The Hidden Ways You’re Aging Yourself – Part Two
Welcome back to part TWO of this series ladies! Remember to check out part one here if you haven’t already. It's the Hidden Ways You're Aging Yourself – Part Two.
Instead of trying to look permanently young again, why not aim to be the BEST version of the age we are currently in?!
If we switch to this mentality when it comes not only to our beauty routines but to our wardrobes, what we eat and drink, to what kind of exercises we do, I believe we would all be giving ourselves the gift of grace. To accept the aging process, but be open to switching things around that would benefit us at the age we are.
For example, the intense dance routines and classes I used to take when I was a teen and young 20-something, would no longer work for my 45-year-old body. And that is OK. So I have started taking just a 30-minute Fit Body class, and it's one of the best things I've ever done for my body…and my mental state!
But of course this post is to continue to focus specifically on our beauty routines. Although having an aging face should never be seen as a negative, there is something to be said about putting in the effort to keep it looking and feeling as good as possible.
Now let’s get right into the last 5 of 10 ways we might be aging ourselves, and how to easily fix them…
TL;DR
Jennifer shares common beauty issues that age you, and how to fix them
Jennifer's product recommendations are shoppable via text links and image widgets
The Hidden Ways You’re Aging Yourself
6. Still Refusing To Wear SPF Everyday
You knew I couldn’t go without mentioning this one. It’s such a simple step before you walk out of the door and will benefit your skin longterm. Directly from Skincancer.org, they say this, “Wrinkles, fine lines and pigmentation are inevitable skin woes that often appear as we age. While we like to place blame on getting another year older, the main culprit is photo aging - damage to the skin caused by exposure to sunlight and UV light.”
FIX IT: The good news is, with proper protection from these UV rays, most premature aging of the skin can be avoided! I recently picked up the award-winning Shiseido Sun Dual Care lotion with SPF 42, $50. It’s more than just a sunscreen - it’s thin and lightweight, oil-free sunscreen lotion that protects against harmful UV rays, hydrates skin with hyaluronic acid, and doubles as a face primer. All skin types can use it too!
And of course, if your foundation happens to contain SPF in it, that’s a bonus too. Although most people will tell you, that’s not enough protection, so be sure to add it underneath the makeup as well. You all know I can't get enough of recommending the It Cosmetics CC Creams with SPF 50, $47!
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7. Over Lining Your Eyes With Dark Eye Liner
I know, I know, I do love a good smokey eye. It’s a look. However, when there’s TOO much of a good thing, dark eyeliner and even shadows worn on the top lid AND underneath the lower lash line, will age the eye bed. This is because dark colors, when worn in heavy amounts, will shrink the look of anyone's eyes thus making them appear smaller and squinted, which can age us quickly.
FIX IT: Note these celebrity examples I have pictured above. I know all three of these women (all over the age of 50) have looked 10 times more refreshed and youthful when pictured wearing lighter eye makeup. I love eyeliner on the upper lids and find it very beneficial for opening up the eye bed. But keep it there, and tight to the lash line.
Soft shades of charcoal, bronze, browns, and even navy are beautiful alternatives to black. I'm a huge fan of the Urban Decay 24/7 glide on eyeliners, $25 for aging eyes. The pencils are soft and highly pigmented so they do actually glide on easily. Personal fave shades are Bourbon, Smoke, and Sabbath.
Also, switch to adding a nude eyeliner, this one is my favorite “Moonstone,” into the lower waterline and watch how bright eyed and awake your eye beds will look!
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8. Ignoring Your Hands, Neck, and Chest
We’ve all seen it. Someone pays close attention to getting Botox in the forehead and fillers in other parts of the face, creating a smooth and line- less face. But then you gaze a few inches downward, and her neck and chest tell the TRUE story. Wrinkled neck, splotchy chest, and weathered hands - they’ve all been ignored.
FIX IT: Our necks + chests have fewer oil glands than our faces, so that’s why when we moisturize, and use our anti-aging + sunscreen products, we need to keep on going down the neck to the chest and really layer up. I wrote a dedicated post specifically on neck and chest care routines here on SAACA.
