Challenges

 

First a caveat, I am not beautiful. I know that is the title of the blog but although I am usually described as attractive I will reserve the term beautiful for the Hollywood starlets. I have, however, been aware of the importance of appearance since I was a theatre major in college.

 

 

Once I entered the world of media (where I have been more than thirty years) looking good was essential. Not having been born beautiful, I have had to work at looking as good as I can.

 

 

I am still in the media as a talk show host and producer for an Internet site and also a radio talk show host. I give speeches on media related topics and I remain in the public spotlight.

 

 

Like many other women it seems to take more time, care and yes. money not to look younger but to look good at my age.

 

 

I am the mother of three very successful sons in their 40’s and the grandmother of five. My oldest granddaughter just entered college this fall. 

There are days when I don’t want to see anyone, when I put on sweats and get by with serum or moisturizer and maybe concealer (a favorite beauty product) a little blush and some lipstick.

 

 

There are always challenges. Maybe you have faced some and have some suggestions you’d like to share. For instance, no matter how carefully I apply eyeliner on my lower lids, it winds up under my eyes and can contribute to circles (another challenge). Also, although I don’t apply make up below the neck I wind up with make up on the collar of my blazers.

 

 

I wear blazers or jackets frequently so that can be a big dry cleaning bill. Yes, I do dry clean at home and am pretty good at getting out spots; however, I have never been successful at getting make-up off a collar without dry cleaning- any suggestions!

 

 

I am often complimented on how good I look but all the make up I apply or anyone applies to my face seems to soak in after an hour or so. As I have told you I am a big believer in moisturizers so it isn’t because I neglect to use those.

 

Finally, I wear glasses and they always seem too have make up on them. I buy eye glass wipes by the hundreds (Wal-Mart special) and I use them all the time on my glasses and sun glasses. Nonetheless, I always seem to have make- up on my glasses; I am wiping them constantly.

 

 

There you have it…just some of my challenges and we haven’t even hit cellulite yet. What challenges do you have? If you have had a problem with skin care or beauty products how did you solve it? I intend to learn from this blog as well as give you my suggestions.

 

 

Talk to me!

Be Healthy and Beautiful at 55+

Are you confused about all the skin care and beauty products? I’d like to share some of my experiences and hope that you will share yours.    As you probably know, the number of anti-aging products is overwhelming. My advice comes from having been in the media and the spotlight that accompanies it for more than thirty years. I had my hair and make up done by a professional every day when I was a new anchor and even more when I began doing TV talk shows. I picked up some ideas from them that I will share.

I have read articles on skin care and beauty care from magazines like Allure (I know designed for my fifteen year old granddaughter, but they do at times have some good tips. I also read More, Vogue and Elle. As a radio and talk show host

I have interviewed countless authors of books on looking good and feeling good at 55 and beyond. I have agreed with some of them, disagreed with others but have pretty much come up with what work for me. So I will give you my unbiased opinions on current products on skin care, beauty care, and health tips. I will give you some of my favorites but don’t forget I am looking for your favorites as well.

When it comes to cleansers as I have gotten older I find my skin is less combination oil and dry and is just dry. I use Dove Deep Moisture creamy facial cleanser. I find it doesn’t dry my face as soap does. However, it is essential that you rinse it off completely or it leaves a residue. I tried using Retinol or a product with retinol and found it was just too drying. I know. I know you are supposed to wait weeks or maybe months for results. I couldn’t wait. I didn’t like how dry my skin was. I do know exfoliation is important. I learned this from a famous model I interviewed several years ago. If your skin is dull no matter what make up you buy it may be because you don’t exfoliate. In other words, there is a layer of dead cells sitting on your skin. No matter what you use on your face it remains dull. I have a trick so the exfoliation process doesn’t dry my skin. I use Anew Night Age Repair cream. My skin stings after I put it on so I wait about an hour after I apply it and then I lightly rub off the dead cells. Yes, you can actually feel the dead skin sloughing off your skin. Then I rinse my face and put on a night cream. I need ones that are good for really dry skin as they disappear on my skin after fifteen minutes. Two of my favorites are  Nivea Age Defying Moisturizer and L”Oreal Age Perfect Pro-Calcium Night. But my favorite type of skin care which really keeps my face soft and dewy, yes dewy, is serum. One of my favorites is Garnier Nutritionisite  Ultra-Lift anti-wrinkle firming serum.

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t want to look 25. I just want to look good being 55+. My next post will include the kind of make-up I use. Feel free to agree, disagree, but do let us know your secrets.