 Anti-Aging
Strategies
Make-Up for Grown-up Gals
Belinda Moss is a nationally renowned make-up artist who has helped
many A-list celebrities and distinguished dignitaries put their
best face forward, including Scarlett Johansson, Queen Noor, Eva
Longoria, Nora Jones, Goldie Hawn, Edie Falco and Barbara Walters.
Moss serves as the key make-up artist for top entertainment award
shows and sports events including Fashion Rocks, Video Music Awards,
Tony Awards, the Oscars, the Grammys, the Woodie Awards and the
US Open.
Moss’s Best Tips:
Face
For many mature women, increased facial hair creates havoc with
make-up. “For women with downy facial hair, I suggest using
a water-based liquid foundation only in the areas that are needed,
and lightly press into pores with a sponge until smooth.”
Eyes
To create alluring eyes, less is more. “Going lighter on eye
make-up produces a more attractive look. Shimmery shadows should
only be applied to the corners of the upper eyelids to brighten
them. Another great trick is to use brown eyeliner inside the rim
of the eyes.”
Cheeks
“I love to use cream blush on mature skin. Lancôme makes
a great cream blush called Magique; I use the shade Plum Fantasy,
often.
Lips
To discourage lipstick feathering or bleeding into tiny age lines
around the mouth, Moss recommends using concealer to the outside
edge of the lips, with a light dusting of powder to set the concealer.
Then follow with lipstick application. “Try a plum color with
a hint of brown."
Moss says careful lipstick applications guarantee long-lasting,
natural looking results. “Use a nude colored lip liner such
as MAC’s Lip Liner in Spice, and Chestnut for African–American
complexions. Line, but don’t outline your lips, and apply
the lip liner to the entire lip. To seal the lip liner, apply conditioning
balm. Never use a liner that’s darker than your lipstick.”
Do’s:
· Those “habits for a lifetime” that your mother
taught you still count. Always wash your face before you go to bed,
no matter how tired you are. Use the thickest moisturizer that your
face can handle at night to keep skin smooth and hydrated.
· Keep your lips in good condition. Moss likes Softlips
Lip Conditioning Balm (with SPF 20), which softens the lips without
making them waxy or greasy.
· Use sunscreen! Belinda’s favorite is “pHisoderm’s
Daily moisturizer with SPF 15,” a light daytime moisturizer
that works well with most skin types.
Don't:
· Over-pluck your eyebrows; a fuller brow is more youthful.
· Dramatize your whole face. Smokey eyeshadow with dark
lipstick is too much. Choose one favorite feature (lips, cheeks,
eyes) to accentuate.
· Don’t choose or use a foundation that is a shade
darker or lighter than your natural skin tone. Take the time to
find a foundation that closely matches your skin.
Dress to be Your Best…And Look Amazing!
A specialist in creating signature looks, Amanda Sanders has enjoyed
tremendous success in television, film, and print. She has styled
many celebrities, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Jamie Foxx, Rosie Perez,
Colin Quinn, and Chris Rock.
Sanders teamed with New York Image Consultants, where she brings
great style to all.
“Of course, there are exceptions to every rule,” says
Sanders. “But there are common mistakes, and making a few
simple changes in your wardrobe can take off years.”
Lighten Up
“Black is not a flattering color on most women. At least not
close to the face. Separates are fine. We use black pants and skirts,
but we like to see some color, or gentler neutrals, on top.”
Give the Mini to Your Daughter
“Skirts just below the knee are flattering, even if you’re
young. It’s business appropriate, and with a nice heel it
can still be sexy.”
Know When to Go Without Hose
A recent trend has been to go sans stockings, but mature women often
don’t “feel dressed” without pantyhose. Part of
feeling comfortable is knowing a few rules.
“You have to consider the season. Warmer weather is a given,
but you’re also going to see bare legs for evening year around,
because, obviously, sexy, open-toed shoes worn with panty hose looks
very unsophisticated. Open-toed shoes are always right for glamorous
occasions, and most people can cope with getting out of a heated
car and going straight inside. If you’re wearing pants and
want some control, hose are great. To pair pants with open-toe shoes,
buy hose that are cut at the ankle, or you can cut them yourself.”
Do chic women still wear hose? “Absolutely. But it’s
about a natural color, now. I like “Intimates” by Donna
Karan, she has a great palette for nudes and skin-toned hose. And
for the everyday, we do very well with Hanes. They make some nice
body shapers and natural colors.”
Why Throw it Out?… Aren’t These 20 Year-old
Clothes “Classics”?
“People always refer to classics that last twenty years, but
I would say ten years is more relevant,” cautions Sanders.
“And not everything works. What was a ‘classic’
in the 80’s, like a double-breasted blazer with a larger shoulder
pad, may not necessarily work now. Accessories truly can be classics.
Certain brands have staying power. A Chanel bag that you buy now
will look great in 20 years. Classically styled shoes by Ferragamo
always look stylish.”
Truth Over Trend…
Sometimes wearing something that is “in” makes you feel
youthful. “But you have to be true to yourself. Skinny jeans
are in, but they’re not flattering on most people; they look
best on women who are thin, wearing high heels and are in their
early 20’s to mid 30’s. If a boot cut looks better on
you because they balance your hips, then that’s what you should
wear, and they’ll look more youthful because it’s right
for your body.”
Quality Has Dignity…
Inexpensive clothing, made from cheap fabrics, cut to fit juniors,
with threads sticking out all over does nothing for a mature woman.
“We always stress that people buy quality instead of quantity.
It’s better to have a few great things in your closet of high
quality, than a closet full of trendy, poorly made clothes.”
Sanders Says:
· Get a Shape… “I find that as women
age, they tend to settle for boxy, shapeless clothes. Most of them
are unhappy with something about their body, and they think that
if they wear something larger, it’s going to conceal it. But
it’s really the opposite. Wear clothes that skim your figure.
There’s a lot of power in wearing the right proportions, accessories
and color.”
· Get Some Support… “I am often dumbfounded
at what people are wearing underneath. Bad bras are a common problem;
they make your clothes look awful. Women don’t seem to realize
that bras do not have a lifespan of ‘years.’ A bra can
last a year, depending on how often you launder, how many bras are
in your rotation, and if you hand-wash them or throw them in the
machine. I can’t emphasize enough what a huge difference the
right bra and underwear makes in how your clothes are going to fit
you.”
· Get a Style… “I think that women
are intimidated. You know there’s a fine line in what’s
appropriate in terms of age, lifestyle, and location, that dictates
what one can wear. Confidence is important. If you feel good, that
is going to show. Part of that has to do with being fit; feeling
good on the inside exudes on the outside. Really, even if you wear
something that other people find less than flattering, it’s
your confidence that somehow makes it work.”
· Get Straight… “Correct posture is
key. Standing up straight makes you look five pounds thinner. I
always recommend Pilates or yoga to my clients. Exercise is essential
to moving like you’re younger.”
· Get Soft… “Overdoing things, and
trying to manage all of your beauty needs yourself can lead to a
lot of mistakes. Generally, we find that people don’t have
great success with in-home hair dye. And then there’s fragrance.
I always tell people, ‘better to enter a room and leave it
unnoticed, rather than be remembered by the lingering odor of your
perfume.’ To apply, spray, and then walk into it, rather than
spraying it directly on you.”
For more information about Amanda Sanders, visit the New York
Image Consultants (NYIC) website at www.newyorkimageconsultant.com.
To find an image consultant in your area, log onto the Association
of Image Consultants International, www.aici.org
founded by Dominique Isbecque, a fellow staffer of Sanders at NYIC.
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