1. They Don’t Rely on Heavy Plastic Surgery 

Aging is natural, and that’s going to happen to all of us…. I just want to always look like myself, even if that’s an older version of myself. I think when you do too much of that cosmetic stuff, you become somebody else in a way.

Halle Berry, 55

Contrary to popular belief, plastic surgery is not always the solution to aging well. Even though procedures like facelifts are designed to turn back the clock, they can also do the opposite. One secret to aging well is to strive for a natural appearance as you age.

Take cues from women who don’t rely on a lot of surgery to stop premature aging. These women do not obsess over altering their looks and they actually look better for it in the long run.

I’m sure you can think of many celebrities that have had too much work done. It’s obvious-and not in a good way. And most women come to regret it too. Courtney Cox (Monica from Friends), said her previous cosmetic injections made her look “really strange” and she would not get the same cosmetic procedures today.

Instead, a woman that ages well improves their looks in non-surgical and non-filler ways. They do treatments like chemical peels to remove the outer layer of old skin so the new skin that is replaced is smoother and less wrinkled.

When done right, by a dermatologist or esthetician, the end result is a natural and non-surgical way to have radiant skin!

2. They Have a Healthy Lifestyle

Aging is out of your control. How you handle it, though, is in your hands.

Diane Von Furstenberg, 75

A major component of aging well is a healthy lifestyle. And one of the best ways of leading a healthy lifestyle is with a nutrient-rich diet. Whole grains, lean proteins, fresh fruits, and vegetables play a big role in how you age.

A comprehensive study by Harvard Medical school shows that this type of diet can help you age well by lowering your chances of getting heart disease. And of course, a balanced diet will help you reach a healthy weight and have glowing skin from the inside out.

3. They Have an Effective Beauty Routine

Aging gracefully is about no heavy makeup, and not too much powder because it gets into the wrinkles…You don’t have to look like an old fuddy-duddy, but I believe it was Chanel who said, ‘Nothing makes a woman look so old as trying desperately hard to look young’.

Iris Apfel, 100

On top of a healthy diet, the secret of women who age well is an effective beauty routine. The saying, “You are what you eat,” also applies to your beauty routine. You are what you put on your skin when it comes to aging gracefully. Switching up your skincare routine is important as you reach the next decade of your life.

First and foremost, you need to wear sunscreen every day (even if it’s not sunny outside). A good SPF moisturizer will make a big difference on your skin if you use it consistently. Besides the obvious protection from skin cancer, it will also prevent those pesky brown spots, wrinkles, and large pores.

Women who age well would also recommend a thick moisturizer with hyaluronic acid. This key ingredient will help keep your menopause skin plump and resilient. Serums with retinol and Vitamin C are also great for evening out your skin tone and boosting cell turnover.

Related post: 5 Best Anti-Aging Skincare Products to Restore Your Youthful Glow

4. They Have a Good Sense of Style

The age of a woman is not important: you can be wonderful in your 20’s, amazing in your 40’s, and stay fabulous for the rest of your life.

Coco Chanel

Women who age gracefully do not bat an eye at spending their money on classic and chic clothes. They have great options in their closet to keep them looking elegant all year round.

These mature women also avoid clothes and footwear that will age them. If they do not need to wear orthopedic shoes, then they wear stylish and comfy shoes like ballet flats instead.

You also won’t find them shopping at the same place as younger people. Instead of shopping for trendy clothes targeted at young generations, they prioritize classic clothing instead.

5. They Prioritize Their Beauty Sleep

Having peace, happiness, and healthiness is my definition of beauty. And you can’t have any of that without sleep.

Beyonce Knowles, 40

Beauty sleep is vital for women who age well. Not getting enough sleep can cause your blood pressure to rise and high blood pressure can actually lead to dull skin and wrinkles.

Plus, if you are not getting enough sleep, the stress hormone in your body called “cortisol” will be released. This stress hormone breaks down collagen (structure in your skin) and causes the skin to become saggy.

Give yourself at least 8 hours of sleep and invest in a silk pillowcase and a bedside humidifier to look beautiful and refreshed when you wake up.

