I said before that I'm a big fan of bareEscentuals' mineral makeup. But there are two very important things that I left out.
1. The Primer (Prime Time): Get it. Use it according to the directions. I have found that the primer acts as a sort of barrier between my moisturizer and all the other makeup I put on. The makeup doesn't absorb the moisture from my skin and make me look "pruney" by the end of the day.
2. Mineral Veil: If you have really dry skin, as I do, or skin that's drying out faster than you can moisturize, skip the Mineral Veil. It has corn starch in it. Using the Mineral Veil dries out the natural moisture that my skin produces throughout the day and makes me look even older than I do without makeup. (* NOTE: I haven't tried the Hydrating Mineral Veil. This post speaks only to the Mineral Veil that comes with the starter kit and the regular club shipment.*)
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
Glam at 50?
Sure, you can be glamorous at age 50. Personally, I just don't think the glitzy, glittery look is becoming on a female over the age of 36. Forgive me, but a woman in the fifty-plus age range sporting the "glam" look appears to me as if she's trying too hard to look thirty years younger. Accept your age and work with it.
Call me conservative. I won't argue. I will tell you that what looks great on my 20-year-old niece - smokey blue eye shadow with black liner and thick black mascara set off by sparkling blush and neon red lipstick - would make me look like I'd been in a fist fight in a hobby shop. Trust me: The glam look on a fifty-plus woman only looks good from a distance. A LONG distance.
The makeup that you wear shouldn't scream your age, frighten little children and grown men alike or cause the eyebrows of passers-by to shoot halfway up their foreheads. If you've got wrinkles, creases and/or waffley (crepey) skin, avoid the glam look and aim for glamorous instead.
Black eye liner and mascara tend to make your eyelids look heavier, especially when your eyelids are crinkled and painted with a thick layer of color. Wow, talk about making you look old. At 50 (and then some), LESS is more. Try eye liners and mascaras in shades of brown or gray. These colors give your eyes definition without adding weight.
Shimmery eye shadow can still provide a great "after-5" look (read that "in low light conditions") but I wouldn't recommend shiny, glittery eye shadow for 9-to-5. That's the time for a professional look that doesn't draw the wrong kind of attention. Avoid bold colors like blues and greens on your eyelids and opt for lighter shades in natural tones: Lighter shades (like sand or peach) will help "open" your eyes. Use darker shades in brown and slate - blue or green or violet, if you must - in the crease and/or the outer edges ONLY. When I say, "outer edges," I mean stop the color at least a quarter inch from inside the end of your eyebrow nearest the temple.
Dark lip color on older women draws more attention to the those pruney lines that surround the lips than the lips themselves. Opt for lighter shades in nudes, mauves and peaches - depending on your skin tone - with lots of gloss. Tinted glosses will give your mouth that pouty look you're hoping to achieve without the thick, heavy vampirish color that red and russets provide. Furthermore, if and when those darker colors "bleed," they bleed into those wrinkles around your lips, accentuating them even more.
The decision in how to stand out in a crowd is up to you. As for me, I'm going to follow Bette Davis' example, not Mae West's.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Allergy Eyes? It Could Be Age-Related
In my 30's, I developed a sensitivity to latex. No more self-stick bandages, tampons or anything else that had a little latex in it somehow that had to be worn for extended periods of time.
At about age 45, not only did my vision change - again - but I noticed that my eyes grew itchy and teary with every passing hour of the day. I had a difficult time figuring it out as I wore the same makeup day after day for years. The only time I got relief from the itching and watering, burning and swelling is when I didn't wear eye makeup even though I would take an antihistamine pretty frequently to combat pollen and other air-borne substances.
Going a few days without my regular eye makeup - so I could rub my eyes - then putting it on again just to have my eye lids swell up and itch was just the thing to figuring out the problem: It was my makeup. It didn't matter that it was fresh or that it was the same brand and color I'd worn for ages, I'd developed a sensitivity to it. I blamed that on age.
