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Just got a good laugh from a cute British article about the upside of being frumpy at midlife.
60 has been proclaimed the new 40 and the writer wondered, in a tongue and cheek way, if this was a blessing or a curse?
We’re the first to admit it takes work to look fab in the second half, but who wouldn’t rather look like Felicity Huffman than Ethel Mertz?
So here are a few fashion shortcuts to take you from being an invisble woman to a sexy older woman.
1. Find a role model
There are countless debates going on about how a woman over 40 should and should not dress. In the end it depends mainly on your body and your personality. Find woman at your stage of life who you identify with and who looks fab. Are you more a Goldie Hawn or an Iman? Study how your role model dresses and use her style as your starting point.
2. Buy something You Love and Adore
You’ve worked hard all your life. Now’s the time to indulge a little. Buy one piece you love and adore and use that as a jumping off point to inspire your wardrobe. It could be a gorgeous designer jacket, a decadent piece of jewelry, a one of a kind handbag. You need something to get the ball rolling so you can get back on the style track and feel special again.
3. Try Shopping Somewhere New
Get out of your frumpy rut by shopping somewhere totally different. Check out that beautiful boutique that you’ve always been afraid to walk into, or try a different section of your favourite department store. Take a weekend shopping trip with your girlfriends to another town. Even if they have the same stores, they often have different merchandise.
Who would you rather look like???
 |
|
 |
| Ethel |
…or… |
Felicity? |
In a recent survey conducted by a popular cosmetic surgery website in the U.K. about 38% of women wanted Restylane treatment as a gift from their loved one for Christmas.
Restylane is a cosmetic filling agent, made of hyaluronic acid (which is a natural component of the skin) and is used to plump up the skin.
Sounds good to us. If you want to do something about baggy skin try this first: PLUMP don’t PULL. Who wants a facelift if you don’t have to?
Sun damage and the natural aging proccess causes us to lose collagen and our skin begins to line, sag and wrinke. Restylane will plump you up and give you a great result.
If you don’t want to go the Restylane route, you should be using a nightly anti-aging cream. As we age the skin is not able to hold water and gets dry and dehydrated. You can plump it up and rehydrate it with a good moisturizer.
Try using a good exfoliator first to increase cell removal. Then moisturize with a hydrating, firming cream.
And don’t forget to drink lots of water and take fish oil supplements which helps plump up the skin from the inside out!
Should a woman over 40 dress differently than a women under 40? Just read a blog post called Fashion after 40 and we were shocked at the angry comments everybody made.
It seems women are furious about being advised to dress more on the conservative side after 40. We read the bloggers advice and really didn’t think it was that bad, except that we do feel the comment about cleavage needed clarification.
Clean and simple lines are a great way to look classy and chic. As for her comments about color, classic colors are always sophisticated, but certainly current fashion colors that suit you and are still fun and fine for boomer women.
Finally her point about cleavage. Try using common sense, there is low and then there is very low! Letting it all hang out with a very low cut top at work or the grocery store looks cheap and sleazy at any age.
However, showing some cleavage is beautiful and sexy especially out to dinner or a party. Just look at Susan Sarandon.
It’s also a matter of size. If your breasts are large and you show alot of cleavage at work, you are sending the wrong message. Just remember, the more skin you show the less credibility you have.
We agree, no need to dress like a prude, but let’s remember to be tasteful!
Just came across this scary picture of Liz Taylor, and it reminded us of a really important beauty rule you must follow if you want to be a Boomer Babe.
For heavens sake ladies, GO EASY ON THE MAKE-UP.
As our hair lightens and begins to go grey, (or in Liz’s case, goes blonde!) our eyebrows also lighten, our skin pales and we start to look washed out.
Many of us try to compensate by piling on the make up. We think that bright lipstick, lots of blush, tons of eye shadow, and dark eyeliner will restore our youth. Here’s proof that bright make-up after 40 will make you look like a clown or female impersonator!
So here’s what you do:
- Foundation: Since your skin drys and dulls at it ages, you need to switch to a more dewey look. Trade in your heavy matte foundation, which gives you that mask look, for a tinted moisturizer (We love the one by Laura Mercier). Or, mix your foundation with some moisturizer to thin out. You may also want to check out “light reflecting foundations” especially created for mature skin because they reflect light off those little wrinkles.
- Powder: This can make you look pastey so use loose powder only on the T-zone, if needed
- Blush: Say so long to dry cakey powders and instead try a cream blush for a nice youthful glow!
- Eyeshadow: Be careful with shimmering shadows. They tend to accentuate crepey eyelids. Use neutral colored eyeshadows so we see your eye instead of just your eyelids.
- Eyeliner: Don’t use black…too harsh. Instead, try brown and then blend well with a brown powder.
- Eyebrows: Be sure to keep them in good shape so they don’t get scraggly.