Related: Fashion Over 50: Aging With Grace & Embracing the Size You Are Now

6. They Regularly Exercise 

It’s important to grow old gracefully, and that’s what I plan to do. I am here to stay. I take care of myself, and I have the discipline to stay fit and have good health until I am very old.

Sigourney Weaver, 72

Have you ever wondered how some women look so amazing in their mature years? They exercise regularly.

As you know, exercising has loads of health benefits, but did you know it can improve the look of your skin too? As you age, your skin loses elasticity. Exercising can help keep your skin healthy, tight, and strong. So if you want healthy-looking skin, consider exercises like pilates, walking, or yoga.

7. They Maintain Meaningful Relationships

What’s helped me is having really good friends I know I can rely on.

Drew Barrymore, 47

Most of us know what keeping negative and toxic relationships can do to our mental state. Simply put, having the wrong people around can cause too much stress in your life.

At any age, but especially as you get older, it’s more important than ever to prioritize creating meaningful relationships with family members and friends. A remarkable amount of data from PLOS Medicine has shown that people with positive social interactions have a 50% chance of living longer than those with bad relationships.

We weren’t made to go at it alone. A lack of meaningful relationships can cause depression and that could play itself out in having sleepless nights, difficulty focusing on simple things, and losing joy in doing activities you once loved.

8. They Prioritize Hair Health Over Hair Color 

There was a deep sense of insecurity that I traded the gray streak in for as sort of a badge of honor. Now, I even have a gray clause with Pantene, where I said, ‘You can do whatever you want to my hair but you can’t dye my gray streak.’ It’s a part of me!”

Stacy London, 53

So you’re going gray- who cares?! Okay, it’s a strong possibility that you care, but aging well is not about coloring your hair (unless you do it of your own accord). I know there’s pressure to break out a hair-dying kit as soon as you see that first gray hair, but rest assured, you can still look fabulous with gray hair.

As women get older, sebum production reduces. This leads to hair becoming brittle and the scalp getting dry, so aging well means you prioritize healthy hair over a certain color.

To keep your hair health in good condition, cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturize the scalp for a stable skin barrier to prevent hair loss. Using shampoos with no sulfates is also good for your hair as you age. It gives a gentler clean and sulfate-free shampoos won’t cause frizz, dryness, or yellowing of your hair.

9. They Are Open to New Things

I think it’s about how if you still have passion and if you haven’t become cynical and you’ve remained open to life, then no matter how old you are chronologically, you’re still young. Aging is relative.

Jane Fonda, 84

There are many benefits to aging, but one of the biggest ones is that the older you get, the more confident you are in yourself. This is a breath of fresh air compared to your 20s when you feel as if you’re still figuring it all out.

But even though you may be set in your ways, it’s important to still be open to new things. Trying new things doesn’t necessarily mean making lifestyle changes that will sacrifice your whole identity.

Whether it’s embracing new technologies like smart watches or new beauty products with improved formulas, trying new things can actually make your life easier and more convenient.

10. They Take Part in Mentally Stimulating Activities

They’ll say, ‘Oh, Grandma is old, but she doesn’t act old.’ So I feel that doing things like dancing and moving around and pranking and all the fun things that I do has kept me happy.”

Oprah Winfrey, 68

One way to stay young despite your age is to act young. And no, young doesn’t mean immature but instead, youthful. Instead of sticking to your same old routine, break away from the ordinary and engage in activities that will keep your mind fresh.

Not only does this improve your outlook on life, but it also helps with menopausal brain fog. If you have been forgetful lately or find yourself frequently losing your keys, it’s most likely linked to menopause. To try to slow down the brain fog, take part in mentally stimulating activities. This could be journaling, walking your dog, or even pranking your grandkids à la Oprah Winfrey.

There is a lot that goes into aging gracefully. And trying to figure this out alone can be hard. Thankfully, these 10 secrets of women who age well will help you out.

As mentioned earlier, aging well includes wearing chic outfits. So recreate these outfit ideas to update your style!

Up next: Wardrobe Wednesday: Recreating Pinterest Outfits (Over 50 Edition)

The post 10 Life-Changing Secrets of Women Who Age Well appeared first on MY CHIC OBSESSION.

