Tips for Women Over 50 Who Want to Look 10 Years Younger

Women over 50 can appear at least 10 years younger than they are and are in position to capitalize on their experience and vitality. Why would you want to look and feel younger than you are? It could be vanity, maybe a personal challenge to increase your fitness level, maybe just better health and maybe because you are back on the market as a newly single woman.

Most women will be single for a good portion of their later years. Women who date younger men are referred to as cougars however men have been dating younger women since time began and there is no corresponding term for them. Women should be able to choose who they want to date, and what they want out of life without being referred to in a derogatory way.

I find it interesting that some women in their 50s when approached about starting a skin care routine or using makeup say, “I’m too old to start now.” At 50, we have in most cases at least another 30 years of life left. We are at an age where we have experience, education, money and often, an empty nest. It’s time to really embrace everything life has to offer and do the things we have always put aside because our focus has been on raising a family and working.

Did you know that women, who wear makeup, on average, earn 12% more than women who don’t? When you look good, you feel good and that in turn improves your attitude. I suspect that looking your best improves confidence, which in turn would lead to better on-the-job performance. Purchase a good skin care routine that includes anti-aging products and use it daily. In most cases a quality fragrance-free skin treatment program is safe for even sensitive skin. If you rarely wear color cosmetics take the time to find some that you will be comfortable with. Makeup, that is subtle, will enhance your best features and will make you stand out as someone who cares about their appearance. If you already use color cosmetics you are ahead of the game.

Allot some time in your day to exercise and stretch. Many women these days are active physically and have better health than previous generations. If they do not have a gym membership there are many activities that can tone and firm their physiques while being fun; inline skating, tennis, rock climbing, yoga. I was shocked recently when I took my grandson bowling that it is great activity to firm the gluts and arms.

Clothing choices, in a large way, determine how people see you however it is not necessary to spend lot of money to look good. Reading about clothing trends helps you choose clothing that is fashionable and appropriate for your lifestyle. Whether it is for pleasure or work, choose separates that allow you to mix and match using a couple of basic colors with a few accent colors thrown in. If everything in your closet co-ordinates, dressing in the morning is easy. That will eliminate the “I have nothing to wear syndrome.”

As women in our 50s we are a powerful force in our communities, our work place and our families. Take time for yourself! It energizes you and as Steven Covey believes, it “sharpens the saw.” By deciding to take charge of your appearance, fitness, health, and attitude you open doors that you may have thought closed for you.

HTML

For more FREE expert advice on improving your personal image and personal skin care and beauty routine please visit dalegrove.com. To register for our FREE ezine, please click here Dale Kathryn Grove, formally trained as a fashion designer, has been in the fashion and beauty industry for many years.

Tips for Women Over 50 Who Want to Look Better Than Ever

Women over 50 are looking better than ever before and have more options open to help them achieve that. We are healthier than previous generations, have more vitality and we want our faces and bodies to display that. In addition to helping us compete in the marketplace, looking our best is marvelous for our self esteem and our attitude towards life. If you feel you are not quite there yet, here are a few things you can do to jumpstart the process.

Stress Causes Frown Lines so Takes Steps to Reduce It
Meditation is a great way to reduce stress. It can be difficult to learn in the beginning however once you have reduced the mindless chatter in your brain you will feel a deep sense of peace. Done regularly twice a day for 20 minutes in the morning and the afternoon, one of the side effects of meditation that you may notice is increased intuition. Steven Covey talks about “Sharpening the Saw” or time spent in renewal. Meditation is one of the best exercises, I know of, for doing just that.

Exercise for Vitality and Increased Flexibility
Staying active now will prevent many health related issues later in life. Choose some aerobic, some stretching and some weight lifting to get a good balance in your exercise routine. Many more types of exercise are available today than ever before; from pole dancing which is extremely strenuous, to belly dancing, yoga, salsa dancing, kick boxing and martial arts as well as the traditional aerobic and weight classes. Exercising not only keeps your body fit, it stimulates synapses and dendrites in your brain.

