Love, Life & Beauty After Fifty

I was just talking to a friend (whose background happens to be in nutrition) about my dog's recent tummy issues, and she asked how I was feeling as I looked especially tired.  I mentioned that I hadn't been sleeping well since before my mom passed almost two years ago, and as well I had been suffering from tummy issues myself that I thought was just my IBS flaring up. We went on to discuss my other "old lady" ailments - headaches, gas and bloating (again something I attributed to my IBS), and of course my aches and pains then asked me if I was also suffering from other "ailments" like strong cravings for processed foods and sugary foods, teeth grinding and drooling during sleep or memory problems. What she told me next, maybe shocked me, just a little.  She asked if I had ever done a parasite cleanse myself - I joked that was I human not one of the dogs.  She was serious and went on to tell me that everyone has parasites, including humans. We all have pa...

This foundation has gotten a lot of buzz on social media and I finally broke down to try it out to see what the hype was all about, and see if it truly is a very natural medium to full coverage foundation. The idea behind this foundation is your skin is supposed to look perfect, like you were born that way. I picked this up in Ivory which online was indicated as fair with neutral-to-golden undertones.  This is an oil free foundation infused with coconut water and there are 18 shades to choose from. After prepping and priming my face as usual, I dotted the foundation on my face and used my beauty blender sponge to blend the foundation onto my skin.  The first thing I noticed was that the Ivory (which is my normal color) was a bit too yellow for my skin tone and a little of this foundation goes a long way.  It was easy to blend and did look more natural than other foundations I have tried. I did have to powder the foundation (I used my Two Faced Primed and Porele...

From the minute we are born, we grow older. And yet, many people only think about aging on their birthdays, especially milestone birthdays. Somewhere around 30 or 35 many women really feel the clock ticking and start thinking about ways to fight aging. With the advances in medicine and technology, it’s easy to run for a little Botox here or a little laser zap there. But these are temporary and from what I hear, often don’t bring the results people want because the unhappiness with outer appearances stems from the inside. Changing your focus to being a happier person mentally, spiritually , emotionally and physically can help us actually embrace aging a little more and live a life without making the battle against aging such a stressful and negative focus. So how can we grow older gracefully? Let’s start by remembering a few simple tips; Stay Active It’s easy to make excuses as to why we don’t have time for exercise. When kids get older and we aren’t chasing them around anymore, or...

Just because we've turned 50, doesn't mean we can't grow old gracefully. Here are some final tips for looking your best after 50. 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 make-up needs to reflect that. Smokey eyes with pale lipstick is a very flattering palette on older women. 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 make-up as it just gets stuck in the cracks. Skin dries and dulls, so switch to a dewy, younger look. Swap heavy matte foundations and powder for light-reflecting tinted moisturizers, and don’t go too pale. For more coverage, mix your foundation with a tinted moisturizer. As oestrogen levels fall, many women start sprouting whiskers. Electrolysis is a permanent solution but is pricey an...

By the age of 54, 80 per cent 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. 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. 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, and approximately 30 per cent of women have no symptoms at all. 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. It’s been said before, and it’s worth saying again – exercise is a wonder drug. As well as...

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. 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. 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. 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 ingrowing nails – you need your hooves clipped and shaved. Recurrent fungal problems need proper treatment No need to strap on the orthopaedic shoes just yet, but hobbling around in ill-fitting stilettos will give yo...

You're 50 but that doesn't mean you can't dress for success. Here are some ideas for women over 50 who want to be stylish but yet age appropriate. 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. 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. 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. 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 under-nourished teenagers. Classic shapes in well-cut materials will suit you better. By now you should know your own shape and what makes the most of your best feature...

Taking care of one's hair, especially aging hair, is extremely important in maintaining beautiful hair that has natural softness and silkiness. Here are some tips for keeping your hair healthy and happy after 50. 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. Get a hair treatment regularly. Everything we do to our hair (coloring & chemical straightening, products, heat tools & sun exposure) dries out the hair. Feed its need for inner moisture with a treatment ritual at least every other haircut or color service. Cutting your hair short can be as aging as refusing to chop off your old straggly, thin locks. If your long hair is in good condition, there’s no reason to cut it off. If you do go short, avoid elfin-styles as they’re hard to carry off. Mid-length, choppy shapes suit most older women. Wh...

Ok, so we're in the car on the way home dinner and my husband looks at me with this crazy face and says, "Um, uh, uh, I don't, uh know how to tell you this, but, uh, look in the mirror".  I quickly think "oh great, I've got something stuck in my teeth from dinner and he's JUST now telling me". I look in the mirror and see that my teeth are clean, my make-up is intact and then I spot IT... there in the glistening sunlight shines a chin hair.  Dangling every so gracefully, long enough to sway in a calm wind. I was mortified. Where do these things come from?  Seriously it was long enough that I should have noticed it days, if not weeks ago (ok maybe I'm exaggerating a little), but I KNOW it wasn't there yesterday ... do these things sprout overnight?! I pulled that thing out right then and there ... two won't grow back in it's place right?? So we get home and I'm online right away to share with my good friend what I found - h...

For women, turning 50 is a milestone. Society tells you it's a crossroads. Your body underscores the point. Every woman over 50 feels it. If you have kids, they are either going off to college/university or have already graduated, your parents are aging and there may be marriage problems or job challenges. It can definitely be a stressful time. You also find that you can't abuse your body as much as when you were younger. Your body just isn't as resilient as it used to be. It's a time when women need to seriously take stock of their lifestyle habits, and make some changes. For many women over 50, it's also a time of self-reflection - You begin thinking about your purpose in life, about finding what makes you happy and fulfilled. You may be ready for something new. Get in touch with mind and body -- and they'll take you anywhere you want to go. To keep mind and health in optimal shape, here's some tips: Get lots of sleep. Maybe you got along with fou...