50 Ways to look fabulous at 50 like the stars
Turning 50 has never been so popular or looked so good.
Here are some tips for those of you who don't enjoy an A-list budget or entourage of flunkies
1 Our face shape changes as we age. Many of us discover our cheekbones for the first time in our 50s but sadly also our crow's feet, so makeup needs to reflect that. Smokey eyes with pale lipstick is a very flattering palette on older women.
2 Women can start to look washed out as they age. Don't compensate by piling on the bright colours or you'll look like a drag queen. Choose matte shades in neutral colours like grey and taupe, but avoid frosted and shimmer makeup as it just gets stuck in the cracks.
3 Skin dries and dulls, so switch to a dewy, younger look. Swap heavy matte foundations and powder for light-reflecting tinted moisturisers, and don't go too pale. For more coverage, mix your foundation with a tinted moisturiser.
4 As oestrogen levels fall, many women start sprouting whiskers. Electrolysis is a permanent solution but is pricey and leaves scabs in the short-term.Threading is a good option, and some people swear by facial epilators.
5 Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise. Dry skin is very ageing so slap on a decent moisturiser daily but pricey eye and lip creams are probably a waste of money. Good value products are great for sensitive skin.
6 Invest in a silk pillowcase to stop your face looking as creased as an elephant's bottom in the morning.
7 At 50 you will never look 30 again but if you do decide to go down the cosmetic surgery route with fillers or Botox, use them sparingly . A less invasive option is a chemical peel.
8 Your top lip loses fullness, so use a neutral lip pencil to define your lips, soften the Cupid's bow and prevent lip bleed. Never be tempted to have lip fillers-nobody looks good with a trout pout.
9 Getting your teeth whitened will knock years off. Aim for a natural finish by a professional--the cost of made-to-measure bleaching trays from a dentist has tumbled so there's no need to burn your gums off with cheap, badly fitting trays.
10 Madonna, 56, proved that no matter how young your body looks, your hands will always betray your age. Just keep your hands well moisturised and nails clean, and neatly square-oval shaped.
11 The `power brow' is in fashion, but women in their fifties may have plucked their brows into non-existence. Use an angled eyebrow brush and dark powder makeup to thicken your brows, but don't be tempted to get thick, black slugs tattooed on your forehead.
12 A light fake tan can work wonders on older skin. Find the one that gives you a glow that's closest to your own skin tone, and exfoliate well before applying.
13 A bronzer will give over 50s faces a more youthful glow.The trick to using a bronzer is to choose two shades darker than your natural face colour and use it sparingly.
LOOK AFTER YOUR LOCKS
14 Contrary to popular opinion, grey hair is finer than pigmented hair, but because it's lost its oils, it feels coarser. Heavy conditioners will make grey hair limp so choose a style and hair product that give it volume, like 69-year-old silver fox Helen Mirren.
15 Cutting your hair short can be as ageing as refusing to chop off your old straggly, thin locks. If your long hair is in good condition like 54-year-old Julianne Moore's flame-haired locks, there's no reason to cut it off.
16 If you do go short, avoid elfin-styles as they're hard to carry off unless you are actually an elfin queen like 45-year-old Cate Blanchett. Mid-length, choppy shapes suit older women.
17 When covering grey hair, staying blonde is easier than keeping it dark. If you do dye your hair dark brown, make sure you break it up with low-lights.
18 At some point a woman with blonde highlights has to change to an all-over blonde tint unless she wants her hair to look like she's a 40-a-day smoker.
BE LAMB NOT MUTTON
19 Get dressed to make an entrance, not sneak in quietly through the back door. Just because you've hit 50, doesn't mean you're invisible.
20 Avoid the cougar uniform of bodycon frocks and spiky heels but don't let it all go and start wearing loose-fitting stretchy clothes either. If you can curl up in a ball in your clothes, then save them for the yoga class.
21 Elasticated waists may be more comfortable but they let you eat more than you should, and in your 50s, you really shouldn't because it gets tougher to lose the weight.
22 There's no reason why you shouldn't buy the odd item in trendy high street shops, but the latest fashion trends will always look better on undernourished teenagers. Classic shapes in wellcut materials will suit you better.
23 By now you should know your own shape and what makes the most of your best features and disguises the ones you don't like. Apple shapes suit skinny jeans and tulip tops.Pear-shaped ladies can work an A-line skirt and cute short jacket combo. But be prepared to experiment with different styles.
24 Even if you're bigger than a high street size, don't wear large shapeless clothes they just make you look bigger. Belts will give you definition even if you don't have a waist. And never wear clothes that are too tight you'll spend all day tugging at them.
