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Smile! - Mark Tornatore, DMD, says “One of the areas we all notice is the change in our teeth. Years of tea and coffee, and perhaps cigarettes, can cause our teeth to look dull or even gray. A smile is one of the first things we notice about a person. It makes sense to get regular dental check-ups and consider some cosmetic procedures for enhancement. Always start with a professional hygienist visit and exam to remove surface stain, tartar and plaque. Many over-the-counter whiteners can clean and brighten your smile. Your dentist also may recommend a bleaching product you apply with what looks like an invisible “tray” worn over your teeth for a prescribed length of time. If teeth are worn, ask your dentist about a bite guard to prevent grinding. To correct damaged teeth, ask about crowns and veneers. We know of one woman who wore braces at age 80 saying, “I’ve always been self-conscious about my teeth. I am finally going to have the smile I’ve always wanted.” Toenail Care - As we age, our toenails become thicker. While a pedicure may seem an extravagance for men or women, keeping nails short also is a safety concern. If our nails become too long our feet become cramped in our shoes and affect the way we walk. Wincing in pain and changing our gait is an invitation to a fall or stumble. It can be difficult to trim our own toenails if arthritis is a factor – we may not have the strength to work the clippers properly. And if you take a blood thinner you need to be particularly careful not to cut yourself. Get a trusted family member or professional to help you. If your feet have lost some of their feeling because of poor circulation associated with diabetes, your pedicure may be covered by your health care insurance. Makeup - So how else can we look our best? I asked the staff of Scott Miller Salon for advice for mature women. Use lipstick. It’s common to lose some of the natural pigment in the lips as we age, and by wearing a bit of color on the lips you can instantly perk up your complexion. Keep foundation textures dewy and luminous. If the skin looks dry, it will look older, and no one wants that! Consider using a makeup primer, which prevents makeup from settling into fine lines and keeps the coverage truer throughout the day. Don’t use harsh colors on the eyebrows. Eyebrows tend to thin out as the years pass, and a beautifully arched brow can frame the eye perfectly and provide the illusion of lift in the eye area. If the color is too dark or too thickly applied, it will look harsh and take attention away from the rest of the complexion. Use eyeliner to define and bring out the eyes, but explore the range of textures that companies have available – there are some that are more water-resistant and smudge-proof. That way color won’t end up smearing down your face as the day goes on. Don’t use drippy, shimmery lip gloss. All lip glosses are not bad, in fact, some gloss is usually very youthful-looking, preventing the lips from looking dehydrated and dull. But leave the frosty, sticky ones behind, as they tend to look very heavy. Do remember, less is more. It’s important to learn what colors are most flattering to your individual skin tone. This will enable you to spend less time and use minimal makeup to look your absolute best! If you are a woman, consider a “make-over” during which a professional can custom blend a make-up base to match your skin and show you which colors of blush and eye shadow look best on you. (Drop a not-too-subtle hint for a gift certificate). Hair Color and Style - While the majority of people who color their hair are women, men looking for employment are covering their gray in increasing numbers. The key is to make the color look as natural as possible. Do have soft tone-on-tone highlights, don’t have high contrast highlights or thick striping. For more consistent results, have your hair professionally colored - don’t use box color. A professional can custom-blend a color that’s right for you - you will not be limited to 12 shades. Do have modern and up-to-date color; don’t have the same hair color you had in 1985. Consider a change in hair style if you want to update your look. In years past, may of us followed what was “fashionable” rather than what style fitted our face. One look that ages a woman is a perm gone wild – the hair has grown out and the hair sticks out from the head reminiscent of the old “Tonis” we suffered through as girls. Gentlemen – get a good haircut and keep that nose hair trimmed as well as those strands that leak out from your ears. Skincare - As we age, our skin does become drier. To counteract this, use a richer, more hydrating regime to combat dryness that comes with aging. Have a daily regimen that embraces products that offer specific anti-aging benefits beyond basic cleansing, toning and moisturizing. Choose products that will help turn back the clock, but that aren’t so harsh they cause flare-ups in skin. Do use a rich cleansing product and a gentle but moisturizing toner. Use a SPF and moisturizer with additional anti aging benefits daily. Use treatment products containing a high concentration of Vitamin C and that contain Alpha Hydroxy Acids. Products containing retinol reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles, dark spots and roughness. (A recent issue of AARP offered some brand-specific suggestions) Don’t smoke. Don’t be a sun worshipper - wear a SPF at all times, even in the winter! Perfume and Aftershave - As we age our sense of smell diminishes so that people have a tendency to keep putting on cologne or after shave until they can smell it. Lighten up. If it is a relatively new bottle, trust that a little less will provide just the right amount of scent. Although it may seem basic, be extra careful in your personal hygiene. Again, we may think we are without body odor because we can’t smell any odor on our body or our clothing, but that may not be the case. Posture - Stand up straight – you have a lifetime of experience and wisdom of which to be proud. In our next column, we will explore the job search after age 50.
Please share your positive and negative experiences and your tips
for success by writing to me, Lynette Loomis at: The Marketing Strategists,
PO Box 663, Mendon, N.Y. 14506; or contact me here. |