Eat Healthy Foods and Use Supplements for Optimum Nutrition
You’ve heard it before “You are what you eat.” Choosing healthy nutritious foods not only helps nourish your body and brain but also your skin. By improving your nutrition and water intake you will revitalize every cell in your body. Supplements are a great way to optimize your nutrition when life gets too busy. Learn to be selective in what you consume and your vitality will soar.

Eliminate Negativity and Negative People in Your Life
Give up gossip. Negativity is a drain on your mental resources and your health. Choose to be around people and places that nourish your soul. It is hard to let people leave your life when they have been friends for a long time however their negativity hurts not only themselves, it drains you. Be a source of joy in other people lives and watch your own life flourish.

Take Personal Time for You
Take a couple of hours a week to spend on things you love to do. You can share this time with friends or use it as solitary time to focus on your goals and aspirations. Getting up early in the morning when everyone else is asleep can be a very productive time for many people because there are no interruptions. The same can be true of time spent after everyone else has gone to bed.

Small steps over a few weeks time integrating some of these ideas into your life will reap many benefits; a sense of peace and contentment, more energy and vitality, better health, a happier lifestyle and a renewed sense of accomplishment. Aren’t you worth it? Find what works for you and “Make your life a mission not an intermission!”

For more FREE expert advice on improving your personal image and personal skin care and beauty routine please visit dalegrove.com. To register for our FREE ezine, please click here Dale Kathryn Grove, formally trained as a fashion designer, has been in the fashion and beauty industry for many years.

Skin Care Tips for Women with Normal to Dry Skin

Normal to dry skin can leave a woman apathetic about her skin care regime because normally the complexion is clean and clear. However, because the skin is thinner than oily skin, it does require special care, as well, if you want to maintain beautiful skin throughout your life. Well worth the effort, you will be rewarded with a younger and softer complexion long into the future.

Women with either normal to dry skin will want to use a cleanser that cleanses and refreshes and increases skin hydration. Make sure the product is gentle so that it leaves the skin feeling clean and moist. Fragrance free products are best and will help prevent sensitivities and allergic reactions especially when the skin is thin and is quite dry.

You may not need to use a toner if you use a three-in-one cleanser which contains botanicals that freshen and brighten the skin. These products are fast and time effective for women who feel they have little time to spend on caring for their complexion. In some cases they also contain exfoliant beads and vitamins and replace the normal step of masking as well as providing anti-aging benefits.

Both normal and dry skins require good hydration to prevent moisture loss and fine lines. Using oil-free day and night creams provides the moisturization that these skin types need to maintain soft, supple, beautiful skin. If the skin is very dry, you may want to use an intense moisturizer at night with vitamins and humectants that attract moisture and increase hydration. Often these products will maintain the increased moisturization for up to 10 hours.

Prevent photo aging by using a facial sunscreen with at least an SPF 25 that is targeted to block damaging UV rays. If the sunscreen also has pentapeptides, fruit acids or vitamins in it, you will get anti-aging benefits and sun protection in one product. Dry to normal skin ages more quickly than oily skin so using a sun screen is an important step in maintaining smooth, wrinkle free skin.

Another product that could be useful to you is a microdermabrasion set to slough off the dry, opaque surface skin cells that prevent the luminosity of the newer skin cells below from showing through. This will also allow the other products you use to hydrate the surface layer of the skin more effectively. A two part microdermabrasion set that includes a replenishing step with antioxidants will leaves dry to normal skin feeling soothed and smooth immediately

Younger women often do not need an eye cream however; if fine lines become evident you could add one to your skin care regime as well. In the teens, if fine lines have appeared on the skin, you may be using a cleanser that is too harsh. Try switching to a gentler cleanser and monitor your progress to see if that alleviates the problem.

The most important ingredient to any skin care regime, though, is consistency. Use your cleanser and moisturizer day and night, the microdermabrasion twice a week and the anti-aging sunscreen every morning. If you do, you will still have a beautiful, luminescent complexion twenty or thirty years down the road.

