Yesterday was my “Take-care-of-me” day. My roots were soaking up jet black dye. I am not part of the grey/gray/white/silver movement. Black Roots Matter is my hair color mantra.
And now you know why it is far better for me to get my roots done at the salon when my budget allows. I am the sloppiest applier of hair dye. It took forever to scrub this off my face!
I conditioned and roller set to lessen the damage to my tresses. I also tried a new product to hide my baldness. I picked it up at Sally Beauty. It looks like a dupe for my beloved Toppik only about eight bucks cheaper. Ion Hair Building Fibers.
Same amount of product as Toppik. But at a fraction of the price. And…….
Let me tell you—the Ion product worked just as well as the Toppik did. And at a lower price point, I think this is a definite “yes” for women who are on a budget and still suffer from hair loss. I’ll be reviewing this in the very near future!
It worked! Left photo, I’m sorry but I took the photo after I filled in a bit with the Ion. Luckily I remembered to take a before pic with a bit of baldy sticking through! Right photo, all covered up. I just needed to set the product with spray and finger comb my hair.
I also ran around in the nude! No. Not my body—but my face. I’m kept a naked face to give my skin a rest! The clouds were preparing for rain, I’m off from work for three days, and I’ve nowhere to go except to take Chippy out to do his business. And it was the perfect naked face day!
Me and my naked face. Completely nude, birthday-suit visage! Why am I hiding my turkey neck from you????????
And I really want to discuss skin care for us women 60 and over. Once again, the media leaves us out of the loop and when they do add us, we are nothing more than a blip. But we are a team that needs to stick together like lash glue!
What got me started on this topic was an infomercial I saw earlier in the morning. While waiting for Bonaparte to brew the daily coffee, I turned on the TV. I was greeted with a view of Place Dauphine’s Le Caveau restaurant.
I’m telling you, most visitors to Paris are in love with the romance and the Eiffel Tower. I’m in love with Place Dauphine because of the two restaurants I get to stuff my face with great food! Le Caveau has the chairs stacked in the front. I snapped this early in the morning!
It’s a restaurant we’ve been to many times, so naturally I got all excited and started screaming and dancing and crazy!
Only I was dancing around naked–face naked, that is!
It was the old “Bait and Switch”. The beautiful Parisian scenario was nothing more than a “set up” meeting between Cindy Crawford and a Z-list celebrity to pontificate and drool over Crawford’s “Meaningful Beauty“; a skin care line she collaborated (i.e. allowed her name to be used to make mega-bucks for shilling this stuff) with a French dermatologist, Dr. Sebagh, to give women of all ages (Under 60 years old) to make their beauty as meaningful as Cindy’s. Oh. I forgot to add, other celebrities such as Debra Messing and Valerie Bertinelli also use Meaningful Beauty. Maybe they use it because they are being paid to infomercialize it.
From the “Meaningful Beauty” site. Look. It states “results will vary”. Is this a red flag or what????
I get really pissed off at these ads. When will women learn that these creams and potions will never, ever, ever, change your skin’s natural aging process. And it drives me nuts to see “before and after” pics. The “befores” have the women looking all blotchy and the lighting sucks. The “afters” are taken in better lighting, slightly filtered, and faces covered in cosmetics. Cindy Crawford’s Meaningful Beauty has nothing to do with the afters. It’s cosmetics!
Messing at 40 and 45. She looks great in both photos. Cindy Crawford’s product line had nothing to do with Messing’s 45 look. It was the lighting and make up artist!
I’m not saying potions and lotions won’t work. Temporarily, they do. And creams will hydrate. But how many times do I need to say that nothing short of plastic surgery and fillers, along with great genetics, will really, really make you look years and years younger!
Take a close look. Left pic is my cheek. Look at the crepey lines. Look at the broken capillaries. Upper right pic and you can see that gravity has taken it’s toll on my face. Bottom right I have lines under my nose and above my mouth. THIS IS THE 60 + NAKED FACE CLOSE UP and nothin’ is going to turn back the clock on a permanent basis!
The key is to keep hydrating. Like with “H Two Eau”. Drinking lots of it. All day. So you need to either be close to a bathroom or you need Depends.
