Forget Looking Younger: Here Are 8 Tips For Looking Better

We all know that America is obsessed with youth. This isn’t a new phenomenon. My twin and I were 11 years old when we set the date for our first facelift on our 35th birthday. We were convinced that 35 was the onset of old age, and we weren’t going to have any of it.

Almost everyone would agree that youth is just one component of physical beauty. That premise, though, is clearly put to the test when we see Hollywood’s choice of young actors starring in series and movies aimed exclusively at a young audience. While that’s based partly on economics, it drives home the notion that Americans are beguiled by youth, and older people are second-rate. In fact, the movie industry is intractable in its stance that when the bloom of youth wears off of women, in particular, they are throw-aways.

Here’s how to celebrate maturity in a manner that subordinates these pop-cultural stereotypes and brings into focus the reality of aging. It’s not about looking younger; it’s about the transformative effect that looking good has on us as we get older:

1. If you’re female, take good care of your skin. It’s the first step in your grooming routine. Moisturize it morning and night. If you wear makeup, get a tune-up from a local make-up artist, because styles change, and better products become available. Check out Kerry-Lou’s Make-Up Tutorial
2. This goes for both women and men: get a cracker-jack hairstylist; you don’t have to pay an arm and a leg — just ask people whose hairstyles you like. While gray is currently “in” for women, make sure it looks good on you. Have your stylist analyze what’s complementary to your skin tone. Check out Kerry-Lou’s Growing Hair. One afterthought for women; make sure your stylist doesn’t stick you with an “old lady” cut. When I was a kid, blue hair and pin curls were the order of the day. No more!
3. Dress well; it doesn’t have to break the bank to dress with age-appropriate edge & cool. YouTube has several great style segments for mature women, making it easy to look absolutely fabulous.
4. For you men: great style isn’t just restricted to women. You, too, can dress with style for less, particularly if you’re on a fixed income, by leafing through online catalogs. Women should check out this creative YouTube video — Simple Style Adjustments — that shows how artful tweaks to clothes can improve body shape, dramatically.
5. Here’s a word on accessories: make certain that jewelry doesn’t overtake your outfit. Tasteful is the operative word, as is “complementary” when selecting the right color shoes, handbag, and outer garments, such as jacket, tunic, or coat.
6. About weight: if you feel you must lose weight, do so, but remember that for older women, especially, a few extra pounds look better than a too-thin appearance, i.e. scrawny!
7. Exercise is critically important to look good. I began working out in my forties because I foresaw that when my skin began to lose elasticity, I would fill it out with muscle definition. As a result, I believe that I look better, now, than I ever have.
8. Good posture is essential to looking good as we age. It’s tough to stand straight when we’ve suffered injury-related back problems. But, with the help of a good physical therapist and exercise that strengthens our back muscles, it’s possible to stand taller. Let’s face it, everything from the clothes we wear to the presence we convey looks better!

You’re on my mind a lot because growing into the next chapter of seniorhood is a new adventure. I’m here to provide more tips for that journey.

We want to hear from you, so feel free to share tips, ideas, and resources for seniors with Grannybooster. Email me, Maris Somerville, at info@grannybooster.com