Celebrating Aging with Confidence and These Skincare Tips

I can honestly say that when I look at my face in the mirror, I am not thinking, “Oh, I WISH I looked like I did when I was 21.” Of course, my neck was tighter, my cheeks were fuller, and I didn’t see sunken eye beds. But, I do not care anything about going back. Because that face didn’t come with 3 amazing teenage children, I didn’t have the job I currently do (that I like a lot more than the job I had at 21), and I wasn’t married to my wonderful husband at 21. Plus, I have learned so much about proper skincare as I have gotten older!

I don’t remember where I heard this quote, but I’ve decided it’s one of my favorite ways to think about our beauty and skincare routines as we age. “It’s not about looking younger, it’s about looking your best for the age you’re at.”

Now whether you’re in your fourth, fifth, or sixth+ decade of life, you already have experienced the skin changes of more texture, dullness, and uneven skin tone that is definitely more prone to lines and wrinkles. But don’t let this get you down, because there ARE things you can do and use to revitalize your changing skin, which I’m going to share with you today.

I’ve seen incredible results with the following tweaks I’ve made in my skincare routine over the past couple of years thanks to my relationships with licensed estheticians and friends in dermatology, who I have learned from. And a lot of trial and error in my line of work as a professional makeup artist and content creator!

*Stating the obvious here, but I realize we all have different needs/wants when it comes to our skin, so keep that in mind when reading about my magic bullets. And when in doubt whether you should try what has worked for me, consult a professional.

I would describe my skin as:

Normal to dry,
I’m not super sensitive to any ingredients (throw all the acids and ahas/bhas, let’s see what happens!),
I will turn 47 next week on 1/30,
I haven’t done filler in over 2 years, and been Botox free for almost 9 years now,
I am insanely religious with my skincare routine. None of this would make a bit of difference if I wasn’t super committed.

So before that makeup is ever applied, you have to “prep the canvas” so that the paint (makeup) looks exquisite every time. Even if you’re not a pro at makeup, if your skin is VERY well taken care of, the makeup you use (despite the price tag), will just look better. Point blank.

Because I’m a to-do list girly (anyone else??) I am going to leave you all a numbered list below to follow along with and see which of these tweaks/improvements you might want to start trying to implement in your own beauty routine.

Be Consistent with All of Your Skincare

None of these products/techniques will work unless you do them consistently. And no, it’s not too late, just get started, and then stay the course. No one got a 6 pack of ab muscles by only doing sit ups once every other week.

Start Dermaplaning

Start DERMAPLANING if you’re not already. Dermaplaning is a minimally invasive treatment that can help you remove unwanted peach fuzz hair and provides significant exfoliation of dead skin at the surface level with zero downtime to it. Why do it? Your skincare will sink in and work more effectively, your makeup will go on MUCH smoother (there’s no hair or rough skin in the way anymore!), and your bare skin will have an immediate subtle glow. I don’t know about you, but I don’t like seeing my mustache when the sun hits my upper lip while I’m applying my lipcolor – ha ha!!!

True deep dermaplaning must be done in an office with a scalpel, but I have found that doing it myself at home with these #1 Amazon facial razors, is good enough for me. I use these razors about 2-3x a month, and I prefer to do it on dry skin after washing my face, but others like to use a facial oil. I’m serious about this one – it’s a game changer. Yes I nicked myself the first couple times, but after you get the hang of it, you can glide right through it and will realize how significantly better your skin surface will look.

High Tech Skincare: Red Light Therapy

Give RED LIGHT THERAPY a try. It’s not a gimmick. I was skeptical after the 3 weeks of using my Currentbody Series 2 LED mask, $469. and not feeling like I was seeing any difference in my skin. But then, I kept going daily, and after about a month into it, it started to show. Brighter, more even skin tone, and I swear, my elevens in between my brows seemed not as deep. I’ve never been more impressed by an at-home treatment like this.

I wear my mask 10 minutes a day, 5 days a week, in the evenings while I lay in bed before I go to sleep (with clean makeup free skin). You’ll be doing the most for your skin, by doing the least. See me wearing it in action on my Instagram here. (come follow along with me there too if you’re not already!)

Skincare Heroes: Retinol + Vitamin C

Add in a RETINOL at night, and a VITAMIN C in the morning to your skincare routine. These are the two most recommended pro-aging ingredients you can add to your skincare routine after age 30+. You can see by the pic below, that I’m a believer in using both! In addition to SPF of course, but I’m sure you all know this by now!

