Similar to the positive, indelible first impression one wants to make on the first day of work, a signature transition to retirement can be just as meaningful.

For some, 40 plus years of sweat-equity in a career is a singular accomplishment that can understandably lead to a sense of entitlement. Others, after decades of paying it forward, might view the moment as an opportunity to pay it back.

Whatever your current sensibility, a few well-considered steps can make a career dismount feel more gratifying when pulling out of the company parking lot for the last time.

Can You Really Impact the Quality of Your Transition to Retirement?

Here’s a fact that can put you in the driver’s seat as you strategize a planned, well-timed transition into retirement: Тhe mass exodus of elder brain trust from companies will continue full strength for the next 8 – 10 years. This will deplete the workforce of acumen, experience, and awareness of a culture that made it strong in the first place.

Planning for a smart departure can benefit both you and the company. Consider this….

Start or Join a Boomer Group in Your Company

Talk to a trusted leader or Human Resources representative about starting or becoming involved with an existing Boomer group. If none exists, it won’t take much to develop a solid business case.

With an estimated 10,000 Boomers a day now bolting from the workforce, developing the idea into something workable should be a no-brainer.

What Could a Boomer Group Hope to Achieve?

Many employees keep dark the secret of their ultimate retirement date for fear of being marginalized. Worse, some believe it can hasten their exit from the company, forcing them to leave before emotional or financial readiness.

At its simplest, developing an intranet site to share facts, stats and human interest stories on retirement prep heightens awareness and raises the curtain on a subject that often dares not speak its name.

The site, ideally developed and managed by employees, can publicize programs intended to strengthen the workforce being left behind.

Formalizing a mentor program can pave the way for future high contributors to accelerate their contribution. Mentoring has been shown to increase both employee satisfaction and engagement.

Lessening the stigma surrounding retirement through the vehicle of the intranet site can ultimately make it easier for Boomers to discuss their own transition stories.

As a follow up, HR can plan support for managers who will need to respond with productive, enabling conversations that seek mutual high-ground.

Realistically Speaking

You might be scratching your head right now. It could very well be true that your company has its head in the sand about the great Boomer exit. Until recently, most Boomers were postponing retirement to rebuild 401Ks hit hard at the beginning of the new century.

And CEOs are dealing with other harsh realities like dwindling employee engagement and creating company cultures where creativity and innovation can flourish.

But honestly – therein lies the opportunity. Singing the praises of a gifted Boomer group ready to pay it backward can heap recognition on you as a perceptive problem-solver in tune with the current company zeitgeist.

Stepping up efforts as a high-contributor whose heart is in the right place might even secure a position if working past the assumed retirement age of 65 – or if post-retirement consulting work – is a consideration.

Don’t Be a Boomer-In-Hiding, but Be Aware of the Pitfalls

Of course, take a pulse check before moving your strategy forward. Is the climate right to engage in conversations with HR and company leaders? Have you thought through the basics of a Boomer program launch? Can you express your objectives through the lens of benefits to the company?

Better still, talk with Boomer buddies, and move forward as a strategic team. There is more power in collaboration, and once past the development stage, it will serve you well as you begin execution.

How are you managing the transition to retirement? Have you thought of starting a boomer group in your workplace or community? Please share your thoughts and opinions below!

Today we’re focusing on 10 different ways those of us who are older can bring a beautiful glow to our skin which is a topic I’m pretty darn passionate about. I’m passionate about it because as we get older, our skin not only gets paler but also duller.

So why is glow important? Getting our glow back translates into looking our best because we look healthier, more radiant and let’s be honest, more youthful. Fortunately, that beautiful, fresh, radiant glow we had when we were younger is something we can recreate thanks to a few lifestyle tweaks and the magic of skin care and makeup products.

The loss of luster in our skin as we get older is due to several reasons – most notably the loss of collagen and elastin as well as the slowing down of the process of shedding dead skin cells. So I’ll first touch briefly on four lifestyle and skin care options that can help us recreate some glow and then focus on six types of makeup products that are truly effective in helping us add a beautiful glow to our skin.

4 Lifestyle and Skincare Tweaks to Bring Back More Glow

#1: Adding Moisture to Our Drier, Older Skin

I’m sure that most of us use a good moisturizer, but we sometimes forget the importance of drinking more water. In addition to causing dry, itchy skin, not drinking enough water can cause an elevated heart rate, muscle cramps, and fatigue. And drinking coffee, tea, soft drinks and alcohol can exacerbate the situation because they are all diuretics.

In addition, as we get older the thirst center in our brain isn’t as active so our brain doesn’t always give signals that we need to drink water. So drinking more water becomes even more important as we get older.

#2: Exercise

Exercise increases circulation which helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to the skin thus keeping the skin healthy. Exercise also promotes collagen production and the growth of new skin cells. But here’s the really interesting part.

A research study that examined the skin of individuals who were 65 and older revealed some impressive findings. The study took a base sample of the community members’ skin. Then, these individuals were asked to maintain a moderate aerobic exercise routine for three months. The findings after the three month exercise period were remarkable.

