If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

For years I’ve been skimping on eye cream in the mornings. I found that it made my under eye concealer slip off easier, and I figured since I was wearing it at night, I was covered. But as more and more fine lines quickly approach, I’ve been on the lookout for something that can handle all my going-out-in-the-sun needs, and guys, I think I’ve finally found it. This eye cream/concealer hybrid from Colorescience is like an eye cream on steroids. It hydrates, conceals, brightens and provides anti-aging benefits all in one.

You’re probably already using a tinted SPF or BB cream throughout the day, and you can think of this as a tinted eye cream. It has the feel of a cream but the color of a concealer, and thanks to ingredients like albizia julibrissin bark extract, sea water, sorbitol and jojoba esters, the eye area actually appears brighter as soon as you apply it. It has just the perfect amount of sheer color, and I love dabbing it on for my no-makeup makeup look days, or just when I need to run outside in the sun for some quick errands or a long walk to take in the gorgeous fall temps.

Courtesy of Amazon.

Colorescience Total Eye 3-in-1 Anti-Aging Renewal Therapy for Wrinkles & Dark Circles

It also acts as a primer so you can pat this on before you put on your all-day concealer and ensure you have SPF coverage throughout the day. This product is “phenomenal at light reflection and brightening,” wrote one reviewer on Amazon. “It’s expensive, but a little goes a long way.”

Another said, “I’ve been using this for a few years now. After about 5 minutes of putting it on, the puffiness is minimized. I don’t have huge bags but i do have dark circles. The tint helps with this also. I doesn’t have an odor and it goes on smoothly. I put my moisturizer on after this and it all blends well.”

The formula is also made without parabens, sulfates, phthalates and synthetic fragrance. It comes in four different shade ranges so you can find the perfect shade to dab out dark circles and instantly hydrate and brighten the eye area. The metal applicator tip stays cold so you get an additional boost of cold therapy every time you apply it.

Grab it from Amazon now for $74, or from the Colorescience website for just $62.90 once you enter code NG15 at checkout to save 15 percent.

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

For years I’ve been skimping on eye cream in the mornings. I found that it made my under eye concealer slip off easier, and I figured since I was wearing it at night, I was covered. But as more and more fine lines quickly approach, I’ve been on the lookout for something that can handle all my going-out-in-the-sun needs, and guys, I think I’ve finally found it. This eye cream/concealer hybrid from Colorescience is like an eye cream on steroids. It hydrates, conceals, brightens and provides anti-aging benefits all in one.

You’re probably already using a tinted SPF or BB cream throughout the day, and you can think of this as a tinted eye cream. It has the feel of a cream but the color of a concealer, and thanks to ingredients like albizia julibrissin bark extract, sea water, sorbitol and jojoba esters, the eye area actually appears brighter as soon as you apply it. It has just the perfect amount of sheer color, and I love dabbing it on for my no-makeup makeup look days, or just when I need to run outside in the sun for some quick errands or a long walk to take in the gorgeous fall temps.

Courtesy of Amazon.

Colorescience Total Eye 3-in-1 Anti-Aging Renewal Therapy for Wrinkles & Dark Circles

It also acts as a primer so you can pat this on before you put on your all-day concealer and ensure you have SPF coverage throughout the day. This product is “phenomenal at light reflection and brightening,” wrote one reviewer on Amazon. “It’s expensive, but a little goes a long way.”

Another said, “I’ve been using this for a few years now. After about 5 minutes of putting it on, the puffiness is minimized. I don’t have huge bags but i do have dark circles. The tint helps with this also. I doesn’t have an odor and it goes on smoothly. I put my moisturizer on after this and it all blends well.”

The formula is also made without parabens, sulfates, phthalates and synthetic fragrance. It comes in four different shade ranges so you can find the perfect shade to dab out dark circles and instantly hydrate and brighten the eye area. The metal applicator tip stays cold so you get an additional boost of cold therapy every time you apply it.

Grab it from Amazon now for $74, or from the Colorescience website for just $62.90 once you enter code NG15 at checkout to save 15 percent.

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

There’s nothing more important than having multi-tasking products in your skincare cabinet. Though having a 10-step or more skincare routine is in vogue, versatile formulas save you both time and money, and isn’t that always the end goal? You might be wondering where the heck to start, but to keep it short and sweet, you really only need to find yourself a solid vitamin C serum. 