For more FREE expert advice on how to present a perfect, personal image please visit dalegrove.com. To register for our FREE ezine, please click here Dale Kathryn Grove, formally trained as a fashion designer, has been in the fashion and beauty industry for many years.

Skin Care Tips for Women with Combination or Oily Skin

Skin Care Tips for Women with Combination or Oily Skin ~ Oily and combination skin and the resulting blemishes challenge many people on a daily basis. Learn to care for your skin in a way that suits your particular skin type. Well worth the effort, you will be rewarded with a clearer, cleaner and softer complexion.

Younger women with either combination or oily skin will want to use a cleanser that controls the oily areas of their face without drying out the delicate cheek and eye areas. Make sure the product is gentle so that it leaves the skin feeling refreshed and clean but not dry. Fragrance free products are best and will help prevent sensitivities and allergic reactions especially when the skin has active blemishes.

For blemish prone skin, add a salicylic acid toner with at least 2% concentration to help control oil and blemishes. It will take approximately six weeks to see maximum results and from that point on the toner will actually prevent breakouts. Use the toner morning and night; however you will want to avoid the sensitive eye area. Never squeeze or poke pimples as it can cause scarring in many cases.

For combination skin, you may not need to use a toner if you use a three-in-one cleanser which contains botanicals that freshen and brighten the skin. These products are fast and time effective for women who feel they have little time to spend on caring for their complexion. In some cases they also contain exfoliant beads and vitamins and replace the normal step of masking as well as providing anti-aging benefits.

Both oily and combination skins need hydration. Using day and night creams, that are oil free, provides moisturization without increasing the oil on the surface of the skin. For photo aging protection you may also want to use a facial sunscreen with at least an SPF 25 that is light and noncomedogenic. It would also be beneficial if the sunscreen has pentapeptides, fruit acids or vitamins in it so that you get anti-aging benefits and sun protection in one product.

Another product that could be useful to you is a microdermabrasion set to slough off the dry, opaque surface skin cells that prevent the luminosity of the newer skin cells below from showing through. This will also allow the other products you use to hydrate the surface layer of the skin more effectively. If you have any active blemishes do not use a microdermabrasion product in those areas. Removing the head from a pimple may cause scarring or an infection.

Younger women in their teens and twenties often do not need an eye cream however; if fine lines become evident you could add one to your skin care regime as well. In the teens, if the skin is normally oily and fine lines have appeared, you may be using a cleanser that is too harsh. Try switching to a gentler cleanser and monitor your progress to see if that alleviates the problem.

The most important ingredient to any skin care regime, though, is consistency. Use your cleanser or cleansing bar and moisturizer day and night, the microdermabrasion twice a week and the anti-aging sunscreen every morning. If you do, you will still have a beautiful, luminescent complexion twenty or thirty years down the road.

For more FREE expert advice on how to present a perfect, personal image please visit dalegrove.com. To register for our FREE ezine, please click here Dale Kathryn Grove, formally trained as a fashion designer, has been in the fashion and beauty industry for many years.

Should My Teen Be Using Skin Care?

Should my teen be using skin care? The tween and teen years can be extremely difficult for children with acne prone skin. Over-active oil glands, that come with puberty, and the resulting blemishes create the chance that your child will be ridiculed by other kids.

In school my nephew was a good looking boy however he had really bad acne. I remember being at the school and overhearing some of the girls talk about him as he walked by. “That Sean Lindggard would be a nice looking guy but look at his skin, gross!” My heart sank, because in school, your social life is everything. His birthday was coming up so I did something I wasn’t sure he would appreciate. I bought him some skin care; a cleansing bar, some 2% salicylic acid toner to control the blemishes and a hydrating product that would also control the oil for up to 10 hours.

Guys especially, are not good at using a skin care regime however Sean was highly motivated and relatively faithful to it. It didn’t take long for the results to become visible. A couple weeks later I was at the school again and another group of girls were standing in the gym as he walked by. This time they did a double take. One of the girls commented “Hey, did you see Sean, WOW, he is looking good!”