Might as well make sure the rest of our body skin is taken care of too with anti-aging ingredients. At night time, I’ve been incorporating the Pacifica Beauty Wake Up Beautiful Retinoid body lotion, $18, that helps repair dryness, while formulated with skin loving Vitamin E, sunflower, and avocado oils, as well as Retinoid to help smooth skin texture and brighten dull skin! Drunk Elephant also makes a body lotion with Glycolic + Lactic Acid, $28, that delivers exfoliation to restore the look of dull, uneven areas while replenishing dehydrated skin with moisturizing butters = electrolytes.
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For the hands, everyones favorite brand Supergoop! now makes a luxurious and fast absorbing hand cream with SPF 40, $38, that will protect that super thin skin on top of our hands. I keep hand cream in my car at ALL times, and with winter coming up, it will no doubt be a must have for tight cracked hands.
9. Skin That Is Too Pale + Matte
Now all you fair skin ladies don’t rebel against this one! Fair is different from too pale! Whenever I do someones makeup for a photo shoot, I always know that too pale (less color) isn’t going to look healthy on camera when the photos come back.
Our faces lose a lot of natural color as we age because our circulation slows down. Thus, we need to add some warmth and color back into the face. Also, an all matte powdery face doesn’t bode well if you’re trying to look youthful. All matte skin with no dimension = unflattering.
FIX IT: I have found a product that helps with both the too pale and the matte problem. I’ve fallen in love with the Saie Glowy Super Gel Highlighter, $28, in shade “Sunglow” (which is the best shade for natural warmth). I apply this water based luminizer underneath my foundation, or alone, to give me the faintest warm glow! It’s sheer bronze shade is very believable.
Now I always add a little bit of powder to set a few places on my face. The key is that you need to use a smaller brush to apply the lightest dusting of powder just where you need it. Those places are : the T-zone, under the eyes to set concealer, and under the lower lip. These are the areas that tend to go shiny and make you look like you’re going through hormonal sweaty changes! Ha! You know what I’m talking about 😉
But then the remainder of your face should be free of powder, so it looks fresh and radiant.
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This innovative trio of powders called the HD Skin Twist + Light Finishing powder by Make Up For Ever, $45, includes few different shades that work together. A skin-tone shade to even out discoloration, a correcting shade to neutralize undertones, and a color-reviving shade for a lit-from-within result. It is infused with pearl pigments to reflect and diffuse light for a soft-focus effect. The mess-free packaging dispenses the perfect dose of each shade in a single twist!
10. Bare Lips
FIX IT: Exfoliating them daily is a must to create a smooth surface before any color is applied. This also helps to bring a little blood to the surface which gives a hint of color. Y’all know I am a huge fan of this Buxom lip scrub. Then, when choosing a color, it's really up to you and what makes you happy. Just add SOME color whether it's pink, mauve, red, whatever!
I prefer to add a satin/cream lipstick or gloss to most of my older clients and here’s why. A gloss with some shine reflects light and therefore gives a subtle illusion of fullness and hydration.
No need to really spend a ton on a fancy lip gloss because the Maybelline Lifter Glosses, $9 are a-amazing and come in so many colors! But do get this shade I’m wearing here, “Heat.” It’s a gorgeous sheer raspberry that is just so very pretty and healthy looking IMO. If you need to add some definition to the perimeter of your lips before gloss, try the Buxom Power Line Plumping Liner, $21. They’re incredible and have a brush attached so you can blur the lines.
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Under $100 denim jacket for fall (similar) | Hot pink sleeveless tank (similar) | My curling wand I use for my hair
That’s it for this series! Which tip or product do you want to try out?
References : skincancer.org
In Case You Missed It
Yesterday, Beth and Kelly shared winding down summer with a cucumber salad. Click the title or image below to read the article.
You mentioned Il Makiage foundation in your Part One post, and I agree, it’s AMAZING! I was already using it but so happy to see that a makeup professional also thinks it’s great.
Yes Michelle I love it! Great formula that covers really nicely 🙂
I definitely agree about too much eye makeup now that I am 70. I just use Laura Mercier eyeshadow in natural light colors with a hint of pink. I do not do any dark in the crease. I use mascara, of course. and grey brow gel on my eyebrows.
I really like your posts, Jennifer, because I find that I make a point of keeping/retaining information about the products you recommend. Thank you!
Hello Beth,
Where are you?? This is the last email I received from you. I miss your daily fashion wisdom.
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