Congratulations to our fabulous reader Libby, who won May’s Beau Bain Bath Bomb give-away! She was so excited to tell us about how much she’s been enjoying her prize, especially considering her thrilling week. We want to congratulate her on winning and on her upcoming appearance in Prevention Magazine! Check out what Libby wrote to us…
…This has been a great week for me–I was selected for an “Over 50 Hair Makeover” story for Prevention Magazine (we did the shoot yesterday–it will be in the October issue and online then, too). So, after a wonderful day at the salon w/stylists, makeup artists, etc., I came home and tossed a lavender bomb into the tub and just relaxed! My skin DID feel great afterwords, too. I have been sharing the wealth with my two co-workers and I gave two to my wonderful housekeeper. I think you will pick up a few new fans! Where can we find the Beau Bain products? Are they online or in stores ?
Well, Libby, they are available at exclusive salons and spas, but you can also find them right here, on beaubain.com!
A self-proclaimed beauty hound, Libby has this tip: She’s found the best skin care results come from Oil of Olay face cream available at Drugstore.com
Still, Libby is interested to know what everyone else thinks. Are there some big ticket creams are really as good as they claim to be? Have you ever used an expensive skin care line, but found a cheaper brand that worked better? We’d love to know ourselves!
Thanks for your kind email, Libby – and at 63, you truly are Age-mazing!
“I [have a question] about the old lady hair problem…maybe you could follow up with some more hair thoughts? Techniques? Products? Pretty please?” M.N.
I am currently tackling this problem myself. (I am irritated that my grays are not as smooth as my regular brown).
But what I’m doing is taking medium hair and going back to the curling iron - Eva Longoriaish.
Also…the blonde on Desperate Housewives is sometimes straight sometimes curled…and that is a very relate-able current look for women over 40.
Long hair: Iffy. Even though that is not the popular sound byte, nor what women want to hear, so you don’t tell them because you want them to buy your product, it’s just true. Once hair is past the clavicles if your face isn’t young looking and your hair isn’t luxurious it is often just not flattering.
But extensions do help, and can make over 40 hair look a little less over 40.
The problem is the texture. Texture changes (as does face/weight/body proportions) and just blow and go hair isn’t as easy as it once was. So you kind of have to create the illusion of ‘blow and go’ with products that have protein in them (to strengthen the hair). I like Nigelle’s Blow Make Smooth Essence. This gives a little more strength and polish so you can style it easier.
Also, a reason why shorter hair tends to work better is because it not only looks like you didn’t have to work so hard, but it still looks good later in the day.
But if it is longer, making sure it’s shiny (using the curling iron, flat iron etc) helps. Can look sort of Farrah if you don’t’ start curling at the base first and click the hair through rather than pulling the curling iron to the ends and wrapping it up.”
Thanks Christopher, for your expert advice!!!
P.S. If you haven’t bought it yet, check out his book,Staging Your Comeback... it is one we keep on recommending, it’s that good!
I (JoJami) in conjunction with my favorite local charity, Fund for Women, held a membership, Make-Over Madness, party!
To keep things interesting, we invited 4 women to dare to try a new look!
The hair was done by Cristy, who is Co-owner of the Robert Cris Salon, in Wilmington, Delaware andiod make up was by Nicole, from Mix the Studio in Hockessin, De.
If you are ready to make a change, check out our online consults!
Here are the results:
First off all the gals met with me had me do a color analysis on them, so that they had outfits to be shot in that were
Make over #1, was letting her hair grow out, but it was too long and had lots of split ends. We trimmed it up, and gave her some soft layers and long bangs. She did not like to wear makeup, so we did a light makeup to even out her skin tone! Simply gorgeous!
Makeover #2: This gal (art teacher) had let her roots go too long. Also she confessed to never wearing make up and wanted to learn how. Her hair was in desperate need of a trim. After styling her curly hair to make it more updated and straight, she looks certainly looks more polished and professional.
Makeover #3 Had just had her color done, but we felt it was washing her out. We went with a richer color and her eyes just popped! She has called and reported that she LOVES her new cut and color and has gotten rave reviews.
Those pesky gray hairs! They keep sprouting faster than my lucky bamboo!