Water. One of the best and cheapest ways to hydrate your skin and your body! And perhaps strengthen your bladder???
Sleep is a great beauty tool as well. We all know that when we wake up after a great and long sleep, we look better and more alive. Lack of sleep makes us look tired, drawn, and drained of any pep.
A good night’s sleep is another inexpensive and great way to take care of your skin! I need a nap!
Caveat! One product that I absolutely loved as part of my skin-care routine a few years back was Benefit’s She-laq. Originally used to “set” eye makeup from melting on those hot days, I found it was the perfect temporary face lift. I’m not kidding. I used to brush She-laq out onto the crow’s feet next to my eyes. This product tightened those lines to the point of being nearly invisible. Then Benefit went and discontinued it. Supposedly due to a bad chemical. I cried. It couldn’t have been worse than the processed food filled with ingredients that one cannot pronounce; and couldn’t have been worse than hormone-injected milk.
Hands down, this was an eyelift in a bottle. It was epic and Benefit discontinued it. I still dream of this. I’m still pissed at Benefit cosmetics for getting rid of it. I wrote them a letter and they never replied!
Back to the care of the skin.
In the morning (as well as the evening), I have a loofa-like facecloth that I use to scrub my face. That’s right. I scrub the crispy bits that fall where the bottom of my nose meets my cheeks. I scrub my mouth. Rub-a-dub-dub. My face I scrub! It’s my budget version of exfoliation!
The rough texture of this face cloth is great for sloughing the nasty bits off. I wish I could remember where I purchased this!
In the morning, I wash my face with Dove Beauty Bar. It doesn’t make my skin feel taut or tight at all. It’s a good product. In the evening, I take my makeup off with Albolene. It looks like lard and literally melts the makeup away. I always have a backup jar! And I always use my little loofa face cloth to scrub both the Dove and Albolene off for a smooth-skinned face!
I’ll gently pat my face dry and then….
Moisturize. I’m not using expensive products either. Take away the expensive packaging and the product is just about the same. It’s all temporary. I’ll take inexpensive temporary over expensive temporary.
Equate brand–the Walmart Special. No difference between this and high-end except dollars. Moisturizers are a great temporary fix to smooth the skin out before making up. BTW, even though this is NIGHT TIME cream, I use it in the daytime!
I’ve been trying out StriVectin Intensive Concentrate for Wrinkles and Stretch Marks. I received a sample from one of the vendors at work. The sample is a decent size—1 fl. Ounce and is a $40.00 value. I’ll be using it till I run out and review it. Hopefully it won’t be a dud. It’s too early to tell if the claims of the return of a youthful appearance are true.
Lots of outstanding claims on this. We’ll see–it this gets rid of the crepey skin, then it’s a miracle product. I’ll be reviewing when I run out of this sample.
After the moisturizer soaks in, I’ll apply a serum. I’m low on the Lancôme Genifique—which was pricey but I’ve had it for well over a year. I picked up Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum back in October at CityPharma in Paris. It was dirt cheap and works just as well as Genifique. It was a shock to the system when I saw this online at Sephora for $79.00. I paid 10 euros for it!
Actually, I ran out of the Genifique this morning. So it’s the Caudalie serum for now. I almost DIED when I saw the Caudalie online for $79.00. I spent 10 euros for the same sized bottle—-highway robbery!
Do the serums make me look ten years younger? Nope. But both these serums give my skin a nice glow and prep aging skin for the foundation that will go on top of the primer.
It’s important for us to be aware and realistic about our aging skin. This is even more important when we are within a certain budget.
The average woman cannot afford the face, eye and neck lifts. The majority of women are also not able to afford the luxury of fillers.
I also treated myself to a few moments of spa time with these revitalizing eye pads…
…as you can see, they are completely different looking IRL than on the box. They also burned the hell out of my skin. You can also see that they did nothing!
And that’s why skin care is important. Basically, it’s making sure your skin is clean before you go to bed and keeping hydrated. Simple. Easy Peasey! Nothing too complex and doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg.
We need to take a good look at what we do have and work with it! Fortunately, I have pretty thick skin. I guess being born with a thick skull can come in handy, but my neck looks years older than my 61 years. You take the good with the bad and buy lots of scarves!
