As we get into our middle years, the noise of ‘what to wear’ vs ‘what not to wear’; ‘more make-up’ vs ‘less make-up’; ‘long hair’ vs ‘short hair’ and so on and so forth, can be deafening, confusing, and, for me – irritating. For the most part, using your own common sense is good enough. If you look in the mirror and love the way you look – go for it. Seriously, if you’re at all like me; you’re probably your own worst critic. So, if YOU think you look good; imagine everyone else is going to be bowled over.
At the risk of adding to the ‘How To Look Younger’ noise, I have compiled eight of my favorites. We can’t do it all, nor should we even try. Each of us has our list of ‘I don’t cares’ and pet peeves. The following eight just happen to be mine – pet peeves, that is.
1. Update The Hair:
I am not suggesting you have to color your hair. If you have decided to go grey; more power to you. Being grey doesn’t mean you can’t make the best of what you have. If you still have volume; maybe adding some layers to give it more flow is appropriate. Or, if you want to frame your face and make your eyes pop add some bangs to your look.
2. Eye MakeUp Is Great…Still: Maybe the days of heavy eyeliner and dark shadows are behind us. Remember how we used all that make-up to look ‘older’ in our teens? Yeah, I know I did. I definitely am over that! If you can afford it and can stand the discomfort, permanent eyeliner is a fantastic option. It reduces the amount of actual make-up you need and showcases your eyes 24/7
3. Eye Lashes and Brows Are Important: Full, extended brows add bone structure and lift saggy lids. Longer eyelashes are generally considered attractive. Having long eyelashes and full brows shortens your beauty regiment and also provides a more naturally beautiful look. If it’s right for you, Latisse is a great way to promote hair growth. If not, there are other options like perming and dying lashes or microblading eyebrows. That extra ‘drama’ that full brows and long lashes add to your overall look is pretty awesome.
4. Statement Jewelry Adds Life To An Outfit: What better way to up your style game than with a bold, striking and attention-grabbing piece of statement jewelry? Statement pieces are designed for you to have fun with, but can make all the wrong statements if they are not worn correctly. To make it work; keep it simple. If you’re going for knock-out earrings don’t clutter the look with a big, bulky necklace. 
Let the earrings make their statement. It doesn’t mean you can only wear one piece of jewelry, it just means you need to coordinate statement accessories into your look by striking the right balance. Bold pieces should be allowed to stand out, so do not over-crowd your look by wearing them next to each other. Try to stick with the same kind of metal and avoid clashing patterns and charms.
5. Stand Up Straighter: Not only can you save yourself from back pain; good posture – pull your shoulders back and tighten your core will also help you appear lighter. It also doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that individuals who stand up straight and tall are perceived as healthier, more confident, alert, and more youthful. We have everything to gain from paying attention to our postures.
6. Moisturize And Sunscreen: As we age we lose moisture in our skin. Fewer natural oils, sun damage, decreased cell renewal, and loss of hormones all contribute to dry, rougher skin. Dry skin can look so dull that you can actually look ‘dusty’. Losing the natural glow of youth is inevitable but we can up the moisturizer routine and happily not get acne. Coconut oil is a fabulous and inexpensive way to lock in moisture. Sun damage needs to be kept at bay. Always apply sunscreen before leaving the house. A great alternative to make-up, if you want to go simple, is a tinted sunscreen. If your complexion looks even in tone, you appear younger according to research by Dr Bernhard Fink, an expert in evolutionary psychology at the University of Gottingen.
7. Whiten Your Teeth:
As we age, our tooth enamel thins which gives way to the interior color of the tooth. Dentin, the hard inner surface of the tooth, contains a yellowish colored pulp. Yellow teeth can make you look even older than you are as well as give you an unhealthy appearance. And, if you’re like me you can add coffee, red wine and blueberries to the mix. It’s all bad. Of course, heading to the dentist for a cleaning and exam twice a year is the first step. The cleaning should get rid of the stains, then you can add a whitening toothpaste. If that isn’t enough, professional whitening treatments or these great grocery store bought, Crest White Strips.
8. Smile: Now that you’ve got your skin glowing, you’re rocking a new ‘do’, the outfit is smartly accessorized, AND your teeth are a sparkly white – SMILE. A smile activates all of the good muscles in your face and tells the world that you are a confident, happy person. Smiling actually makes us ‘happier’ – happiness radiates out as inner and outer beauty. The psychological hypothesis, facial feedback effect, generates genuine happiness through smiles (kind of a fake it ’til you make it). Authentic happiness is the gift that keeps giving – happy people are more likely to engage in positive activities that keep bodies and minds in tip-top shape.