As you get older, your skin changes. You develop age spots, wrinkles, and the appearance of fine lines start to show up. So, the important thing you would need to do is switch up your makeup routine. And the best way to do this is by finding the right foundation that will give your entire face a flawless finish.

To improve your search for the best foundation for aging skin over 50 easier, we have made a list of the best foundations. However, before you choose the perfect foundation to add to your existing makeup products, here are four important factors to consider when buying the best foundation for aging skin over 50:

Hydration

Older women over 50 are more prone to dry skin. Once women reach menopause, the skin starts to change and women experience dehydrated skin.

This is why hydration is an important factor to look for in a good foundation. Hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and jojoba oil can do a great job of offering you a dewy finish.

Coverage

You need to search for foundations that have buildable coverage to help you hide dark spots and to blur the appearance of fine lines (without sinking into wrinkles). But all in all, it depends on your personal preference. You can either choose a lightweight coverage for a more natural finish or a full coverage foundation for a flawless look.

Skin texture

Mature women start to lose elasticity in their skin. So to keep it looking plump, it is best to pick a foundation that contains Vitamin C to increase the production of collagen, which effectively helps make your skin firm. (Or as some beauty experts call it, “Spanx for your skin.”)

Anti-aging benefits

The best foundations for mature skin types should give you extra moisture. This can be found in ingredients like hyaluronic acid which helps to retain the skin’s moisture. Vitamin E is also a key ingredient that gives anti-aging benefits. It does a good job at instantly protecting your skin from sun damage.

Now that you know what factors to look out for, read on to find the right foundation that will give you a youthful glow.

1. Makeup Forever Reboot Active Care Revitalizing Foundation

The name of this foundation will be music to the ears of mature women with dry skin. This light coverage foundation has a hydrating formula called Camellia Japonica which helps to moisture the skin. And thanks to the special ginseng ingredient, you don’t have to worry about your skin getting less collagen because it supports natural collagen.

It also arrives in different shades in fair, medium, and dark, so finding a perfect match for your skin tone won’t be hard for you!

What women love about this foundation: “I’ve been searching for a foundation that feels good on my face, covers without sinking into fine lines or accentuating pores, and is a shade to match my pale skin. I may have just found my favorite foundation so far!“

2. Estée Lauder Futurist Hydra Rescue Moisturizing Foundation SPF 45

As the name implies, this medium coverage foundation is designed to nourish your skin. It is infused with chia seed extract, probiotic technology, and ion-charged water to hydrate and soothe dry skin.

It is also the perfect option for women over 50 because it has a radiant finish that evens skin tone and dark spots. The vitamin E in this liquid formula will also help to defy the visible signs of wrinkles and fine lines.

What women love about this foundation: “Wow!!! Covers melasma and freckles and is dewy, not thick. It is great for sensitive skin. The foundation doesn’t settle into fine lines, and it lasts under a mask!! It Makes my 50+-year-old skin look fresh. Use with a foundation brush or beauty blender.“

3. It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation + Skincare

If you are searching high and low for the best drugstore foundations, this is it! It’s a great foundation for anyone that is not a fan of heavy foundation. This lightweight formula offers medium coverage that minimizes the look of large pores while delivering a natural finish.

This skincare-infused foundation also features hyaluronic acid, aloe vera extract, plus vitamins E & B5 to plump, moisturize and protect the skin from UV rays.

What women love about this foundation: “I bought this as a recommendation from a 40+ YouTuber and, I’m so glad I did. It’s foolproof. I can slap it on with a beauty blender. Zero effort. No cakiness, no settling in fine lines or, my huge pores! No primer is needed. It is really what the bottle states, your skin but better. I’ve recommended it to my mother, aunt, family, and friends. This foundation saved my self-esteem!“

Related post: 5 Best Makeup Brands for Women Over 50

4. L’Oréal Age Perfect Radiant Serum Foundation

If radiance is what you are searching for, this L’oreal foundation is your pick. It is formulated with a hydrating serum, so your mature skin type will stay glowy throughout the day.

It also has the bonus of having vitamin B3 and SPF 50 to stop your skin from getting sun-damaged.

