You’re going to a reunion or just to lunch with some younger somethings. Maybe you just need a pick-me-up. Here are some quick tips to make you look more youthful and vibrant … quickly. Some of these tips sound a little simple and they are common sense but we forget to do them. They make all the difference, especially if you do everything at once – well, within a week.
Whiten your teeth – nothing shows your age more than a yellow, stained smile. There are many at-home whitening systems that work well. No need to visit the dentist for this one. You can get whiteners at your local discount store or online. Purchase whitening strips, hydrogen peroxide or a carbamide peroxide gel for a whiter, brighter smile in a few days. I have sensitive teeth so I prefer hydrogen peroxide but they all work well.
Use perfume – studies show that using perfume, especially if it has a citrus scent, can make people think you are seven years younger than you really are. (more on this topic in a future post/newsletter). Just put on some fresh, clean smelling perfume everyday and fool everyone … it’s our secret.
Cover up those grays – just take an eyebrow pencil to the grays for a quick fix. But, if you have time, color your hair — nothing drastic, choose two shades lighter than your natural color.
Update your hairstyle – again, nothing drastic, just a fresh cut that’s modern can make all the difference.
Get a manicure – a professional manicure can make your hands look so much younger. Hands really do show our true age. So why not have people looking at how beautiful your nails are rather than the age of your hands. It’s sleight of hand.
Get a new outfit – having something new, in style and pretty, to put on makes you feel better about yourself (not to mention makes you appear more youthful). You can really show your age with that outfit from 15 years ago. Go a step further if you have time – clean out your closet. If it’s older than two years give it to charity.
Buy a new-color lipstick – lipstick can make us feel so good. It was probably the first makeup you ever used. I know my grandmother wouldn’t go anywhere without it. Lipstick just make you feel like a girl. Treat yourself … when was the last time you bought a new lipstick?
Buy some fun jewelry – I recently went out with a friend who is in her 70’s and she had on the most fantastic costume jewelry. It really made her shine. Sometimes throwing on a bold necklace and/or earrings can just make all the difference to an outfit. But make sure it’s updated. Charming Charlie’s is one of my favorite places to get something inexpensive. They are popping up in most malls these days. But if you don’t have Charming Charlie’s there’s always Claire’s.
Give yourself a spa day – at home or at a real spa. There are lots of masks out there to give you a quick at-home tightening treatment. I like a mud mask. Give yourself a steam then a mask. Put egg whites around the eyes before your mask to help with the crow’s-feet.
Listen to music – this is something that we forget to do but it really does put a bounce in your step and a twinkle in your eye. Make an effort to shut the TV off and turn on the radio, stereo or iPod. You’ll be glad you did. Music really is soul food.
Have your eyebrows done – most nail salons offer this service. I was always a little leery about having someone else do my eyebrows. My regular nail technician kept asking me every time I was in if I wanted my eyebrows waxed. I was kind of getting a complex. But I finally gave in and wow, she really opened up my eyes. It was the best eight dollars I had spent in a long time.
