How to Look Younger

Want to turn back the clock? Defy your age? Unfortunately, there is no fountain of youth. Until it's discovered, we have to rely on alternative methods to achieve a more youthful appearance. Don't let your skin, hair and clothing betray your age. Besides plastic surgery, there are several things you can do to look and feel years younger if you give them a try.

By testing some skin care routines and finding out what works best with your skin type,  you can learn what you should and shouldn't be doing to reduce your pores, even out your tone and look younger. Start with the basics; skin care, and makeup tips. Here's how:

Maintain Your Skin

You already know that you should be using sunscreen and following a skin care regimen, but do you do it? Learn from others' mistakes. Applying sunscreen and avoiding the sun's strong UV rays are preventive measures that many women don't think of until it's too late. Start today by using a foundation with SPF and you've begun preventing fine lines and wrinkles that you will fret over in just a few short years.

You should determine your skin type and find a moisturizer for the daytime and nighttime hours. It's confusing with all of the products available but don't be reluctant to try a few. Alpha-hydroxy creams can be very effective in reducing fine lines and are easily found over-the-counter.

A daily anti-wrinkle cream is fabulous for a quick moisturizer after washing your face and should be light enough to wear underneath your makeup. Some creams can actually reverse lesser signs of aging on your face. (Tip: use it on your neck and upper chest area too.) However, they won't do much more than that. For heavy-duty work, opt for a nighttime cream. Not sure what to try? Find a product that you're interested in and look up reviews online. Be careful though, to make sure that the reviews are not "plants," or not written by people paid to post good reviews to promote a specific line of products.

Skin Resurfacing

Besides expensive laser treatments, a chemical peel is a topical solution that will get rid of dead skin cells on the surface and allow new skin to regenerate. This should help erase wrinkles, get rid of mild sun damage, and improve the texture of your skin. You can have this done professionally or buy an over-the-counter chemical peel kit with glycolic acid  to use at home. Follow instructions carefully! They're not for everyone.

Microdermabrasion is another skin resurfacing method that can be done in a spa, physician's office, or at home. It is effective by exfoliating your skin, thus, removing dead skin cells. The treatment is not painful, though it may cause a small amount of soreness. Results may be immediate but microdermabrasion should be done on a routine basis for a more youthful appearance.

Makeup Tricks

The techniques you used for applying your makeup should change as you get older. What worked well years ago will no longer be attractive if it accentuates skin problems that accumulate. To even out your skin tone, apply foundation lightly so it doesn't settle into lines and wrinkles. You can avoid using loose powder but if you insist, brush it on lightly. Remember to blend foundation into your neck so you don't appear to have a "mask" on.

Tinted moisturizer can be used instead of foundation. It's lightweight and provides sheer coverage that looks more natural. Not only that, many come packed with goodies for your skin such as SPF, retinol, vitamins,  and the perfect tint of skin color. Dewy goodness!

Frost eye shadows can enhance wrinkles, so use sparingly. This doesn't mean you're stuck with boring matte colors, many brands have addressed this problem with gorgeous shimmer shadows that don't have a tendency to fall into the same creases that you're trying to hide. Look for product lines that are specifically formulated to make women look younger.

Most women show age around their eyes first. Now here's a little secret.  It's not just fine lines and wrinkles developing. It is thinning eyelashes and brows. It happens so slowly that you may not be able to pinpoint exactly what has changed. This may just be it. Address the problem accordingly. If your lashes are thinning, use volumizing mascara and perhaps try false eyelashes in bands or loose lashes. Eyebrows can be filled in with a pencil or eyebrow powder. Brow wax or gel can help blend and keep them in place.

Ready for summer? Find some good, old-fashioned rouge. You can rub it in gently on you nose, forehead, chin and cheeks to restore a youthful glow. If you use a sunless tanning lotion, this is a great finishing touch for a sun-kissed look. You'll have an instant glow, without the sun damage.

Eat Healthy

Our bodies don't need all of the food we ate in our youth. Metabolism slows down as years pass, so it's time to eat healthy and keep indulgences to a minimum. If you haven't done so already, begin reading labels and you will discover small things that you didn't know; like what foods are packed with fat, sugar, and sodium, and what's really not so bad. Your skin, hair, and nails will look better, and you'll feel healthier as well. In the process, you'll probably shed some unwanted pounds and be able to wear clothes you couldn't imagine wearing before.

Hairstyles

Today's society isn't near as uptight. Thanks to fine actresses and models, we're not stuck in a cliché of how we should look at any age. Long or short, you can color your hair and wear it in whatever style you like. Trendy hairstyles can look good on just about anyone as long as it flatters their face. Since hair tends to get darker with age, add some highlights to frame your face.

Updos, ponytails and French braids are youthful styles to try, but they may show some gray hair you'd rather not reveal. To remedy this you can wear these styles after a fresh application of hair color, use instant color, or learn to live with it. It may not be as noticeable as you think.

Fashion Secrets

Dress to impress! You don't have to be a fashion diva to look younger. You can use today's fashion trends to your advantage. It's surprising how many clothing styles can actually flatter the figure of an older woman. Low to mid-rise jeans are not only comfortable, they can reduce the appearance of belly bulges. Jeans and shirts in stretchy fabrics such as Lycra give you some slack where you need it the most. If you buy the correct sizes, you can look 10 lbs. slimmer.

The latest trends in shoes and accessories are not off-limits to a woman over 40. Shoes that look formidable can actually be comfortable. Just try them on to find a pair that you like. Use jewelry to your advantage and draw the eye away from problem areas. Selective chunky jewelry is popular for women of all ages and are perfect to add style and a splash of color.

Take care of your mind and soul. It doesn't matter how good you look if you feel years older. Use your spirituality to nurture your soul and you'll gain a more positive outlook on life. There's a fine line between trying too hard and really looking younger. It's up to you to find that line, don't cross it, and you'll fool even the most intuitive people.

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