It's an age-old question, quite literally. Should women of a certain age grow old gracefully or seek modern-day cosmetic tricks to help them hold back the tide of time? Naturally, we all have to come to terms with ageing at some point in our lives. But while some women will love turning 40, others loathe getting older. Some see age as an asset, but to others it's a liability. So is there equilibrium? Maybe, says Regina Jere-Malanda as she explores some dos and don'ts of ageless beauty.
Before critics get their knives out, New African Woman would like to categorically emphasise that there is nothing wrong with looking your age! But again, nothing should stop anyone from searching for the elixir of ageless beauty if that is what they want. The problem arises when women feel pressurised into looking younger, as Charla Krupp (the American writer and former beauty editor at Glamour magazine) appears to do in her book How Not To Look Old, in which she recommends that to counter discrimination in the workplace and in society in general, older women should not bother with political solutions but try and look younger. "Aging sucks" is her mantra.
But whether a woman wants to look or feel younger than they really are should really be a matter of personal choice. However, recommending sensible and healthy measures on how to achieve that timeless-beauty look does no harm unless imposed on an unwilling target. For us black women, we are always surrounded by graceful, ageless beauties from as far back as the days of Cleopatra in Egypt to today's array of famous gorgeous black women worldwide.
Black Don't Crack
With an age range of between 35 and 75, Tina Turner, Iman, Winnie Mandela, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Sade, Diana Ross, Beverly Johnson, Vanessa Williams, Tyra Banks, Halle Berry and many more are not only considered some of the most beautiful black women, they also exemplify ageless beauty. In Afro-speak they are the embodiment of "Black don't crack", a term commonly used to describe why most black people naturally look younger than their true age. As the first black woman to grace the cover of Vogue back in 1974, beauty mogul Beverly Johnson, who now runs her own self-named empire of Afro hair and beauty products, says of her ageless beauty: "I've always looked at my career as a business. I feel that we are a generation that embraces age, as opposed to just giving up."
Italian actress Sophia Loren, who is revered as the embodiment of timeless natural beauty, once attributed the secret of her inimitable beauty to "a love of life, spaghetti and the odd bath in virgin olive oil".
The practice of bathing in olive oil dates back to her Roman ancestors. Sophia Loren has never had plastic surgery. Early in her career, she was urged to have her nose done, but she declined, and she has continued to reject the notion that women must mould themselves to fit some unnatural ideal of beauty. Hear! hear!
But we black women are in luck when it comes to youthful looks, fewer skin flaws and imperfections. This is mainly thanks to Mother Nature. Our pigmentation and the amount of melanin in the skin go a long way in keeping us looking youthful with age. This is why it is very important not to tamper with our natural pigmentation through dreadful skin-lightening products.
But in this contemporary age of advanced cosmetic fads and technology, in which the majority of us black women are willing participants, what is the best way to everlasting and youthful beauty? In a random order, New African Woman has rounded up some of the much-talked-about dos and don'ts of ageless beauty.
The Dos and Don'ts of Ageless Beauty
Stay current and comfortable: Make-up shouldn't be used to mask your flaws, but to enhance your best features. Try finding a fresh, modern beauty look that you feel comfortable with, as long as it doesn't date you.
Have an open mind: Ageing is often associated with hanging onto old and deep-set views. Open up to new ideas, new lifestyles and appropriate fashion trends. You do not have to like everything new, but keep your mind open to other fashion ideas than the ones you have held on to for years.
Keep up to date: If your hair, clothes and make-up haven't changed in a decade, they become an easy giveaway to your real age. Keep up to date with a youthful but appropriate look.
Good posture: This is not only a health ideal, but the right posture also makes you look taller, slimmer and reflects how confident you are in yourself. Experts say a person with low self-esteem will usually exhibit poor posture--a slouching or curving back, for example.
Have a great hairdo or haircut: Have your hair done properly. Bad or mediocre hairstyles are a no-no when you are at a certain age. Avoid DIY styles. If you can afford to, get a good, top-of-the-range hairdresser. And if your hairdresser looks out of fashion or only does hair of people of certain age, find a new one.
