Post by Sharon and Julie
When we women turned from girl to adolescent and then teen and young woman, we didn't fight it. We embraced it.
Yet, for some reason, as we go through menopause, we want to fight hard to remain what we were instead of what we can be.
If we had done this when we were younger, we'd be in college in pigtails and jumpers.
Embracing the change is exhilarating as for the first time in our lives, we can be us personified instead of what others need us to be.
Julie began to wear in-style bell bottoms again and Sharon embraced the fashion of hats. You can get away with individuality as you get older because you simply don't have to fret about complying with your social group and "fitting in." You have nothing to lose at this point by being what comes naturally, whether it's high fashion cutting edge hair styles and pink hair or gypsy bohemian.
MAKEUP
There is no need to botox and try to reverse aging in extreme manners. The truth is, all you need as you age is vitality.
Many women forget what fresh -scrubbed skin, less made-up faces, and big smiles can do for youthfulness.
Exfoliating the skin regularly (every other day) is critical to keeping the surface clean and not "cakey' when you do use foundation. I simply pat my skin after washing my face, keeping it a wee bit damp and then rub baking soda on the skin to work off that cell turnover. Lotion with shea butter or something rich like cocoa butter works great to keep a healthy moist look and defy the pancake appearance.
Sharon shows how zero makeup (above) can look more youthful than harsh makeup -
The makeup above can take a young woman and make her look much older because it is harsh, not soft and natural. Any time you want to go back to 1980s makeup styles, slap yourself. The best youthful boost for older women is cream cheek color that looks like a natural blush (we lost a lot of blush tones as we age), a soft lipstick of pink or peach, and mascara. Those three vitals are most important to remain VITAL. Instead of striving to look youthful, strive to have vitality.
Hair has changed since our mom's time and since our childhoods. There was a great deal of "work" involved with the styles of our past whether it was regular cuts, hair curlers, hot rollers, curling irons, teasing, braiding, and the Farrah flip.
As we go through menopause and out the other side, three things become apparent:
1. Our hair is thinner
2. The texture has changed from estrogen-rich years to the hair of our childhood again.
3. Gray hair becomes the enemy or the friend, depending on how we embrace it - it is either dye resistant or the texture of it is so bizarre we don't know how to "style" it anymore.
You have two ways to go - fight your hairs nature now or use it to your advantage. It's tempting to cut it short to make it thicker appearing and easier to style, but long hair on older women can be strikingly beautiful.
How long you choose to color is up to your own tastes, but remember that darker hair on paler aging faces can look very harsh (just like black eyeliner), so consider looking back to childhood tones and lighten. Many celebs know this trick -
1980s
Now
1980s
Now
CLOTHING STYLES/ACCESSORIES
We are lucky that we live in a time where even the youth want to wear stretch fabric clothing. No more need for elastic waisted pants. Fashion items such as knit or sock-style sneakers are heaven sent.
Yoga pants are another super plus for comfort needs.
As we suggested in yesterday's post for men, it's a great idea to take down the work clothes and stiff fabrics for collarless, layered, casual looks. Jeans are timeless and ageless on all. It's time to consider simple colors instead of bold patterns that you get lost in, and up the amount of accessories.
This dress is awesome on a curvy figure, but the pattern makes her disappear. All we see is flowers.
When it comes to color, don't be shy. Honestly, the old work-a-day navy, black and gray make us even more colorless.
If we want "vitality" and "vibrancy" we need to wear colors, but the colors can be toned down to not be so concentrated and better in keeping with our skin tones.
Rather than bright blue, Sharon opts for a pastel tone.
Now
Andie MacDowell was a top model in the 1980s and adored by many. She is still a very beautiful woman, but she refuses to adjust for maturity. She maintains dark hair, dark brows, and red lips. Had she lightened her lipstick, brows, and hair tones with age, her look would be less sharp and harsh and much softer. Softer in coloring is better.
1980s
Upping your accessories with scarves, rings, bracelets, necklaces, bold earrings, even hats - you can express your personality. The clothing is a simple blank canvas to express confidence, comfort, and casual attitude, then the accessories express lifestyle - bohemian, artistic, beachy, hippie age, designer status, or whatever you find the focus of your soul's joy. People are a blank canvas until they express their attitude through color and accessory choices.The most important trait in older women is exuberance, vitality, happiness with where we are.
Facial expressions are the single best youthful tool - (too many older women don't smile enough and yet they positively come to life with an apple-cheeked grin).
There are too many mature women sporting the expression above as if all the life and happiness has been sucked right out of them. Not too approachable - seems rather bitter.
Then, she smiles and suddenly she's very approachable and the teenager within is clearly evident.
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