Older Women and the Battle of Our Skin

                                                                                   

                                              Older Women Makeup Tips : Over age 50

This is one thing that I find myself wondering about sometimes, mainly because I see so many older women wearing too much makeup. Some may be wearing the wrong makeup.

When you're younger, you may get away with it. But it's different for older women. We are bombarded with ads that want to sell us creams, lotions, all sorts of potions, with the goal of making us look younger. And then there are hundreds of different makeups, with a huge variety of shades...you buy it, get it home, it's too dark or too light. You end up with a drawer full of nothing that works.

After all of this aggravation, I end up wearing no makeup. 

Looking around online for tips can be just as frustrating. 

For me, I don't care about looking younger, I just want to look healthy. I care about my appearance and want makeup that gives me that result.

So, I hope the following tips help..

I found advice on liveabout.com 

1. Your skin is always first.

I like this tip. She says in this tip, the better your skin, the less makeup you'll need. Keeping your skin well-hydrated and exfoliated, you may find all you need is under-eye concealer, mascara if you like and lip balm daily.

Mature skin care:

Moisturize! This will plump up your skin, which will make whatever use on your skin each day go on smoother . In this article, she recommends Neocutis Hyalis, purchased on Amazon. 

Retinol cream

I found this bit of information on livestrong.com

"According to the Mayo Clinic, the first anti-aging products on the marketplace contained retinol, a Vitamin A compound. Vitamin A has been scientifically-proven to help neutralize the free radicals found in the skin cells. These free radicals are responsible for causing our skin cells to break down. This breakdown is what causes wrinkles, age spots, rough skin and other signs of aging skin that a 60-year-old woman will have. In order to get the best results, women should make certain that retinol is the main ingredient in their skin care product states the Mayo Clinic.

Those who want a retinol-based skin care product that is more potent than an over-the-counter one, should visit their dermatologist. They can obtain a prescription-based version of retinol known as tretinoin states the Mayo Clinic. The treatment is applied topically. Tretinoin is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)."

Your skin naturally produces collagen, but the amount decreases as you age. To replenish collagen, using various skin-care products that have collagen, can help minimize the appearance of fine lines, day and night creams, moisturizers, lipsticks, foundations powders and cleansers.

Exfoliate daily. There are many facial scrubs out there, a lot of people have recommended coconut oil to me. Unfortunately, I had a bad reaction to it, so I cannot use it. My daughters use it and love it.

Of course, a big No, No is going to bed with makeup on.

Every day, first thing in the morning, I apply sunscreen. When I researched articles, that is highly recommended. For me, I have done it for most of my adult life. I have a brother who has melanoma, which is a lesson for me to keep that sunscreen applied each morning. I don't just do it in the summer, on sunny days, I do it every day, all year long. I apply it to my face, neck, ears, even whatever part of my chest is exposed in every day clothes. Of course, my arms and hands. It also helps with sunspots and wrinkles.

Plump up tinning lips with lip gloss. Add a little color first by filling in lips with a lip liner or lipstick a shade or 2 darker than your natural lip color, then add a dab of lip gloss.

Here is advice from livestrong.com

Foundation for You

The perfect foundation will work with your skin type and will be the correct shade. That's it. You'll want creamy formulations for drier skin and lighter, oil-free foundations for oily skin. As for choosing the right shade, you'll want to test the color with the help of a friend or professional. Strong advice: try before you buy or buy from a place with a great return policy.

Use a Primer First

Just as you prime a wall with primer before you paint it, the secret to flawless makeup lies in makeup primer. Applying a layer of primer between your skin and makeup will help your foundation glide on more smoothly.

Use Different Foundations for Summer and in Winter

Our skin changes not only yearly, but seasonally. In winter months, you may need a creamy formula. In summer months you may find your skin becomes oily and a tinted moisturizer will do.

 Read more of the article

So, I have only just begun...please take a look at the links I provide, there's a lot of information that you may find helpful.

Meanwhile, I will continue down this path and keep sharing here!

credit info also to Liveabout.com

Aging Gracefully

                                                                       

As November gets closer, the big 60 is coming. Yep, hitting that 60 years old mark! I can remember when I was growing up thinking how old that number was! My grandparents, my parents, now, me? Really?

I don't feel my age most of the time. I am grateful to be here, so many don't make it this far. My mother-in-law died at the age of 47, my sister-in-law was only 52, a cousin in his 40's.

I have always loved the outdoors. As a kid, I would be outside, riding bikes, playing games all day. Now, I take walks, taking in the beauty of nature. I am in awe of it all!

I have had health issues in the past and know just how fast life can change. 

Our culture focuses on youth. I feel our most precious treasures are older people. They have been where the youth are going. 

No drama, laugh often, be grateful, love lots!

"Old age is no place for sissies" Bette Davis

Refusing to Fade to Gray

                                         
                                                         Refusing to Fade to Gra
                                                                     

                                                                 

Life is bitter sweet and far from perfection

We find ourselves filled with emotions at time

Looking for direction.

Isn't it strange as we get older we seem to fade away

No one seems to see us anymore 

And act as if we have nothing left to say.

I wonder now as years go by

Did my parents feel this way?

