Fabulous Over Forty – Where Beauty Is Ageless

When was the last time you stopped to take a good look in the mirror.   Not to see if your hair and makeup are in place or your shoes look great with your outfit.  No, I’m talking about taking a really good look at your skin.   Chances are it’s not the same as it was 10 years ago or even 5 years ago, so you shouldn’t be using the same skincare products as you were back then.    

I’ve noticed changes – gradual, slow changes.   The texture of my skin isn’t as smooth as it was even 5 years ago.  A bit of sagging, and broken capillaries seem to show up constantly.   I never used to have a pore that showed on my face, now they seem so much more prominent.  It can be frustrating, but the good news is that there are things you can do without having to resort to needles or other things.  Don’t feel like that is your only choice, because it’s not.

After stopping one day to take a really good look at my own skin I decided the next morning to call my dermatologists office and make an appointment.   I go to Uptown Dermatology and Skin Spa so I made my appointment to see Nadine, who by the way, has amazing skin.   I talked with her and told her what was bothering me, discussed the products I was using and had a general skin care discussion.   If you ever decide to do an appointment like this – bring a pad and pen and take notes.   It’s difficult to remember all the things discussed and it’s good to be able to look back at your notes after you leave.   I was pleased when she told me I had overall really good skin and I could fix the things I wanted to fix without a needle or blade.  

There are countless products out there, so I wanted to know what I should be using, as we all know it can be really confusing.   Here are the simple steps she suggested to me:

1. Cleanse with a gentle cleanser, and using a Clarisonic with it is fabulous.  I told her I only cleanse at night and she suggested I add morning cleansing to that in order for the next steps to get the best benefit.   But, don’t use the Clarisonic both times – she suggested just at the evening cleanse.
2. During the day, add a Vitamin C Serum.   Make sure it is a stabilized L-ascorbic acid, as that is the only form of Vitamin C that will give you the results you need.   These are usually in a dark glass bottle and are watery-thin consistency.   The dark glass helps to retain its potency.  
3. For night, use a Retin A product.   The prescription strengths are going to give you the best results and there are a variety of them, so be sure to ask your dermatologist for a tester to make sure you get the one that is right for you.
4. Moisturize as your skin needs it, especially at night.  Your doctor can help you determin what type of moisturizer you need.
5. During the day use a sunscreen with SPF 30 and make sure it is one that has both UVA/UVB protection.
6. Twice a week use an exfoliant.

Continue reading to see more details by clicking on the “Read More” label.

…

Is it the texture of sunscreen lotions that are preventing you from using sunscreen?   If so, Chantecaille has a beautiful option for you.   This new Protection Naturelle SPF 46 PA+++. 

This powder comes in the tube with an attached brush so it’s simple to use.   Just turn the brush facing down and shake to get the powder to come through onto the brush and then simply dust it over your face.   It comes in two shades, light (translucent) and bronze.   The bronze is a medium/light shade and sheer.   The brush is easy to use and one thing on the unit that they designed that is a huge plus for me is right at the base of the brush you can see a clear plastic cover.   Just slide that up and you’re able to slip on the lid when you are done using it without worrying about any bristles not going into the cap correctly.   It is quite bothersome to me when a brush has a cover and you can’t get the cover back on without bristles sticking out and the next time you go to use the product the bristles are everywhere.   This is a brilliant solution!

I purchased the bronze shade for summer and for fall and winter will be purchasing the refill powder in light, which is basically a translucent.   That’s another great thing about this – you can buy refills instead of replacing the whole thing.   With this you get full spectrum UVA/UVB sun protection.   The powder absorbs oil on your skin, yet keeps it moisturized.  I am obsessed!  Now you’ll have no excuse not to wear sunscreen.

One down fall though.  This is so popular that they can’t keep it on the shelves or apparently the website either.   So if you see it, grab it!   I’m on a waiting list to get my Light shade.

Don’t you just love the name of this sunscreen – Dr. T’s Supergoop!  I think it’s hilarious.   I try and imagine how they came up with the name and in my mind some mother was slathering her young child with sunscreen and the child couldn’t pronounce the word so they just called it the Supergoop!   I mean, what kid wouldn’t like to have something called goop on them rather than sunscreen, especially a boy.  I don’t know how the name truly came about, but that’s my imagination running wild. 

Sun protection, however, is not hiliarious.   It’s deadly serious. 

I love Supergoop!’s industrial looking packaging, it’s a rather fresh idea.  Check out the site for more fun packaging.   But, what’s inside is so important or lack of what is inside.  There are no potential carcinogens like oxybenzone, proplyene glycol and octinoxate and no parabens either.  Supergoop! has advanced photo stabilizing protectors against damaging UVA and UVB rays, too.   If you are using a sunscreen daily, these are very important facts to know about the sunscreen you use.   So why not use one that is safe for you as well.  I like how it feels, not sticky or greasy and it absorbs fairly quickly too.