- Many women tend to let the brow go pale and darken the lips at this stage, when in fact you should darken the brows so they frame your eyes (but don’t get as carried away as Liz), and lighten up the lips.
- Lipstick: Soften lips with pinks, corals, light browns, nothing too dark or too bright or there will be too much contrast between your lips, skin and hair.
- Lip Liner: Good idea to use a liner to prevent lip bleed, but keep it soft. You should not be able to tell you have it on.
- Got a few make-up tips of your own to share? We’d love to hear from you!
Don’t you hate it when when you have somewhere to go and you want to look really fab, but when you open your closet door you suddenly get a panic attack?
That nasty fear makes our heads spin and suddenly we’re crying “Help! What am I going to wear?”
No need to be stressed out anymore because the Glam Gals are here! Just send us your scariest fashion questions and we’ll coach you through all of your biggest image challenges!
Drop us an email at info@fabulousafter40.com along with a photo of something you were thinking about wearing, but need advice on, and we’ll blog our answer.
Be the Star You Really Are. We’re here to help you!
Cynthia Nellis wrote a great article called 10 Fashion Fixes to Turn Back Time
We have a couple of more great tips that will keep you looking young and hip!
11) Update Your Old and Tired Looking Glasses
Do you realize that your glasses could be dating you? If your still wearing aviator frames or oversized Sally Jessy Raphael style glasses, it’s time to move on! Choose anything from a new wireless light weight version, to a smaller funky pair in a strong shape or color to look fresh and modern.
12) Add a Touch of Leopard Print
For a sexy boost, try adding a hint of leopard to your wardrobe. A leopard purse, pair of shoes or scarf will create drama to an otherwise boring outfit. But be warned.. Wearing any animal print head to toe will make you look like you just escaped from the zoo!
These are sure to make you purr!!
Have you ever wondered how to look youthful and hip with out looking like your teenage daughter?
Are you thinking that you haven’t updated your makeup “look” lately and need some fresh ideas on how to do so?
Do you want to know how to hide the little tummy bulge that seems to be there these days?
Get the answers to these questions by listening to our podcast: How to look Fabulous After Forty!
Purchase a copy now!
According to The It List some of the ugliest shoes out there are Uggs and Crocks, but we have one more to add. Clogs!!
Comfort vs. Glam? We know that comfort is right up there on the list of what women want, but really, any shoe that rhymes with slog, fog, hog, says it all. Clogs may be cute and funky in your twenties, but after a certain age, they send your glam rating plumeting.
For example, can you believe these? 
They are called the cloggle boot!
For a $168.00 you, too, can look like your wearing army tanks on your feet.
Of course, there are those out there that will disagree with us but in general we think clogs make a GOF (gal over 40) look like a big old horse.
They’re just not classy. Clunk, Clunk Clunk!
So what do you wear with jeans that’s comfortable and casual?
We have a few suggestions:
A) feminine platform version of a clog
Stuart Weitzman (Datalink) $198.00
B) a nice wedge boot
Stuart Weitzman (cuffy boot) $355.00
Deb here, I just got back from Italy with my husband and three kids. We had a fabulous vacation, and the food ..well that’s another blog!
I was telling JoJami about this beautiful purse I bought for the trip.. A straw Burberry with burnished gold leather trim that was nice and big. The only problem was the inside quickly became a total mess!
If you’re a mom you know what I mean. My kids and hubby were always asking to put their sunglasses or their keys or pens, or souvenirs or their candy bars inside my bag and I ended up with this giant grab bag of stuff. Everything was all over the bottom of my purse and it was impossible to find anything!
That’s when JoJami told me about this cool new product. 
JJ: Yes, my good friend Jen Groover, a gorgeous gal and an amazing mom-preneur,
designed this innovative purse called The Butler Bag. I’m totally addicted to it! On the outside its a great looking purse, but what makes it so special is the inside! You see inside it has all these compartments, so once you put something, say your car keys or cell phone in it, it says put . So when your ready to take something out, (like your wallet) you can now find it with no searching! The funny thing is, most people I tell about this purse say to me.. “Why didn’t someone think of this idea sooner?”
Also, since I have been using the Butler Bag, when I have changed purses to the old kind, I feel like I have gone back to the dark ages and feel totally disorganized!
Deb: I want one!
JJ: Go check out: The Butler Bag
Last night Katie Couric made her big debut on CBS news and this morning all everyone is talking about is what she was wearing. 
Are we surprised? Absolutely NOT! Lets face it, thats what we are interested in!
Our take is… What was she thinking? The very boring black dress topped with the awful one button white jacket was just too safe.
Although her hair and make up looked really chic, her oufit looked average and uninspired.
What she needed was a more tailored, high quality suit, and some color. The white was too stark. Dark blue would have given her more authority and some classic pearls would have been a nice touch.
The outfit also didn’t fit particularly well, and unfortunately it made her stomach look poochy and her hips look wide.