Retinol (a vitamin A derivative) is widely known to target most of our pressing aging skin concerns and is the ingredient that does it all medically and cosmetically. It helps promote skin renewal + turnover, reduces acne breakouts, and boosts collagen production. Apply this after your red light mask for extra help!

Some can be sensitive to retinols, so keep that in mind, which is why they should only be used at night when you’re not exposed to the sun. I live and die by the Paula’s Choice Pro Retinaldehyde Dual Retinoid Treatment, $68, right now. It literally has a 5 star rating on Sephora, so that speaks volumes. This $8 Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream gets great reviews for being easy on sensitive skin.

Vitamin C is a known antioxidant that helps fight harmful free radicals, achieve brighter skin, and prevent dark spots. Currently, I’m switching between using the power duo from Paula’s Choice, the 5% Vitamin C Sheer Moisturizer with SPF 50, $45, and then 2 times a week, their C15 Super Booster Serum, with Vitamin C, E, and Ferulic Acid, $55.

Lash Growth Serum

Boost your lashes with a LASH GROWTH SERUM. I know this isn’t technically your skin, but your lash line is a pretty important part of your face and could probably use some help if you’re noticing thinning and shorter lashes as you age. There’s nothing girlier or more feminine than a luscious set of lashes to highlight your eyes. I’ve started back with the Babe Lash serum, $49, and it’s already making my lashes look fuller and healthier. Again, give this type of treatment at least 4-5 weeks before you bail on it. They seem to grow back overnight.

Don’t Forget Your Neck, Chest & Hands

Remember the NECK, CHEST, AND HANDS when it comes to your skincare. Don’t ignore body care in these areas where aging shows the quickest next to our faces! I never wipe off excess of my pro-aging skincare, I add it to these three areas everytime! Our skin on our body needs moisture just as much as the face does, but often gets ignored. I apply body lotion DAILY – lots of it, don’t be stingy here. Naturium’s Bio Lipid Restoring lotion, $15, is an amazing affordable skincare brand, and helps keep skin silky smooth with the likes of ingredients of omega fatty acids, shea butter and B vitamins.

Skincare: Facial Oil

Consider adding a FACIAL OIL before you apply your foundation. I follow so many celebrity makeup artists online, and a common theme is a majority of them use facial oils on their mature clients to help give more radiance in their complexion. And yes, even oily skin can benefit from the correct facial oil bc it can help balance sebum production and control oiliness throughout the day! I apply a few pats of this Elemis Pro- Collagen Marine oil, $90, after my moisturizer, but before I put on foundation. Makes my skin look glowy everytime! For oily skin, try out Sunday Riley’s Ultra Clarifying face oil, $80.

High-Five Habit: An Effective Skincare Strategy

Try Mel Robbin’s HIGH 5 HABIT in the mirror every day. Do you take a good look in the mirror at your reflection? I’m not just talking about the act of putting on makeup and skincare, but do you reealllly take a look at yourself? We know we should treat ourselves with kindness, but at times it seems especially hard with the aging process.

So I have started implementing this somewhat “silly” act/habit that motivational speaker, lawyer, and best-selling author Mel Robbins harps on. Whether it’s in the morning when I’m about to start my getting ready process, or if I forget, I’ll try to do it once in the day whenever I find a mirror. I tell ya, sometimes the simplest routines, can be really effective. Watch her short explanation here as to why this act scientifically helps boost your mood and confidence.

The Rest of My Look Details

My royal blue Amazon balloon-sleeved sweater, $39, is mega cozy and comes in many color options! // The cool nights short bathrobe from Soma (on sale!), $49 is a pretty way to sit and do your skincare routine if you’re hot natured! I really want this elegant Peacock Anthropologie robe though, $188, they finally brought back! // My Sandbar statement ring is still available in limited sizing, $98. // My Makeup By Mario lip color combo of liner and glossy lip plumping serum is a new fave. Find this duo here along with exact shades. // Foundation is more of a tinted moisture balm called “What the Foundation” by Jones Road in shade “Beige,” $47. // Wearing true brown mascara from Voluminous lash paradise, $12, in this post, and kind of loving the break from black when the look calls for it.

If you want to try the sultry smokey-eyed look but don’t know where to start, I have given you a step-by-step tutorial here, from last week!