I can’t beg each of you readers enough to use sunscreen daily!   If you think you won’t ever get skin cancer or are willing to take the risk, just think of it in this sense – that sun damage is the number one cause of aging, and it’s preventable.   Wouldn’t you rather protect and preserve than nip, tuck, fill, inject and pull?  I know I would!

The fabulous days of summer are here! 

With Memorial Day right around the corner, the official start of beach season is here.   Here are some of my favorite classic beach beauty looks.

Every of-the-moment beauty has her iPad with her wherever she goes, the beach included.

Give your face a bronzed look before you hit the beach with Lancome Tropiques Minerale Loose Powder in my favorite shade, Natural Golden.

Simple sandals are best at the beach.  These Tory Burch sandals are simply classic and sexy.

Brush a little bronzer all over for the tropical glow.  Edward Bess Ultra Luminous Bronzer helps with the glow.   Daydream is the shade shown above.

A large floppy hat is a must for sun protection and the mystery of who lies beneath.   ThisEric Javitz hat oozes mystery.

One never likes to put greasy sunscreen on and ruin your look.  This Peter Thomas Roth is a perfect SPF45 Mineral Powder that leaves you fresh looking and no greasiness at all.

No ordinary straw tote will do at the beach for the classic woman.   Eric Javitz totes are beautiful at the beach and everywhere!

These Oscar de la Renta earrings are beautiful and sophisticated.   

A soft, flowy cover-up is a must.   This Michael Kors beach cover up is simple yet lovely.

Just a hint of color on the eyes keeps your look polished.   Jouer Cosmetics eye shadow in peach fits the bill perfectly.

Keep your lips protected and shiny with Nars Pure Sheer SPF 15 Lip Tint.  The shade Greta is shown above – a soft mauve tint.

The heat can make your makeup melt, so this waterproof Chanel Inimitable mascara will keep you lashes long and luscious.

Have a fun, sun-safe season at the beach being a classic beauty.

I spent this past fall weekend enjoying the beautiful colors in the “north country”. The colors were stunning even though the sky was overcast. But, I came prepared with my sunglasses and my sunscreen for my face and hands.

It’s a myth that the need for sun protection stops when fall starts. “Year-round sun protection is an important mindset to adopt in order to prevent premature skin damage that can lead to wrinkles, sun spots and some types of skin cancer,” says Dr. Elizabeth Hale, Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the New York University School of Medicine. “I always recommend using a broad spectrum sunscreen anytime people are outdoors to help protect against both UVA and UVB rays. While UVB rays are the main cause of sunburn and are especially abundant in the warm summer months, UVA rays are present year-round and can pass through clouds and windows. Sunglasses and broad-brimmed hats remain important methods to protect from overexposure during the cooler fall and winter months.”

Here is what Dr. Elizabeth Hale suggests for fall:

Protect your Face – While arms and legs are generally covered during cool seasons, your face is one part of the body that can receive year-round sun exposure. Choose a broad spectrum sunscreen and apply it to the face, neck and chest before leaving the house.

Don’t Forget the Hands – If you aren’t wearing gloves, the skin on your hands is just as susceptible to sun damage as the skin on your face. Smoothing on a sunscreen lotion daily may help moisturize dry skin and can help protect the skin from unintentional damage, helping to prevent premature skin aging.

You’re Never “Above” Damaging Sun Rays – Whether you are hiking up mountainous terrain or speeding down the slopes, the sun’s rays become stronger as altitude increases. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, UV exposure increases 8-10% for every 1,000 feet of elevation; therefore, choose a broad spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF. Skiers are especially susceptible to “goggle burn” as the snow reflects 80% of UV rays.

Be Sun Smart – UV rays are present year-round, reflecting off water, concrete and sand. The sun is the strongest between the hours 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Some after-school sports take place when UV rays are strongest, so whether you are playing on the field or watching from the bleachers, it’s important to protect yourself from potential sun damage.

Make Sunscreen a “Family Affair” – Most parents understand the need to protect their children from the sun. According to the 2008 Coppertone “Sun IQ” survey, 82% of parent respondents agreed it is important that their children use sunscreen with an SPF above 30. Unfortunately, these parents are not practicing what they preach as 45% were not using sunscreen themselves. To encourage healthy sun habits for the whole family, keep a bottle in the bathroom and next to the door for easy, on-the-go application.

Give this or other broad spectrum protection Coppertone sunscreens a try. Don’t forget to stay protected this fall!

Our lovely intern at work drew the name Brenda R from the list of correct answers. I MUST wash my face every night – no matter how late, or early morning it is!

Congratulations Brenda, you win the Shiseido Brilliant Sun Protection Set. Keep your skin protected for the sake of cancer and wrinkling!

Email me your address at kari@faboverforty.com

Also, if anyone has any questions, you can feel free to email me with your questions at any time. I’ll do my best to answer.