Out with the mauves and dark blues. Out with the eye liner and mascara. I had to find a whole new look as well as totally new brands. I wish I had all the money back I spent on trial and error, trying to find a whole new eye "ensemble" that looked good on me, wore well without flaking off or slipping into the creases and didn't cost a fortune or make my eyes itch, weep and swell. The winner?
Almay. My eyes are blue-green so I selected the shadow and liner for blue eyes. Yes, a whole new look for me but it was an easy transition without the allergic reaction to fight. How do I feel about the transition from black eye liner to brown? I love it! Nature was giving me a nudge to make a change I wouldn't otherwise have made. It was time to ditch the black eye liner and turn to different shades of eye color to "brighten" that area of my face as well as enhance the color of my eyes.
Gravity tugs at our eyelids and foreheads and older eyes look even older and more tired under dark shadows and black eyeliner. Face it, you're not going to look younger by wearing the same makeup, the same look at 45 that you did at 35. Start experimenting. Buy a color palette and "test drive" it for a few days. Get opinions from your best and your worst critics.
But I recommend that, if you're suffering from allergy eyes and you believe it might be your makeup, try products by Almay first. You may not have to experiment with any other brand.
At about age 45, not only did my vision change - again - but I noticed that my eyes grew itchy and teary with every passing hour of the day. I had a difficult time figuring it out as I wore the same makeup day after day for years. The only time I got relief from the itching and watering, burning and swelling is when I didn't wear eye makeup even though I would take an antihistamine pretty frequently to combat pollen and other air-borne substances.
Going a few days without my regular eye makeup - so I could rub my eyes - then putting it on again just to have my eye lids swell up and itch was just the thing to figuring out the problem: It was my makeup. It didn't matter that it was fresh or that it was the same brand and color I'd worn for ages, I'd developed a sensitivity to it. I blamed that on age.
Out with the mauves and dark blues. Out with the eye liner and mascara. I had to find a whole new look as well as totally new brands. I wish I had all the money back I spent on trial and error, trying to find a whole new eye "ensemble" that looked good on me, wore well without flaking off or slipping into the creases and didn't cost a fortune or make my eyes itch, weep and swell. The winner?
Almay. My eyes are blue-green so I selected the shadow and liner for blue eyes. Yes, a whole new look for me but it was an easy transition without the allergic reaction to fight. How do I feel about the transition from black eye liner to brown? I love it! Nature was giving me a nudge to make a change I wouldn't otherwise have made. It was time to ditch the black eye liner and turn to different shades of eye color to "brighten" that area of my face as well as enhance the color of my eyes.
Gravity tugs at our eyelids and foreheads and older eyes look even older and more tired under dark shadows and black eyeliner. Face it, you're not going to look younger by wearing the same makeup, the same look at 45 that you did at 35. Start experimenting. Buy a color palette and "test drive" it for a few days. Get opinions from your best and your worst critics.
But I recommend that, if you're suffering from allergy eyes and you believe it might be your makeup, try products by Almay first. You may not have to experiment with any other brand.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Bare Minerals & Why I Love This Makeup
Before I caved in and bought Bare Minerals online, I first tried the mineral makeup available under a commonly known brand name found at any pharmacy. That stuff was not much different than a loose powder: It gave me that "too much make up" look, wore off quickly, creased in the lines on my face and itched like hives if I perspired in the least.
Honestly, I was afraid Bare Minerals would do the same thing. But it came with a guarantee - If I didn't like, I could quit the Club and be done with it. Sure, it cost a little more with shipping added on but I'm the kind who will try almost anything once if I believe it may have some benefits.
Benefits it has! There are just enough shimmery ingredients in Bare Minerals to give my skin a healthy looking "glow." That's not to give the impression that my face is 'glittery' like some makeup that's made for women in their teens and twenties. It doesn't collect in the fine lines around my eyes and doesn't give my skin a dried-out, dusty appearance. I was sold on it after receiving the introductory kit and I've been stuck on it ever since. I'm responsible for getting my younger sister using it.
