Style and beauty after 40. Last week I started to tackle the sometimes overwhelming feat of DIET AND EXERCISE AFTER 40 and just trying to be healthy in general when it feels like your body is against you.

Diet and exercise can’t be everything, right? Of course it’s important, but sometimes what we really want to talk about is a new haircut or a fabulous new outfit. That’s nothing to be ashamed of. When you are working hard, working out and doing your best to eat well (most of the time anyway) then what’s a better way to show it off than by getting your hair done or putting on your favourite outfit?

I also believe that diet and exercise go hand in hand with style and beauty. What you eat affects your skin, that’s a big part of beauty and dressing your body well and being happy with it is directly related to exercise. We can pretend otherwise, but that’s just the way it is.

STYLE AND BEAUTY AFTER 40

STYLE

One traditional piece. Since the 40s are such a transitional, time I think that it’s best to stay away from purely traditional pieces because at this point in your life, they will start to age you. When you are in your 20s or even early 30s, your youth makes everything you wear look younger. As you start to get older, it’s important to look at what your clothing is saying about you. Sure, there might be room for that lady-like twin set, but rather than paring it with with a classic pencil skirt and simple pumps, take that same skirt shape and choose a leather one over a wool. The idea is to weave in an edgy accent. I think back to my grandmother who was very stylish and mixed the perfect string of pearls with an elegant suit and she looked fabulous, but she was also in her 70s.

Perfect Your Casual. Casual can actually be tough because either it’s kind of frumpy (as in I’m wearing a pair of sweats and an old t-shirt while I write this) or it’s too young (still have those barely there shorts that you can’t bear to throw out). In your 40s, I think it’s all about finding that happy medium. Shorts and a t-shirt are fine but try taking one of them up a notch.

• If you opt for a pair of jeans (a staple for most of us), then pair them with a fun top that has a great print or even a really sharp button down in a vibrant colour.
• The fabric you choose will also make a difference. Materials like chiffon, cashmere or even jersey have a dressier feel than a simple cotton.
• You can also try adding a really pretty cardigan with feminine details to counter the casual feel of your jeans.
• Love a skinny pant or leggings, but don’t want to be too casual? Then simply pair them with a longer tunic. Just make sure that you aren’t hiding your body beneath it.
• When it comes to skirts, make them more casual by adding a less-fitted top and casual footwear. A fitted or pencil skirt will look great with a loose sweater. I also like pairing a colourful tee with an a-line skirt.

Silhouette Comes First. I’m always a believer in clothing that fits, but as we get older I think that your silhouette is even more important. It’s the overall effect of how your clothing looks and how it shows off your body before going into the finer details. The goal (always) is to look effortlessly chic. Know what lengths look best on you and will flatter your body the most. Know what shapes look best on you and will create the illusion of the shape you want.

Keep It Current. While you certainly don’t want to dress head to toe in the latest and greatest trend (and certainly not if it doesn’t fit you), wearing some trendier clothing is a good idea. Nobody wants to look old, right? Wearing out of date pieces will do just that. So go ahead and get those on-trend jeans, but pair them with a higher-end blazer, so you don’t look like the 20 year old who just stepped out of the next change room. Just don’t be too serious, because your clothing should always be fun.

Spend Your Money Wisely. When you are in your 40s you should know what looks good on you and looking uber chic should be a goal. Don’t be afraid to invest in some fabulous pieces.

• Classic denim. You know those jeans that look like they were made for you, that show off your curves to absolute perfection and make you feel like a million dollars? Buy them.
• Anything cashmere. Cashmere is a fabric that always looks sophisticated, but not all cashmere looks good, so pick finer blends.
• Silk blouse. A blouse is the perfect standby when you are in a pinch. You can wear it for a business meeting or with jeans.
• Blazer. Well, a great blazer you’ll probably wear forever, so enough said.
• Coat. Unless you live in a place where there is endless sunshine and warm temperatures, chances are you’ll be reaching for that coat more often than not. Buy it.

Use makeup as an accessory. Yes, you read that correctly. Makeup can easily age you. (Read: Beauty Mistakes That Make You Look Older). Sometimes all you need is a great lipstick, or seductive eyes. I find that as I get older, I like to use less makeup. Some mascara and a red lipstick are all I need to make a bold yet classic statement.