I ( JoJami) haven’t tried this yet, but my friend Jill says that if you follow these tips, it really helps make your color last up to two weeks longer!
1. Wash hair two times, the week before going in for color with clarifying shampoo (such as Pureology purifying shampoo) which will strip out the hair products that have built up in your hair like conditioner, gels, hairspray, etc. With these products gone the hair follicles will hold the new color amazingly better.
2. At the salon after your hair is washed and conditioned and before drying, give them a vial of Goldwell Colorglow Color finish to apply to your hair. Do not wash out.
You can buy these products at the beauty supply store for a fraction of what you would pay the salon. Example: the Colorglow is $5 at the beauty supply and it would cost close to $20 for the same treatment in most salons.
These two products can make your hair color last up to two weeks longer!
I’m due for a color and so I’ll try it, and report back!
Do you have a fashion tip or trick? Share it with us and you will be automatically entered you into this month’s giveaway!
This year’s More Magazine Re-Invention Convention was a hot spot to be for inspiration to help you get out of your safe box and dream to do something new!
JoJami and Deborah at the Reinvention Convention
We go to a lot of events and we were super impressed with the way these ladies decked themselves out to look and feel fabulous! Here are some great examples of How to Look Age-mazing™ and their personal tips on how they feel about dressing.
Michelle Melville of Wachovia
Mildred Bean is a life empowerment coach with lots of confidence. We love the bright green jacket paired with brown pants and her stylish well groomed hair and make up!
Mildred Bean, life empowerment coach
Mildred Bean is a life empowerment coach with lots of confidence. We love the bright green jacket paired with brown pants and her stylish well groomed hair and make up!
Oh we don’t want to overlook the fab shoes…
Mildred's great shoes!
What a great example of looking the part of a successful, up-to-date woman!
Here is Lori Northcott using pattern to stand out in a crowd! We saw lots of boots, one of this seasons MUST haves. Once again, her hair is updated and looks so chic. Lori claims, “I eat healthy, exercise and am lucky to have good genes!”
Lori Northcott
Elizabeth Flavin is the founder/owner of www.GratitudeEtc.com. She really ‘wowed’ us with her classic elegant style. She says, “I buy what I love, and keep trying to re-invent myself!” Her jewelry is sure classic and elegant as well!
Elizabeth Flavin
Next up we met Janice Innis-Thompson who is presently working as a lawyer. She looks very professional, and pulled together, but look at the way she uses color! How fresh! She swears by, “Lots of sleep, exercise and Yoga!”
Janice Innis-Thompson
Kari Sciera is a gym teacher from Boston. This pretty blond, told us that she really worked hard to find the right dress to wear to this event. So she was rightfully proud of her new purchase of an Alice and Olivia dress!
Kari Sciera
She took it one step further and even changed out the belt so that it would look better with her boots. She is a “new” 40 and really showed her confident personality, with this chic look!
Bottom line: This group of ladies got our vote to be on the Glam Gals’ Best Dressed List!
Sarah Palin is becoming famous for her signature updo. Her hairstyle is easy to wear, and an updo can bring some class to an outfit.
Wondering what your hair would look like up?
Check out this fun and easy video from Cosmetic makeovers show.com to learn how to “get the look” in just a few minutes.
One note about this video:
While the idea is nice, and we liked the way the stylist approaches the style, we don’t like the “barette clip in the back” look-too high schoolish!
If you are going to try and get a good updo, we suggest using hair combs instead, and don’t leave any kind of ponytail hanging on top. Combs will give you a lovely look without the bulk of a clip, which is also not sophisticated.
Just before I went on vacation I freshened up my hair with some blonde highlights. I knew that even a day outside site seeing in the hot Mediterranean sun would bleach out my blonde hair, so I took a big hat and wore it everywhere I went.
It saved my hair from disaster, but it made my head hot and sweaty and I had to keep popping my hat off every time I posed for a picture.
When I got home I wondered, was there anything I could have put on my hair ,besides a hat, to save my hair? I emailed our friend The Makeover Guy, Christopher Hopkins, who specializes in hair, and this is what he told me about summer hair.
