Learn from the Tube!

I love learning new tips to share with you, my friends. And I have learned so many wonderful tips from YouTube.

So I am going to share a few with you here.

My favorite is Kerry-Lou and her posting entitled "Drugstore Make-up for Older Women." Because of that video, I have made several changes to my makeup and how I use it. I love how it looks and feels on me. And the improvement is pretty great. 


And then there is the beautiful Dominique Sachse and all her videos. I love everything she does, even if I can't do them all. She has great style and tips on make up, clothes and hair.

And so many others, you can spend hours looking and learning.

And don't forget Pinterest for tips and ideas.

Modern technology's social media is a blessing and a curse. It is highly accessible, free to use but sometimes opens up a wormhole of accesses.  Please be cautious on who you follow, what you pin and don't sign up for anything that wants too many permissions from you.

But learning new ideas, without having to sit in salons, attend workshops or buy a lot of stuff at makeup counters makes these sites worthwhile.  Or you can just look to me to buy and try things and tell you my honest opinion.  I don't buy expensive cosmetics, especially in retirement. But I try to look nice and presentable even if it is a morning starting at the gym and evening ending on my butt in front of the TV.

So let me know what you think. I look forward to hearing from you!

Until next time, I remain,

Stylistically yours,

Sooz

Be a Pale Face!

One of the most important things to ensure you don't age early, or wrinkle unnecessarily is avoiding the sun.  Easier said than done because not only do you have to go outside several times a day because of life (going to and from your home, walking your dog, taking out the trash, and driving your car) exposes you to sun rays. Plus you do need a few rays of sun for your health.

But sitting in the sun is so bad for your skin. No matter what your natural skin shade is, sun worshiping is best left to the Aztecs.

So I am going to tell you about three products I found to protect your face:

1.  Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid Lotion Sunscreen with Helioplex Broad Spectrum SPF 55.  It is breakout free, ultra light, oil free, water resistant and dermatologist recommended.  This wonderful sunscreen dries quickly, clearly, and really protects your face.

One important tip is to be sure you spread this on your face evenly, getting around the eyes which is a frequent skin cancer spot and your ears.

Yes, for those with very sensitive skin, there are several many chemicals in this tube so use judiciously. But there is no fragrance or odor.

 It is available in cosmetics stores or your drugstore and is about $10.

2.  Pond's Rejuveness Anti-Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer with sunscreen, Broad Spectrum SPF 30 and infused with Alpha Hydroxy Acid and Collagen.

It is clear, no odor or fragrance, smoothing your face's fine lines and helping with suppleness.

I wear this under my foundation as a moisturizer.
It is available in cosmetics stores or your drugstore for about $18.


3.  I saved my favorite for last....Maybelline Dream Urban Cover Full Coverage Protective Makeup with Broad Spectrum SPF 50.  It is antioxidant-enriched and pollution protected and using a sponge, a brush, or your fingers, spreads beautifully and stays on well.  It, too, is fragrance free and has no odor.
This is my bestest find in a long time.

And this product is available in cosmetic stores and drugstores for about $18. And you might even find coupons to get discounts!

Because I don't like my face to be too shiny, loose powder patted on my face and then brushed off with a large powder brush sets my face with intermittent touch up from a compact throughout the day.

You can most definitely wear these if you plan to be outside for a bit but wearing a big hat and large sunglasses not only protects your face, you can look glamorous too!

As we get older, dark spots are not something we like to see on our faces.  Cute little freckles are okay but when they become "liver spots," we are usually not happy with those.  And lots of fine line and wrinkles can be a testament to smiling, laughing and joy, but if you can postpone them by protecting your skin, why wouldn't you?




Until next time, I remain,
Stylistically yours,


Sooz

The Whole Hairy Issue!

Okay, I'm writing about hair for women "of a certain age" but this is NOT about what you should or should not do.  It is an posting on things we have to face with hair.

Of course, we know that gray hair on our heads is inevitable but one of the things I never realized is that it gets wirey and coarse. I didn't know that the texture would change so dramatically. My hair has always been straight and wouldn't hold a curl. Now I find it to be curly, bendy and weird.

And it isn't happy to just be on my head!  Although the hair on my legs has diminished greatly, the hair on my face is a whole new nightmare.  How is it that I look in a mirror every single morning and one morning, boom!... there is a new white one poking out of my upper lip. When did it grow... during my sleep?  And why does it keep coming back? I have some spaces in my eyebrows that I tweezed away, but this sucker is not affected by tweezing....in fact it is almost a challenge to that bristle!



And the rest of one's body hair is a whole separate post. Ugh!

So what does a woman do?

We get our head hair trimmed regularly. Dry ends don't stop as we get older...in fact, they get worse because we don't produce the same sebum as when we were younger. Some of us color and that dries our hair ends. And having a trim is always good for the spirit and how we look.

Sometimes our hair loses volume but we know there's a myriad of solutions for that.  There are many volumizing shampoos, conditioners, mousse and such. Buy small bottles of what you want to try and see if it works for you.

I have found that using a root touch-up hair color is another way to give a boost to my roots. I color my partially white roots with medium blonde color every four to five weeks. My hair has lift and the color on my head is various shades of blonde, instead of one flat color.

Wearing a hat when outdoors is a good idea. It can protect your scalp from sunburn or skin cancer, as well as protect your hair color from fading, and from getting dried out.  Hat hair can be a problem but the lesser of the problems you could have to deal with.

Back when I used a hair lightener, I used a great product called Alberto VO5. It had a great smell, was slightly petroleum based and smoothed hair follicles. It made one's hair look thick and shiny. And guess what? I just found it online!  You can't find it in stores but Walgreens.Com sells it and it is very inexpensive and still works like I remembered! Just a small dollop worked through the hair and your hair feels wonderful.

