The Gorgeous 50’s – Beauty

July 20, 2017
beauty, gorgeous, fifties, 50's, gorgeous 50's, beauty

 

beauty, gorgeous, fifties, 50's, gorgeous 50's, beauty

If you recall, in my introductory post to the new Write of the Middle (WOTM) ‘Gorgeous 50’s series’, I said that the series was inspired by a book given to me by one of my sister’s on my 50th birthday –  ‘Grown-Up and Gorgeous in your 50’s’ by Pamela Robson.  I will be sharing some of Pamela’s words and my own thoughts along the way.  This post is an introduction to the subject of beauty in your 50’s.

Pamela says:

Now that you’re in your 50’s, you’re finally comfortable in your own skin.  No more comparing yourself to others, you’ve learned to relax and have realistic expectations about your face and hair.  You don’t want to look younger, or like someone else – it’s about looking as great as you can for your age.  Your skin doesn’t lie.  Certainly, genetics play a big role in how you look now, but the way you treated your skin (from the inside and on the outside) in the past will also determine how you’re aging.  Your lifestyle choices will have an impact, but some skin changes during this decade are beyond your control: the skin renewal process will be slowing down, and hormonal changes will also have an effect.  There are, however, more and more ways to minimise the damage!  Skincare, make-up and your crowning glory are fantastic weapons!

My thoughts:

Comfortable in my own skin?

I wish I could say that I am finally comfortable in my own skin but if I’m to be completely honest … no I’m not.  I want to be!  I’m always striving to achieve that, and I am getting closer to it.  The female body takes on some damage through the journey of life – having babies, changing metabolisms, hormonal shifts and generally by just getting older, and we are vain creatures who can be very, very hard on ourselves.  Magazines, media, social media, society etc. reinforce perfection expected of women no matter their age or stage of life.  It’s wrong but it has had quite a terrifying impact on girls and women.  Thankfully, eyes are being opened to this epidemic and wonderful movements are underway to help combat it.  One person I very much admire is Taryn Brumfitt, an Aussie body image activist and maker of the documentary ‘Embrace’.

Compare myself to others?

I don’t compare myself to others so much nowadays as I know there is no point to that and I do value the fact that there is only one of me and I like that. It doesn’t stop me admiring things about others and thinking how lucky they are.  Long legs and olive skin for example sigh, but then again, I do quite like being petite and fair skin in on trend these days is it not?!  Overall, I’m happy to be uniquely me and for others to be uniquely themselves as well.   There’s a quote by Theodore Roosevelt “Comparison is the thief of joy” which I find to be quite true!

How do I feel about my Face and Hair?

Realistic expectations about my face and hair?  I am not sure that I know what Pamela means by this?  I expect my hair will start getting more and more greys as I get older.  I expect it to behave differently in winter than it does in summer.  I expect my face will gradually accumulate more wrinkles as I get older as well as other changes as the years slip by.  Are these realistic expectations?  I think so!

MY HAIR:  I love my hair!  I am very blessed to have thick hair which is naturally moderately curly.  With GHD’s (hair straightener) I have the choice to leave my hair naturally curly (with a few tweaks by the GHD) or to straighten it, depending on my mood and the weather (curly haired girls will understand)!  My hair can get quite dry so only needs washing twice a week.  I see that as a blessing as I know some people with oily hair that have to wash their hair every day!  My hair right now is showing signs of something that could be called post operation stress disorder.  It’s limp and lifeless and not its usual bouncy self.  Research tells me that many people experience hair loss after surgery (typically 2-3 months after surgery).  I am hopeful this will not be me but we shall see!

MY FACE:  I don’t mind my face.  I’ve had it all my life but gee it has changed as I move through different decades of life.  It’s quite incredible – it’s still me but different!  I do have some broken blood vessels that I’d love to get rid of.  Thank goodness for make-up is what I say!  I like my full lips.  I’d like to have bigger eyes like my mother and my daughter.  I call my nose a ‘slippery dip’ nose.  Generally though, I am happy enough with my face.  It is aging but it is aging quite well so far (apart from those annoying broken blood vessels).