Hair that has been colored it is susceptible to fading with U.V. rays. There are products that say they have sunscreens but I seriously doubt the benefits as it is pretty difficult to cover every strand top to bottom and all around with sunscreen. And if it’s sticking to your hair, it is likely going to make it flat or sticky.
Hats are pretty much it. And I know the boomers like to believe there is an answer to everything. Cake and eat it too. But alas, coverage is it. If you’re in the sun, the color will fade. Creams don’t get rid of your wrinkles, and there is no weight loss with out a diet change.
Shampooing is what really does the fading, more so than even sun, so shampooing less is always a better way of preserving color. Try rinsing and using conditioner to cleanse.
I don’t really see any more problems with hair in the summer than with the winter. Just slightly different with humidity changes. Good or bad for curly or straight depending on how curly or how straight and how curly or how straight you WANT your hair compared to how curly or straight it is in the humidity (or lack of).
Damaged hair cannot be corrected, it can be band aided. It can be temporarily given the illusion of repair through styling, pressing the cuticle flat with heat or rollers. It can be temporarily filled in with products like protein, moisture, fillers (like hair color and clear sealers).
Chlorine doesn’t turn blonde hair green, it is copper, usually found in algae deterrents in hot tubs, pools, etc. The turquoise color combined with the yellow blonde makes, what? GREEN! You will need to open the cuticle of the hair with a detoxifying shampoo (several times) and heat and strip it out, then condition like hell. Again, that’s why there are swim caps and conditioner. I say wet the hair, put on a good conditioning treatment and think of that time as a multi tasking deep conditioning treatment.
If your answer is “YES”,then you’ll be able to relate to this week’s Blooging Boomers Carnival.
Why not take a little fashion break to read some interesting lifestyle posts from our boomer friends such as: the warning signs that you’re ready for your midlife crisis, or memories of what it was like to take a vacation in the “good ole days”?
These and more other fun topics over at this weeks B.B. host site, Don’t Gel Too Soon!
This month’s FREE Give Away ~ is a wonderful new hands-free blow drying device that Deborah and I just started using, and LOVE!
The Blo & Go was invented by a model who was frustrated trying to maneuver her blow dryer and brush at the same time. What started as a twisted hanger soon turned into The Blo & Go.
It’s really very simple- a big suction cup adheres to your mirror and is strong enough to hold your hairdryer! Then you just move (or dance) around while styling your hair!
We will be picking 2 lucky winners this month, so be sure to enter our drawing today!
Stars like Ellen Barkin, Posh Spice, and Katie Holmes are famous for their chic bobs.
Deborah and I had been toying with the idea of cutting our hair like for a while. So,once we got out hair out from under our winter caps, we both decided to take the plunge!
In case you all didn’t know, Glam Gal Deborah lives in Toronto, Canada and Glam Gal JoJami lives in Delaware, so we rarely see each other. We just skype.
Deborah before
JoJami before
Deborah: “I’m really thinking of cutting my hair! I’m stuck in a rut and I keep getting the same cut over and over.”
JoJami: “I know what you mean… actually I have been trying to wear my hair longer now for the last 6 months, and its driving my crazy!! I just end up wearing it in a french twist all the time. I really want to cut mine too.”
The next day…
JoJami: “Guess what I did…. I got it cut!!”
Deborah: “Oh my gosh, I love it! Hold on, I’m making an appointment right now!”
Here’s the outcome…. We are thrilled with our new easy to style chic new cuts!!
Deborah after
JoJami after
Why not try one of these celebrity hairstyles to look Fabulous after 40!
More from the More Reinvention Convention:
As every woman knows, “It’s all about the hair”! When your hair is giving you problems the answer is Edris. (pronounced Ee-dris)
While attending one of the many breakout sessions at the recent More Reinvention Convention we were fascinated with the gorgeous and exotic hair stylist to the stars named Edris. After watching her transform exercise expert Pamela Peeke, who’s hair went from distracting to delightful, we tracked her down for our own private consult.
The result were some great tips. Here they are:
Deborah: Edris, If you could give our readers one great hair tip, what would it be:
Edris: Women always come in with pictures of celebrities and want the same hair cuts. The problem is most women don’t realize that most of the styles you see on celebrities won’t necessarily look good on you. Make sure you find a stylist that will take in account your own personal style, your face shape and hair texture.