How could a single product be able to do so much? It’s simple: Vitamin C is known to promote collagen production, protect against free radical damage and smooth skin texture. All of that manifests itself in a radiant, even, youthful-looking complexion. That’s why Dermalogica’s Biolumin-C Serum needs to be in your shopping cart right this second. It’s a lightweight serum that taps on vitamin C, lactic acid and chia seed oil. Together, they brighten, exfoliate, protect and firm your skin so well that you’ll be shocked by the results. 

It’s not surprising that the product has earned a 4.6-star overall rating, with one shopper saying, “This serum makes my skin look clean and dewy. I’m obsessed. A must for anyone starting to see fine lines.”

If you’re trying to fade hyperpigmentation, get rid of tiny bumps on your skin and lessen the appearance of wrinkles, you’re in the right place. Dermalogica’s vitamin C Serum is ready to instantly transform your skin into an even brighter, dewier masterpiece. 

RELATED: Hailey Bieber Swears This TikTok-Viral Vitamin C Serum ‘Changed’ Her Skin 

Photo: Dermalogica.

A trio of key ingredients gives this serum its magical, skin-altering powers. The vitamin C complex is made up of two stable forms of vitamin C that work together to brighten and smooth your complexion. Additionally, lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid, sloughs off dead skin cells to reveal a stunningly clear and glowy layer of skin. On top of all that, chia seed oil protects skin from environmental aggressors, which is always a must. With an ingredient list that good, we’re more than certain your skin’s about to serve.

“I could tell a difference in the brightness and feel of my face within the first five days,” wrote one reviewer. “As time went on I started to have a radiant glow. I had a few dark spots that are getting lighter by the day.”

To apply, use a full dropper of product and rub it all over your face and neck in both the morning and night. Be sure to do this after toning but before moisturizing to see the best results. 

“This serum works incredibly well in brightening dull, aging skin. I am very happy with the results in just the first few weeks,” wrote another shopper. 

Don’t put up with hyperpigmentation, uneven texture or damaged skin any longer; Dermalogica’s Biolumin-C Serum is here to bring all of the radiance, protection and clarity you deserve.

Discovering and exploring local food is increasingly a significant part of our travelling experience, wherever we go. Even when the cuisine is fairly familiar to us – and for many of us, our diets include more and more international dishes and flavours – tucking into a really authentic taste experience is one of the big thrills of a holiday overseas.

Take Italian food. Many of us eat pizza or pasta on a regular basis yet ask anyone about a recent holiday in Italy and there’s every chance the subject of food will still take centre stage! In fact, spend time with someone who’s just returned from Italy and there’s a strong possibility that you’ll hear as much about the antipasti and ice cream as the art and architecture!

Part of my fascination with Italian food is that it’s so specific to each region. Recipes and flavours trickle down from one generation to another with a local twist that sets them apart from the next region or even town. The end result is that wherever you go in Italy, you’ll enjoy variations on a theme and never quite get to the end of the learning curve.

Fortunately, whether you’re a foodie or simply appreciate a delicious meal, there are plenty of ways to learn about Italian food. Read on for a whistlestop tour of some of my favourite gastronomic experiences in Italy, guaranteed to whisk you straight into the heart and soul of the country.

Visit a Food Festival

Nothing will immerse you into the local foodie culture as effectively as dropping in on a food festival. Whether it’s onions, pistachios, chestnuts, mushrooms or truffles, many food items have their own designated festivals which provide a wonderful opportunity to mingle with locals and sample some local goodies.

The region of Emilia Romagna in northern Italy is renowned for its superb gastronomy, and in particular for its parmesan cheese and Parma ham, but I have a particularly soft spot for the Borgotaro Mushroom Fair which we include whenever possible in our Parma, Tuscany and Ligurian Sea tour.

Taking place over two weekends in September in Borgo Val di Taro, the festival celebrates the aromatic porcini mushroom with a full programme of tastings, street food, exhibitions and music.

Enjoy a Picnic with a View

I think we can safely vouch for the fact that regardless of your age, eating ‘al fresco’ just gets better and better! There’s simply something about eating under blue skies, with splendid views, that just makes good food taste even more delicious!

My favourite way to spend the day is a quick zip to the local shops for a picnic of fresh bread, creamy fragrant cheese, cold meats and mouth-watering peaches, before heading off on a hike.