It was interesting to note that in an earlier interview, when asked, ” What are you going to wear?” Her reply was, “Are you kidding me?”
She was insulted and refused to answer the question. ( Why not be light about it and joke something back?)
Katie seemed so intent on having people take her and her message seriously that she purposely tried to downplay her outfit, to the point of ultraplainess.
But this backfired. Though her performance was solid we couldn’t help feeling distracted and disappointed by her choice of clothing.
Hey Katie, why not use this platform to show off some quality style. We are looking to you to show us what a high powered woman should look like.
Why didn’t Katie wear this?
As we sit here sipping our cappuccinos, watching the world go by, we can’t help but notice how sad it is that so many women have settled for junk food style.
We’re talking about “fast food fashions” -clothes that fill up our closets but do nothing for us… those same old, boring outfits we reach for as we’re rushing out the door.
You know the look: sloppy sweatpants worn with a with a loose t-shirt, hair pulled back in a messy ponytail, no make-up, and who knows what flopping on our feet.
And why is it that so many women insist on dressing too young ….Wearing supertight clothes that reveal way too much skin, regardless of their age or rippling lovehandles.
Are these looks attractive?? Try frumpy, sleazy and uninspiring!
**Why have women have given up on looking great?
**What ever happened to wanting to look beautiful..to wanting to glam it up a bit?
**Why does everything beyond faded jeans feel overdressed?
As Style and Beauty Experts, we love helping fashion conscious women, just like you, look and feel like a million.
We long for a return to dressing up, dressing with some flair, and after talking to thousands of women across North America, they couldn’t agree more!
The verdict is in! Enough of the super casual look! Let’s get back on track (and out of the track suits) put some pride into dressing…make things fun, and and start looking gorgeous!
We believe:
Life is too short to look frumpy!
If you look great, you feel great, and life is so much more fun!
We’re out to raise the bar on everyday style and we challenge you to get going..to get Glam!
Cheers, Deborah and JoJami-The Glam Gals
-The helping hand you need to Tweak Your Chic™
A Message from Deborah and JoJami:
Who are we and what is Fabulous After 40?
We’re two 40 plus gals who love fashion and beauty but find it difficult to know where to go for inspiration.
Our bodies have changed, we don’t have a lot of time to shop, we still want to look hip and stylish, but we don’t want to look like we’re trying to be our daughters.
Maybe you can relate! That’s why we’ve started this fun new blog.
At Fabulousafter 40 we’ll put the latest style advice, products and services right at your fingertips to help you be the vibrant women that you are.
Why not join us on our mission, to empower women 40+ to look and feel fabulous!
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I’m JoJami Tyler, a Professional Image and Style Expert from Wilmington, Delaware. I specialize in helping high achieving, style conscious women, 40+ look and feel like a million.
Along with my partner Deborah Boland, we’re on a mission to raise the bar on everyday style. Life is too short to be Frumpy! If you look great you feel great, and we believe every woman has the potential to look Fabulous!
A little bit about my background. I have over 20 years of experience in various areas of the fashion industry. I’m a professional speaker, author, and a regular guest dishing out style tips and advice on the Comcast TV show, A Mom’s Life, and on Chicago Radio WRMN.
I’m also the co-founder of The Fashion Alliance of Delaware and I write for various publications including The Hunt Magazine.
An expert in wardrobe, color analysis and personal branding, I’m also known for my specialty in closet organization through my recently released DVD, The Ultimate Cure for The Dysfunctional Closet.
Whether I am conducting a seminar for a corporation, working one on one with a client, talking to the media or speaking at a spa my goal is simple: I help my clients dress with image impact, boost their confidence, have some fun, and in the process, change their lives!
Read more here
I’m Deborah Boland, a Professional Image and Media Coach from Toronto, Canada. I specialize in helping high achieving, style conscious women, 40+ look and feel like a million.
Along with my partner JoJami Tyler, we’re on a mission to raise the bar on everyday style. Life is too short to be Frumpy! If you look great, you feel great and we believe every woman, has the potential to look Fabulous!
A little bit about my background. I have over twenty years experience in TV as a producer,host and reporter for Fashion, Fine Living and Entertainment programs.
I’ve been the on-camera Style Expert for top Canadian TV shows such as All You Can Be, Lifetime, Dini, Just for the Asking-Design, Real Life and Backyard Pleasures, where I’ve spoken on everything from the latest Fashion Trends to how to enjoy a more Stylish Life.
I’ve also worked behind the scenes as a consultant to Life Network, providing image solutions for the on-air talent.
An expert in wardrobe, color analysis and personal branding, I also help clients refine their etiquette, communication and dining skills.
Whether I’m working one on one with a client, coaching a corporate team, speaking at a spa, or talking to the media, my goal is simple: I help my clients feel more confident about who they are and how they present to the world, and inspire them to live every moment with more style and gusto!
Come visit my site!