JoJami: Does it matter how you dress when you go to get your hair cut?
Edris: Thats another mistake I see women make. Some get all dressed up for their appointment and others show up in their sweats. Your hairdresser needs to see you in what you usually wear, so they can match your hairstyle to your lifestyle. Make sure you wear the style of outfit that you want your hairstyle to match.
Deborah: Edris, I was thinking of cutting my hair into the popular new Bob style, like Victoria Beckham. What do you think?
Edris: OOOH, you have gorgeous hair… yes, Absolutely, the Bob is back, and you would look great in it.
JoJami: What about my hair?
Edris: I love your hair… but you need some trimming. It’s a little long. Cutting your hair will give your face a lift.
JoJami: Thanks for the tip, I will be coming to see you soon! This has been great!
Are you a potential Glam Gal?? Kind of a half baked cookie that looks pretty good for her age, but with a few more minutes in the oven, you could be, oh SO much more YUMMMY!!!
Think it’s too much work to go that extra mile. Then think again.
Here are 7 simple things you can do to take 10 years off in 10 minutes, and make you look Fabulous!
1. Lower your Neckline
An easy way to turn back the clock a few years is to open up your neckline. Steer clear of tops and t-shirts that sit at the collarbone and opt for lower rounded necklines and v-necks. Another great option is to try a wrap top which will create the illusion of sexy. If you find that too low, just add a camisole to peek out at the V neck. A chunky necklace also helps to fill in the bareness.
2. Layer Your Hair
Want to keep your hair long, but don’t to look like you are desperate to hang onto your youth. Then try this simple tricky. Layer your hair. Too many older women with long hair wear it dead straight like they are still in high school. Follow the lead of celebs like Terri Hatcher, Cindy Crawford, Goldie Hawn, Jaclyn Smith and Renee Russo and add a little bounce with a good cut and a few layers to frame the face and create volume.
3. Get Rid of the Glitter
What is it about some women that makes them want to light themselves up like a Christmas tree- even during the daytime? We’re talking about those 40+ gals that go overboard with glitter and sparkles thinking shiny will make them look young. Maybe this really is a problem that comes with declining eyesight after 40??? Whatever the reason, we encourage you to look a little closer. Too much flash can really age a gal. If you want to sparkle, do it with your jewelry, and keep the glitz on your garments to a minimum.
4. Forgo the Frosted Make up
Some gals who would never wear glittery clothes think nothing of frosted make-up. But you know it’s really the same thing. And it’s no help that the makeup companies, just love to put frost in everything from eye shadow to blush to lipstick to bronzer. Although it can be tempting to wear frost, be forewarned… Frosted eye shadow, really shows up all the little fine lines and creases. If you must, just dab it on right below the brow, for a nice evening shimmer, but other than that, you’d be smart to steer clear.
5. Pass on Small Prints
Conjure up an image of a little dowdy little old lady and you probably visualize a granny in a tiny flower print dress. Small prints (especially ones with little flowers) can look really matronly. And, if you have some meat on your bones, small prints will make you look really fat too. Got the picture??!!
6. Pass on Pearl and Gold Buttons
We know a lot of you are attached to your favorite old cardigans with the pearl buttons and shiny gold buttons, but these look old fashioned and too conservative for a true Glam Gal. Instead opt for sweaters with modern plain flat buttons. And don’t forget you can always replace buttons too. A beautiful button on a plain sweater can create a knock-out look.
7.Exfoliate, Exfoliate, Exfoliate
So easy to do and so often overlooked, exfoliating your skin can make dull aging skin glow! Once a week will keep your skin looking fresh and flawless. We love Estee Lauder’s Idealist Micro –D Deep Thermal Refinisher. It heats up on your skin creating a warm sensation and leaves you skin dramatically radiant. It’s an at home alternative to microdermabrasion and makes you feel like you’ve shed mask.
Patsi Krakoff of The Blog Squad (our blogging coach) hit on a very important point about looking fabulous after 40 when she responded to our post Long Hair on Older women – Sexy or Silly?