What women love about this foundation: “This is an excellent Age Perfect Radiant Serum Foundation. It is best to obtain so many benefits in a single product for mature skin, perfect coverage, easy application, and they do not form marks on the skin.“

5. Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation

This lightweight foundation boasts pseudo-Ceramides to keep skin hydrated for up to 18 hours.

It also offers a radiant finish that visibly minimizes pores and wrinkles for airbrushed-looking skin.

What women love about this foundation: “This product is wonderful!! I am 75 years old, I don’t like heavy cosmetics, and was previously using just a BB cream for my foundation. After reading the reviews, I decided to try this product. I love it!! It gives slightly more coverage than a BB cream but doesn’t look heavy at all.“

6. Nars Sheer Glow Foundation

You need to add this Nars Sheer glow foundation to your makeup routine. This mature skin-friendly foundation is perfect for brightening dull skin without masking your natural complexion (all thanks to the vitamin C ingredient.)

It is packed with Turmeric which enhances the radiance of your skin tone while giving your a natural finish.

What women love about this foundation: “This is EXCELLENT. The finish with this foundation is perfect. I’m very foundation fussy, as I should be with gracefully aged skin. I would always default to BB creams that were more forgiving with my fine lines. It goes on beautifully with blender or brush, blends well, and sets perfectly; it matches your natural skin tone! Not cakey, and with setting spray, you will glow. This will be my forever foundation.“

7. Tarte Shape Tape Cloud Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Sunscreen

If you loved the cult-favorite Tarte Shape Tape concealer, you are also going to like their foundation. The foundation leaves you with a natural matte finish that feels like skin.

The tape technology and the crease-proof formula also helps to blur and smoothen fine lines and wrinkles.

What women love about this foundation: “This is a new favorite. . I have been struggling with dry textured skin that nothing looks good on. This blurred my texture and didn’t burn my skin. It felt hydrating and soothing. Very lightweight on the skin. I applied it with my fingers, and it blended like a dream.“

8. Pat McGrath Labs Sublime perfection foundation

This high-end foundation is undoubtedly expensive, but the long wear and natural formula make it worth the splurge. It is infused with Unique Polymers to not only provide lasting wear but also a luminous finish.

Available in 36 shades, this foundation has easily buildable coverage that decreases the appearance of wrinkles.

What women love about this foundation: “Found the holy grail foundation for my mature skin. Blurring, dewy, and light. Make my skin look amazing. Also, I love the wide color selection.“

Whether you need a new foundation for special occasions or to improve your everyday makeup routine, this list will help you find the best foundation for women over 50 that will restore your radiant glow.

Now that you have found the best foundation for aging skin over 50, it’s time to discover the best fashion brands for older women

Up next: Where to Shop for the Best Women Over 50 Fashion

The post 8 Best Foundations for Aging Skin Over 50 appeared first on MY CHIC OBSESSION.

1. Charlotte Tilbury

About the brand: British professional makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury launched her namesake beauty brand in 2013. With fancy packaging and different products inspired by red carpet looks, her brand quickly gained a cult following. Her sprawling selection of beauty products includes everyday eye shadow palettes and nude lipsticks.

A product you should try: 

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Longwear Foundation

One of the best options from Charlotte Tilbury’s makeup line is her iconic and revolutionary Airbrush foundation. It is a holy-grail foundation for mature skin! It contains magic ingredients like hyaluronic acid that promotes supple skin. Other mature-skin-friendly ingredients found in this liquid foundation include vitamin C, a fabulous ingredient that helps to make skin look brighter.

And for a more youthful look, this foundation is infused with replexium. This ground-breaking ingredient is used to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the skin. Just set your foundation with some setting powder and you have got yourself some flawless poreless-looking skin.

What women love about this product: “I used Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless, I was blown away. I have mature skin with a little bit of rosacea (with just a slightly oily nose). This foundation looks good even, holding up on an oily nose.“

2. Clinique

About the brand: Clinique has established itself as the best makeup brand for women over 50. It is also the home of one of the best skincare products. It was launched by US Vogue editor Carol Philips, Evelyn Lauder (daughter-in-law of Estee), and lastly, dermatologist Norman Orentreich MD in 1968.

