It's not hard to look great over 50 as long as you take care of yourself and follow the right beauty regimen. Choose a beauty routine that's appropriate for your skin type and select clothing, makeup and accessories that are both flattering and appropriate.
Ten Practical Tips for Looking Great Over 50
1. Protect Your Skin Against Sun Exposure
Skin protection is, of course, important at any age. Sun exposure is one of the primary culprits behind the signs of aging in skin. In your 50s, your skin may already have damage from unprotected sun exposure earlier in life. Sun exposure can be a culprit behind the fine lines and wrinkles that develop over time, as well as problems with uneven skin tone.
To look your best -- and to minimize your risk of developing skin cancer -- it is critical to protect yourself against exposure to UVB and UVA rays. This means that you should wear sunscreen and protective gear like hats and long sleeves when you are outdoors. You should also avoid tanning beds and sunbathing.
2. Moisturize Your Face Twice Daily
Even those who have oily skin early in life tend to develop dryer skin over time. No matter what your skin type is, it's essential to moisturize regularly if you want to slow down the signs of aging. Choose a moisturizer with anti-aging properties that is appropriate for your skin type and apply liberally to your face and neck morning and night. If your skin is dry, you may need to apply moisturizer more frequently. See Health.com for tips on choosing the right moisturizer for your skin type and age.
3. Use Full Body Moisturizer
It's also important to be aware that all of your skin may begin to show signs of age if you don't care for it properly. That's why it's important to use a good moisturizing lotion all over your body on a regular basis. Choose a lotion specifically for dry skin, such as Curel, if your skin is starting to show signs of dryness or flakiness.
4. Get Microdermabrasion Treatments
Microdermabrasion is a non-surgical way to improve the appearance of your skin. You can get microdermabrasion treatments in salons and dermatologist's offices, but you can also purchase do-it-yourself kits that are simple to use at home, such as the TimeWise Microdermabrasion set from Mary Kay.
This type of treatment involves using a mild exfoliant to slough away dead skin cells followed by application of a rejuvenating moisturizer. It can result in a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as improvement in skin tone evenness -- all changes that can result in younger-looking skin.
5. Follow a Healthy Diet
There is a lot of truth to the statement "you are what you eat". Following a healthy diet is critical to looking good at any age, and it's even more important as you start to get older. Eating a balanced diet that consists primarily of whole foods paired with drinking a sufficient quantity of water can go a long way toward keeping you looking younger, feeling great and managing your weight. Of course, staying away from things that are bad for you is just as important as consuming things that are healthy. Cutting out heavily processed foods and avoiding too much caffeine and alcohol are important parts of maintaining a healthy diet. See WebMD's Anti-Aging Diet for additional diet tips and food choices for healthy aging.
6. Engage in Regular Exercise
Exercising regularly can help keep a youthful glow on your skin as you grow older. It can also help you ward off the weight gain that so many women experience as they become menopausal. Engage in aerobic activity to keep your metabolism going and resistance exercises to keep your muscles toned. See Exercise Tips for Women Over 50 on WebMD for additional tips.
7. Take Appropriate Nutritional Supplements
It's not always possible to get all of nutrition that your body needs -- or could benefit from -- simply by following a healthy diet. According to an article on HealthyBodyDaily.com, Dr. Oz suggests that women over 50 need the following supplements:
- Co-enzyme Q10
- Chia Seeds
- Turmeric
- Multivitamins
- Vitamin D with Magnesium
Consider visiting a nutritionist to help you make an informed decision about exactly what you need.
8. Get a Professional Makeover
If you are still wearing the same makeup that you used during your 30s and 40s, it may be time to consider new products. It's likely that you will benefit from a foundation that is more moisturizing than what you used in the past, as well as different formulas for blush, eye shadow and other cosmetics that you may use regularly. Consider having a makeover in a salon or beauty counter, or with a local Mary Kay, Beauticontrol or Avon representative. Working with a trained professional can be very helpful in deciding what products are truly best for you at this stage in your life.
9. Get Plenty of Sleep
Failure to get sufficient sleep is a sure way to look older than you really are. When you don't get enough sleep, you will develop dark circles under your eyes and your tired expression will add years to the way you look. Additionally, when you are exhausted, your skin tends to take on a grayish pall which only makes any fine lines that you have appear more pronounced. According to SleepFoundation.org, adults generally need 7 - 9 hours of sleep per night.
10. Wear Age-Appropriate Clothing
Wearing clothing designed for people who are significantly younger than you does not make you look more youthful; it actually ages you. Avoid clothing designed for twenty- and thirty-somethings, including any skirts and shorts that are too short, pants that are too tight, and tops that are too revealing, whether they are too tight, too short, or too low-cut. There are plenty of attractive fashions for mature women that are stylish and sexy. You'll look much better if you dress your age rather than wearing clothes that make it seem that you may have raided your daughter's closet.
Look Your Best
It is possible to look terrific at any age. However, you have to stay in tune with your body, pay attention to how it is changing over time and make adjustments in your routines -- as well as your perceptions. For example, just because you've always had "normal" skin doesn't mean that it won't become "dry" as you age. Change products as needed to provide your skin what it needs. It's up to you to invest the time and energy that it takes to engage in the healthy lifestyle choices that are needed to help you continue to look great into your 50s and beyond.