She said “Hi gals! I’ve had long hair all my life and it wasn’t until 60 that I started wearing medium length hair-same style only shorter. I’m 63 this week and I still get compliments on my hair. The trick is to stay healthy through exercise and diet-your hair is evidence of your health inside. Shoulder length hair seems to work best for me these days, or slightly above.”
Can you believe she is 63? She looks more like 36! As much as we love fashion and beauty and take great joy in helping you to dress to look your best, there is nothing we can do to really make you look fabulous after 40 if you don’t put the time and energy into taking care of yourself.
A tube of lipstick or the latest handbag and shoes can never make-up up for dry skin, dull hair lackluster eyes and a tired overweight body – all signs of too much junk food and lack of exercise.
Make-up artist Bobbi Brown, who is about to turn 50 put it best when she said, the key to looking beautiful as we age is not what you put on your face, but rather how you care for your body. It’s about (how you’re) eating,” she says. It’s about exercise more than anything else.”
Another of our subscribers who positively glows is further proof of this.
Donna from New Jersey sent us this picture of her with her beautiful long dark hair and wrote:I am 43 and I don’t have any real secrets for looking Age-mazing™.
I walk religiously, am conscious about what I eat, wear sunscreen, and stay away from cigarette smoke.
Again, all good healthy habits to keep you looking vibrant. Then being fashionable after 40 is the icing on the cake!
Christopher Hopkins, “The Makeover Guy” has it right when he says it’s really not about age.”It’s a combination of how young you appear, hair quality, and whether longer hair looks good on you at all, regardless of age. If you’ve never looked good in long hair, you likely never will. But if you’ve always had long hair and it’s still holding out pretty well, meaning it’s thick and shiny and can be worn without a lot of what looks like work, then likely you can still wear it well.”
So true! Nothing worse than seeing a gal with scraggly long hair, trying to hang onto her youth by wearing long hair just for the sake of long hair. On the other hand, we can think of a handful of clients and plenty of celebs over 40 who look stunning with long hair.
Long hair can look Sexy, but be forewarned. You need lots of time and money for all the super high maintenance involved. Just look at the celebs who are LONG on style!
Christie Brinkley
Sandra Bullock
Michelle Pfeiffer
Cindy Crawford
Elizabeth Hurley
Iman
Jaclyn Smith
Terri Hatcher
Jayne Seymour
Marcia Cross
Demi Moore
Renne Russo
Meryl Streep???
No, Meryl would probably look better shorter!Didn’t she look great in The Devil wears Prada?
But not too short-ouch Diane Lane!What happened?? Don’t get carried away.Too short can be aging too!
Are you over 40 and looking fab in long hair? We’d love to see your picture. Email us at info@fabulousafter40.com
Amidst a big cloud of aerosol we’re catching our breath, having just got back from seeing the latest Hollywood hit movie, Hairspray. Thank goodness, we don’t have to spend hours teasing our locks into mountains of rolling hills like those gals did.
Obviously they didn’t have the active lifestyle we enjoy today. It just wouldn’t be practical to go to all the trouble of lacquering up our hair, only to have it deflate after a hot yoga class!
Whether you liked Hairspray or not, there were some great lessons to be learned about what hair should NOT BE LIKE in 2007! Avoid Hairstyles that are:
1. Too Poufy
40 years later and there are still some women living in a time warp who can’t resist the heavily teased look that ages you more than any other thing. While we are moving away from the long dead straight look that has been so popular over the last few years, (and thank goodness for that because it only looks good on you if you are 21 with perfectly unlined skin), be cautious about teasing. A little at the sides to add some volume to a thin face is o.k. or a touch at the crown to give your hair some oomph, and that’s it. A good blowdry with a volumizing product should elimate the need to tease altogther. However,if you must tease, tease only a touch to make your hair look like it’s got a bit of body and wave, not to make it look stiff and sky high.
2. Too Stiff with Hairspray
Watching John Travolta play Mrs. Turnbladt with that stiff helmet hair gave us a good giggle. With the shelves amuck with product it’s hard to know what to use to get that hold, but to look natural. Right now Deb is using a pump (Pantene pro-v for extra body and I’m using aersol(Final Net-my old standby). Our The best tip for a natural spray is to flip your head upside down and spray hair from underneath. It not only adds tons of volume, but it also keeps hair from appearing stiff or sticky.
