If you’re currently reading this, then you are actively aging…YAY for that! My question to you today would be, “AS YOU AGE, WHAT ARE YOU FINDING THE BEAUTY IN THESE DAYS?”
So as you may have gathered, this isn’t going to be one of my step-by-step makeup tutorial posts. Let’s shake things up just a bit. We will be keeping on the subject of beauty, but not in the technical way a makeup artist like myself would. *I will link some of the more popular topics + tutorials I’ve written about lately at the end of this article though if you’re interested.*
This is meant as more of a reflection post – to get you focusing on what makes you truly feel beautiful – inside and out, with or without makeup! Below, I’m going to list 10 things I’ve been finding beauty in as I’ve gotten older, and would love to get a conversation started in the comment section at the end.
If you jot down a list similar to this, it will make you realize that most likely, it’s the simpler things in life that can make you feel like your best, most beautiful self! And these things may or may not have anything to do with physical products of makeup or skincare…or maybe it does…anything goes.
TL;DR
Jennifer shares Finding the Beauty in Aging
Jennifer’s product recommendations are shoppable via text links and image widgets
Finding the Beauty in Aging
How Jennifer is Finding the Beauty in Aging
- Embracing color. I used to want the neutral, white/gray, modern farmhouse vibes I see all over Instagram. Until I realized I like bold COLORS and my 8-year-old neutral house was, well, boring me. Color makes me happy – on my face and in my house! So I started by painting my ½ bathroom a glossy blue shade as you can see on my Instagram transformation reel here. It’s amazing how this one tiny room is now my favorite in the house, and now I want to paint everything!!
2. Going to concerts. Do you like concerts? In the past couple months, I’ve been to two concerts in Atlanta. One to see AJR with my son who just started college and moved out into an apartment. It made me feel super awesome that my 18-year-old was totally cool to hang with Mom to go see his favorite band! And the other concert was with 4 of my mom friends to hear The Marley Brothers. It was just so much fun road-tripping into the big city, hanging with the people I love, and singing out loud to two very different types of music!
3. Thrilled to see that the things I’ve held onto, or used to wear, come back into style. Cue the hottest trend of wearing red blush that dates back to Ancient Egyptians using crushed red ochre on their cheeks to look healthy, to using hot roller sets again to achieve big 90’s supermodel hair. I throw mine in and let them cool while I do my makeup!
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4. Cool crisp days and the leaves changing color. Being able to open my kitchen windows without the air conditioning on, and seeing the trees turn from green to bright yellows and orange, is such a thrill. After I applied my makeup this week, it never felt like it was sliding down my perimenopausal face by mid-afternoon because the humid days have left the building! Also could be because I just bought a second can of this must-have makeup setting spray. It smells amazing and locks in makeup looks like no other.
5. My 7lb papillon, Taco. He turned 11 years old this week, and he’s definitely the family favorite in the house. I love when he chooses me and my lap when I plop down on the couch after a long day. Or him staring at me lovingly from underneath my feet while I’m working at my desk from home (he really just wants cheese). Hugging a dog is the best therapy in my opinion.
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6. Accepting the idea that “Both things can be true.” I have been finding some peace by sitting in the gray area. As I’ve gotten older, I don’t want to be extreme at anything. I find some of the most beautiful people I love tend to be the listeners, the ones open to hearing both sides, whether they agree or disagree. Thinking this way has really helped me navigate this election season. (Is anyone else ready for these political commercials to come to an end?? *raises hand real high!)
7. Hair Masking. Have you ever tried a hair mask? I used to think they were bogus…until I actually tried one! And now I’m hooked. If you can take 5-10 extra minutes, once a week, I highly suggest adding one to your routine. There’s no better confidence boost than silky shiny hair. My top picks are the Money Masque by ColorWow, $45, and Olaplex Hair Perfector, $30.
8. Tuesday night dinner with my family. Ever since my 18-year-old moved out, (he’s still local however) we have set Tuesday night as “family dinner night” so that he’ll either come back home to grab a free meal – probably my homemade spaghetti – or we meet out at a restaurant. When I have all of my kids together now, it’s just the best feeling in the world. I own two of these funny oven mitts from Amazon that make cooking/baking a bit more enjoyable! (Would make a great addition to a holiday gift for someone who loves or maybe even dislikes cooking!!)
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9. Lighting my favorite candle scent. I always want my house to smell like an Anthropologie store – Expensive and cozy! My body immediately relaxes when I light one of those Capri Blue Volcano candles, $38, their store is so well known for smelling like. A good-smelling candle along with a glass of cold Pinot Grigio poured into my new Barbie gold wine glasses, $28, (they’re pink on the inside) and you’ve got a beautiful evening.