For I feel myself disappear

Already part of the past

I am not really here.

When I speak, my words don't seem 

to go anywhere

They disperse into the air

No one hears them, 

Are my words worthless or is it 

No one really cares?

I am a giving person, 

I know life is not all about me

But isolation is not a place to be.

It's time for me to face I need to 

change my direction in life.

For I am filled with anger and my 

days are filled with strife.

Finding respect for myself is the key

To opening the door to a real life, 

For I know there's so much more.

I cannot look to others, 

No, it's time to put the key in the door

Open up opportunities, for me.                                                            

                                                                                                          Maggie Bloom

                                                                                                          Marjorie Farrington 4/12/2014 ©

Over 50 and a Path to New Employment

                                                                         

Over 50 and finding your way to new employment. Learn How to Become is an excellent online resource! 

The following is from their website:

If you have held multiple jobs throughout your working life or have been laid off, don’t forget that you developed many marketable skills over the years. Create a list of skills you have acquired and determine what you are good at so you can present yourself to employers. Don’t overlook general skills that are essentially transferable skills relevant to multiple occupations. Skills such as reading and writing, management skills, technical skills, and communication skills can transfer over to a number of positions and industries Use tools like the Career One Stop Skills Profiler          Toolkit Use  tools like the 

Check out the Toolkit. It is a great resource from Interest Assessment, Skills Profiler, to Job and Salary Finder and more!

Check out this great info Career One Stop

And don't forget to go to Learn How To Become

Style or Comfort?

                                                                       

I hadn't seen my friend all winter. As soon as I walked outside, she looked at my boots and said "What's the story with your boots." I told her where I got them and how much I paid. Later that day, we were sitting outdoors and she noticed my shoes. She told me my choice in shoes were "interesting."

Hmm...I thought, is that positive or negative? I said, "What are you trying to say, I have no style?" (I was smiling) She just laughed.

I dress for comfort, I always have, in clothes and shoes. As I have gotten older, it's more important for my feet. My mom always had foot problems and had to wear shoes she could wear, not really what was good for her feet.

I don't spend a fortune on my shoes, but I don't skimp on them, either. They have to be quality, comfortable and good for my feet.

Style is not a priority for me. I see all of these commercials that show women with shelves of shoes. I have never understood it.

What is more important to you, style or comfort?

Tea Helps Your Brain!

 
                                                                           

We hear so many things that we should do to be healthy, after awhile, we may just tune it all out. Try to stay tuned in as I talk about it again, okay?

Older people, well, we have a lot of concerns, so I thought I would research the subject.

Health is a major concern as we get older and we read so much about cognitive decline. 

On Medical News Today it recommends drinking tea, glad to hear it because I drink a lot of tea! Here is part of what they said:

Thanks to its high levels of antioxidants, tea has been linked to a lower risk of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. However, its potential health benefits may not end there. Researchers have found that regular tea consumption could more than halve the risk of cognitive decline for older adults, particularly for those with a genetic risk of Alzheimer's disease.

[A cup of tea with some tea leaves]

New research suggests that regular tea intake could lower the risk of cognitive decline in later life.

Tea is one of the most popular beverages in the United States; in 2015, more than 3.6 billion gallons of tea were consumed in the country, with black tea being the favorite.

The possible health benefits of tea consumption have been well documented. A recent study published in The American Journal of Public Health, for example, associated moderate tea intake with a reduced risk of cardiovascular events.

* In the same article it talks about green tea, which I've come to really like!

Past research has suggested that drinking tea may also have brain benefits, with one study linking green tea consumption to better working memory.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/

Hot tea has more benefits than iced tea. but according to Prevention very little. 

We are Amazing!

                                                                We Are Amazing!
                                                           

Wow, I was researching articles that are positive about women and aging. I came upon one very interesting one by Noelle Nelson written in April 2016 in Huffington Post.
In the article, she has a new name for Boomers! The Amazings!
Nelson writes:
"We are busting preconceptions, forcing by our very numbers, the world to look at us differently. We are redefining the years past 60 as years of growth, joy, fun, adventure, even romance! What we Amazings want Millennials (and every generation) to know, is that these individuals are not the exception. There are over 45 million people in the United States alone who are 65 and over (44.7 in 2013, according to the US Census). Most of these individuals are happy, healthy, and having a grand old time."

Reading the full article, she says that anyone can be an Amazing! Living positively, gratitude, and make "a deliberate decision to see the passage of years as simply movement through time."

Yep, and she also points out that all this, along with, happiness, optimism, helps us with our physical and mental well being!

I love what she wrote! Read her article about The Amazings

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Every St. Patrick's Day brings back memories of my mom. She was so proud to be Irish!
About a week before, she would pull out her album with those beautiful Irish songs. Singing along as she went about her daily tasks.
She would put green ribbons in our hair and of course made sure we wore green!
I  am sure today she is up above singing to those wonderful songs!
Happy St. Patrick's  Day, mom!

                        

Not a diet. Healthy Eating.

                                                                           

I will be turning 60 this year and know that I need to make changes.

