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Celebrating The Changes! |
| Author: The Short Hair Diva |
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Date: June 2002 |
Introduction
Hello, my sweets!! The Diva is celebrating a
major birthday this month, and wants to share her newest treasure
trove of beauty secrets with her favorite fans. Is it special spa
treatments with those elusive, expensive licensed professionals? Is it
new hair color or style? Is it lavish 14K gold nail tips? A hot new
wardrobe? Daily massage? A champagne and Oreo diet? What could it
possibly be???
Sorry to disappoint you, loves, but it’s much
simpler (and a lot less expensive) than that. The secret is in the celebration. Yes, celebrate! Celebrate your age, your life, your
one-of-a-kind experiences that make you you.
Listen to your friends and loved ones when they compliment you on your
kindness, patience, attention, fashion sense, humor, whatever. Bobbie
Burns once wisely said, “Would that God/The gifts he gives us/To see
ourselves/As others see us.”
Others see the true person, not the one you daily
criticize in the mirror.
So what’s your complaint about getting older?
Silver hairs among the gold? Celebrate them—you earned every one of
them. Color them if you like, but they are badges of honor won on
life’s toughest playing field. Too much extra weight? Celebrate
those pounds! Yes, of course, strive to be healthy and see a doctor
often. But celebrate the fact that you are not wasting away from an
awful disease! Age spots? The Diva calls them beauty marks. However,
if they really bother you, use a daily fade cream, use sunscreen
daily, and cover the little devils up with a spot or two of concealer.
You’re not the sweet young thing you used to be?
Babycakes, if you’re my age and still have that
untouched, wide-eyed look about you that you had at age 20-something,
they’ll lock you up for being simple. Life and experiences mark us
indelibly with the kind of person we are, and a life well-lived makes
a face unique and beautiful.
Here’s another simple tip: looking forward
makes you look far more attractive than looking backward. Do NOT make
the mistake so many make in trying to look younger by getting
unflattering highlights, over-shiny makeup, and dressing decades too
young. Trust me, you won’t look fashionable and young—you’ll
look pathetic and old.
Some definite DON’TS:
1)
Unless you are under the age of 20 or have exceptionally toned
upper arms, forget the sleeveless tops and tanks.
2)
Again, unless you are under the age of 20, are onstage, or are
a practicing streetwalker, ditch the bright blue eye makeup.
3)
As you get older, watch your hair color; go too dark and you
make your face look older. Go too light and you risk looking more than
a little strange. Spend the money to go to a professional.
4)
Don’t try to dress too young. Even if your body is perfect,
you’ll look ridiculous wearing outfits designed for a teenager. Find
your own style. You’ll look a lot better; sexier, too!
5)
Make sure you get good shoes, meaning shoes that are
comfortable on your feet. You can easily combine sense with style in
your footwear. Nothing ages you faster than hobbling along on 5”
turquoise platform shoes simply because they’re stylish.
Some definite
DO’S:
1)
Never rely on your looks alone to get you through life. Sure,
they’ll get you out of traffic tickets when you’re young, but past
a certain age you’re coasting on dangerous ground.
2)
Get a makeup consultation at least once a year. As our faces
change, so do our makeup needs. Many makeup counters will make you up
for free, too.
3)
Take good care of your nails. If you don’t go to a
manicurist, at least see that your nails are nicely trimmed and
buffed.
4)
Invest in a good magnifying mirror, 5X or 7X. Check your face
at least once a week for those straggling hairs under the eyebrows,
nose, under the chin, and around the mouth. Get a good pair of
tweezers and pluck them; forget the bleach. It will make you look like
you have mustard on your face.
5)
Find and do something you absolutely love.
6)
If you aren’t fortunate enough to have older people in your
life, go find some. They have a wealth of experience and time on this
earth that makes their friendship a real gift.
7)
Take a long, hard look at your possessions. If they no longer
give you pleasure, then find people in your life who would love them.
Make a gift of them, and let them do with them what they want.
8)
Repeat Coco Chanel’s magic incantation to your reflection
each and every day: “You’re beautiful, and I love you!”
So, darlings, that’s it—my birthday gift to
you. Remember who you are and be proud. Celebrate YOU!!
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