American Beauty Beyond 40: Does the camera lie or do I?

American Beauty Beyond 40: Does the camera lie or do I?: Here is my revelation: I look a whole lot different in my mind's eye than I do in a photograph. I decided that it was time for a new face sh...

Does the camera lie or do I?

Here is my revelation: I look a whole lot different in my mind's eye than I do in a photograph. I decided that it was time for a new face shot to use with my articles. So I made an appointment with a photographer since the photo I have been using is 4 years old. I fixed my hair, did my make-up, chose what I thought was a flattering top and went to my, "photo shoot."  When I arrived the photographer had me sit on a little stool turning slightly sideways so that as he put it, "I would look thinner."

Thinner??? I thought I was thin. That didn't do much for my ego. He started to shoot and I tried to smile. He had me take a look at the first 10- 15 poses and I almost had a heart attack.  My hair was all wrong (hair helmet) my left eye looked droopy and my nose...It was so wide! I never knew my nose was so broad! I also had chipmunk cheeks.  These photos looked nothing like me. The photographer discussed my short comings  in a clinical manner as if he were talking about someone else. He could photo shop the tiny crinkles.  He knew that there was a way to make my droopy eye less droopy. Oh and by the way; I looked fat in every photo.
 
I know that I am prone to exaggeration, but not this time. So, who was this woman? I think I came face to face with the Aging Me. I left the studio feeling sad and a bit dejected. I looked every bit as old as the numbers say. Somehow I had convinced myself that I did not look my age.  I also believed that I was better looking than I truly am.

It has been two days since the" incident." I realize that I need to come to terms with who I really am, not whom I thought I was. I know I am so much more than a face and a body.  That is not what I mean here. However, our outward appearance is a big part of who we are.  I do not believe for a minute that, "beauty is skin deep." Ask anyone who has had their feeling hurt or who have changed how they deal with the world because they were made to feel inferior due to their appearance. When I left that studio I felt I had aged ten years.

There is such a thing as aging gracefully and I admire people who do.  Helen Miren, for example is absolutely breath taking. She does not try to erase her life from her face and she looks stunning with her silver white hair. I am sorry to say that is not me and that makes me even sadder; I wish that it were.

Growing old does not mean you have to become feeble and ugly. Older people can keep their fitness and poise with a whole lot of exercise and ugly is really how you present yourself. If you feel ugly you will probably exude that belief. None of this is helping me accept my reality, by the way.

There is the prevailing opinion that to be young, or should I say look young makes one a part of the social experience.  What I mean by this is fashion, beauty and vitality are all portrayed by younger people.  When was the last time you saw a 60 year old beautiful woman in a fashion magazine, yet there are beautiful older women out there but either no one wants to see them or they have all retired. We really have few examples to emulate.

Just try to do a google search on hairstyles for women over 50 or appropriate style selections;
If you come up with anything it will be short hair cuts and highly stylized expensive clothing.  Are you not supposed to wear jeans and a T shirt after 50?

Once again it all comes down to trying to figure out where I fit in at this stage of my life. There will be some who would say get over it and go on; looks are not everything.  I am sorry, I am having a little trouble going from pretty to being a sage old soul. There has seemed to be no transition to me.

There is also no real help out there. I need a guide in making this life change. I need someone to tell me what hair style I should wear  and where exactly to find clothes that make me look good but not feel old.  Inside of me there is a 30 year old woman with energy and life. This is the woman I want to be.  I just need to find a way for my  inside to make peace with my outside.









 

Review of Smooth Indulgence Foundation by Dermablend

Smooth Indulgence foundation  works surprisingly well at covering age spots, Rosacea, and small even scars. As a foundation it comes off looking chalky and thick. It works much better as a concealer. In order for it to work effectively as a concealer it is critical to choose the right shade to match your complexion.

Smooth Indulgence actually has the ability to camouflage dark spots on hands without looking obvious.  It can withstand water and time. It also resists rubbing off on your clothing. Dermablend claims that it will last 16 hours when used with setting powder.  Here are a couple tips to make the product work to your advantage:

• Apply to hydrated moisturized skin
• Apply thinly in layers, dabbing and working product in an outward direction
• Make certain that the color you choose matches your skin

As a full face foundation Smooth Indulgence performed less than satisfactorily. Despite the claim, "It will not enhance appearance of wrinkles or pores,"  

Dermablend does have a powerful concealer in the Smooth Indulgence product; it is just too thick to use as foundation. The good news is a little tiny tube will last just about forever.  On the days that you need super coverage for blemishes or serious redness it definitely does the trick. The price will not set you back either.  To order online try;  The Skin Store 

American Beauty Beyond 40: Exercise Is The New Homework

Exercise Is The New Homework

Working out is like going to church; I hate getting ready to go but I am oh so happy that I went. Every morning I can find ten things I "need" to get done before hitting the gym. Until that moment that I actually get on my Spin bike or prepare to lift a weight, I am thinking about it incessantly with dread, regret or guilt.

 Once I get going and get it done I am a much happier person. I actually enjoy the work out process.  I love the way my muscles feel as they get stronger and you just can not beat the endorphin rush that goes with getting fit. Exercise actually sets the tone for my entire day.  I just feel more confident and happier once I have gym time.

I have discovered that over time it has gotten a bit easier to "just do it". The longer I work out, the more of a habit it becomes.  I have also managed to find an aerobic activity that I really enjoy. Once I purchased a Spinning bike and some CDs, I was hooked. I am in my virtual Spinning class pedaling away for 55 minutes and I don't even mind it.

So why is it when I know how great it feels and how fantastic it is for my health do I still have trouble starting each morning? The only answer I can come up with is that it is hard, sweaty work and I have always avoided hard, sweaty work.  It is quite silly really.  I know very well that I am eventually going to get up and start moving something.  I also know my real day does not start until I do.

I guess it is the same mechanism that kept me from doing my homework til after dinner on Sunday night as a kid.  The sad thing is I ruined the entire weekend thinking about the homework, just like I do each morning with my exercise.

American Beauty Beyond 40: Where do you fit in?

American Beauty Beyond 40: Where do you fit in?: There are few women's magazines that feature women in their 40s, 50s and beyond. In fact the category of "beyond" is pretty much ignored. Y...

Where do you fit in?

There are few women's magazines that feature women in their 40s, 50s and beyond.  In fact the category of "beyond" is pretty much ignored. You may see the occasional article featuring Helen Mirren or Jane Fonda, but seriously do publications think women no longer care once they reach their golden years?

How golden can it be if you are relegated to being  somebody's Grandma or the Older Lady down the block? As I slowly edge my way closer to the "Beyond" category of womanhood I can not help but feel a certain amount of sadness. There is so much more to me than there ever was before, yet where do I fit in?

I do not fit the profile of the aging American Woman. I exercise, I eat right, I haven't forfeit my long hair for a bowl cut; I have not given up on me.  I realize that I have a significant block of time before I truly hit the category of " Beyond." However there  really isn't much I can do about it so I would like to somehow embrace it. You know, it would be easier if somewhere between the pages of Women's Health, Self and maybe even Cosmo, there were examples of healthy, vibrant, sexy women at every age.