There are numerous skin care program for kids these days that will eliminate blemishes. This will help them improve their skin and in the process recover their self esteem. Look for products that are from a reputable company and that offer a guarantee.

Make sure your child understands how to use the products correctly. As a kid I had very oily skin and had to wash my face at least three times a day. At one point I decided more is better and I was mixing all sorts of products. The skin around my eyes became so dehydrated it looked like I was 80 years old. A few instructions will ensure proper results from your teen’s skin care investment.

More than anything else we want our kids to be happy and healthy. Self esteem in the tweens and teens can be almost non-existent. If a lack of self esteem is caused by acne prone skin, a small price to pay is the purchase of a quality skin care program for them. Seeing an improvement in their skin and their self esteem is priceless.

.Dale Kathryn Grove, formally trained as a fashion designer, has been in the fashion and beauty industry for many years. For more FREE expert advice on how to present a perfect personal image please visit dalegrove.com. To register for our FREE ezine, please click here

Look Good, Feel Better, Beauty for Women with Cancer

Look Good, Feel Better, an organization for women with cancer, offers makeovers to improve the self-esteem of women who are fighting for their lives. Doctors take care of the medical issues however the women are left with changes in their skin, nails, hair and faces. At a time in their lives when they need an extremely positive attitude to fight this disease, they look in the mirror and see a woman they don’t recognize.

Each patient receives a box of cosmetics that includes cleanser, toner, moisturizer, eye makeup remover, foundation, powder, eye makeup and blush, eye liner, lip liner, eye brow pencils and mascara. They are also instructed in skin care and makeup application as well as how to choose a wig and what to do as their hair falls out. The products are donated by many of the cosmetic companies all across the country. Members of these same companies volunteer their time to teach the women in attendance how to care for skin that is now considered sensitive and dry. Learning to create eye brows that may be missing or are soon to be missing and how to hide the dark under eye circles resulting from their treatment is information they are eager to learn.

Many of the women coming in the door looked scared and unhappy however by the time they left, they had found friends with a common factor… they were not alone! One woman that I assisted, 83 year old Lisette, was a spunky little French woman who told me she had been washing her face over the kitchen sink for the last three years because she couldn’t bear to look at her face in the mirror. As the morning advanced I could see the change in her attitude. Her skin now moisturized and with a glow aided by a good foundation, looked radiant. The dark circles under her eyes had been minimized and she had applied a small amount of eye color and mascara, a little blush and lipstick. Lisette was smiling! “I think I’ll go dancing tonight!” she exclaimed.

The experience in working with the Look Good, Feel Better patients changed my life. I always thought that volunteering was about giving to someone else. I had no idea of the gifts they would give me in return. Even with their fear and uncertainty, these women had optimism and strength I could not believe. I left each session feeling thankful for knowing them and feeling that I was one of the luckiest people on earth.

.Dale Kathryn Grove, formally trained as a fashion designer, has been in the fashion and beauty industry for many years. For more FREE expert advice on how to present a perfect personal image please visit dalegrove.com. To register for our FREE ezine, please click here

Create a Great First Impression with the Attraction Factor

Personality eventually trumps looks if we are given the time to display what we have to offer. People who maybe were less attractive to begin with, become more attractive as you get to know them. In reality the "attraction factor" depends on two things; a great first impression and a winning personality as the relationship deepens.

Personality is important but unless we make the most of our first impression with new people we meet, often we won't get a second chance. The tag line in an ad on TV, featuring Ellen DeGeneres, was something like, "inner beauty is nice but outer beauty is what is really important". This being the total opposite of what we have always been told growing up. I loved the commercial because in addition to being funny, it really is so true. We still are drawn to attractive people first.