And after a day of nudity, today I’m back to a made up face and…..
..the end result of a roller set. And I still look like an older woman. But it’s all cool because I’m happy in my skin. Whether it’s naked or made up skin. I’m ok with it!
Please forgive me if I sound like a broken record, but I get really upset with the beauty industry and their false promises of making aging skin completely youthful. I also get upset when I see celebrities (if you can call them that) endorsing products. These are women who are working in the field of entertainment and make a shitload of money. They are merely sales people for these cosmetics companies.
We average women cannot afford hundreds of dollars for one beauty cream, nor can we spend thousands on surgery.
We need to work with what we have and within our budget!!!
We older women have a lotta! A lotta life. A lotta creativity. A lotta personality A lotta wisdom! And–a whole lotta natural beauty!
So let’s get naked for a day or two and take care of us!!!
In the words of the great Al Kooper. “(Be Yourself) Be Real”!
I agree, lots of fluids for the inside, moisturizer on the outside to keep the fluids in and smooth the skin. Drugstore works just as well, if not better, than high end that’s filled with too many ingredients. Now that my skin is older and drier, I use oil at night, cream during the day. I do have to admit though, that using retinol a few times a week on my face and chest does make a difference. But I use the much cheaper Alpha Hydrox brand (available on Amazon) which works just as well as Philosophy Help Me, and is about $30 cheaper!
Just wanted to let you know, I still read every bit, but I haven’t been commenting as much because Mom has now been diagnosed with moderate-severe dementia and a lot has changed with her over the past month, which of course, affects me.
Oh Lori. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your mom. It isn’t easy. My mother had dementia and it was a challenging time to say the least. You are in my heart! XOXOXOXO!!!
I drink tons of water….I used to be a major sun worshipper….baby oil, the whole nine yards…honestly, didn’t start using sunscreen until 8’years ago
When I started getting tattooed….now I use it religiously and no linger roast myself……I looked into CC beauty line….read some of the reviews and that turned me off…..
Oh God. Don’t even remind me of the days when we all went out in the sun with baby oil and iodine. I have the Mohs surgery scar to show for it. I do miss the scent of the baby oil mixture though! I don’t toast myself either. I’m the one at the beach under the umbrella! Oh. I read some reviews about the $$$ scam with the CC line and it turned me off immediately! XOXOXO!!!
😘😘😘😘😘
I’m a huge fan of Dove – it’s all I use, everywhere! And cocoa butter for moisturiser. I should really start thinking about removing makeup at night though, I’m sure I’ll regret it in years to come.
I thought of you today when I saw a great advert with ballerina Alessandra Ferri. It was for some anti-aging cream and like you, I don’t believe they have many benefits. But it was the style of the ad I liked. She’s 52 and looked so elegant and amazing. She apparently trying to change the stigma attached to more mature women still being dancers (which is why it reminded me of you) – she’s just become the Royal Ballet’s prima again in the last few months and is all for women continuing in their passions, regardless of what the media say is ‘appropriate’.
Hi Haylee. Mom moment here. “You NEED to take that makeup off EVERY NIGHT!!!” Do you hear me?????????????????
OK. I’m finished! LOL! I’m glad that you are a Dove fan and I’m glad that you brought the Alessandra Ferri ad to my attention. I appreciate that so much! Take care of your skin starting now my love! XOXOXOXO!!!
Yes ‘mom’! 😉
I hope you can see the advert – it is on YouTube but might not play in the US as it’s for Boots cosmetics which (I think) are only UK based.
I LOVE your Cindy Crawford example (the other current one is the Christie Brinkley line). OF COURSE they look fab. Don’t forget the derms/lasers/fillers that they use. I really laugh when these ladies hawk their wares. Do they really think we actually (mentally) buy their line of propaganda. Your blog was spot on. And I give two thumbs up to Dove Beauty Bar and the Equate line. I use the Cleansing balm and love it. Love your humorously honest posts.
Hi Elisabetta! Please–that Christie Brinkley line is an absolute joke. She’s had a ton of surgery. These women are doing nothing more than exploiting other women and preying on their insecurity with their looks. It drives me crazy. I’m glad that you are enjoying the blog and the posts! (Oh..and Equate is a great line! )XOXOXO!!