I had heard that Bare Minerals would absorb the moisture from my skin but I have to tell you I'm not seeing that. Of course, I observe a twice-daily skin care regimen and drink enough water to float a compact car.
What I like best about Bare Minerals is that it delicately reflects light from my skin, detracting attention from the fine lines and wrinkles rather than making them more obvious. Shimmery, glimmery makeup will make those wrinkles more obvious but not Bare Minerals.
Having sung the praises of the foundation (and the concealer and the Warmth and the Mineral Veil), it's time I tried the eye shadows. I've spent hundreds of dollars trying to find the right eye shadow - not so glittery, not so powdery - but I'm not having any luck. Sure, not everything I use can be purchased locally but this is one makeup that's worth every dime as far as I'm concerned.
Honestly, I was afraid Bare Minerals would do the same thing. But it came with a guarantee - If I didn't like, I could quit the Club and be done with it. Sure, it cost a little more with shipping added on but I'm the kind who will try almost anything once if I believe it may have some benefits.
Benefits it has! There are just enough shimmery ingredients in Bare Minerals to give my skin a healthy looking "glow." That's not to give the impression that my face is 'glittery' like some makeup that's made for women in their teens and twenties. It doesn't collect in the fine lines around my eyes and doesn't give my skin a dried-out, dusty appearance. I was sold on it after receiving the introductory kit and I've been stuck on it ever since. I'm responsible for getting my younger sister using it.
I had heard that Bare Minerals would absorb the moisture from my skin but I have to tell you I'm not seeing that. Of course, I observe a twice-daily skin care regimen and drink enough water to float a compact car.
What I like best about Bare Minerals is that it delicately reflects light from my skin, detracting attention from the fine lines and wrinkles rather than making them more obvious. Shimmery, glimmery makeup will make those wrinkles more obvious but not Bare Minerals.
Having sung the praises of the foundation (and the concealer and the Warmth and the Mineral Veil), it's time I tried the eye shadows. I've spent hundreds of dollars trying to find the right eye shadow - not so glittery, not so powdery - but I'm not having any luck. Sure, not everything I use can be purchased locally but this is one makeup that's worth every dime as far as I'm concerned.
Canned Salmon: Eating My Words
In my previous article about Good Fat and Bad Fat, I pooh-poohed the idea of eating canned salmon. I supposed, as I'm often wont to do, that anything in a can couldn't be as good for me as fresh. While that may still hold true, I wanted to retract in the very least, my attitude toward canned salmon.
While shopping night before last, I picked a can of salmon off the shelf and read the ingredients: Pink salmon and salt. Are you kidding me? This was a can of 'Double "Q"' brand salmon and those are the only ingredients listed on the label. Honestly, I thought it was going to be like the ingredients list on a can of tuna. Needless to say I was surprised that there were only two ingredients listed on the label.
The best part was written down below: "Contains 782mg OMEGA-3 Fatty Acids per serving." 782 mg? My gosh, that's more than one capsule of the Fish Oil supplement I take daily. Now, I know that more is not always better but let's not forget that, according to the previous article, the body will absorb about 90% of the natural substance and only about 50% contained in a supplement. That's less work and more good stuff for my body. Even if I only got half that number of Omega-3, I'd still be getting more of it from the salmon.
There's a nice recipe included on the label also for grilled salmon patties: I could make up the whole can (14.75 oz) - which produces four patties or 'burgers' - grill then freeze them for quick meals throughout the week.
So, I'm giving canned salmon it's due; eating my words, so to speak, along with the fish. I can eat salmon patties: Mother used to make them for dinner when I was growing up. Perhaps if I think about it long enough, I will realize that it's Trout and Bass that I'm not so fond of.
While shopping night before last, I picked a can of salmon off the shelf and read the ingredients: Pink salmon and salt. Are you kidding me? This was a can of 'Double "Q"' brand salmon and those are the only ingredients listed on the label. Honestly, I thought it was going to be like the ingredients list on a can of tuna. Needless to say I was surprised that there were only two ingredients listed on the label.