This past year I found out I had a small hiatal hernia: (Hiatal hernia occurs when a small part of your stomach slides up into your chest through a weak spot, or hiatus, in your diaphragm. A symptomatic hiatal hernia regurgitates stomach acid back into your esophagus, causing the heartburn, difficulty swallowing and chest pain associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. To manage a hiatal hernia, Cleveland Clinic advises you to maintain a healthy weight, stop smoking, eat small meals at least three hours to four hours before lying down and avoid fatty and acidic foods. Consult your doctor for advice and fill your plate with healthy foods to help alleviate symptoms.)

One thing I have done is add a probiotic every day. I have digestive issues that I never had before and it has made a big difference.

Looking at food recommendations, if you have any digestive issues, you may want to take a look.

On livestrong.com : Vegetables and Fruits

Vegetables are a great choice for side dishes and snacks as most won't aggravate a hiatal hernia. Dark leafy greens, such as broccoli and spinach, provide plenty of calcium and vitamin B, while red bell peppers and carrots are great sources of antioxidants. Other vegetables you can enjoy include kale, sweet potatoes, squash and string beans. Fruits containing antioxidants may help reduce or prevent symptoms from occurring, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Healthy fruits include apricots, cherries, raspberries, blueberries and cantaloupe. Avoid acidic and citrus fruits, such as tomatoes, grapefruit and oranges, because they can aggravate your heartburn.

Choose whole grains over refined starches to add fiber to your diet. Brown rice, steel-cut oatmeal, quinoa, whole-grain pasta and rye bread are smart whole-grain fiber choices. Avoid processed foods containing refined starches and sugar, such as commercially packaged cookies, cakes, crackers and white bread. Refined starches are also loaded with trans fatty acids; choose healthy fats, such as olive oil and safflower oil, instead. Keep your dairy choices low-fat because high-fat products may aggravate your hiatal hernia. Choose low-fat and no-fat milk, cottage cheese, sour cream and yogurt to add dairy to your diet.

Beverages

Water is the best beverage choice if you have a hiatal hernia. Avoid fruit juices, coffee and caffeinated beverages because they may cause hiatal hernia symptoms to appear. Alcohol and carbonated sodas may also cause problems. Herbal teas are fine, but stay away from peppermint tea because it may cause heartburn.

Precautions

Most hiatal hernias aren't problematic, but if you do experience symptoms, consult your physician. Medications, by prescription and over-the-counter, can alleviate the symptoms of hiatal hernia, but take them only under your doctor's supervision. Speak to your health care provider or dietitian before making any changes to your diet if you are pregnant or have a serious medical condition, such as diabetes or heart disease.

more info

*Making these changes isn't that hard and is worth it!

*I am not a medical professional. Please consult your doctor before making any changes in diet and exercise.

Exercise for women over age 50

                                              EXERCISE for WOMEN over 50
                                                     
                

Inactivity leads to many issues as we age. Did you know that according to Webmd, your chronological age may be 55, your biological age could be 35? Yes, they say if you follow a consistent exercise program.

**Before starting, please check with your doctor.

Now, I will be turning 60 this year, wow! I feel like I am fairly active, I do a lot of walking. I try my best to eat right. But I know I need to add consistent exercise, so I began looking for information and wanted to share it with you.

This article on webmd is a great place to start! Here's what I am sharing from the article on their site.

Aerobic exercise. Walking, jogging, swimming, and dance exercise are good ones to try. Aerobic exercise works the large muscles in your body, benefitting your cardiovascular system -- and your weight. Work up to getting 20 or more minutes per session, 3 or 4 days a week. Make sure you can pass the “talk test,” which means exercising at a pace that lets you carry on a conversation.

Strength training. Lifting hand weights improves your strength and posture, maintains bone strength, reduces the risk of lower back injury, and also helps you tone. Start with a hand weight that you can comfortably handle for eight repetitions. Gradually add more reps until you can complete 12.

Stretching. Stretching exercises help maintain flexibility and range of motion in joints. They also reduce the risk of injury and muscle soreness. Yoga and Pilates are good forms of stretching exercise; they build core body strength and increase stability.

Make Exercise a Part of Your Daily Routine

Every bit of movement counts. If you're too busy for a regular workout, look for other ways to be in motion. Research shows that all those extra steps you take during the day add up to big health benefits. Here are some ideas to get you on your feet:

Adopt a dog and take it for walks every day.

Take the stairs instead of the elevator. At home, don't shout at your family members from the stairs -- go on up.

Get up and talk with co-workers, rather than sending emails. Have a meeting with one or two colleagues? Take it outside and make it a walking meeting.

Walk briskly whenever you can. Always wear comfortable shoes, or bring them with you, so that your feet can be your main mode of transportation.

Find a sport, game, or activity you like. You’ll stay committed to exercising if you’re doing something that you enjoy.

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I would like to add here that I have a fitbit watch. I have had it for a while. I love it because it counts my steps, tracks my heart rate, my calories, sleep, and I can manually put in my water, coffee, food intake. It really helps! Hey, it even vibrates after 50 minutes of sitting to get up and move!

What about you? Is this information helpful? Do you have something to add? 

http://www.webmd.com/women/guide/women-over-50-fitness-tips