And remember that the old rules for hair lengths, styles, and colors are no longer valid. Do what makes you happy. Color your hair blue, green or pink....cause you can. Wear hair long, short, spikey...because why not?  Wear a bun, a braid or a ponytail...because hair is fun to play with.

Whatever you do, do it with joy and know that it will change, as does each day. Make it happy!

Until next time,

I remain, stylistically yours,

Sooz

The Issue With Bad Bras!

I need to make this clear....I do not usually look at women's chests. Now, if there is a deep cleavage or a pendant hanging there, I will notice but this post is because of women who participate on Jeopardy.

I am regularly shocked at the women on this show, who obviously do not have stylists...like you and I don't, who need to buy and wear better bras.  Many of the women have such crummy bras that their boobs are almost under both armpits. Or hanging badly like beanbags under their tops.

Someone on staff needs to tell these women to look in a mirror...or a TV monitor and see how they look to viewers.  If they would buy a good bra that lifts, adjusts and centers their boobs, they would look attractive, stylish and healthier. Their clothes would fit better and they wouldn't look so shlubby.

And if these average women have this problem, so might the rest of us. Look at yourself critically. Do your boobs hang low? Do your button-front shirts pull apart in the front?  Can people tell that you're cold (you know what I mean)?  Are your boobs smashed flat?

There's a simple cure:  Invest in a really great bra.  There are stores that have professional fitters who can help you get the right fit in the right bra. I recommend you call the finer stores and ask if they have such a person and if they do, how to make an appointment. Once you know exactly what size and type of bra fits best and makes you look fabulous, then you can buy some less expensive ones in that same size, just in some fun fabrics and colors.

Bras are called foundation garments because you start getting dressed beginning with them.  If your foundation is solid and done right, the rest is easy to build on.  You'll stand taller, look slimmer, and your wardrobe will begin to help you feel good.

And watch Jeopardy's female contestants to see the ladies who don't know what you now know...it's what up front that counts!

Until next time,

I remain,

Stylistically yours,

Sooz

Like a Toothless Hillbilly!

We all have that one friend who is elegant, graceful, looks stunning even if in a garbage bag and makes us feel like a toothless hillbilly.

I have one.  She wears clothes with ease, looking cool and stylish. Her make up is always flawless and perfect. And her hair looks like (okay, I am ageing myself here...) a Breck Girl ad.

And although I don't see her very often, I could be grateful because who wants to feel like a short, stumpy toad? But she is so nice and kind and friendly, it is hard not to like her.

So what can we do about this feeling in a goddess' presence?

I don't experience envy, but admiration.  That is, in my humble opinion, a great step.

I'm sure she has bad days, her own insecurities and a myriad of unique problems. I do not want to change places with her. But admittingly, there are some things I can do to make myself feel better about short, pale, ageing me.

Wanting to be tall isn't possible, but standing tall and straight is important. Shoulders back, head high, and walking with ease makes one feel graceful and taller.

Wearing clean pressed clothes that flatter our bodies, in colors that suit our complexions and hair color are another step.

And having clean, stylish hair that is healthy and current, as well as good simple makeup without following the trends is a huge help.

Good shoes that are well maintained, finished nails on hands AND feet and  simple jewelry makes a person feel polished and finished.

And of course, a pleasant face, a sweet smile and a gracious heart will always make one feel like a queen.

I am so glad I am friends with this lovely woman. She has also impacted me to be a better human, as she is a generous spirit and is making a difference in lives.

Could I be talking about you?  Maybe.

Look at yourself and see if this fits. If not, it might be worth considering adopting these positive traits to cause others to say the same things about you.

Until next month, I remain,

Stylistically yours,

Sooz

You Don't Have To Look Like Your Grandma Did!

[First let me say that downloaded photos are no longer viable for my blog because many come ladened with viruses. So that's that!]

Recently I saw a post on Facebook of a now deceased female classmate, which means we are the same age. I do not know what her life had been filled with but her obituary photo was heartbreaking. She looked like Mama on that Carol Burnett show.  I know I'm no glamor gal but she looked like she could have been MY mother!


Speaking of appearances, I love the current Secret No Sweat deodorant TV spot where the beautiful older white haired woman is leading an aerobics class and she is ripped....muscles and confidence and a beautiful smile!

So it got me thinking:  who do you, dear reader, want to be as you age?

A frail old looking woman in a sensible dress, boring shoes and little reading glasses on her face...

Or a strong confident woman who has a great set of biceps, standing straight and tall and smiles in her eyes and on her face?


I had made my choice a while ago. And being able to keep up with men and women of all ages in my yoga class makes me very happy to know my choices are working. And still wearing clothes that are stylish, fun and classic is definitely my continued choice.

Do you exercise on a regular schedule? Lift weights for bone strength?  Walk to burn calories?  Practice yoga for strength, balance and mindfulness?  Do you get regular physicals with your physician to maintain good health?  And than there's the whole appearance questions...

Do you accessorize your clothes ?  Do you only buy and wear sensible shoes?  Are your fabrics rich and deep or do you choose wrinkle free cottons, blends or (ugh!) polyesters?

It does not have to be expensive or a brain-drain to look up-to-date and fashionable. There are many magazines and websites that you can look to for ideas that will suit you.

 
Try one change this Spring....hair cut? Color? Lipstick shade? Eye makeup technique?  Clothing color?  Clothing style?  A fun cute handbag?  A killer pair of shoes?  Amazing earrings?  Try one or even two ideas that you think will make you feel better, newer and rocking.

Grandmas are not made like they used to....so don't look like they used to. You deserve everything exciting and fulfilling.

Give it a try and please let me know what you've done differently.


Until next time, I remain,

Stylistically yours,

Sooz

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