I’m Not Afraid of Aging (Okay, Maybe Just a Little…)
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I’m Not Afraid of Aging (Okay, Maybe Just a Little…)
It started after the birth of my daughter. The fine lines around my eyes seemed more pronounced, my nails started cracking, my hair seemed brittle, and my skin seemed tight, rough and prone to breakouts. The person staring back at me in the mirror was a tired and stressed out version of me.
I had to face it: I was getting older. My beauty routine needed to change along with my morphing body and skin. Though I felt like a 23-year old on the inside, my skin and body felt otherwise.
After a quick internal debate about plastic surgery (a little pricey and not quite ready for that), I decided to seek out natural and healthy ways to age gracefully. I wasn’t trying to turn back the clock—just help make the transition a little less scary and frustrating. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the results.
Here are some tips I found (and still use) to help deal with these aging annoyances:
Hide wrinkles for a few hours
I discovered a way to help reduce the appearance of fine lines. It only lasts for a few hours but it’s perfect for evening events. One hour before the event, exfoliate and add moisture to your face—doing so offers immediate plumping that lasts several hours. Find a scrub with smooth, spherical beads that will polish without causing irritation. Follow up with a moisturizer that contains GABA, a peptide that temporarily relaxes muscles and hides pesky lines. Voila! (Just remember to get home before the clock strikes midnight.)
Make shiny, healthy hair a reality
Two of my favorite products from Pure Matters are in our Beauty Bundle, which includes a bottle of Biotin and a bottle of BioCell Collagen ®. These two products have made such a difference in my skin, hair and nails since my daughter was born.
Biotin, or vitamin B7, is crucial for the production of keratin, the key structural component of hair, nails, and skin. I swear my nails are stronger than ever and rarely break. Biotin also is helping with those pesky breakouts.
For skin, BioCell Collagen II ® helps retain moisture and elasticity. It contains the same ingredients used in expensive injectable fillers, but works from the inside out and has no downtime (unlike surgery).
Give droopy lids a lift
No, I don’t mean go for an eye-lift. Instead, there are tricks you can do with your makeup that will help brighten your eyes and erase years from your face. The biggest tip: use a highlighting shadow on your brown bone to draw attention up and away from any signs of droopiness. And don’t forget to curl your eyelashes and apply two coats of mascara—this will help open up your eyes.
Update beauty routine
The same makeup I wore when I was 25 no longer does the trick. In fact, many common makeup mistakes end up adding years to a women’s face. For instance, some women turn to foundation as a way to hide sunspots and fine lines. But loading up on too much product actually exaggerates wrinkles and can end up looking cake-y. If you must wear foundation, try a lightweight liquid formula that will blend easier with powders and moisturize skin. Also sparkly shadows and lots of shimmer can accentuate fine lines and wrinkles. Opt for more matte versions.
Don’t Lose All That Body Fat
Yes, you can be too thin. Super thin women just look older. My Mom always said you need an extra few pounds helps fill out the wrinkles…I’m taking her advice!
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
Fluids are the key to keeping skin clear, smooth and supple. When I’m dehydrated, my skin appears ruddy and rough. Not a fan of slugging back water? I count water-filled fruits and vegetables like melon, berries and cucumber in my daily hydration goals.
Koren Barwis is the Health and Wellness Coach at Pure Matters as well as the Director of Marketing. She’s also a full-time mother of four.