Do I want to look  younger?

I don’t walk around each day consumed with the desire to look younger but I certainly do want to try all I can to delay the aging process!  I want to be able to look the best I possibly can. 

I don’t agree with the following words from Pamela “….it’s about looking as great as you can for your age” (sorry Pamela!).  Nooooo it’s about looking as great as you can with what you’ve got and looking the best you can for yourself – so you feel good!  If we were to look as great as we can for our age, then who is going to determine what that is for each particular age and why should there be a benchmark or a predetermined acceptable look for each age?  We are all different!  Grrr… I do not like statements that end in the words … ‘for your age’.

Skin doesn’t lie – so how’s mine going?

I’m pretty lucky with my skin, the lines around my eyes have increased in my 50’s but they’re not too bad.  My skin leans towards being dry but I’ve learnt the right products to help with that and my skin feels good as a result.  I have loads of freckles – from the sun worshiping days of my youth (far too much time sun baking).

Genetics:  Somehow I drew the short straw and have suffered with psoriasis off and on during adulthood – mostly during my 20’s & 30’s.  I’ve been mostly touch wood free of it for quite some time now.  The consequence of all those years of battling psoriasis is thinner skin in area’s where it was at its worst and required regular application of a strong cortisone cream – Diprosone.

What lifestyle choices might have had an impact on my aging skin?

I eat pretty healthy foods most of the time so that is a good thing.  I don’t drink much alcohol at all (in fact rarely these days), another good thing.  However, there are two  lifestyle choices in my past that I believe could impact the condition of my aging skin.  Both of these things were ‘cool’ and ‘acceptable’ when I was younger.  We know better now.

  1. All the years that I was a smoker.  I was a teen and young adult during the years when smoking was COOL and I was made fun of when I didn’t smoke.  Eventually the pressure was too much and I started smoking somewhere between the ages of 18 and 19.  It didn’t take long and I was hooked.  I gave up for my pregnancies.  That was easy because I was so sick in the early days of pregnancy.  Eventually, though I started it up again.  I finally stopped smoking for good around 10 years ago.  It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done and something I am very proud to have achieved.  I am SO happy to no longer be a smoker.  I had become a slave to it and I feel so free now! 
  2. The years and years of sun exposure due to sun baking – mostly when I was a young adolescent, teen and young adult.  The ‘Slip, Slop, Slap‘ campaign came a bit late for me.  I used to have a lovely tan but I do fear that I will soon suffer the consequences.  Note to self:  You are so overdue for a skin check! 

I completely agree that skincare, make-up and our crowning glory are fantastic
weapons in disguising and distracting from the aging process!

Are you comfortable in your own skin?  Do you compare yourself to others?  How do you feel about your face, hair and skin and are your expectations realistic?  Do you wish you looked younger?  Any lifestyle choices in your past that you might regret? 

Ciao for now,

Link up here at WOTM or with another of us in the Lovin’ Life Linky team:

Leanne of Deep Fried Fruit
Lyndall of Seize the Day Project
Kathy of 50 Shades of Age
Deborah
of Debbish
and Jo of And Anyways

It doesn’t matter where you link up as it will magically appear on all six blogs.

 


 

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20 Comments

  • Reply Jo Tracey July 20, 2017 at 8:27 am

    Interesting question…I don’t dislike my face. I hated my skin when I was a teenager, but a lot of years of care & sunscreen have meant that my skins is actually in reasonable nick. I dislike the signs of my weight in my face – the roundness under the jaw & the double chin. My hair is very thick & very curly – I’m a walking cashflow for hairdressers – & I’m grateful for that, even though I do get the occasional dreadlock. I agree though, it’s not about looking the best you can for the age you are, but looking the best you can for you. Very often I make no effort at all & I feel that I should – for my own self-respect.

