Savvy Thinker » Age http://savvythinker.com thinking about life, playing with makeup Sat, 11 Feb 2012 22:10:41 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Review: Invisible (Ivy Malone mystery) by Lorena McCourtney http://savvythinker.com/review-invisible-ivy-malone-mystery-by-lorena-mccourtney/ http://savvythinker.com/review-invisible-ivy-malone-mystery-by-lorena-mccourtney/#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:03:08 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=7428

This book was offered free for Kindle as a hook to the rest of the books in the series. It is the first time I had heard of this author, her heroine, or the series, but it sounded fun.

This book is gentle, somewhat slow moving (or perhaps I just didn't want to rush through it) humorous and insightful. I highlighted quite a bit in the book.

It is a Christian story, but it is not preachy. At times you hear her prayers or her thoughts on God and life in general, and she helps one character be more inclined to visit churches (which his previous girlfriend had wanted.)

The Story
Ivy Malone is an older lady who within the first few pages loses her best friend, approximately the same age, to sudden death. She muses on life as she goes through it, much like I do, but perhaps more pithily. I enjoy hearing her humorous thoughts as she goes about her business. Her asides are sometimes laugh out loud.

She and her friend had gone out to an old cemetery, only to find that there had been vandalism. Many of the headstones were pulled or pushed over.

They go to the police, but they are overlooked and under accepted.

So Ivy vows, after her friend's death, that she will go out to the cemetery at night to watch for the vandals to return, which of course they ultimately do. She wants to solve the mystery, as well as catch them.

During the process she realizes that she has become invisible, in the sense that wherever she goes, including to the police, she is pretty much ignored for the younger people who are in the same place. She figures she can use this new found invisibility to figure out what is happening.

She is definitely braver than I!

Along the way she nearly gets killed and solves a murder. And she is courted by one man and is somewhat courted by another (or it is the development of a good friendship in elder years.)

The characters
I enjoyed the development of characters in the book -- for example, the young woman with a mystery herself or the young police officer that befriends her (and she befriends him) who does believe her. I also liked the strong friendships, for even their foibles are simply accepted.

I was sorry that a character is murdered.

My rating
I'd give this book 3 out of 4 stars. It's not terribly frightening nor gory. Ivy certainly has pluck, something I'd like to continue to cultivate in myself. She is sort of Nancy Drew, all grown up. She is a genuinely nice person in her dealings with everyone.

All the ends are neatly tied up, pretty much, which might not happen in real life, but you feel good for spending some time with Ivy.

Have you read this book or any of the series? do you have a favorite?

Buy: Invisible (Ivy Malone Mystery Series #1)

Buy: Invisible (Kindle book) (Ivy Malone Mystery Series #1)

Karin
www.savvythinker.com



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Originally posted 2011-01-07 21:04:24.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/review-invisible-ivy-malone-mystery-by-lorena-mccourtney/feed/ 0 Not-so-invisible older women http://savvythinker.com/not-so-invisible-older-women/ http://savvythinker.com/not-so-invisible-older-women/#comments Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:00:18 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/2007/02/24/not-so-invisible-older-women/

I was surprised to learn that in the last 10 years, the Oscar for Best Actress hasn't been awarded to any woman over 39. For the past 9 years, it was even lower, around age 35. If Judi Dench, Helen Mirren or Meryl Streep wins, she will be the most mature recipient since 1990 when Jessica Tandy, at age 80, won for Driving Miss Daisy.

A weird thing happens to male actors, especially movie stars, in my experience. Which is, they become grumpy old men. I think a young male actor feels great. All the girls want him. He's a star. As they get older, that sense of not being in control of their own destiny sort of grates on them, and they get grumpy. And they move into direction to try and feel they're in control of their own destiny...I don't feel psychologically challenged, because I'm in a collaboative situation on a set with a director...

One of the great advantages of getting older is that you can walk into a world which is more truthful and less to do with other people's fantasies. Helen Mirren

Well, who's it gonna be? Likely the decision is already made; we just don't know who it is yet.

