Growing older with Grace … not botox …

6 tips to help you look great and feel younger.

“Grow old with me! The best is yet to be.” ― Robert Browning

When I was younger I always thought “oh wrinkles don’t bother me” that was because I didn’t have any. Now in my late fifties … Yikes! Wrinkles do bother me! Even worse sagging crepey skin. What the heck is that? I can not tell a lie, I have considered Botox and filler, heck I have even dreamed of a face lift. But do I want to get trapped in the never ending and expensive cycle of cosmetic injections? Not really, but I don’t want to look like an old hag either. There must be a middle ground. So, I went to an expert to get some advice.

CARRIE …{Aesthetician} has been helping women with skin care and grooming for more than twenty years. Over time, she has learned what women want and how to help them achieve the best results for their individual needs.

it’s all so confusing!

6 most often asked questions:

What keeps skin youthful?

CARRIE: I feel that an attractive appearance begins with a healthy lifestyle. A well-balanced diet, sleep, exercise and avoiding sugar all affect the largest organ of our body, that is our skin. Sleep restores our whole body and skin reducing the appearance of fine lines and dark circles under our eyes. Exercise keeps skin tight and reduces stress thus helps to decrease worry lines. Eating well and limiting fried foods, alcohol and sugar keeps our complexion clear. A lot of skin problems such as acne, rosacea and eczema are exacerbated by the sugars we eat.

What should we look for in a facial cream?

CARRIE: There are many products on the market to choose from and it can be confusing. The skin care industry has advanced and luckily for us there are now thousands of ingredients that once absorbed into our skin will combat our skin issues. Ask your skin care professional for a sample. Does it seem to absorb into your skin, or does it sit on top of your skin? Can you see a difference in the texture of your skin within a few days?

How should we care for our skin?

CARRIE: Cleansing is important, most people should cleanse morning and night, except someone with extremely dry skin, once a day is enough in this case. I know, I can hear you saying I’m too busy, we are all busy, too tired or too lazy but trust me … the results are worth it and it takes only minutes. Cleansing removes make up, dirt and oil that builds up during the day. A good moisturizer is necessary too. Choose one that meets your skin’s needs. Sensitive skin requires a product designed for delicate skin, as dry skin needs something that has extra ingredients. If you don’t know ask a professional or have to a facial, your aesthetician can explain as she goes along.

Oh! don’t forget to moisturize from within , drink plenty of water

“be good to your skin, you’ll wear it everyday for the rest of your life.”

What about Eyebrows? “ Don’t worry about me, Worry about your eyebrows “

CARRIE: Don’t underestimate what a difference eyebrows make. Good eyebrows make us look less tired more alert, younger and frame our eyes making them stand out.

As we get older our eyebrows thin and fade. Fear not … there are simple ways of improving your eyebrows. A professional waxing will give your eyebrow a nice shape and clean up the stray hairs.

If your eyebrows have faded or have turned gray you could have them tinted. A professional should know what colour is best for your skin tone. Tinting helps the brow look thicker and more defined. It makes such a difference and is simple, quick and inexpensive. It lasts about 6 weeks. At the same time, if you are not inclined to wear makeup consider having your lashes tinted, making them darker and defining your eyes.

“the eyes tell us more than words can ever say”

What about Grooming?

“If you look good … you feel good … If you feel good … you do good.”

CARRIE: It’s true, the days when we make an extra effort to make ourselves look good we undoubtedly have a better day. No it isn’t a coincidence. When we feel good about how we look we feel more confident and happy. We then tend to treat people well and do our work with a better attitude creating better results.

We are worth the investment in ourselves. A manicure and pedicure or a facial and having our eyebrows done can actually improve our mood. If we are in a good mood everything else in life falls into place, we stand a little straighter and walk a little prouder. People will gravitate to us because we are happy. Nothing pushes people and opportunities away quicker than being negative.

What are your thoughts on growing older with grace?

CARRIE: Growing older gracefully does require effort on our part. A daily skincare routine, hair removal and foot care are part of it. Also, staying active, interested in life, growing and learning keeps our mental state well. Therefore, taking care of our skin, body and mind is the answer to growing older with grace.

“Smiling is definitely one of the best beauty remedies. If you have a good sense of humor and a good approach to life, that’s beautiful.”