Let's Kiss And Make up!

I am a big fan of cosmetics. I love how foundation can even out a skin tone or complexion. How a little powder can diminish shiny noses and foreheads. And the miracle of mascara on filling in eyelashes and opening eyes.

But....not every fashion trend should be worn by most women of a certain age. I have seen some frightening examples that I will share with you.  (Please forgive me for using myself in several photos!)

1.  Yes. Eyebrows are a new facial focus and you can tell that by looking at all the brow products for sale. But they are not meant to steal the focus from the rest of your face. I saw a woman with big black drawn on eyebrows that actually left me stunned. She had blonde hair, light eyes and the kind of eyebrows that even brunettes can't wear. Frieda Kahlo would have wanted them but no one else should. Go with a shade that matches your hair roots but a shade compatible with your skin tone. Don't try to look like Groucho Marx!

2.  Winged eye-liner is fun but it is really for young women. An older woman looks like she's trying way too hard. It might work for a big night out but it is better to leave that to the girls. There was an older woman who didn't quite know where to end that wing and her eye make up resulted in making her look ridiculous and cartoonish. Maturity is knowing what is appropriate for your age.

3.  Lip liner has been popular for years. It helps keep lipstick within the parameters drawn and helps prevent lipstick bleed. But don't wear a liner that is darker than your lipstick. That was a disco look but dark lip liner has gone the way of leg warmers, sweat bands and shiny tights. Love ta love ya, baybee....but wear a lighter or nude liner on your kisser!

4.  Stiff bubble hairstyles are such a Golden Girls look. Spare the spray and tease comb from the days of Adorn hair spray, Dippity Do and sleeping on rollers (how did we do that nightly?) and embrace the freedom of wearing your hair stylishly and not rigid. I see a lot of what I call "dandelion puff" hairstyles and they age a woman severely. Pinterest has hundreds of great hair styles and looks for older women. From grey hair to colors, from long to short, the options now are immense and varied.

We are worth so much more than trying to keep up with youngsters.  We have earned the right to look our best whether casual or dressed up. Keep in mind that trying too hard looks like you tried too hard.

Enjoy yourself and appreciate the simple styles.

Until next time, I remain,

Stylistically yours,

Sooz

Getting Into Smaller Sizes!

Retirement is wonderful! No more alarm clock mornings, no more suits...some days not even wearing makeup or fixing my hair!

However, the refrigerator is waaaayyy too available and sitting is an all too common affliction with results being that I got fat. I tried a couple of exercise/diet apps to lose weight and would actually lose three or four pounds and then gain it back the next week. This went on for far too long, so I returned to a program that allowed me great success many years ago....Weight Watchers.



So far, I have lost 20 pounds and have 12 more to go. Being a bit of a control freak, I find that tracking on my phone or tablet, scanning bar codes at the grocery store to decide what points I want to buy, and measuring and weighing suits my life.

I have learned some terrific new menus (crispy tofu stir fry is my favorite) and feel so much better and healthier.

AND...I am now wearing smaller sizes. That's the best feeling. Going in to a store to buy smaller sizes that actually fit well and seeing my reflection as I approach a store and not seeing a short squat woman mirrored back.  Forward fold in yoga is much easier without my poochy belly in the way. My knees don't hurt like before (did you know that for every one pound lost, it relieves FOUR pounds of pressure on your knees?).

Taking a cardio fit class with weights and a yoga flow class both mean heavy perspiration and drinking a lot of water....more steps to weight loss.



My doctor is proud of my weight loss, not just because it makes me a healthier patient. He said he sees a lot of overweight older women who tell him they cannot lose the weight due to their age and he is pleased that I have proven that this is untrue. He is now going to tell them about Weight Watchers' success rates.

My closets have been cleaned of many of my suits, sweaters and skirts but I kept a few of my favorites and now can wear them again.  I have a vintage yellow silk shantung dress with a matching lined coat that I wore to a wedding many years ago (the couple have now been long divorced) that I can now wear again. It's like shopping for great things but in my closet!

Giving my larger sized clothes away was difficult at first. One buys clothes that are pretty and comfortable and getting rid of them was a tad painful but when I thought about getting new items and how happy the clothes I was giving away would make someone at the thrift store, it was easier to do.

So, if you, like I, have gained significant weight, consider why and if you're ready to commit to losing the weight and feeling and looking like you dream. Then have fun shopping!  Until next post, I remain...

Stylistically yours,

Sooz