Choose a hairstyle that suits your face and your age. A general rule for women 'of a certain age' is to keep hair shoulder length or shorter. Braids are always a great do. There is no harm keeping your hair modern and following current trends--appropriately though.
Make an effort: Try your best to look good, to take care of your skin and pamper your body. The end result will have an effect not only on your looks, but also on your spirits, mood and self-esteem. Have a positive attitude: Always think and tell yourself that you are beautiful and act as such. It will show!
Avoid looking too trendy: Don't try to dress totally inappropriately for your age. Observe what younger people are wearing and adapt it to your age and personal style. You can wear almost anything as long as it's appropriate, fits you well and suits your body.
Pick up a fashion magazine: Read one occasionally to get the basic idea of what's new and youthful, yet age appropriate. Be open minded to new styles and ideas, but don't feel you have to fit in. Note what celebrities your age are wearing: What do they wear in their real lives? There are many celebrities in their forties and over and they all look fabulous, on and off the red carpet.
Hot wardrobe: Always have one hot, popular item in your wardrobe at all times. Whether this is an item of clothing or an accessory, you will appear as if you're keeping up with the times without spending a fortune.
Buy and wear a bra that fits properly: Where possible, get measured to know your perfect fit and size. Sags and bulges just ruin any beautiful look.
Don't be predictable: At a certain age we tend to stick to what we know best--same shop, same style, same hair, same make-up. Try a new shopping experience and broaden your style horizons.
Wear retro differently every time: If you have a fashion item modelled on something from your heyday, do not wear it exactly the same way as it was then--that just pushes you into a time warp.
Make-up and beauty
Shape those brows: Well-groomed eyebrows open up your face and give eyes more definition. But after the age of 35, always shape them in a fuller line, as very fine brows give an ageing look. Where possible, ask a professional to shape them for you-the wrong shape can be a disaster and make you look not just stupid, but sad too.
Luscious lips? After 35, avoid dark matted or glossy lipstick. Try creamy light shades or golden hints.
Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate: This helps increase and renew fresh and younger looking skin, as well as removing dry, dull looking skin, and maintains a healthy cell turnover.
Why not try exfoliating the skin using microdermabrasion? This will help remove dead skin cells to expose the healthy and beautiful skin that lies beneath.
try a moisturiser rich in antioxidants to prevent skin damage. Regular professional facials are recommended if you can afford to.
Love your hands: Never neglect your hardworking hands as they can be the easiest giveaway to one's true age. Moisturise your hands every so often throughout the day.
Have a facelift: Yes, we said it! But holistically, that is. This includes gentle massage of the face, neck and shoulders to produce a better skin tone, reduce fine lines and wrinkles and make your face look fresh.
Don't overlook your neck: The skin on your neck may be more sensitive than on your face, but don't ignore it.
Massage in a good moisturiser. A top tip is to invest in a good moisturiser.
Maintain a good diet: Drink plenty of water and consume antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables.
Maintain a healthy weight: As we age, we tend to lose our lean muscle mass very quickly and it is replaced by fat. This slows our metabolism. So if your weight is currently over the healthy range for your height, losing weight will be beneficial to your health, your looks and how you feel.
Exercise: It is commonly accepted that as we grow older we tend to become less active physically. However, just 30 minutes of any activity a day will go a long way.
A short run, a brisk walk, simple weightlifts, etc. where possible, invest in a gym membership.
Get your beauty sleep: As important as food, water and exercise is your sleep. Have at least eight hours of sleep every day to rest and detoxify your brain. The effects of a good well-rested night trickle down to your looks the next day.
All in all, however, just as Oprah Winfrey (who has a team of hairstylists and make-up artists who keep her looking youthfully good for her age) deeply believes, ageless beauty is something we can't always buy, nip or tuck.
She states: "I have found, for myself, that the best secret to ageing is about your attitude ... I think it's how you feel about yourself at any given moment ... if you're in love with yourself, if you feel that you have something to offer to yourself, your family and the world."
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