Look fab at forty plus

Fab at forty One of the most difficult fashion aspects facing women over 40 is how to dress for the many changes that occur around this age. In our early to mid forties both our bodies and our lifestyles are in transition.

Physiologically our bodies are changing and some of us will suffer water retention, thinning hair or duller skin. Lifestyle-wise we may be on the brink of empty nest syndrome, we may be newly divorced or beginning new jobs.

If you are a woman over 40, you need to know that you can look just as sexy and vital as your younger counterparts; you just have to learn how to flatter your body without doing a major style overhaul and without looking like the proverbial mutton dressed as lamb. So, are your pleated trousers giving your age away? Perhaps you’re stuck in an 80’s beauty and style rut? Has your hairstyle barely changed in the past few years? If so… Change!

The key to dealing with the changes and to modernizing your look is to get in tune with what is in fashion. Handbags and shoes are the quickest way to update your look. Look around, browse through magazines, tune into the fashion channel and get a feel for what’s ‘in’. You are not necessarily aiming to be ‘hip and trendy’ but to develop your own timeless signature style. If you need inspiration, look at the mature television and movie actresses you admire, pick out what you like and emulate their look.

The worst possible thing you can do is dress years younger than you are – all it does is make you look even older and slightly bizarre. So, even if you have great legs, no miniskirts! Avoid baggy, formless clothes and chose pieces that give you shape. When shopping, don’t think you can wear the same colours you did when you were in your twenties, especially not next to your face. Experiment with colours in good lighting to find what flatters your forty-something skin.

Fashion and beauty tricks

Stand-up or turn-up collars are great for disguising a wrinkly neck. They cover the area and bring focus to the face. It helps too to always wear a bit of white close to your face. Soft pastel-like colours such as pale pink, white or ice blue also bring light to the face and thus detract from the neck.

If you have lost your waistline along the way, wear jackets and pieces that will give you shape.

Take a look at yourself in the mirror, decide what your best features are and emphasize them. If you have nice hands, manicure them, good cleavage - show it off (in moderation) and so on.

If age spots begin to appear on your hands or face – fight back. Many products are available that will lighten and fade liver spots and at sites like Skin Lightening Advice you’ll find the best lightening skin articles, guidance and information.

Unfortunately many forty-something ladies suffer from thinning hair. If this sounds familiar, then explain to your hairdresser what is going on and discuss with her a fresh new style that will help you get the appearance of thicker hair. Ask her advice on products too, there are many on today’s market that are specifically formulated to ‘fatten’ thinning and/or flyaway hair. You can look absolutely fabulous at forty; it just takes a little attention to detail and a few tweaks.

Beautiful Eyes

Eyes have been called the windows of the soul because of how much they communicate.  Eyes give your face energy and individuality.  They do not have to be a certain size or shape to be considered pretty - all eyes have their own unique beauty.  When makeup is applied to look natural it will bring out the eye’s true color and enhance the eye’s beauty. Sometimes contact lens are necessary.

Eye shadow is meant to highlight and define the eyes.  Eye shadow is used to create depth to bring out the beauty of the eyes.  A dark color used on the lid will make the eye appear smaller, while a lighter color will make it appear larger. That is what eye shadow is about creating illusions.

Eyeliners are meant to define the eyes so they should do just that, not be the focal point of your makeup.  Eyeliners come in various colors and forms liquid, pencil etc. Keep the eyeliner natural~Keep the eyeliner natural}.  Pencils are available in many colors (for the best look stick to black or brown) and can be sharpened for a fine line.  For a smudged effect use a sponge tip shadow applicator or an eye shadow brush. When your pencils are too soft refrigerate them. When they are too hard soften them by holding them between your fingers.

Mascara frames your eyes and can make your face come alive. Mascara softly accentuates the eye while thickening and darkening the lashes; it is the finishing touch for eyes.  There are several different types to choose from, thickening, and waterproof to smudge proof. Waterproof will need a special remover and smudge proof will wash off easily.  It is not a good idea to wear waterproof mascara for extended periods of time since it has a tendency to dry the lashes.

Makeup will enhance your beauty without cosmetic surgery.Aiso, some bodybuilding programs will make you fit.

The Different Roles of Makeup Minerals

Makeup minerals can be confusing. In the past year those has been so much media hype about mineral makeup that everyone is looking for natural mineral remedies. However, not all makeup minerals are good. Even some of the most popular are really ineffective. The worst that can happen is that they can cause serious problems.

Naturally, you want to get as much as you can from the minerals in your makeup. However, they may not want to switch over to mineral makeup entirely. Earth minerals may be what they are looking for. Or maybe its just for the anti-aging benefits. Maybe they just want to stay away from the problems that makeup minerals can cause.

You should completely understand the mineral content in your natural makeup. We have put together a short list of makeup minerals. You will understand your makeup’s contents after reading this.

• Zinc and zinc oxide
These are common in pure mineral products. They naturally protect you from the sun. Use should use these minerals if you would like to smooth out your features and hide wrinkles. In pure forms, they do not irritate skin.

• Titanium dioxide
This mineral is also very common in natural makeups. It will smooth out flaws in your complexion. This is recommended for those with acne or rosacea problems as it can help relieve. However, it can also be mixed with artificial ingredients that may make the end result less hypoallergenic.