BEAUTY

Skin. The fine lines and sun spots that might have started creeping in during your 30s are probably more apparent now and your skin probably isn’t bouncing back as quickly after a night out. SPF should already be a regular part of your daily beauty routine, but now is the time to start looking into products which contain retin-A (this will help slow the breakdown of collagen and help with skin cell turnover which diminishes the appearance of wrinkles). This is also the time to start frequenting a dermatologist for regular facials. Not only are they a great stress relief, but having one that’s tailored to your skin will do wonders for your complexion, now and into the future. Learn to love a highlighter, a few drops on the tops of your cheek bones and under your brows will instantly lift and brighten your face. When looking at foundations, choose luminous lightweight formulas and opt for a loose powder to tone down shine.

Eyes. Now that you are doing regular eye masks, makeup can also go a long way to conceal the beginnings of crow’s feet. A tap of concealer on the outer corners of your eyes will make them look more awake and will hide the beginnings of fine lines. This is the age when your lids start to droop. A lash curler coupled with a lengthening mascara will help open up your eyes, giving you a more youthful look. Although you probably want to stay away from frosted colours, a little bit of shimmer never hurt anyone. Look for a soft bronze palette to create a seductive smokey eye. It will look sophisticated and bring out the whites of your eyes. Most importantly, keep those brows full and well groomed.

Cheeks. Many women notice that their skin becomes more dry as they enter their 40s, so look for a cream blush and bring some colour to those cheeks for a fresh and radiant glow.

Lips. Since the skin on your lips is very thin, it starts to show age by losing its fullness and colour. Never shy a away from a lip colour you love, just be smart with your application. A liner will go a long way to help define your lips and will give lipstick staying power. Rather than creamy textures or mattes, opt for a stain which won’t feather and top it off with a gloss or moisturizing balm (with SPF of course).

Hair. You may notice the texture of your hair is changing, so this is a good time to have a sit down with your stylist. Look for shampoos and conditioners that will help add volume and revitalize your hair. Hide unwanted grey’s by adding highlights as they will give your mane more dimension. Words like texture and movement should be entering your hair vocabulary now. Ask your stylist to create soft waves or side swept bangs to highlight your best features.

HAIR

HAIRSTYLE DOs (keep in mind there are exceptions to all of these points)

Face flattering medium to short styles. All one length hair that’s parted in the center can drag our features down and highlight facial asymmetries. Cuts that have some layers or that frame your face act like a natural face lift and can highlight your best features.

CUT IDEAS

• A choppy or wavy bob will create movement around your face and elongate a long neck. Adding bangs will give your style more fullness, but this is a cut that can look great on pretty much every face shape.
• A layered bob is more classic, but won’t require a lot of work in the morning. It can be longer or shorter, depending on your face shape.
• Asymmetrical cut. Long in the front and short in the back or longer on one side and shorter on the other, an asymmetrical cut will look modern and edgy.
• A lob (shoulder to collarbone) is slightly longer than bob and perfect for those that can’t quite give up their long locks, but still want a change.  Great for all types of hair, wear it parted to one side or with a wispy fringe or even fine curtain bangs. This is definitely a very versatile cut.
• Of course, you can still wear a cut that’s shoulder length or longer, even just make sure that you are getting long layers which will add lift and shape to your hair. The key is to not hide behind your hair, but rather let it show off your collarbones and decolletage.

Also Read: BEST HAIRCUTS FOR YOUR FACE SHAPE

Soft unstructured styles. Beware of any style that’s too overdone and too perfect. Clean and sleek is always okay, but if you find that you are using half a bottle of hair spray each time you leave the house then this type of style will simply be aging you. Cases like this always remind me of my grandmother. Although she was a very elegant woman, she was representative of a time when you wore rollers, sprayed your hair within an inch of its life and it stayed exactly like that until your next wash.

Complexion flattering warm tones. There absolutely might be exceptions to this point, but generally cool tones will be harsher against your skin, while warmer ones will bring out the colour in your complexion.

Recently, I went home for a visit and met up with a high school friend. The first thing I noticed is just how fabulous she looked. Her hair was modern and her naturally blond hair was an absolutely stunning colour. The effect was that she looked sophisticated, vibrant, fresh and all ’round amazing. After all, that’s exactly what your hair should say about you and how it should make you feel.

The question you should be asking yourself at the end of all this is, how does it make you feel? And really that’s what this is all about. Rather than overthinking it and wondering if you or shouldn’t wear something, the first and only question is how it relates to your feelings. If it feels good and you really love it, then make it work for yourself.

Continue the Conversation on FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM

IF YOU ENJOYED THIS ARTICLE PLEASE SHARE IT

AND JOIN MY FREE LIBRARY