I often think life is hardly fair. Tremendous performances can be turned in by several, but because of the thoughts-of-the-year it's a shoo in for one who might not in other years be the choice. But that's life! On to the next project! Talent wins out, Oscar or no Oscar.

When asked if they still had to audition for roles, Dame Judi said:

I think sometimes we might be without knowing it. If you're having a kind of friendly [there's that word again!] meal with somebody and you suddenly see those very beady, gimlet eyes looking at you, you might be auditioning then.

I like to see power going to older women. It makes me feel more secure.

No, seriously, I was just seeing if you were reading. I don't feel more secure, but it may move us away from the 60's kind of veneration of youth.

A well-known George Bernard Shaw quote is:

Youth is wasted on the young.

I hardly think so. But I'd like to see age like Dylan Thomas did:

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Let's go on and out with a few sparks and some Oscars.

Karin

Originally posted 2007-02-24 07:23:49.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/not-so-invisible-older-women/feed/ 0 Images with truth in advertising http://savvythinker.com/images-with-truth-in-advertising/ http://savvythinker.com/images-with-truth-in-advertising/#comments Mon, 26 Dec 2011 02:56:03 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=6628

Mascara ads
I know I've spoken about it here before, but it seems rather ludicrous to advertise mascaras with various types of false eyelashes, none of which gives you the true idea of how a mascara really performs. For that, you might have to ask your best friend, or try them out and return them, if you don't like them, or if you are sensitive to any ingredients.

Skin care
How can we know what a skin care line does, when viewing ad that use heavily retouched photos or a model who has had a lot of work done on his or her face to show how much, supposedly, a skin care line does for one's skin/ wrinkles/ firmness/ or etc.

Where are the real folks? and how long will they remain real when bombarded with images that are manipulated (or faces that have been.) I put myself right square in the middle of this one, because I have several friends or acquaintances that have had major work done. Will I at some point? Well, so far, I'd rather travel with the money, if I had the money.

Image of Leslie Blodgett, CEO of Bare Escentuals, in Sephora
Imagine my surprise to come upon a near life size -- or maybe larger than life size, which fits her talents, image of Leslie Blodgett in Sephora. And she looks darn good! In this image she has allowed a few fine lines around her mouth to show. And you know they could have been airbrushed out. She rocks!

I love a lot of Bare Escentuals products, including their brushes. I don't use their mineral foundation, because I prefer a liquid foundation, but I love their lip glosses and eye and cheek colors.

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Originally posted 2010-05-05 07:58:51.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/images-with-truth-in-advertising/feed/ 0 Serums that work — or not http://savvythinker.com/serums-that-work-or-not/ http://savvythinker.com/serums-that-work-or-not/#comments Thu, 08 Dec 2011 21:19:35 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=6258

Here are some thoughts on various types of serums and the links to posts where I have written more specifically. Some of the serums are pricing their way out of my price point. There are actually some that are over $1000 being marketed in Japan. I suspect some are worth it; others are not.

Whenever possible, let a beauty advisor put some on your skin. See if it is possible to get a small amount to try at home before you commit to a big purchase.

This is only a partial list, as I have thought of them. I will continue to update, as I think of it.

Body Serum
Arbonne has a wonderful body serum and body lotion. You can find my review at the above link.

Facial Serums
There are also serums targeted for eyes.
Anti-Wrinkle
La Prairie CELLULAR Retexturizing Booster
This just might be a miracle product. Whenever I apply it, I see immediate results. I generally use it for several days at a time, then I give it a rest and use it again when I see the need. It is expensive, but it really works. I think it works better than Renova. Price: $185.00 | 30 ml / 1.0 oz. (Unfortunately, it's possible this is no longer available. I have not tried any of the comparible LP serums to see if a newer one is as good.)