3. Too Bleached
A lot of women assume the blonder they go, the younger they will look. Not always the case. Michelle Pfeiffer is a gorgeous gal and she’ d look like a goddess even if she had orange hair, but the ultra blond shade she wore in this film made here look washed out and much older than she normally does. She looks good here in this touched up photos but on screen she looked quite pasty and worn out. We couldn’t help thinking how much younger her real life sandy colored,soft blonde highlighted hair makes her look.
4. Too Short
When many women become moms, they get the infamous short “mommy cut” and wear their hair that way long after the kids have left home. While short hair can look stunning on some gals with great bone structure (think Sharon Stone), short hair makes many 40+ women look harsh matronly like Miss Wimpey, (the teacher) in Hairspray. If you are looking for a change, try a nice gently layered cut to the shoulders or just above. This style promises to soften your features and play down your fine lines.
5. Full of Thick Highlights
At one point in the movie, Tracy’s hair goes wild with terrible fat, overdone highlights. Highlights are great, if they look natural and add some shine and light to your hair. But these streaky skunk stripes look silly. You might be able to pull it off as a funky twenty something but they will not make you look youthful after 40+ like some gals think.
We were just chatting about W ’s latest article on gray hair which proclaims:
“Once the hallmark of sweet old grannies, gray hair is now being embraced by women with a daring streak”.
Suddenly gray hair is chic. We know that growing gray is not for everyone, but it was fun to see a major fashion magazine go to bat for those women who dare to bare the gray.
But just because you’ve decided to go au naturel, doesn’t mean you are off the hook maintaining a stylish appearance. Graying gracefully can actually mean more work.
Gray hair is naturally dull, dry and coarse so you really need to use clarifying shampoos and deep conditioners to keep it looking soft and shiny. And since your hair becomes such a major focal point , you need to keep it crisp and trimmed, and neat at all times.
You also need to devote extra time and attention to your make-up. Fashion journalist, Laurn Ezersky warns, ” Gray hair can look haggy if you don’t wear makeup and look put together”
Here are a few make-up tips for those of you who have decided to join the “Silver Foxes” Club.
Start with a sheer to medium foundation and a dab of powder. As your hair grays so does your skin. It becomes pale, spotty and uneven, so you need foundation to create a smooth base.
A good undereye concealer is a must for women with gray hair.
Make sure eyebrows are well defined with a light pencil. Don’t use black. It’s too harsh.
Keep blush very soft and subtle. Just a sweep of color, otherwise you’ll look old and hard.
Lipstick is key to adding life to your face. The best shades are soft pinks, roses, and peaches. Stay away from anything that screams bright, or anything that is too dark.
Also avoid brown/neutral shades which are too dull and muddy.
Eyeshadow -We love make-up artist Bobbi Brown’s advice on this. She says: “I recommend grays, slates, and white for the eyes, which offer a sleek and sexy look without too much drama.” We’ve found that very soft pink can also work well with gray eyeshadow.
If you are still on the fence about going gray, More Magazine had a wonderful diary of one woman’s six month journey to “get back to her roots”, so to speak.
We also found a great book you should check out called Going Gray Looking Great. It covers everything to do with style and beauty for gray haired women.
It isn’t easy going gray, but the results can be stunning!
Just before I went on vacation I freshened up my hair with some blonde highlights. I knew that even a day outside site seeing in the hot Mediterranean sun would bleach out my blonde hair, so I took a big hat and wore it everywhere I went.
If your answer is “YES”,then you’ll be able to relate to this week’s Blooging Boomers Carnival.
This month’s FREE Give Away ~ is a wonderful new hands-free blow drying device that Deborah and I just started using, and LOVE!
Tired of coloring your hair and just want to go natural?
Find out more about this and other Boomer related topics on this week’s Blogging Boomer’s Carnvial being held over at: 
Deborah before
JoJami before
We were just chatting about W ’s latest article on gray hair which proclaims:
