Thursday, December 18, 2008

Look Younger, Live Longer--How to Age Gracefully

Getting older is a fact of life, but looking older is your choice. While there's nothing wrong with growing old gracefully, there are simple things you can do to defy aging that doesn’t involve surgery.
Take a look at 10 expert tips to keep your fashion, beauty and style young at heart.

  • Zap Wrinkles
The secret to youthful skin is keeping it moisturized, says Christine Rodgers, a Denver-based plastic surgeon. "By adding more moisture to the skin, wrinkles are naturally reduced and the face appears fuller and younger." You can also give skin a healthy glow by increasing blood flow to the face by sloughing off dead skin cells with a light microderm scrub.

  • Pucker Up for Anti-Aging
Dr. Macrene Alexiades, a New York City-based cosmetic dermatologist, advises sticking with sheer lipsticks and glosses. "Glosses are especially youthful and give lips a healthy, moisturized appearance," she says, adding that, matte and brown lipsticks can make teeth look discolored and add years to your appearance.

  • Revitalize and Brighten
It's a fact that older women have a harder time sleeping, but that doesn't have to show on your face. For an instant brightener, apply a chilled wet washcloth to your face before applying your makeup, says Farah Reid, a stylist from the New York City salon Blow. "The cold will brighten your complexion and shrink your pores."

  • Get a New, Sophisticated 'Do
Women think longer hair keeps them looking young, but that isn't always the case, says Valery Joseph, owner of New York City's Valery Joseph Salon. Young hair is all about healthy shine and bounce. "Cut off dead hair for a super chic bob,” she says. “Bangs also create instant youth to hair and face."

  • Lash Out Against Old Eyes
As we age, lashes become thin and sparse, explains Eugenia Weston, celebrity makeup artist and founder of Senna Cosmetics. "Curling your lashes makes them appear fuller and helps to open the eye," she says. Take this a step further and line your inner eyelid to give definition to your eyes without looking like you’re wearing a lot of makeup.

  • Flash a Youthful Smile

A fairly quick and inexpensive way to look younger is to show off your pearly whites... after a whitening treatment, that is. "It’s amazing how a brighter, whiter smile can really take years off of your face," says Laura Kelly, a dental ceramist and member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. "While dentists offer some of the best whitening treatments in-office, there are tons of over-the-counter products that work well too." She recommends getting a full cleaning and consulting your dentist prior to using any products.

  • Loosen Up Your Locks
Nothing says over-the-hill more than stiff hair, says hair artist Kenneth Darrell. "Make sure your hair moves! "When hair is combed, sprayed, teased and set firmly into place, subliminally it says to the observer you're stiff, inflexible and unyielding."

  • Dress Your Age
Even though you're still years from retirement, you should think about retiring your tight pants and short skirts. "If you don't, it looks as if you are trying to be younger than your real age, so it ages you," warns Stefanie Gutierrez, senior wardrobe stylist for Urban Darling. "Wear clothes that are age-appropriate, fit well, and most importantly make you feel good."

  • Avoid Product Overload
Anti-aging products can work wonders, as long as you don't go overboard, says Kimberly Sayer, a London-based aesthetician and organic skin care expert. "If you pile an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) over a retinoid, like a vitamin C for example, you could be left with irritated, inflamed skin,” she says. “Figure out which anti-aging product works best for you and stick to it."

  • Less is Young
When you see signs of aging in the mirror or hit a big birthday, don't panic by trying to change everything about yourself, says Wendy Lewis, a health and beauty author and aesthetic consultant. "Try a new anti-aging skin care product, new hairstyle, or new makeup palette," she says. Just don't try everything all at once, or your makeover plan can backfire and reek of a mid-life crisis.

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