Another great post Catherine – I need one of these ‘Take-care-of-me’ days!
Thanks Terry! I summon you to a “take-care-of-me-day” tomorrow! XOXOXO!!!
I must’ve inspired you with my “hair” post although you took it to a whole new level. You must spend hours doing your blog. Skin care is very, very important! I use USANA products. It’s the Sensé line. Really GOOD products.
Hi Cathy. You DID! OMG. I’m so jealous of that head of hair of yours. It’s spectacular! I do spend hours on the blog–but the hours spent are productive and fun and keep me out of trouble–LOL! Hmmm. I’m going to have to check the USANA product line out!! Thanks for the mention of them! XOXOXOXO!!!!
I do admit when I read your post that I am fortunate to wash and go! No hair products or rollers. I’m not sure what I will do about the grey movement when the time comes. My grandmother’s hair faded to a milky yellow which was not very attractive. Maybe I’ll go purple at that stage. USANA products are sold through independent associates (like me). If you’d like more info, you can email me at cathybrooks@usana.com. They deliver all over the world.
Ohhhhhhhh…I’m going to email you.XOXOXO!!!
I’ve replied to your email. Thanks.
I always enjoy your candour and humour in your posts. Nothing beats nature and nothing can cheat nature. Gentle care of one’s skin with lots of hydration still beats all the expensive potions.
Thanks Jacqueline! Transparency is something that I love when I read. I’m tired of seeing photoshop in beauty posts. Lady up and show a true before. I’m glad that you enjoy!! Gotta go now. Nature and work are calling! XOXOXOXO!!!
Well I’m feeling perdy darn good after reading your post! I’ve been doing that since college. (Kind of explains why my sister — who is 6 years younger than me — looks much older than I do. Always tickles me when I hear people say that. SHE was the beauty in the family! Does that make me a bitch?)
A catty bitch???
Lady Calen. It does NOT make you a catty bitch (is that a play on words cat/dog??–lol) It makes you the real beauty and the empowered one! XOXOXOXO!!!
Lordly, woman… I sure don’t feel very empowered. 🙁
I am with you on the hair dye – without it I have a bland pinkish chubby wee face, pale green eyes and look colourless. I would love the fantastic sweeping curtain of grey hair – but my hair doesn’t do that, it’s very fine and neither curly nor wavy – sort of between that, confused if anything. So I am having my big treat at the hairdresser this weekend – when I have the hairdo of a normal person. Then I will come home and clean the bathroom, I have such an exotic life and the normal hair will last about 12 hours but that is OK.
And yes I also agree about looking after the skin, look after it inside and outside and don’t follow trends, my skin is sensitive and goes all weird so I have learnt to ignore the trendy product and just go with what my skin tells me, I am guessing my skin would tell Cindy and her ilk to stuff off. I don’t have the swarm of attendants and quite frankly why the hell anyone would want to look that way is beyond me. I want to look goof for my age, that is good for MY age and my body and myself, I do not want to look like that – plastic, static, fawned over and quite frankly what the hell is with these women trying to pretend they are the same age as their daughters – creepy and warped or what??! Why on earth would anyone want to look as though their face never changes? I like looking 50, finally my features are working together, I no longer feel so awkward and freakish and marginal, Cindy is marginal – she is outside the norm and quite impossible for us to aspire to – even if we wanted. If anything I feel sorry that she has bought into this notion she is trying to sell and even sorrier for people that live with women who believe that schtick. .
Juliet. I love you! Seriously. You are spot on in so many ways! But I also think there is a certain amount of arrogance that Crawford, Brinkley and the like would expect women to want to look like them. We are all our own person!
Ugh. Don’t even start about the hair. It rained when I was leaving work today. Even though I put my hair up, it still got wet so it means that my hair is now in weird wavy curls in some places, straight in others and frizzy in others. My hair has multiple personalities! XOXOXOXO!!!