When I’m leading a group, our picnics are more elaborate, but still focus heavily on showcasing the best local ingredients. But the view is always a top priority, with the most memorable picnic spots overlooking lakes, mountains and flower-strewn meadows.

Participate in a Local Gastronomic Experience

Naturally, with such a focus on regional food, some gastronomic experiences in Italy rely heavily on the local environment. On our tour of Sardinia, a traditional Sardinian barbeque lunch prepared by local shepherds is a firm favourite.

Surrounded by thousand-year-old holm oaks, we feast on roast suckling pig (‘porceddu’) flavoured with wild thyme, rosemary and myrtle, and on smoked ricotta, pecorino cheese and typical ‘carasau’ flat bread.

Truffle hunting is another memorable gastronomic experience in Italy. Available during the autumn months, truffle hunting takes place in several northern Italian regions including Piedmont, home to the legendary white truffle of Alba.

Olive Oil and Wine-Tasting

Stopping by an estate to try their olive oil and wine is both great fun and a good way to further your knowledge of the country’s gastronomic traditions, with both playing a significant role in Italian daily life. In fact, Italy is the second largest producer of olive oil in Europe.

Much of the country’s olive oil is produced in Puglia and the south, but Tuscany is also a major producer. Its olive groves are responsible for growing several types of olives, including Frantoio and Moraiolo, each with their own distinctive characteristics.

You’ll find Tuscan extra virgin olive oil featuring heavily in many traditional Tuscan dishes such as ‘ribollita’ (vegetable and bean soup) and the typical appetiser, ‘fettunta’, a slice of roasted saltless bread with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

A wine-tasting experience is an excellent introduction to the complete winemaking process and will also give you an appreciation of different wines. You’ll see where the grapes are grown, processed and fermented and will learn about the history of the vineyard and winegrowing in the area. Better still, you’ll get to taste some fabulous wine!

In Italy, start with the big hitting names such as Montepulciano in Tuscany or the Barolo vineyards in Piedmont, but if you’re feeling adventurous, head for one of the exciting new wine regions such as Bolgheri in Tuscany, home to the region’s famous Super-Tuscan wines.

Take a Cooking Lesson

Where better to pick up a few cooking tips and learn how to cook like a local? If a whole week in a kitchen is not your idea of a holiday, relax in the knowledge that you can still pick up some valuable information – and have a whole lot of fun – in a one-off lesson that just introduces you to some of the most traditional regional specialties.

Dine at a Michelin-Starred Restaurant

You don’t need to splash out to eat well in Italy. As it happens, sometimes the best food is to be found in the humblest local trattoria. But if you do fancy a truly extraordinary gastronomic experience, head for a Michelin-starred restaurant such as the outstanding Arnolfo restaurant, run by brothers Gaetano and Giovanni Trovato, in Tuscany’s Col Val d’Elsa.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you ever tried any of these gastronomic experiences in Italy or elsewhere? Can you recommend any others? Which would you choose, a picnic or a Michelin-starred restaurant?!

This January, I’ll start my 78th year. I’m part of a large aging population in America. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2030, all baby boomers like me will be older than 65.

By 2034, there will be more older adults than children
age 18 and younger. Europe is headed on this same demographic path.

Unlike many of my friends, I didn’t retire in my 60s. Instead,
I left full-time work at age 67 for a stimulating “encore career” of writing,
speaking, and doing research – empowering
widows financially and assisting their advisors.

What began as a limited venture quickly morphed into a
full-time focus for six more years, including almost 300 presentations plus
over 150 publications by me or others mentioning my efforts.

I’ve greatly enjoyed this chapter of my life that’s
offered challenging work and meeting interesting new people.

Change Is in the Air, Again

But it’s time for a change. That’s partly because I have less physical stamina now. I’m ready to stop sleeping in hotel beds and eating conference food many days every month.

My flights are frequently delayed or canceled.
Overnight stays in busy airports aren’t fun either! I also miss my friends and
activities here at home.

While thinking about how to move into my next phase of
life, I remembered the end of a poem I love, “In Blackwater Woods” by Mary
Oliver:

“And, when the time comes to let go,
to let go.”