    • Reply Min July 20, 2017 at 2:51 pm

      I fried my skin when I was a teenager. I had the most awesome tan!! I’ll pay the price though – I know it. I always was skinny minny but middle-age has meant I can no longer breeze through life without worrying about what I eat or how often I move! You’re doing heaps of walking Jo so good on you for that. It’s the what you put in your mouth part that is 80% of the equation and what needs the most focus I find. It’s also the hard part! Yay for great hair!! Glad you agree with my thoughts on looking the best you can for ‘your age’!

  • Reply Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond July 20, 2017 at 9:47 am

    I loved this Min and we think so alike. I’m actually a Body Image Global Ambassador and my philosophy is to be healthy and happy and this will show on the inside as well as the outside. I too don’t worry about aging but I do like to look after my skin and try to look my best. It gives me a little boost to put on some makeup and it isn’t vanity it just makes me feel good. Enjoying the first of your series.
    Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond

    • Reply Min July 20, 2017 at 2:52 pm

      Wow – what does a Body Image Global Ambassador do Sue? You sure are doing great with all the running you do. I get a boost out of popping on a bit of makeup too – makes a big difference to how I feel. Glad you enjoyed the post Thank you! 🙂

  • Reply Deborah July 20, 2017 at 10:43 am

    My face feels very middle aged and wrinkled. Sadly I haven’t felt as if I could justify a facial since I finished full time work so it’s been 5yrs now. There are a lot of local places that do light therapy etc and I’d love to be able to afford that.

    I used to be happy with my hair but it’s pretty blergh at the moment. I lost quite a lot after my surgery last year (common with any major surgery apparently and also given the post-surgery diet) and it hasn’t quite recovered. I’m very impatient with it at the moment and thinking of chopping it off despite trying to grow it since November 2016!

    • Reply Min July 20, 2017 at 2:55 pm

      I haven’t had a facial either … in years & years! I wouldn’t mind a bit of light therapy or any kind of anti-aging therapy really. Love all that stuff. So expensive though most likely! I am hoping I won’t have hair loss following my surgery. I have been told that it can happen 2-3 months after. It’s been 5 weeks. I’m bracing myself!

  • Reply Kathy Marris July 20, 2017 at 11:25 am

    I’m reasonably happy with my skin and hair for my age (60) as I have relatively blemish-free skin that tans easily and my hair is still very thick (but tends to get a bit dry). I do have lines and creases on my face and neck that I accept at my age. However my biggest problem is (and has always been) is with my body shape. I’m short and very curvy. I seem to be getting heavier each year, despite exercising every day and watching what I eat. It really annoys me that I don’t have the metabolism that I used to have and that it takes so much effort to lose a few kilos. However on the positive side I’m healthy with only a few minor problems with my shoulder and lower back. My aim this year is to lose 5 kilos and try to maintain it. I agree that we are all very hard on ourselves! 🙂 #TeamLovinLife

    • Reply Min July 20, 2017 at 2:58 pm

      Ugh the middle-aged spread. It creeps up on you. As I said in my reply to Jo – I was always ‘skinny Minny’ – could eat what I liked, didn’t really need to worry about regular exercise. Then one day things change … so now I DO have to worry about what goes in my mouth and I DO need to incorporate exercise into my life, and ditching weight isn’t as easy as it used to be. Good luck with your weight loss goals Kathy – I’m sure you’ll lose that 5 kilos – easy peasy!! 🙂

  • Reply Ingrid July 20, 2017 at 12:41 pm

    I’ve only recently started totally not comparing myself with others. Being an older beauty blogger I’d go crazy if I tried to compare myself to all the younger beauty bloggers. I am the age I am and don’t pretend to be any younger!

