In my previous article, “The Ageing Beauty“, I talked about embracing your beauty no matter what age you are.
To reinforce that idea with my “Baby Boomers & Beyond” women, I say to them; “Hitting menopause and advancing past it doesn’t mean you have to surrender your desire to be alluring or sexy, especially feeling attractive for yourself or even your significant other. There is no age barrier to looking and feeling fabulous. It’s all a state of mind. “
We live in a visual world where appearance is deemed important, so it’s perfectly natural for a woman, who is in full bloom, to assume she’s somewhat at a disadvantage when compared to a younger woman. Particularly, when the benchmark is ‘beauty’ and the expectations around it. What I say to this is; “There is no better time and there is no excuse for older women to be leading the charge as beauty warriors.”
I believe it’s important to put a stop to older women thinking they ought to “Grey Out” of society and surrender themselves to being invisible to those around them. They should no longer consider themselves as not being beautiful and no longer worthy to hold space at the table with other women who may be younger. This belief is not healthy nor is it true.
This ‘belief’ is a type of acceptance, often a product of conditioning that women face throughout life – so it is no wonder that many older women succumb to this state. It is not the younger generation that insists we acquiesce, but it is our own form of self-sabotage.
Wisdom often comes with age and by encouraging older women to celebrate who they are now and what they’ve achieved is an important step in self-love. With this kind of discovery it allows women to have a clearer, more definitive sense of self and will liberate them from the constraints of outside influences which tend to distort, or even fog up the lens on how they view themselves.
Giving women the freedom to control the narrative of their story and how the world sees them is truly a powerful gift. So, I guess this brings me to the concept of looking good will lead to feeling confident and a sense of self-empowerment. I encourage you to explore this idea with me
1 Look Good Feel Better
First impressions are often lasting, so it’s important to care how you present yourself. It’s just as much about self-respect and looking like you made an effort. That’s why choosing what you wear and how you style your makeup and hair can be a powerful form of expression, giving an added boost to your spirits and assist with the way others perceive you.
When you hit the right balance between what’s fashionable with maximising a look suited to you, then you’ll be kicking goals with positive results.
2 Look Good Feel More Attractive
Contrast of facial features lessen as we age, so that’s why older faces benefit from added colour to give vitality and definition. When makeup is applied correctly it can make you look terrific. However, what worked for you in your twenties, thirties and even in your forties will not necessarily work for you now.
It’s important to not fall victim to current makeup trends such as thick eyebrows, heavy contouring, volumised eyelashes and winged eyeliner. Remember, less is more. Keep your look fresh and youthful using subtle colours with clever makeup techniques.
3. Look Good Improve Your Day
When you make an effort with your appearance in dressing well and “putting on a face” using makeup, it helps change your perception on how you govern your day. More often than not you’re likely to manage the good, the bad and the ugly far easier when you’re feeling and looking your best.
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So, I hope this helps many, if not all, you ‘Beauty Warriors‘ out there to remember you're worthy to glitter brightly like the diamond you really are.
Thank you Vanessa your article is brilliant! I have found just lately as do few of my friends with this Covid-19 thing & lockdown, its become apparent we don’t feel great cause we don’t get dressed up to go out ! I know myself my hair went bit wild bad regrowth ! But now getting sort of back to normal, it’s important hair colour is good & no greys ! Nice clothes to wear not just the track pants, feeling good again ! Love reading your words of wisdom ! Thanks Vanessa
Thank you my gorgeous Rosa for your personal insight into what’s really happening behind the curtain with us women dealing with self-care during Covid19.
Thank you for the gentle reminder to feel good about ourselves first and enhance second xoxo
Thank you my beautiful Fleur for your kind words. I agree we all need a little prod now and then, remembering to self-love.
Thank you Vanessa for publishing your article on our platform. Your perspective on the issue of beauty is one that I really appreciate and I am thrilled that we can share through this platform. It is a challenge to push past the ‘conditioning’ that many of us have been influenced by as we got older. “Greying Out” – not for me, I will go screaming and kicking into that world I’m sure. Love your ‘Boomers & Beyond’ reference – simply because I am a Baby Boomer and haven’t quite yet reached the ‘Beyond’ so it makes me feel quite young.
Thank you so much Angie for your sense of humour and perspective from a Boomer! I so admire the genuine warmth you show to others, along with your natural grace and acumen which makes you such a wonderful human being.
Great article! Totally agree that women shouldn’t ‘grey out’ when they get older; if anything they should turn up the colour in their life and be noticed.
Loved the tip about increasing our facial contrast. I’ll be taking my mascara, blusher and bright lipstick to my nursing home – and possibly even beyond! ; – )
Thank you so much Kate for your words of support. I greatly admire and value your knowledge and expertise as a friend and as a Colour & Style consultant. You really know your stuff and so to read you found that I have provided you with a useful tip, when it comes to increasing facial contrast as we age, makes me feel wonderful.
Another empowering and insightful article Vanessa, full of great tips. Love how you lift women up and support them through your work.
Hi Lynne, thank you so much for your words of encouragement. I am so pleased you liked the message of uplifting women’s belief in themselves being worthy.