Those women used to annoy me, but now when I look at them I just gaze in silent wonder /bewilderment – why, why??? do people think perpetual youth is good? why oh why as people roll through life do they not gather credit for experience and why isn’t that experience valued and applauded? The assumption you have to be gorgeous for someone else and not yourself (please,make me a teenager with a weird plastic face – mmmmmm then everyone will think I am desirable and have a full life…) smacks of a desperation that if Cindi and her ilk had actually grown up, would not have.Wrinkles are good (drooping chops not so much, grey hair is OK too as it can be covered…) but really be proud of your age whatever it is – how you got there is all good, if you learnt a little from it. As for sexual appeal – surely a little knowledge is more appealing than a blank sheet and a blank face, a woman who stares back at the world and lives on her terms is more desirable than a clingy female that is unable to move through life unaided by whoever she is draped over for the moment
As for hair – if it rains my hair looks like the hairdo on a sheep, sad and not good but that is the price you pay for living in a damp climate (Glasgow, UK)
and I proper love you too hon – imagine the pajama party with a bunch of us and some red wine, I reckon we’d have the best time and be absolute besties
Juliet. It’s so true. The wrinkles are a part of who we are and it isn’t bad at all. Don’t even get me started on the sexual appeal. With age comes wisdom and intimacy is no longer the bouncy-bouncy every night. It’s a touch, or a look, or a caress. A woman doesn’t need a man to validate her life and I wish younger women would “get” that. You need to validate yourself and then move on to a life with someone else. Oh–the hair. The Northeast of the States can be just as damp as the UK–trust me! I wish we could all have a girlie PJ party. It WOULD be so much fun!! XOXOXO!!!!!
I have never understood how anyone can navigate the world of face creams/skin care. Good lord it is so overwhelming! You need soap, a toner, and a moisturizer, and good genes. My favorite moisturizer hands-down is Cetaphil – I buy it in huge tubs and use it EVERYWHERE. Then I wear something else with sunscreen during the day. And a big old tub of Vaseline can work wonders all over – I get dry patches in the outer corners of my eyes for some reason (probably allergies) and rubbing Vaseline on that soothes and heals them so much.
Also can I link to this post for my hair sisters who may not know about that Ion hair fiber? I know they like Toppik but maybe they haven’t heard of this one…
Hi Marey! Of course you can link to your blog! I’m incredibly happy with the Ion hair fibers! I’m in my phone and my apologies for not answering better but my fingers are too big for my tiny phone😘XOXO! Thank you!!!
Ok – I am in a few hair groups and will post a link in them to come check it out 😉
Thank you lovey! I shall link your wig reviews on my next “hair” post! XOXOXOXO!!!
Hmm… a good night’s sleep is good for my skin. I think I may need a little more practice. Great to have a justification for staying in bed a little longer at the weekend. 🙂
LOL. I was sleeping by 9:30 PM last night!XOOXO!!
Did you know that Cindy’s French dermatologist is also a plastic surgeon? I don’t give a fig if she’s had plastic surgery, just don’t sell my the B.S. that it’s all due to the magic melon that is an ingredient in the Meaningful Beauty line!
I love that you have a simple routine. I’ve been trying to scale back on products. I know this sounds weird, but at (nearly) 50, I’ve started thinking about what sort of products I’ll be able to afford when I’m on a fixed pension. Spending $80 on serum won’t be realistic then, so I’m trying to find a regime that works now — and will be affordable in the future.
Since I prefer to use mostly cruelty-free and natural products, this makes it easy. Why use an expensive retinol when rose hip seed oil is loaded with Vitamin A — at a fraction of the cost of the the beauty counter offerings!
Hi lumay. Yeah. I did know that Cindy’s French derm is a plastic surgeon–but I had actually forgotten about that. Thanks for refreshing my memory! LOL. There IS no magic melon. Actually the melons in France are quite tasty and I would rather eat them then apply them to my face! It’s all marketing and Crawford just makes more $$$$$$$$ off these products.
The Lancome serum is now out of my budget and the Caudalie won’t be purchased by me until I can find it in France for a few euros. I’m not paying US pricing. But tell me more about this rose hip seed oil. Now I’m intrigued!!! XOXOXO!!!