Serums with Vitamin C
Many companies have C-serums because they work. I have used C products for years. Mary Kay is one of the companies that has just added a C formula. If you can't beat them, join them. The important thing is to find a C serum that works for you, then use it.

Here's a partial list of companies that have C-serums: Awake, MK, Aromaleigh (generic), Lancome, Estee Lauder, Prescriptives, Avon, Lumene. Choose the link above to see my thoughts on each.

Arbonne has a number of excellent serums, including lifting, RE9 (with C), and Revelage (whitening) I won't be without the lifting or the whitening.

Avon has been a leader in skin care, very innovative. They were the first line to come out with an alpha-hydroxy -- and it made a big difference in my skin. Their anew products are excellent. I do not care for either of their pump serums that they had a couple of years ago, because they smelled so bad. I recommend smelling them before buying to see if they still smell. I didn't notice a huge difference like I did with their alpha-hydroxy products. Some of their products are targeted by age.

Beauticontrol
Beauticontrol makes several serums that I like. Some are targeted for 30's, 40's, and 50's skin. I've liked Regeneration Gold for years. It's a two step process that mixes when you pump it. It used to be that one was red, the other white. Now one is green, the other white. I do not know if it is the same product. Regeneration Platinum Plus is supposed to be the next step up, but it rolls on my skin, so I use it only on my neck and chest and bought more of the Regeneration Gold. They make C products, but I've not tried them as I have others that I am using at the moment.

Chanel Serums
Chanel makes a number of serums, and they are all excellent. It depends on your price point and your skin concerns. Sublimage products kept me moist even in the dryness of Las Vegas, using no other moisturizers layered in. The Radiance line has an excellent hydrating serum. As an aside, I did not care for Sublimage eye cream.

Clarins
I have used Super Restorative Serum. I likely might buy it again. I like what it says it does; I'm not sure I saw it doing it. I tended to use it more for hydrating than anything else. When I opened the container, when it seemed empty, there were still several days worth of product left. I put it in a small jar and used it to the last drop.

On the whole I like Clarins products, so I suspect their other serums would be good too. Their beauty advisers are generally knowledgeable and happy to help you. They are good about giving small samples to try.

Cle de Peau serums
Cle de Peau is the high end Shiseido line. CdP makes a number of serums, and they all feel good. I'm not sure how to choose one over the other. I have one. I'm not convinced it does anything particularly, but that might be because I tend to use others that I have.

Dior Serums
Dior makes some excellent serums. Capture Totale and HydrAction are two that I have tried. Capture Totale came highly recommended by a woman in NYC who swears by it.

Guerlain serums
Orchidee Imperiale is their highest, newest line. It is excellent. Super Aqua-Serum came highly recommended on the strength of one older woman who works for Guerlain whose skin is exceptionally beautiful. It's a toss up which is better. Take your pick. They also have Success Future and Substantific serums. I get my Guerlain from Claire at the Palazzo in Las Vegas. Call 702) 732-7008 or email GuerlainPalazzo.STORE@lvmhuspc.com

Hydrating serums
La Prairie CELLULAR HYDRATING SERUM is an excellent hydrator, one of the very best. It is lightweight. It works by binding moisture to the skin and restoring the skin's natural moisture barrier. A little goes a long ways and it stays fresh in the bottle. I use it generally on very cold days or whenever my face feels like it needs more moisture from the inside out. Price: $185.00

La Prairie Serums
Like Chanel, these are excellent, and it depends on your price point. I have not tried the latest lines.

Shiseido serums
Shiseido has a number of serums that are all excellent. Again, it depends on your price point and what you are hoping to accomplish.

Signature Club A
Super Strength High Potent-C Anti-Wrinkle Capsules $29.50
I like this a lot. It's in my rotation of C products.

Retinol Wrinkle Penetrating Capsules 12 Hour Release $32.50
This is in my rotation. I like it a lot.