The skin of the individuals who were exercising more frequently closely resembled the healthy skin of individuals between 20 and 40. This recent research indicates that exercising may actually make it possible for us to turn back the clock of our skin. All it takes is just 30 minutes of aerobic exercise a day.

#3: Exfoliation

We’re most familiar with the fact that exfoliating helps remove the buildup of dead skin cells which makes our skin look duller. It can also help by unclogging pores, helping other skincare products penetrate more deeply, boosting circulation and lymphatic drainage, and stimulating collagen synthesis.

Exfoliating twice a week can really make a difference. There are many really good exfoliating products on the market, but one of my favorites is Tatcha Rice Polish which is a foaming enzyme powder. It provides non-abrasive exfoliation and doesn’t strip the skin of essential moisture or break the skin’s barrier function.

It also includes a trio of Japanese superfoods – green tea, rice and algae – which help restore healthy looking, youthful radiance. If you watch the video which accompanies this article on YouTube, you’ll find links to all the products I mention in the description box which you can find by clicking on “Show More” under the video and to the left.

#4: Brightening Skin Serum

This skin serum consists of Vitamin C plus E plus Ferulic Acid. Vitamin C is a very potent anti-oxidant which neutralizes free radicals, helps slow down signs of photoaging and prevents dark spots from forming by inhibiting the production of melanin. And, because of its acidic nature, Vitamin C also signals our skin to heal itself by accelerating the production of collagen and elastin.

Mixing Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid with Vitamin C helps stabilize and boost the effectiveness of the serum and both Vitamin E and ferulic acid help make Vitamin C easier for our skin to absorb. In addition, ferulic acid helps stabilize both vitamins C and E and doubles the serum’s defense against photodamage.

6 Makeup Products Can Create a Beautiful Glow

#1: Primer with Built-in Glow

This is a face primer that’s applied after moisturizer and sunscreen, but before foundation. There are many good illuminating primers on the market including Benefit’s POREfessional Pearl Primer, Laura Mercier’s Pure Canvas Illuminating Primer, Becca’s Backlit Priming Filter and Milani’s Prime Light Strobing and Pore Minimizing Face Primer.  

Be sure to check out Elise’s YouTube channel which specifically focuses on makeup tips, techniques, and product reviews for those of us 50+. Don’t forget to subscribe!

#2: Sunscreen with Glow

One I particularly like because it’s a mineral sunscreen is Colorescience’s Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Glow with an SPF of 50. It’s lightweight and provides a really lovely glow.

#3: Foundation with Glow

There is a boatload of good products out there. Probably the gold standard is a high end foundation which is a cult favorite among celebrity makeup artists: Giorgio Armani’s Liquid Silk Foundation. It’s full-coverage and radiance-boosting without leaving behind even a hint of oily residue. It’s a stunning foundation which now also comes in a mini size.

Another cult classic foundation that has beautiful glow is Nars’ Radiant Longwear Foundation.  It is definitely long wearing and provides fuller coverage. A newer entry into the world of glowy foundations is Anastasia of Beverly Hills’ Luminous Foundation. It’s more of a “your skin but better” foundation since it’s buildable and very blendable.

Now let’s take a look at two drugstore glowy foundations. First up is one from NYX. It’s their Born to Glow Radiant Foundation. It has an impressive range of shades and has a lightweight but buildable formula. The best part is the cost. It’s only $10.00!

Another good drugstore option is Revlon’s Photo-Ready Candid Anti-Pollution Foundation. On days when our complexion needs a wake-up call, this product can fill the bill.

#4 Filters and Serums

This is a large group of products that can be applied under or over foundation or mixed with a matte foundation to provide some lovely soft glow. Probably the best known among these types of products is Charlotte Tilbury’s Flawless Filter which provides a beautiful candlelit glow-from-within look while blurring imperfections. And it now comes in a mini version that costs only $15.

Other good options include two from L’Oreal: their Visible Lift Luminous Serum which comes in 5 shades and provides hydration and their True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer. This product comes in four shades and provides more glow and shimmer than the two mentioned above.

Another more affordable option is Revlon’s Skinlights Face Glow Illuminator which comes in two shades – champagne and dark bronze. It also helps minimize pores and fine lines.

#5: Highlighters

Just about every makeup company makes highlighters in a variety of formulas – from powders to creams to liquids. The type of product you choose very much depends on the type of highlight you personally like.

To create a beautiful soft sheen on the skin, I love clean beauty brand RMS’ Living Luminizer which has a satin translucent-pearl finish and comes in five shades. A similar clean beauty product which has a lovely sheen is Merit’s Day Glow Highlighting Balm.

A product more in the mid-range price area is Rare Beauty’s Positive Light Liquid Luminizer. This is a beautiful liquid product that comes in eight different shades.

Next is my favorite drugstore highlighter: Wet ‘n Wild’s Megaglow cream stick and Megaglow Liquid highlighters. The liquid highlighter definitely packs more punch, but if you don’t want quite as much glow, just apply a very small amount and sheer it out.

