Beauty

[Annabellethecat66]

I know I sound like a broken record. However, I'll say it again. I'm not bragging because some of it is heredity.

However, some of it isn't. The most important thing you can do for your face is to get that dead skin off every night and then moisturize it to death.

Then when you get up in the morning, take the wash cloth (very warm water, I use a micro cloth) and wash your face and moisturize it again.

STAY out of the sun!! Put on sunscreen over and over.

I truly don't think you have to use expensive creams. I use Dr. Denese and swear by Hydroshield but that's just me.

HSN sells some good and inexpensive products.

Just this weekend the guy at the paint store said, "You're almost 70? I don't believe it". First he said, "You could be 20 years younger". Then he said, "You could be 30 years younger".

So what? It's just because I don't have brown spots or wrinkles. I have very thin hair (thyroid) and wear a wig.

I sometimes feel like saying to some of these people when they tell me how much they love my hair (not knowing it's a wig), "Here, you want it?" Ha!

I guess I'm saying we all have things wrong with us. However, you can do something about your skin if you get off the old skin and moisturize and hide from the sun.

[Katluvr58]

I am using ASDM Beverly Hills products currently. I am almost 58 and I do look younger but I always have. I use the microderm cream, cleanser and toner I just have a sample and they are really nice so I will be ordering the full products, I have a variety of creams, oils and serums I use. I have seen results in just two months. My eyes are rarely puffy now and my criss crosses on my cheek are gone most of the time (sometimes I catch site of them in a magnified mirror), my pores on my one cheek are almost gone and my neck crease is not there but it is still not as toned as I would like but that may not be something I can control. They are also not very inexpensive, have free shipping over 25.00, run 20% off sales during the holidays (Labor Day is the next one), and they have the best customer service. I also use JM SPF and ASDM SPF daily, I mix the two. I am backtracking from years of not doing anything for my skin.

[chrystaltree]

Relax....when you wake up on your birthday, you won't look or feel any different at 50 than you did the night before at 49....lol. 49 is somewhat late to start taking care of your skin. I wouldn't rush out and start buying junk. Nothing magically changes at 50; you still need to cleanse and moisturize. The products you use should be specifically for 50 year old or middle aged skin. You probably don't need anything for deep wrinkles yet. You probably do need products that tighten your skin and give you dome glow. I'm 54 and I've been using a CC creme for over a year and it really has done wonders for my skin. It's clearer and brighter now. Also, go lighter with the makeup now and never, ever use powder on your face. Remember, you don't have spend a lot on skincare and makeup. The big name drug store brands are just ad good and just as effective as the $$$$$$ department store brands. Personally, I believe in staying with one brand. I just think the products work better together. I use all Avon now but a few years ago, I was a Revlon girl. I buy fashion magazines, partly for fashion but also for the beauty ads and articles. That's how you stay fresh and informed. I never look st beauty shows on shopping channels because their is too much hype and too many products. Also look at your hair. An outdated hairstyle and a bad color job ages a woman more than anything else. You probably want to start with your hair and then ease into any other changes.

[brewhaha]

Turning 50 is overrated.

[River Song]

Sounds to me like you're on the right track and doing everything right. When I was your age, I kept reading about all the things that happen to your face as you age, sagging jowls and such. I'm 57 now and it wasn't until I hit 55 that things really started to head south, lol. Jowls starting to sag, cheekbones not as high, eye brows starting to thin a bit on the sides, skin all over my body thinning and bruising easily, other body parts sagging south, development of a menopausal Buddha-belly.

I had a hard time with my 50th, not because I was getting old as the hills, LOL, but because my life didn't turn out quite like I thought it would when I was in my 20's. I haven't had a bad life, just different than I thought it would be.

One other thing, I noticed that after I hit 50, I became invisible to all males, young and old. I was just another middle-aged woman, not a 'cute young thang' anymore, LOL.

[Andreatoo]

I spent my adult life never looking my age. You are 30? no way! you're 40? no way! You get the picture. And then I turned 50 and menopause hit simultaneously. Some things are unavoidable

[RinaRina]

On 7/20/2014 marnidillon said:

just now 49 but want to really start to get serious about getting ready for the big 50.

I would love to hear your suggestions.

Keep your face clean and don't wear make-up.

[expatgal]

Brace yourself physically and emotionally for menopause and post-menopause. Start educating yourself NOW. You seem to know the basic for good skin care and maintenance. that is a very small part of aging.

[ive been framed]

Yes, educate yourself about menopause (every woman goes through symptoms as individually as they did when they started puberty, remember that ride? LOL!).

Sounds like you're doing well. I would say not to stress out too much about your looks, seriously. You are already doing good things for yourself, sunscreen being #1. Keep that up!

Above all else, take care of the inside... and the outside will be easier to deal with. All the miracle creams in the world won't mean a thing to you if you feel tired, over stressed, dried up, out of shape. Age is just a number, there are people who are ten years younger than you but are 20 years older on the inside because they didn't take better care of their health. Not much ages a person faster than stress and constant pain. I'm 56 now and have yet had problems getting out of bed or getting up off the floor or have any aches and pains (at least nothing that won't heal... knock on wood!) and I'm sure it's because I've stayed active every day out of necessity most of my life. Lots of walking, bending, lifting...

Oh, and try not to sleep on your face!

[OCGurl]

Maybe consider an antioxidant serum in the morning. Vitamin C is great for brightening the skin and works along with sunscreen to help against sun damage. I have used Devita C for many yrs, but there are many listed on these boards so you might want to do a search for it as it's been discussed many times. Along with sunscreen and Retin A you'll do well. I also do Botox 2x a yr for between the brows