The best part was written down below: "Contains 782mg OMEGA-3 Fatty Acids per serving." 782 mg? My gosh, that's more than one capsule of the Fish Oil supplement I take daily. Now, I know that more is not always better but let's not forget that, according to the previous article, the body will absorb about 90% of the natural substance and only about 50% contained in a supplement. That's less work and more good stuff for my body. Even if I only got half that number of Omega-3, I'd still be getting more of it from the salmon.
There's a nice recipe included on the label also for grilled salmon patties: I could make up the whole can (14.75 oz) - which produces four patties or 'burgers' - grill then freeze them for quick meals throughout the week.
So, I'm giving canned salmon it's due; eating my words, so to speak, along with the fish. I can eat salmon patties: Mother used to make them for dinner when I was growing up. Perhaps if I think about it long enough, I will realize that it's Trout and Bass that I'm not so fond of.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Good Fat, Bad Fat: The Facts About Omega-3
Good Fat, Bad Fat: The Facts About Omega-3
I had to share this great article because I'm a heart patient and I really don't want to have to take more prescription drugs.I'd rather not take prescription drugs at all. The good news is that not all fat is bad. Omega-3 fat is essential, not only for thinning out my too-sticky blood but reducing the inflammation around all my joints. Hey, that's wonderful because the joint pain I had before isn't nearly so bad now.
The bad news is that, in order to get more Omega-3 fat into my diet, I need to eat 3-4 ounces of "fatty fish" twice a week. EEEE-ooooo. I am not a fan of fish. The taste - depending on the type of fish - isn't something I hate: It just isn't something I relish. The smell is a big turn off, too. Since I don't have a disposal, any fish remnants have got to be removed from the premises immediately after eating.
Recently, I opted for taking Fish Oil supplements and I've taken quite a few (with my doctor's approval). While that prevents me from having to cook and eat fish - or order it in a restaurant - I learned that my body only absorbs about 50% of the good stuff from supplements while it can absorb up to 90% from three ounces of real fish. What to do?
Eat tuna and salmon when I can grill it outdoors or open the window in the kitchen. Those are two kinds of fish that I can eat and not get the heebie-jeebies. I'm pretty sure that the article is talking about fresh tuna and salmon - not the processed kind you can buy in a can. I'm going to stick with Fish Oil supplements, though because I just can't get in the mood to eat fish.
Take fish oil supplements, switch my cooking oil to Extra Virgin Olive Oil (also high in Omega-3s) and avoid deep-fried and fast food as much as my cravings will allow. I do love Southern fried chicken every once in a while.
The bad news is that, in order to get more Omega-3 fat into my diet, I need to eat 3-4 ounces of "fatty fish" twice a week. EEEE-ooooo. I am not a fan of fish. The taste - depending on the type of fish - isn't something I hate: It just isn't something I relish. The smell is a big turn off, too. Since I don't have a disposal, any fish remnants have got to be removed from the premises immediately after eating.
Recently, I opted for taking Fish Oil supplements and I've taken quite a few (with my doctor's approval). While that prevents me from having to cook and eat fish - or order it in a restaurant - I learned that my body only absorbs about 50% of the good stuff from supplements while it can absorb up to 90% from three ounces of real fish. What to do?
Eat tuna and salmon when I can grill it outdoors or open the window in the kitchen. Those are two kinds of fish that I can eat and not get the heebie-jeebies. I'm pretty sure that the article is talking about fresh tuna and salmon - not the processed kind you can buy in a can. I'm going to stick with Fish Oil supplements, though because I just can't get in the mood to eat fish.
Take fish oil supplements, switch my cooking oil to Extra Virgin Olive Oil (also high in Omega-3s) and avoid deep-fried and fast food as much as my cravings will allow. I do love Southern fried chicken every once in a while.
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