LOVE this post so much it inspired me to write (rather than just read). I have such a problem with the “celebrities” hawking products as well. Another thing to realize is that celebrities are PAID to look good — unlike the rest of us – getting fillers, surgeries, having personal trainers, etc. is part of their job — they can write off the expenses for those things that they aren’t given for free. My other beef is that the ones who “claim” the product they are hawking is why they look so good (rather than admitting fillers/surgeries, etc.) creates a standard that is impossible for “real” women to live up to – since they are all that is seen in the media – on TV, in ads, etc. they become the new “normal” of what women are supposed to look like at a certain age. Case in point — my husband and I were watching a show and a celebrity in her 50s was on it and he said “she has really aged well” and I said “well, yeh, she is paid to age well with help from surgeries, fillers, etc. and HE said “I don’t think she’s had any work done – she looks too good”. Oh my that sent me onto my soap box. I know this sounds snarky — I truly don’t care if someone has work done — just don’t want them to present like they haven’t! Okay – end of rant! I love, love, love you natural, beautiful and honest blog!
Hi Lynna! I’m so happy that my post inspired you to write a great comment. It’s always wonderful to have another friend join in the conversation around here! It’s amazing at how much people actually believe the stuff that celebrities sell–isn’t it? The new normal is just that. Normal. That’s why I love to show pics of me without anything on my face. Transparency is incredibly important to me–so does being honest. Those creams are NOT going to turn the clock back for me but they will assist me in helping to put my best face on for the day. And don’t get me started on the ads in the magazines. These companies NEED to start using NORMAL women who purchase the creams, etc. I’m with you too in the “fine if someone has work done” department. Just own up to it! Again, thanks and I hope to see more comments from you in the future. It’s fun! XOXOXOXO!!!
Thanks for this informative post, Catherine. I look forward to your review of strivechtin. I’ve heard lots about it but have never tried it. I learned many years ago from women in the modeling ‘field’ that creams and lotions made in France were always superior (as a rule).
You’ve hit on the best advice, water and naps. Also, sex is a natural anti aging elixir.
You look good! Ageless! What does 60 mean anyway? But I’ve never had good luck with drug store products except for L’oreal mascara. And I never could afford the really high end stuff, or I just didn’t want to pay that much out. Then, I found Skin Actives. Affordable, customizable, no bull skincare. No, I’m not a paid spokesperson:)!
I do love your hair curled like that, so retro, it reminds me of Liz Taylor!
Hi Jonna! Holy shit! I just received my first Skin Actives Kit in the mail and am getting ready to post about it!!!! Wow! What a timely comment! I’m so glad you like the post! WelcomeXOXIXO!!!
Amazing! I usually never post on blogs; just lurk and read. Good luck with SA; it really helped my rosacea prone skin. I still look like an older woman, of course, just a better-looking older women i.e. Much less redness, less hyperpigmentation, smoother, …….and I’m good with that! A light foundation, a little blusher, mascara, lipstick…..and off I go in the mornings. Looking back, I’m shocked at the amount of money, time, effort and angst I spent putting on makeup every morning.
I will look forward to hearing about your experience with SA.
Hi Catherine, I found you through your review of Ion on the Sally Beauty website. I have never used any hair building fibers of any sort, although I’ve had my eye on Toppik for a while. I decided to try Ion since it is a lower price point (and they have a buy 2 Ion products get one free promo right now!) I tried it for the first time this evening, and I’m wondering if it gets easier to apply? It looks really splotchy to me, like when I look up close I can see spots (like a leopard!) on my scalp from not getting the product on evenly I guess? Anyhow, I was wondering if you have any further advice, about using Ion, I could really use the encouragement!
Hi Kim!!!! I’ll be honest. ALL the hair fibers are a bit messy. There’s no way around it. But, if you place the bottle over the “spots” and concentrate on each spot and come in close to the scalp, it’ll be less messy. I also found out that if you kind of rub the product around with the bottle it’s less messy. The larger my hair loss became, the more I went through the product. That’s when I started to wear toppers..and finally wigs, which is what I’m wearing now. Come on over and read more of the posts about hair loss. I think that IOn is just as good as Toppik and other products but with more regular applications, you will find that it gets easier and you will learn to apply more evenly. Best of luck.