What I Do to Look and Feel My Best at Almost 63
I get asked this question a lot and since I’m being completely authentic...here it is. Everything I actually do, in no particular order of importance (with one exception)…straight up!
The appointments. I have Botox and filler and I’ve always been honest about that. I had a partial face lift in 2014 or 15…don’t remember the exact year. I would do it again and I will do it again…just not sure when.
I just had a deep laser treatment (the Halo Laser) on my face in January that was not for the faint of heart. It was done by Dr. Virginia Dixon in Chapel Hill, NC…she’s a plastic surgeon specializing in deep plane face lifts and I trust her completely. I also have an appointment to have Sclerotherapy on the veins in my legs tomorrow…I’ve been doing this for years and it’s not something that’s a one-and-done. In the past, I’ve had filler in my thighs and my neck but haven’t done that in about two years. It’s very painful and I’m trying to accept at least the thighs. Honestly, I’m thinking of going back for the neck filler. It works very well and lasts about a year.
I try to have a Hydrafacial once a month and I’m doing a series of three laser treatments (different and less invasive) right now to get rid of any dark spots that are left or still coming to the surface. The Hydrafacials are my favorites because it’s like a spa treatment…I usually fall asleep and wake up with glowing skin!
Obviously, I can't link these things because everyone lives somewhere different, but my advice is to find the best person in your area, read reviews obsessively and find the best person for what you want done.
The hair, lashes and nails. All three matter more than you might think. I love having lash extensions because I wake up looking somewhat pulled together without doing a thing and I don’t have to use mascara.
My nails are never not done...partly because I love it and partly because I have a partnership with Vahan Jewelry (this is a true pinch me moment) and my hands are photographed constantly for them and other things. Nails matter when your hands are the subject. And…while I’m being honest, I’m trying to embrace my hands but I have never loved them because they are so veiny and getting more so as I age. They have served me well and allowed me to do many things so for that I am grateful! I need to get back to my piano lessons!
The hair is a longer story! As I was going through menopause and my hair weakened significantly. At the same time I was going to a hair dresser who was overprocessing it without me realizing it and it started breaking off really badly. It took a while for me to realize what was going on but when I did realize, I found someone else to do my hair. That was about three years ago and it's taken that long to get my hair truly healthy again. My new hair dresser is doing something called gray blending and using way less color and bleach which has allowed my hair to grow in a healthy way. I also credit Nutrafol, which I take daily and truly believe it has made a real difference. Along the way, I got hair extensions which covered the damage and made it look better while it was recovering. The actual health came from time, Nutrafol and being a lot more careful about who touches my hair. I baby it now because I love keeping it long! I let it dry naturally when I have time and use the Dyson Air Straight to smooth when it’s almost dry…I have curly hair so this tool works wonders! I am considering going a bit shorter in the fall for a new look….we shall see!
Skincare. I'll be honest here because there's a lot of misinformation in this space. My dermatologist has told me that collagen supplements aren't actually proven to be effective, so I'm not going to recommend those although I’m sure they can’t hurt. What does stimulate collagen production is treatments like the professional laser I just had done, red light therapy at home, and devices like the LYMA Laser, which is a cold laser you can use at home and has some impressive science behind it.
I also swear by Tretinoin. It's a prescription-only topical retinoid that speeds up cell turnover, reduces fine wrinkles and improves skin texture. I use it nightly along with a good moisturizer and sunscreen every morning. I've been using it for years and it works.
As far as products for my body…I use the Environ Vitamin A, C & E Massage Oil before using a good moisturizer.
I also try products from brands I work with...but I've gotten very picky about who those brands are. I only recommend what I actually love and would use myself. Right now I’m using products from Freck Beauty which is a clean beauty brand and I like what I’ve tried so far! In particular, my daughter suggested that I use a setting spray after doing my makeup and the Face Hack
Setting Spray from Frick Beauty works really well! I also like their Cactus Water toner and the Rich Bitch Lip Balm. I’m kind of a product junkie and love to try new things! I’ve linked some of my favorites in the boutique below!
The way I eat and move. I've worked out for the better part of my life...weight training and yoga mostly but early on…I was really into step classes and aerobics. But…I've switched things up over the past couple of years. I eat carefully and I walk my dogs as often as possible. I do things at home to stay toned...a little yoga flow before bed, pushups daily and a few other random things. I stopped going to the gym and doing spin class almost two years ago after realizing I was working harder than ever and still gaining weight. I suspect it was a combination of menopause and just being hungrier from the intensity of the workouts. It felt like a waste of time since I was only trying to keep my weight stable. Walking is such a great exercise and my dogs benefit just as much as I do...plus I'm outdoors in nature. I'm thinner now than I've ever been and I like that. That's not advice, that's just my experience. Every body is different and everyone's idea of what looks good is different. Who knows if I’ll change my mind…I often think I’ll go back to yoga classes for the flexibility and the community!
The Thing That Matters Most…
The internal work. I've invested heavily in my own personal development and healing and I believe it's as responsible for how I look and feel as anything else on this list. The biggest shift was realizing that my life is my responsibility...no one else can change me or fix things for me. I am both the problem and the solution and once I really understood that, everything changed. It's a daily practice and it's the best thing I've ever done for myself.
One more thing...it's not cool to judge what other women do or don't do with their faces or bodies. The world judges us enough as we get older. We don't need to do it to each other. Be kind, lift others up and mind your own beautiful life!
One last thing...you are the youngest you will ever be right now, today, in this moment. Whatever looking and feeling your best means to you…whether that's Botox and extensions or a good moisturizer and a long walk - just do it. Invest in yourself in whatever way feels right and then go live your life. Being happy is the point!