At a jam session I attended with a friend recently, a man came in who looked like he was down and out and could have been homeless. With an unkempt, long beard and hair, crooked teeth, baggy clothes, (it was dark so I couldn't tell how clean they were), I probably would not have even looked at him, had it not been for my friend's enthusiastic reception of him. Then he jumped up on the stage and began to play the guitar and sing. Amazed at his talent but shocked at the first impression he made, I did take the time to talk with him after the set. He was a wonderful, intelligent man.

In most cases, especially in a business situation, you would not have that second chance. Taking the time to present yourself in the best possible light, utilizing dress, grooming and language, is always worth the effort. Prospective employers, future friends or mates will be drawn to you rather than repelled.

I've heard people say that "If they don't like me the way I am naturally, I don't need them in my life". That may be true in a perfect world. However, I am sure you will agree that we all have some prejudices where appearance is concerned. It does matter if we want that new client, that new job or a promotion.

Realistically, who would you choose if you were deciding to spend your hard earned money or were hiring for a position in your company. Think about the people you have met recently and what your first impression of them was. How did they look? Were they well groomed, just presentable or scruffy. How did they speak? Did they use correct grammar, slang or were they vulgar. Did they arrive early, just barely on time or were they late?

Ralph Waldo Emerson said that "Who you are speaks so loudly, I can't hear what you are saying". I believe no truer words were ever spoken. If we want to move up in our careers, set an example for our children, show our friends and family how important they are to us, then we owe it to ourselves to take the time to present ourselves in the best possible light.

Dale Kathryn Grove, formally trained as a fashion designer, has been in the fashion and beauty industry for many years. For more FREE expert advice on how to present a perfect personal image please visit dalegrove.com. To register for our FREE ezine, please click here

Anti-Aging Products Can Make You Look 10 Years Younger

Every woman can look 10 years younger using anti-aging products that renew and revitalize the skin. They prevent fine lines and improve the texture of the skin by chemically speeding up the exfoliation of the skin’s surface. Many also include a sun protection factor that helps to prevents photo-aging which is known to produce the majority of wrinkles on one’s face.

The skin constantly renews itself however as we get older that renewal takes longer and is not as efficient. Anti-aging products that use vitamin derivatives, pentapeptides and sunscreens targeted to block damaging UV rays are an effective and esthetically pleasing way to speed up that process. Generally these skin treatment items are more suitable for facial skin because they are lighter and designed to be used on most skin types.

Anti-aging products if used daily and before wrinkles have set in will prevent many fine lines from forming. Used later in life they help reduce fines and improve the texture of the skin dramatically. These products are considered treatment products and are not moisturizers. You will need to use them along with your daily routine of cleansing and moisturizing to maintain proper hydration of the skin. There are many choices in skin supplements that will improve the tone and texture of the skin; anti-aging systems, firming eye creams, complexion brighteners, line reducers, microdermabrasion sets, eye revitalizers, age fighting lip treatments, eye gels for soothing puffiness and lip masks and balms.

If you are going to take the time to use anti-aging treatment products, take the time to also use them on other areas of your body as well. Neglecting your throat and décolleté shows telltale signs of aging. They receive the same exposure to the sun and wind as your face does. One other area you might want to pay special attention to is your hands. Using a good hand cream with a sunscreen will help to prevent age spots and will create a more youthful impression.

Why would you want to look younger than you are? There are a couple of compelling reasons. First, it is a given that many women will be left on their own later in life. Whether you are looking for a new mate or a new job, appearance makes a big difference in whether or not you will be successful. Second, in today’s tight economy, people are competing for jobs, often with people much younger than them. Youth is synonymous with more up-to-date skills, flexibility and eagerness. Still, in today’s society, we judge people by appearance and if the “cover of the book” is not appealing we pass it by. We have a short time to make a great first impression and using anti-aging products to keep you looking your absolute best can help you do that.

.Dale Kathryn Grove, formally trained as a fashion designer, has been in the fashion and beauty industry for many years. For more FREE expert advice on how to present a perfect personal image please visit dalegrove.com. To register for our FREE ezine, please click here