This trio merged skincare products with cosmetics to create the best makeup primers for a natural look and moisturizer that gives a healthy glow. Besides its good skincare, this legendary brand is also popular for its nourishing lip colors.

A product you should try:

Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum

As your skin changes, so should the beauty products that you use! Using this is one of the best ways to take care of your skin before you apply makeup.

It contains hydraulic acid to re-plump wrinkles and it is infused with a potent retinoid that smoothens skin. Thanks to the collagen repairing ingredient (CL1870 Laser Focus Complex), this wrinkle-correcting serum is a great option for mature skin.

What women love about this product: “It’s a fantastic serum that has become a staple in my skincare routine. I use it day and night. It layers great under makeup and other skincare products. The retinol is gentle yet very effective. My skin has never been more radiant!“

3. Bare Minerals

About the brand: Bare Minerals is arguably the best makeup brand for women over 50 who are looking for natural, healthy-looking skin.

It was launched in 1995 by Leslie Blodgett after she got famous for her DVD makeup tutorials. In that same year, the company unveiled its ORIGINAL loose mineral face powder. This Bare Mineral makeup product impressed beauty editors and makeup enthusiasts alike that the brand gained popularity globally.

A product you should try:

bareMinerals Original Loose Powder Mineral Foundation SPF 15 

The loose powder is the best choice foundation for oily skin. If you are struggling with excess oil, then adding this to your beauty routine would be a good idea!

It has five key ingredients, including titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. This ground-breaking ingredient has mineral-based SPF protection to shield you from UV rays. There are also natural ingredients like iron oxides that offer a natural-looking color and coverage.

What women love about this product: “I do have VERY oily, yet mature skin. This foundation does not seem to settle into the fine lines around my eyes. I get very oily and require much blotting throughout the day – YET, this product does NOT break me out. I feel like this product works well with my aging, yet oily and sensitive skin.“

Related post: My Minimalist Makeup Collection & 5 Minute Simple Yet Polished Makeup Routine!

4. Laura Mercier

About the brand: What first started as a search to find the perfect makeup products quickly ended up a global beauty brand. The founder Laura Mercier began her namesake label in 1996 to help all women reach their full beauty potential. Since its inception, Laura Mercier has become a staple for the beauty scene especially for women over 50.

A product you should try:

Mini Tinted Moisturizer Oil Free Natural Skin Perfector Broad Spectrum SPF 20

If there is one hero product that needs to be added to your makeup bag, it’s the Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer. It is formulated with Vitamin E to protect you against the damaging effects of the sun.

Additionally, this highly-rated moisturizer has licorice root extract to soothe irritated skin.

What women love about this product: “I’ve spent a small fortune trying to find a foundation or tinted moisturizer I love. I read an article that recommended this for mature skin and decided to give it a try. The coverage is light and, it feels like I have nothing on my face. It’s what I was hoping for. It doesn’t settle into my fine lines and, the finish is so natural looking.”

5. Lancôme

About the brand: Lancôme first started as a luxury fragrance brand in 1935. Two years later, the founder Armand Petitjean moved on to makeup and unveiled a pink-red rose-scented lipstick. This lipstick was so beloved that it remained a bestseller more than 30 years later.

A product you should try:

L’ABSOLU ROUGE CREAM LIPSTICK

It can be a challenge to find an age-defying lipstick that will not bleed into fine lines. Luckily, this Lancôme lipstick has the opposite effect.

This hydrating and lightweight formula makes a long-lasting lipstick and it packs your lips with rose flower extract to soften and replenish them with moisture.

What women love about this product: “It’s always so hard to come across a lip product that does both jobs well & this does the trick! The color stays on well and stays moisturizing.“

When it comes to wearing makeup, what works well for a woman in her 20s and 30s might not be good for mature skin. The good news is that you can find the best makeup brands for women over 50 to help you adapt your makeup routine to suit your aging skin type!

Now that you have found the best makeup brands for women over 50, it’s now time to find the best places to buy dresses for mature women!

Up next: Top 9 Dresses for Women Over 50 That are Classic and Chic

The post 5 Best Makeup Brands for Women Over 50 appeared first on MY CHIC OBSESSION.