Viviane Woodard
I've used these products since I was 18. They have a number of serums, including specialized ones to use at night. Their day time serums are very good and moderately priced. The evening ones really give your skin a boost. They are used only periodically. Unlike ones by La Prairie that are also used only occasionally, these will not break the bank. Likely they perform different functions, but they help the skin.

Whitening serums
Many companies offer whitening serums. They started first in Asian countries. It's not surprising that Shiseido has one. If you want to break up an age spot the fastest possible way, then your best bet is laser. Be sure to use SPF every day along with these.
Arbonne Revelage is an excellent whitener, which works by breaking up dark spots from below and keeping them from forming from the top.

Mary Kay TimeWise® Even Complexion Essence
I consider this more of a preventative, than a curative. I want to see faster results. I have no patience.

What serums do you know, use and love?
As I think of more, I will update.

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Originally posted 2010-01-28 20:49:42.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/serums-that-work-or-not/feed/ 0 First, the serums http://savvythinker.com/first-the-serums/ http://savvythinker.com/first-the-serums/#comments Sun, 23 Oct 2011 16:16:32 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=6247

What is a serum?
A serum is the first step of your skin care, after your cleanser and toner.

Does a serum hydrate?
It does not hydrate much, if at all; it is not a moisturizer. It is important to use a moisturizer afterward for that reason. It nourishes the skin by inserting ingredients into the skin.

What kinds of serums are there?
There are serums for every conceivable type of skin, and there are serums in development for the next level. Anti-aging serums, anti-wrinkle serums, skin brightening serums, acne preventative serums. to name a few.

What is the purpose of serums?
A serum delivers concentrated ingredients to deeper layers of your skin, whereas a moisturizer hydrates the top layers. The molecules of a serum need to be small enough to penetrate the layers of your skin.

Do you really need one?
Likely so, if you are a certain age. A serum boosts the ability of your skin to duplicate some of the natural functions of younger skin.

If you have not used serums, you will most likely see more changes when you begin to use one, than if you have been using serums for a number of years.

But serums are becoming increasingly sophisticated -- and sometimes pricey -- so newer serums can make a difference over the older, familiar ones.

How does a serum work?
The texture of a serum is more liquid than even a lotion moisturizer. It penetrates quickly. It is designed to get anti-aging ingredients, like peptides or vitamins, CoQ10 or retinol into your skin.

What do I do?
I have a number of serums. I alternate them depending on what I feel like or what I feel like my skin needs. I haven't found that any particular one works better than any other particular one.

Why change serums?
I find that by rotating them or alternating them, they tend to work better than if I continue to use one alone. My skin doesn't get bored with it.

Additionally, if you are still using the serum you used even three years ago, chances are today's serums are better -- and it's possible that your skin has changed enough to need a different formula, or one that is even more targeted.

Day or night?
Either, or both. You might use a different one in the evening than in the morning.

The prevailing thought today (and remember that theories change, so my best advice is to do for your skin what works the best for it, regardless of current thought on it) is that a daytime anti-aging moisturizing routine should protect and hydrate and should include UV ray blockers.

The strong feeling is that your night-time routine needs to regenerate your skin, as well as hydrate it. The thought is that repair and regeneration takes place at night. Whether this is truly so or not, remains to be seen over the next few years.

Do you use serums?
Do you have a favorite? My next post will share some of my faves.

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Originally posted 2010-01-27 07:29:37.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/first-the-serums/feed/ 0 Alive and still kicking at 85 yrs young http://savvythinker.com/alive-and-still-kicking-at-85-yrs-young/ http://savvythinker.com/alive-and-still-kicking-at-85-yrs-young/#comments Tue, 27 Sep 2011 19:36:25 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=6019

There aren't many people who can hold a candle to Dorothy Dale Kloss, the oldest showgirl in the world. (But my aunt is still tap dancing in her 80s!)

It's a lot of fun to research her name on the Internet, then see her in various videos and listen to the audio of her on a radio show.

Talk about inspiration!

Think about what it takes to rehearse for 8 hour stretches, pun intended.