• Mica
Mica is what puts the anti-aging factor in mineral makeups. It will actually reflect light away from your wrinkles. This mineral distracts the attention away from skin problems. The mica that is in this makeup is crushed so tiny so that you don’t look like you are wearing glitter. Non-mineral makeups also contain this pure mineral.

• Bismuth
Bismuth is a very contentious mineral. It is a natural mineral. But it has to be processed in order for it to be used in makeup. Its not that easy to just crush into powder. Some even claim that it should not even count as a pure mineral. Many use it because it creates a fresh glow on skin. It also can cause itching if you tend to sweat or have sensitive skin.

• Talc
Talc is a classic makeup mineral. It has played a very large role in makeup since makeup was first used. But, many people are highly allergic to this mineral. This mineral is mainly used as a filler. If you use conventional makeup, then you likely use some talc. Pure mineral makeup products usually leave out talc because it is a common allergen.

How to find the Best Mineral Makeup

Savvy shoppers know that the best mineral makeup can be difficult to spot at first. There are lots of reasons to be interested in buying mineral makeup, including:

* Consistent use of mineral makeup often eases symptoms of adult acne and rosacea

* Mineral makeup has an SPF of 15 that is all natural

* Mineral makeup has a lighter, more natural look

* Mineral makeup is very flexible

* Mineral makeup does not wear off

* You can actually sleep in some mineral makeup products

However, just buying a product with the label “mineral makeup” is not enough.

To get full quality and benefits, you need the best mineral makeup available. Do not worry because this does not mean that these cosmetics are the most expensive. This does mean, though, that these products have components that other mineral cosmetics do not.

Here are some good ways to find the best mineral makeup on the market:

* Avoid artificial colors and fragrances - The best mineral makeup products contain zero artificial colors and fragrances. This does not mean that you cannot enjoy bright colors in mineral makeup. It just means that generally you should avoid ingredients like “yellow dye #5.”

* Talc can be a red flag - There are many makeup lines that have labeled themselves “mineral makeup” just because they contain large amounts of talc. Talc is actually a mineral. However, talc is also frequently used as a filler to bulk up makeup and is a common allergen. The best mineral makeup products minimize or eliminate talc.

* Mica, Zinc and Titanium are all good signs - Mica reflects light away from the wrinkles in your face, thereby camouflaging them. Zinc and titanium are natural sun barriers and create a natural SPF of at least 15. These natural earth minerals do not necessitate chemical processing components.

The best mineral makeup products may not contain much other than these ingredients.

* Keep an eye out for short ingredients lists - The best mineral makeup products are simple. You should always look for products that reflect this. Some mineral cosmetic lines may have as few as five ingredients.

If you want a wider array of colors, then you may need a few more components. However, the rule stands that in general, simpler is better.

Keeping an eye on the details will help you get the best in mineral makeup.

This article originally published at http://www.BeautyCtr.com and republished here by popular demand.

How to Spot Organic Skin Care

Many people are confused by the term organic skin care. We tend to have a general idea that organic things are good for us. However most of us do not have a firm definition for the word organic. We probably assume that organic skin care labels mean a product is good for our skin because it is natural. You need to realize that this is only partly true, but natural ingredients alone do not make a product organic. Understanding what these ingredients can and should be in order to benefit your skin the most is a crucial step to getting the most out of your organic skin care investment.

The label “organic” means that the product in question has 95 percent organic ingredients. Containing carbon makes something fit the bill of organic. This means that any product that contains 95 percent carbon-based ingredients can legally be labeled as an organic product. In terms of skin care products, this means a petroleum and petroleum-based product can easily be labeled organic. You need to understand this so you can look out for ingredients like methylparaben, a suspected carcinogen that is petroleum-based and plays a role in many skin care products. Obviously, when you think of “organic skin care” you do not think of crude oil derivatives that might give you breast cancer. You can see that you must be careful to match your definition of organic skin care with the legal definition before buying.

To get real organic skin care that meets your expectations, think ahead of time about what you want. For most people, natural, unaltered, healthy ingredients are their main focus. (You have to factor in a small amount of preservatives for health reasons.) Most people also want “green” products when they think organic. They want to know that they have invested in a product that did not harm the environment.

In the end, the best way to get the product you want is to read the label. Identify ingredients that were derived from something else. Take “Cocamide-DEA derived from coconut oil.” You might assume this compound is organic because it is derived from a natural substance. However, the only way to get it is to process it using a known carcinogen. Generally, derived ingredients are not actually organic in the way that most of us like to think of organic.

You should also factor in water content when you are determining how organic a product is. For example, if a product’s main ingredient is water (and most times it is) and a product is labeled 75 percent organic, then most of that organic volume can be attributed to water. This is why you need entirely organic skin care products in order to be sure you are getting the real deal.

The benefits of using truly organic skin care products are immense. Your skin, which is a natural organ, will benefit from natural elements. However, in order to get the most out of your organic skin care investment, you need to be able to spot the “good stuff” out of the wolves in organic clothing.

This information provided as a courtesy of http://www.BeautyCtr.com, America’s leading source of free, unbiased information and reviews about health and beauty products.