And this last one is one of my favorites – and the quickest way – to get beautiful, instant glow. I like to simply spray some of my Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist onto my dampened makeup sponge and then just pat it onto the areas of my skin where I want glow. It’s really lovely. And luckily there’s a mini size which is less expensive.

Do you do any of the skincare and lifestyle tweaks mentioned in this article? Have you used any types of makeup products to create a beautiful glow on your skin? If so, what are your favorites?

Erika Jayne’s Flower Embroidered Top

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Season 11 Episode 8 Fashion

Erika Jayne’s got the power now! The flower power that is wearing her flower embroidered top. I love this top it reminds me of an old school baseball jersey, but with a touch of elegance. The silk looks so comfortable too I could cry. But there’s no crying in baseball or in fashion at that. And even though this top is almost gone, the Style Stealers below will be there to dry your tears.

Sincerely Stylish,

Jess

Click Here to Shop Her Gucci Duchesse Loved Floral Top on eBay

Originally posted at: Erika Jayne’s Flower Embroidered Top

My husband
and I were out of state, celebrating our wedding anniversary when his heart
stopped beating. I was 39 years old and suddenly, despite my best efforts, I
was a widow.

I had no
clue how I was going to navigate this unfamiliar territory. A support group
didn’t feel right for me, and neither did therapy.

I read a
few books and articles and could immediately recognize whether the author had exclusively
theoretical knowledge of grief, or if they had trudged first-hand through the
darkness. I read less than a paragraph of the former. It felt sterile and
textbook, and my life seemed anything but textbook.

My
internet searches also turned up empty. I was searching for help that I
perceived to be relevant to my situation. Someone who knew the journey, and
specifically at a younger-than-usual age.

So, I did
what I’ve always done when I had questions or needed help. I reached out to
someone decades older than me.

Wisdom Came from a Friend with Dementia

Erma was
already a dear friend. She was 95 at the time and living in an assisted living
community. I visited her every few weeks.

She
greeted me at her door, asked how I was doing, and no matter my response, she
would put her hands on my face, look into my eyes, and conduct her own
assessment. It felt like she could see into my soul.

To me,
Erma was relevant. She had been a young widow, and later in life she was
widowed again, and later lost an adult son. Unfortunately, Erma knew grief, and
as a result, more than anything, I needed Erma.

She would
say exactly what I needed to hear. “You can do this.” “You’re going to be
okay.” “He is all around you.” “Everything is going to be okay.”

She would
make simple, practical suggestions for how I could put one foot in front of the
other, and these were exactly the steps I took during that first year. Erma was
key in getting me through.

About a
month prior to her passing, as we were saying goodbye for what would be the
last time, she put her hands on my face and said, “You’re going to move forward.”

I replied,
“I don’t want to,” to which she responded, “I know you don’t, but you will.” Her
wisdom was remarkable.

Approximately
13 months after my first day as a widow, I attended Erma’s funeral where I
learned that her dementia was far more advanced than I could have possibly
imagined.

Our
society expects nothing of people with dementia. Often, people living with
dementia or other limitations expect nothing of themselves. They feel they have
nothing left to contribute and some wonder why life continues. They quit living
and they quit giving.

On the
contrary, Erma believed that if you have a pulse, you have a purpose. Which may
be why she had such a long life, since having a sense of purpose has been shown
to impact longevity.

In a large
scale, 4-year study of people average age 69, researchers discovered that those
with the lowest life purpose were more than twice as likely to die in the
follow up period compared with those in the highest life purpose category.

What if we
each could be someone’s “Erma,” no matter our limitations? Perhaps your
knowledge, skills, and experience, which may seem common sense or second nature
to you, are exactly what someone else desperately needs.

But What if There Are Barriers?

Whether
cognitive or physical in nature, limitations are real. They can become a
massive barrier that is too big to see past, and the more we focus on them, the
bigger they become. Albert Einstein is quoted as saying, “Once we accept our
limits, we go beyond them.”

What if we
redirect our focus, setting our sights on what we can do, despite any
limitations? Listen to a child read, teach a new widow(er) to cook, call a
friend who is navigating a tough time, or teach a vocational skill to someone
about to enter the workforce, are but a few opportunities.

Once we
choose to see past limitations and choose to believe that our knowledge, skills,
and experiences are valuable, the possibilities become endless.

Take Inventory

Make a
list of your skills, knowledge, and expertise. If you need help, ask a friend.
Don’t skip tasks that are second nature or common sense to you – list
everything.

Then, look
over your list and choose to see the incredible value in it. Afterall, your
list was decades in the making. Next, consider who might benefit from your
knowledge and make the offer.

And what about
when we need help ourselves? What if instead of going to the internet with a
question or problem, we called on the people with the most life experience
under their belt?

Not many
generations ago, society did just that. When problems arose, people naturally
sought the wisdom and experience of the oldest members of society. Many still
do this in the hardware store today. Why don’t we do it in every aspect of
life?

What prevents us from seeking the wisdom of older people? How have older members of society helped you? Do you help younger people when they seek assistance? Please share in the comments below.