She has beauty, verve and humor, not to mention grace, stamina and ability.
I wanna be her when I grow up. But to do that, first I'll have to begin to take tap lessons (never took them, but took ballet and jazz.) Book Girl has a good start as she is taking up tap again.

What to do with her life
She wondered what she would do with her life when her son and his family moved cross country. She had been a professional dancer from the time she was 15 and even taught Bob Fosse when he was a boy. Imagine that! One of her students suggested she audition for the Follies in Palm Springs.

She won her spot when she was 71 (all them are 55 or older.)

And she has a 63 year old boyfriend. How about that!

Don't you just love to hear of people who are still active and vital! I sure do.

And how come I didn't know this was there when I was visiting Palm Springs! Now that I'm not visiting Palm Springs, I hear about the show! Where's the justice in that!

But here's the thing
When I grow up, I wanna be a little bit crazy; a little bit wild; a little bit zany, and whole lotta me. I want to be more me than the me I was and the me I am. LOL! And why not, when to get there, we only need to plan for it today.

I hope you put some fun in your life today! Amen to that!

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Originally posted 2009-12-12 07:32:39.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/alive-and-still-kicking-at-85-yrs-young/feed/ 0 Speaking of interesting older women http://savvythinker.com/speaking-of-interesting-older-women/ http://savvythinker.com/speaking-of-interesting-older-women/#comments Sat, 17 Sep 2011 15:51:05 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/2007/02/25/speaking-of-interesting-older-women/

I just heard about the oldest woman blogger, Olive Riley, aged 107 in 2007. [Unfortunately, she has now died. 2009]

Her blog The Life of Riley is being typed by a younger friend who believes if she is interested in life, she will stick around longer. There are some lovely pictures.

She tells the stories, and he writes them for her. So far there are two entries. He also did a documentary film about her which at one time you could download it for free.

Isn't that grand!

You can read a little more about her at Ernie Shackle's ebook.

She's held a bank account for over 100 years.

She sounds like a woman others like to be around. I think that is marvelous too.

You go, Olive!

Karin

Originally posted 2007-02-25 08:07:04.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/speaking-of-interesting-older-women/feed/ 0 10 reasons we don’t use a product — and why we do http://savvythinker.com/10-reasons-we-dont-use-a-product-and-why-we-do/ http://savvythinker.com/10-reasons-we-dont-use-a-product-and-why-we-do/#comments Fri, 26 Aug 2011 20:36:39 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=3511

I've been thinking the last few days about facial and body products. And why. we. use. them. Or don't.

Why we don't use them
10. We aren't knowledgeable. We have yet to hear about them.
9. We don't want to spend the $.
8. We're in a rut. We've always used such and such -- but now we can't remember why!
7. We don't think we need them. And our friends likely won't tell us.
6. We can't see well anyway without reading glasses, so we figure no one else can either.
5. We don't believe the pictures. Avon had pictures of before and after, just of makeup, showing how a person could look younger with makeup. I know it's true. I live it every day. A friend didn't believe it.
4. We think aging is inevitable.
3. We don't think we can reverse all the sun we took in as teens. Remember the baby oil? I can still smell the first suntan oil from France.
2. We are lazy. Old habits are hard to break.
1. We have never seen results particularly on the problem areas.

Why we use products
I think the number one reason is that we see or feel a difference.

If we feel or see it immediately, so much the better! We are liable to keep on with the steps. Forget it, if we don't.

Results not typical
Dontcha just hate that disclaimer! What's that mean for me?

Did they preview the product on someone who'd never taken care of their skin? So for someone like me, who has, what can I expect.

Airbrushed models
We can't compare ourselves to the fake pictures we see in all the magazines. What do they look like on a regular day?

BookGirl said to me that the reason one older actress looked like she did was because of the cadre of specialists she had working on her before every scene. She said I did not come up wanting, even though it is just me doing the work.

