely
If you apply fake eyelashes, you don't have to painfully rip them away from your eyes to remove them at the end of the night. There's actually a very simple method for removing the extensions safely and effectively, and it won't cost a lot of money. Start by taking your oil-based makeup remover and putting it on a makeup remover pad. Then, apply the pad to your eye area, making sure to hold it in place for a couple of minutes for the remover to coat the lashes.
Once that's done, you'll find the lashes are easy to remove with your fingers or by using a lash comb to brush out any remaining fake eyelashes.