25 Neutral colours are the scourge of the middle aged. If you insist on dark colours, then at least choose navy over black, and cream over white, as monochrome is too harsh on older skins.
26 Get some colour in your life--start with powder blue if you're too nervous to wear azure.
27 Small patterns like tiny flower prints will make you look matronly if you're over 50, but feel free to experiment with bold prints.
28 You're not too old to wear short skirts but it depends on how you wear them. In the winter, team short skirts with sharp looking ankle boots and thick tights, while in the summer, go for a casual look with pumps and a sloppy T.
29 More importantly, you're never too old to wear denim. Jeans are ageless and suit every t l y shape and size. Wear with a crispy white shirt and trench coat for a classic look.
30 Those fun, chunky specs in bright red that made you look quirky in your thirties now s l make you look like a pottery teacher. As we age, our features lose definition but a great pair of glasses will reverse that by framing the s face, like 46-year-old Jennifer Aniston's Ralph Laurens.
31 If you wear suits for work, then soften the look with pussy bow collar and jackets with nipped in waist, or 80sh style blazer over c a loose, white s shirt.
32 Figur t control underwear is your new BFF after b 50. As l muscle y tone i b turns to flab and falling hormone levels encourages fat stores around your tummy , you will come to love your Spanx.33 Open up your neckline. Steer clear of tops and T shirts that hug the neck, and go for V-necks and lower rounded necklines.
34 Mumsy pitfalls are: waterfall cardigans, tunic dresses, mum-jeans, jeggings, tennis shoes with jeans, and anything too matchy-matchy .
OVERHAUL YOUR HEALTH
35 Your eyes are a good indication of your general health. An experienced optician can spot anything from hypertension to glaucoma. Even if you've never worn glasses, it's a good idea to get your eyesight checked, especially after the menopause.
36 Don't ignore niggly problems. This is the age when blood pressure and cholesterol levels start going up, and while your chances of developing ovarian cancer drop, the odds of breast cancer rises.
37 Regular dental check-ups are essential because your teeth enamel thins as you age. Also, the mouth is one of those areas where all sorts of serious medical problems can reveal themselves.
38 There comes a point when pedicures just won't reach the parts that a chiropodist can. A new coat of varnish won't cover up hard, cracking foot skin and ingrown nails you need your hooves clipped and shaved. Re current fungal problems need proper treatment.
39 No need to strap on the orthopaedic shoes just yet, but hobbling around in ill fitting stilettos will give you lower back problems and bunions. Wedge or block heels look funky and give you more support.
40 You don't want to look in the dressing room mirror one day and realise your bottom has turned completely square. Even if you've been a couch potato all your life, now is the time to get moving. At the very least, sign up for a yoga or pilates class.
41 Strong is the new skinny.
High intensity exercise using a mixture of cardio and strength training burns more fat, especially around the tummy , and uses up more calories. More importantly , weight training increases bone density and protects against osteoporosis.
42 Avoid extreme dieting, especially crash diets. Sudden weight loss will make you look haggard, so keep to a consistent weight by being mindful of your carb and sugar intake.
43 Get seven to eight hours sleep a night. Your body interprets lack of sleep as stress, and releases hormones that hinder immunity , making you more susceptible to illness.
44 And breathe! Long, deep breathing through your nose will make you feel more in tune with your body, stop anxiety, bad moods and reduce your blood pressure.
MANAGE THE MENOPAUSE
45 By the age of 54, 80% of women have stopped having periods. So if you're reading this, you're either going through the perimenopause in which case your periods are erratic, or they've stopped for a whole year, in which case you are now officially menopausal.
46 The menopause is still a bit of a taboo subject, so start talking to your friends about what you and they are going through. It's important to understand what's happening to your body .
47 You need to manage the menopause --it's not an illness and you will cope. Some women can suffer a range of symptoms from hot flushes to insomnia, but these are usually intermittent.
48 If you do suffer severe symptoms, try alternatives like acupuncture or herbal supplements before taking HRT. As with any drug, HRT comes with a range of side effects but also an increased breast cancer risk.
49 It's been said before, and it's worth saying again--exercise is a wonder drug. As well as having many health benefits, a training regime will help lessen the effects of the menopause and help you sleep better.
50 Feed your body . Eat oily fish --salmon, mackerel, and sardines-for a vitamin D boost to help with menopausal symptoms; avocados, olive oil and sunflower seeds for their vitamin E anti-ageing properties. Dark green veggies will lower your risk of cardiovascular disease.
Re-posted by Bryan T.,
Spoken English (Grammar) and Personality Development Coaching
for students, professionals, institutions and corporate
Email: bryan27662@gmail.com
Phones: 9 2232 03 441
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