Aging in America -- or aging in this time frame
There is so much emphasis put on beauty and appearance in society at this time frame. But there are a whole lot of ways you can stop the clock or turn it back without resorting to injections or surgery.

OTOH, ask me in 10 years! I'm not 100% sure I'd want to be in the same room with a lot of women who've had work done. But I worry about if I chose to -- what if I didn't like it? what if I looked horrible or thought I did. I try to be patient and wait on God. I think there are times when we don't look as good as we will in a year or so.

Karin

Originally posted 2009-05-19 20:27:35.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/10-reasons-we-dont-use-a-product-and-why-we-do/feed/ 2 Discuss: Hair styles that make you look older http://savvythinker.com/discuss-hair-styles-that-make-you-look-older/ http://savvythinker.com/discuss-hair-styles-that-make-you-look-older/#comments Thu, 18 Aug 2011 06:15:13 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=2598

Allure talks about hairstyles that are aging.

Let's discuss!
A good hair stylist is hard to find
One of the hardest things to find is a good hair stylist, one who understands your hair, how you like to look, and keeps you updated. With a few exceptions, while you could live with a bad haircut as a younger person, the older you are, the more important it is to have a good cut and know your stylist is looking out for your best interests, as well as is keeping current with what's happening with hair and hair products, including coloring.

Is it the hair or is it the total look?
Some of the styles Allure mentions haven't really been in style for years, and if a model shoot includes these styles, or if they are done for a movie, they are tweaked to look more modern.

At the same time, it is hard to single out the hair, when we are talking makeup too. It's a question whether their stylist (not hair stylist) picked the wrong look, or whether they need a stylist to help them choose their look.

But truthfully, how bad does a beautiful young woman ever look!

And how much is magic on an other wise ordinary woman?

And some of the women shown are older than others, so they have a tendency to look older anyway. We have to think in terms of seeing these styles on the same age woman -- but even then we have to take into account bone structure, etc. It's never just the hair -- though hair plays a large part.

Severe updos
In the first picture of Kate Winslet, her foundation is heavier and matte. In the second, her foundation is dewy, and she is wearing a beautiful shade of red lippie. So not only did she have the hair against her, but the makeup, in the first picture.

Honestly, she is a gorgeous woman. But softer updos have been the style for some time now.

Book Girl had a severe, old-fashioned, updo for a dance, and I was not a happy camper. I expected better of the stylist. And then he charged more than a regular style. Double ouch. We have not been back to him since.

Limp and lifeless (too straight) vs. bouncy waves
Two pictures of Cheryl Crow. In the first, her hair is straight, looks dry, and the color is too dark. In the second, she has beautiful, long naturally looking blond hair.

No question which is better on her.

Medium length corkscrews vs. long, tousled layers
Leighton Meester is photographed in a style that Allure says has not been in style since 1986. I suspect she was growing her hair out -- or not using extensions. The longer, tousled layers look great on her.

Reminds me of a time when I was going from long to short hair, but the first haircut aged me by about 10 years. I was about 34 at the time. I felt like crying! My hair stylist agreed with me. I went in the next day, she cut it shorter, and it looked great! Later, when I grew it out, for some reason it never went through the same awkward stage.

Blocky bangs vs. sideswept
Penelope Cruz is shown in the first picture with not only blocky bangs, but a severe updo. Two strikes against her. And her eye makeup is sharply defined. In the second picture, her eye makeup is softened by smudging, and she has a softer lip color.

Wasn't it Katie Holmes who rocked a blocky bang look not too long ago? You just have to know how it works. I know two others who wear blocky bangs. They have totally different looks, but it works for both of them.

Yanked back hair vs. side swept bangs and softer do
Sarah Jessica Parker rarely makes a fashion mistake. But in the first photo, she looks like they snapped her going to the grocery store, yet you can see an elegant gown. In the second, her hair looks softly elegant.

Super high hair vs. side part and hair softer
It's hard to catch Beyonce in a bad moment. In the first picture, her hair is in a high beehive. In the second, it cascades around her face in long layers. I'm not sure either is her best look.

