We do some crazy things to stay beautiful – we inject stuff into our foreheads and lips, we massage chocolate all over our bodies, we wrap ourselves up with mud or seaweed, we even get facials with real cranberries.
It’s not that we’re narcissistic as much as it is we just feel better when we look better. And vice versa. There are plenty of ways to do so without dipping into the eccentric. Here are some tips on keeping it simple while maintaining our beauty and brawn.
Making up for Aging Skin
You’ve seen her. We’ve all seen her. She leaves the house, bright-eyed and dressed to kill for the day that awaits her.
Unfortunately, she’s a bit too bright-eyed – her eyes adorned in her signature Glowing Glittering Green eye shadow. The color may have been perfect for her days as a junior high school cheerleader, but as a career woman, it loses its pep.
Like most fashions, makeup is not ageless. What’s hip for a 40-something might seem obnoxious on a 60-year-old. And vice versa.
With the plethora of products available, it’s difficult to know what is trendy yet acceptable, and what is trendy for teens only. While many cosmetic decisions are based on an individual’s skin tone and type, a few age-appropriate rules almost always apply.
In Your 30s
* This is the time in which wrinkles and other signs of aging like brown spots and skin hyperpigmentation might become noticeable, says Dr. David Orentreich, guiding dermatologist for Clinique. To even out their skin tone, women need to wear a foundation, says Donna Knotts, independent senior sales director for Mary Kay Cosmetics. Not only does foundation cover up any unwanted marks, but it also protects the skin. Knotts recommends a foundation labeled as noncomedogenic because it won’t clog the pores.
* If a woman hasn’t already, now is the time to take the shimmer and sparkle out of her makeup, Knotts says.
In Your 40s
* Many women in their 40s start to notice more signs of aging now. “Dead skin cells tend to remain on the surface for longer, which can accentuate the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and make skin look dull and scratchy,” Orentreich says. Therefore, in addition to the use of moisturizer to soften the skin, opt for a less-is-more approach to improve the skin’s appearance. “To look younger, try to look very natural and not too made-up,” Knotts suggests. To achieve this, discard the dramatically blood-red lipstick for a paler shade and lighten up on the use of bronzer.
In Your 50s & Beyond
* Often, eye shadows settle into creases and bring notice to the fine lines of the eye area. To diminish this effect, apply a primer first. Not only does a primer help keep the eye color on through long periods of wear, Knotts says, but it also stops it from creasing.
* To enhance the natural look previously suggested, replace black eyeliner with softer colors, Knotts says.
Of course, every rule has its exceptions, and certain women can pull off a look at any age. But the one rule that must remain a constant over the years is good skincare.
“At Clinique our anti-aging philosophy is to Look Better Longer. In order to do this, we must take care of our skin,” Orentreich says. Makeup tips mean nothing without the proper care behind them.
Men Need Pampering, Too
Pulling and plucking, primping and pampering – these beauty rituals were previously resigned almost exclusively to women. Not any longer. In the U.S. in 2005, men spent $29.7 billion on personal care products, according to the research company Datamonitor. And that number is steadily growing by about 2 percent each year.
“Men often overlook skincare, but they are becoming more aware and open to proper skincare,” says Brenda Kocak of Modern Male Spas in Dublin. “Men’s skincare requires the same level of expertise that women command.”
But aside from some basic hygiene products and the occasional glob of hand lotion, what does a man really need? For starters, a trash can to throw out that hardened bar of soap.
Although it might be acceptable to use bar soap for the hands and body on occasion, it is not for the face. “Unfortunately a lot of people feel they need soap and water, and that’s not true,” says Shelley Menduni, regional vice president for Arbonne International. Instead, Menduni recommends a deep-pore cleanser followed by a moisturizer with a minimum of SPF 8 for men of all ages. With the number of deaths from skin cancer increasing annually, especially among older Caucasian males (according to the American Academy of Dermatology), the use of sunscreen is vital.
While certain areas like sun protection and cleansing are life-long matters, it is important to remember that skin changes over time. Although individual skin types define problem zones, a few generalizations can be made for different age groups.
In Your 30s
* Due to the production of testosterone, a man’s skin is nearly twice as oily as a woman’s. This excess oil is especially prevalent before and during the 30s, so men may want to try out a cleanser with salicylic acid and an oil-free moisturizer, Kocak says. This will help oily skin prone to breakouts.
In Your 40s
* By their 40s, some men’s faces can become scaly because of a common form of facial eczema, says Dr. David Orentreich, guiding dermatologist for Clinique. However, its appearance can be reduced by the use of products containing salicylic acid.
In Your 50s and Beyond
* Even though men were at an advantage over women in regards to aging in younger years because of their thicker skin, during this time the aging factors catch up and men might notice their skin thinning and its elasticity declining, Orentreich says. If men previously were careless in regards to sun protection, dark spots could appear, as well as discoloration and broken blood vessels. Kocak suggests that those concerned with the effects of aging use a cleanser with alpha hydroxy acid and a moisturizer with CoQ-10, Vitamin C and peptides.
While not every man is enthralled by massage therapy and waxing services offered by spas like Modern Male, taking basic proper care of one’s skin is a step in the right direction toward promoting better personal care and health. “Today’s man is becoming more in tune with his overall appearance,” Kocak says. “I think getting over the hump of allowing him to spend time and money on himself is a great place to start.”
Emily Hanna is a contributing writer for CityScene Magazine.