10. A good night’s sleep. This one is kind of hard to come by since my junior in high school has to be up by 5:45 am most mornings to go lift weights at school for his baseball team, which means I’m up to make sure he’s up and out on time! But hitting the bed as early as 9:30-10 pm is a real treat and makes a huge difference in my overall mood and clarity of mind the next day. I’m big on sleeping on a silk pillowcase (more gentle on hair and skin) and wearing the most comfortable silky soft pajama sets I can find from Show Me Your Mumu, $130. Is there any better feeling than taking off the day’s clothes, slipping into elastic waistband PJs, and getting your beauty sleep??
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Now I want to hear – what are you finding beauty in lately? I’m beginning to recognize some familiar names when reading the comments, and that keeps me so motivated as I write here for SAACA!
Here are a couple of popular tutorial posts you might want to check out in the meantime – How To Fix Aging Eye Makeup Mistakes and Do This To Get Airbrushed-Like Skin!
In Case You Missed It
Yesterday, Beth and Kelly shared their Family Game Night! Click the title or image below to read the article.
About The Author
I also like people that respect others, color, fun socks, athleisure and jeans for just about everywhere, retro sneakers, and of course, bright lipstick. Good face and body cream. Soft smelling aromas in everything. The fact that things don’t have to be perfect. Iced tea and no Diet Coke. Happy hour at home or out.
Love your posts!!!! What makes me happy is working in my garden, burning scented candles in winter, time with grandkids . At 80 years old I still love make up. Glad retro clothes are coming back.
Thanks for your advice!
Thanks so much Cindi – great seeing your name pop up! working in the garden is something I want to be better at because it is a wonderful feeling to see new blooms or thriving plants in my yard. my own mother is a fantastic gardener, so I’m trying to learn from her!
Nyla – I love every single thing you mentioned – we would be great friends! Specifically the athleisure and happy hour out or at home! Thanks so sharing 🙂
Nyla – I love every single thing you mentioned – we would be great friends! Specifically the athleisure and happy hour out or at home! Thanks so sharing 🙂
I too am enjoying the beautiful colors of fall. For some reason they seem so vivid this year. I think it’s because we’ve had so many days of bright sunshine lighting them up!
There’s beauty in being healthy and healthy eating. Tried a salad last night called the Farmer’s Market, and it included an array of gorgeous vegetables.
Color has always been on my list. I dress mostly in colors because I love it! My wardrobe is more colorful than my home! (I love your powder room color! Fabulous! And finally, I always find beauty in the ocean which I visited today.
thanks Nancy for the kind words about my powder room – It was so fun to see it transform. Do you live near the ocean?? That would be so dreamy! This reminds me I need to do better at having more “color” on my plate when it comes to meals – I’m not the best with vegetables but I do love fruit!
Yes, I live about 30 miles from the ocean! We try to get over there often, mainly now to take walks.
Was there again today! More bright sunshine and warm temps for the NE.
I loved this post + this question. At 62, I’ve been thinking along these lines as well. Maybe its the stage of life? Being present with my grand kids might be at the top of my list – especially when we are outside. Taking in the beauty of the creation and the weather might be a close second. I’m sitting here drinking Starbucks Toasted Graham coffee, a seasonal favorite. I went to the doctor this week and my key numbers have improved because I’ve lost weight. After that I met some friends for pickleball on a picture perfect fall day. I encouraged us to take some time after to sit and talk. So being able to move my body with out pain and feel healthy, I don’t take it for granted. Friends to play with and connect with, I don’t take that for granted either. In the last few years, I’ve found beauty in organzing my spaces and my time. This year I planted a variety of dahlias in my landscape and reaped a boundtiful harvest. Finally, my 3 sweet and precious daughter in laws have brought me great joy, each in their own way. God has been good to me!
This is the sweetest that you mention being with your grandkids and your daughter in laws – I bet they all feel the same when they’re with you! My mother in law is only 72 but has severe Alzheimers and doesn’t recognize any of us. As sad as it makes me, it has been a much needed reminder to tell the people in your life daily how much your appreciate and love them. I fear I didn’t say it out loud enough when her brain was healthy, but I now make sure I do it for my father in law who cares for her. And Sheri, my family has recently gotten into pickleball as well and I love that it makes us all gather together outdoors where no one can look at their phones bc there’s no way to do that and try to win at pickleball – ha!