OTOH, I really had to laugh at this one, because in the most recent Allure mag, several pages featured a truly ugly beehive, super bleached hair, and magna eyeliner on a model.

They should get their story straight. At least Beyonce looked somewhat natural with the do, whereas the feature article was done for effect.

Of course, everything ugly is beautiful, once you get past the shock of it.

Too dark and heavy vs. softer color
Scarlett Johansson's hair is dark and somewhat auburn in the first picture. She is perfection in every way. Her makeup is balanced to the hair color. And it all looks too heavy and dark. We are not used to seeing her with this look. It's hard to make her look matronly, but she does.

In the second picture, she has dish-water blond hair. Also, not her best look. But again, her makeup is balanced. This color is also darker than we are used to seeing her hair.

Too bleached vs. softer, warmer blond and style
What was Kate Moss thinking?

She looks like she took no thought to her hair to a fancy affair. Ditto for her makeup and her lack of jewelry. Kate can get away with bright blond hair, so it's the style as much as anything. It's not so much that her hair is bleached as that her roots show. If she had worn her hair down, they would have been camouflaged. And pulling it back, even if not as severely as some, doesn't hide laugh lines.

In the second picture, her hair is around her face, as well as a softer color. She could use some color in her makeup. She looks like she's having a hard night. She probably was.

Short curly hair vs. sleek and layered (this layers onto face)
In the first picture, Katie Holmes' makeup is the wrong shade, and her eyes are sharply defined. It's not just the hair. She looks almost unwell.

In the second, she is wearing the style heard round the world. And not only that, her makeup is gorgeous. Her lips are soft here too, but the color is better.

Retro vs. updated
Gwyneth Paltrow looks like she's channeling Veronica Lake in the first picture. It is retro, but it also looks like it's not the length we are used to seeing on her. It could be that her hair is tucked behind her shoulders. In the second picture, her look is softened and tousled. She looks fresher.

What do you think?
Do you agree a good hair style can takes years off your look – and conversely a bad hair style can make you look older? Has this ever happened to you? Please share with us! How do you like to wear your hair?

Karin

Originally posted 2009-04-01 14:18:11.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/discuss-hair-styles-that-make-you-look-older/feed/ 2 Review: Estee Lauder Idealist Cooling Eye Illuminator http://savvythinker.com/review-estee-lauder-idealist-cooling-eye-illuminator/ http://savvythinker.com/review-estee-lauder-idealist-cooling-eye-illuminator/#comments Fri, 12 Aug 2011 14:36:27 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=7866

Once in a while a new product comes along that really makes your heart sing. The Estée Lauder Idealist Cooling Eye Illuminator is one of them!

I use the color light-medium. There is also a color significantly darker (I know because I was accidentally sold the darker shade and I didn't realize it until I put some on) for deeper shades of skin.

The applicator is really cool, pun intended. It appears to be a plastic foot with a small hole through which the product feeds, but I was told that they are using something that NASA developed -- it always stays cold! So it is like applying a cold compress to your eyes at the same time you are applying a natural looking concealer -- the two things together significantly improve the appearance of your under eye area -- or at least mine!

I carry this with me, and whenever I feel my eyes feel tired, for example, I just touch the area with the foot, without applying any of the product. Eventually I would just keep an empty one in my purse while using the product as I do my makeup.

My rating: I give it 5 stars out of 5 stars -- it is not something I want to be without.

Have you tried it? I have told several EL sales people in different stores, and they seem uninterested. I find this very odd, as the product is a breakthrough, as far as I'm concerned. I'm very glad I was shown the product, by the counter manager at Belks or I would not have known about it.

At $58 it is not cheap, but they will put it on you so you can see for yourself before you buy if the color is right for you or not.

The cool sensation lasts about a minute after touching the foot to your skin.

Buy: Estée Lauder Idealist Cooling Eye Illuminator

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

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