These lines spoke to me about letting go of my encore
career. Yes, I’ve truly loved the work I’ve done, but now it’s time to turn a
new page. I also want to leave now while I’m still on top, rather than slowly
slipping into oblivion.

But I don’t want an old-fashioned retirement that some
older adults embrace in their so-called golden years (I never liked that term!)
– retreating from life, resting, and then dying fairly
soon.

I would prefer to step into a full life where I can
give more of myself in a new phase. Simply, I want to refire, rather than
retire.

In their guide to midlife and beyond, Gambone,
Whittlinger, and Magnuson coin the word refirement as an opportunity to
delve into who you want to be and what you want to do for the rest of your
life.

I first heard this word 20+ years ago, and although it never became popular, I knew it could be a good fit for me.

Seven Questions to Help Define
What You Really Want

Here are the questions that helped shape my current
direction toward refirement. Perhaps pondering these will spark your own
thoughts about the choices you might make.

What Would Your Younger Self
Tell You About Your Best Future Self?

I can envision the five-year-old version of Kathleen saying
that I need to have more fun. I don’t play as often as I could. That’s great
advice for my next chapter.

What Did You Love Long Ago That
You Can Love Again?

For me, art has always been a passion. I actually began
as an art major in college; however, I soon saw my hippie artist friends struggling
to sell their work and not being able to meet even their basic needs. So, I
decided on a career that paid a salary and became a teacher.

Today, I’m in a different place where I can do art for
personal enjoyment. I recently enrolled in a sketching class. I also used to
write little poems as a child, and I’ve taken up that again.

What Do You Value Most?

Defining what’s important to me, I completed a “Rating Your Life Values” activity. This helped identify my priorities for the coming years: intimacy/friendship/love, health, service, aesthetics, and generosity.

I especially treasure friends and family. It’s true
that loneliness kills. According to an ongoing Harvard study
that’s continued for almost 80 years, “embracing community helps us live longer,
and be happier.” I’m definitely focused on making new connections and keeping
old ones.

What Do You Visualize for Your
Future?

A few years ago, when I started thinking about my
future, I created a touchstone poster with pictures. There I featured a photo
of my little grandson because I wanted more time with him. Another picture was
of me with my partner Charlie. I wanted more time with him too.

I put up a “For Sale” sign on the poster to help sell
my house. At the same time, I added a picture of downtown St. Petersburg, Florida,
where I hoped to buy a condo near the bay.

Another picture was of Dame Judy Dench, with her
stylish short gray hair. She inspired me to change my hairstyle for a fresh
look. Now I’m replacing those achieved pictures with new ones to help direct my
energies toward refirement.

What’s Your Purpose?

A growing body of literature suggests that having a
strong sense of purpose in life leads to improvements in physical and mental
health, plus it enhances overall quality of life.

Purpose can make life more meaningful and encourage us
to become more resilient. Quite possibly, it can even lengthen our lives.

I’ve already started working as a volunteer for three
nonprofits with special projects using my skills and talents. I’ll joyfully offer
my services to other organizations when I’m fully refired! Helping my family is
also a significant way for me to give.

What Will Be Your Lasting
Legacy?

I wrote the Legacy Lifeprint© eBooklet (free at this link) to help others share their stories, values, and aspirations with family and friends.

We’re the ones with the memories. These stories can be
a written legacy for our families and friends. Love is eternal, but life isn’t.
Refirement is a perfect time to write our stories before we’re gone.

Anything Else?

I love to learn and create new things. So, I’ll take a
variety of classes at a nearby college or register for an online offering. It’s
fulfilling to design a new program, event, or activity for a group.

I like to explore new places and faces. Yoga, morning
walks, and bicycling are my favorite forms of exercise – all good for refirement.

Create a Refirement Wheel with
What Matters Most

In summary, most important for me are family,
fun/play, focused purpose, friends, and fitness. I’ve posted this graphic where
I see it every day. And I’ve already started giving time and energy to some
aspects shown on my refirement wheel.

I’m looking forward to January when I’ll complete my
transition of letting go of what I loved before as I give more time to my next
fulfilling chapter. Your wheel may resemble mine or look quite different, it
all depends on your priorities and passions.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Are you living a more traditional retirement lifestyle
or planning on it when you leave full-time work? Or have you figured out what
you especially want to do with the rest of your life and are refired now or
plan to refire in the future? Please share your thoughts with our community and
let’s have a discussion.