    • Reply Min July 20, 2017 at 2:59 pm

      It’s the same with everything isn’t it. There’s always someone smarter, more beautiful, better clothes, more witty etc etc. Comparison truly is the thief of joy. I’ve decided to revel on the fact that no-one else in the world is me. There is only one me! 🙂

  • Reply JODIE FILOGOMO July 20, 2017 at 12:43 pm

    What a great read, Min!!
    I’m certainly happier now that I was when I was younger. Because I realize that being perfect is never going to happen. Sure, I try to eat well and take care of myself, but to bemoan the changes seem silly! I should feel lucky for every day that I’m alive and feeling great!! And blogging, LOL!!
    XOXO
    Jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

    • Reply Min July 20, 2017 at 3:00 pm

      Thanks Jodie! So true – there is no such thing as perfection. We are indeed lucky to be alive and healthy and blogging (haha)! xo

  • Reply Vanessa July 20, 2017 at 2:27 pm

    I pretty much wish my hair didn’t knot so violently and easily and that I didn’t have to wash it so often; I don’t like the feeling of brushing and generally “dealing with” my hair!
    Not that I go to the hairdresser often (less than once a year) but when they ask what I want, I always want to say “can you make it not annoying” haha. I’m so specific.

    • Reply Min July 20, 2017 at 3:02 pm

      Yes … you are specific! LOL I can sympathise with the knotting hair fiasco. When I leave my hair curly and sleep on it I wake with the same dilemma. Sometimes it’s just easier to go straight and run a straightener over it each day to keep it looking good. No knots!! 🙂

  • Reply Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit July 22, 2017 at 8:50 am

    I have been comfortable in my own skin for a long time but suddenly that is changing. At the age of (almost) 48 I’m starting to thicken up and I don’t know why! Based on the severe PMT style moods I’m experiencing I’m thinking that the big ol’ M might have something to do with it. In any case … for the first time in a very long time I’m starting to look at myself and I’m seeing a person that just isn’t the me I thought I was! Time for some exercise, a look at my food intake and perhaps a huge dose of mindset adjustment.
    #teamlovinlife

    • Reply Min July 24, 2017 at 10:29 pm

      I can’t see any excess weight on you Leanne! Seen heaps of photos of you and you always look fantastic! However, I know what it’s like to feel it on yourself and feel uncomfortable with it. Things certainly do change around this age range! The usual tricks for losing weight no longer work and we’ve gotta ramp it up / switch it up / find other ways! Good luck but I can tell you that I think you’re looking pretty awesome as you are. 🙂

  • Reply Lyndall @ SeizeTheDayProject July 22, 2017 at 3:50 pm

    Now that I’m in my 50’s, I have got to the point where I’m comfortable in my own skin, and I am what I am – take it or leave it! Of course, I do what I can to look my best, with a neat and tidy appearance, but I’m certainly not obsessed with my looks. While I enjoy a nice outfit, I’m no fashionista and can’t see the point in wasting lots of money on outfits which you only wear a few times. I’m pretty low maintenance with hair and nails – the stylists would starve if they depended on me alone :). Having lost a few kilos (with a couple more to go) on Weight Watchers, I feel much better about my health and my body shape. I’ll never be model thin, but that’s not a priority to me – being healthy and happy is 🙂 #TeamLovinLife

    • Reply Min July 24, 2017 at 10:24 pm

      I’m no fashionista either Lyndall but I find that the better I feel about myself the more I enjoy clothes and accessories. I’m afraid I’ve become higher maintenance in other ways though as I’ve gotten older. Never used to get my nails done in my younger years. LOVE having them done now. Makes me feel more polished. Used to get my hair done ad hoc – whenever I felt it needed it. Nowadays I have regular 7 weekly appointments to keep it looking good and in good condition. You’ve done so well with your Weight Watchers. You should be so proud! I’ll never be model anything but I’ll keep trying to look the best I can. Totally agree though that being healthy and happy are much more important than trying to achieve model looks! 🙂

  • Reply Janet Camilleri aka Middle Aged Mama July 22, 2017 at 4:51 pm

    The “Embrace” documentary is amazing! I’m quite content with my looks but know I should really lose 5 kg or more for my health. And I feel like after 50 years I *finally* understand my hair – limp and fine – and have discovered products to help it look fuller! Like you though I have a few of the broken capillaries – I do *think* about getting them treated, but that’s as far as it’s got …

    • Reply Min July 24, 2017 at 10:19 pm

      Ugh – what’s with the broken capillaries – let’s get them zapped away with lazer Janet. Be gone with them! Off with their heads! haha xo

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