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As I’ve gotten older (ahem, late 30s), I’ve noticed my skin looking both duller and more freckly — hello, hyperpigmentation. It was a big wake-up call that I needed to start incorporating a brightening vitamin C into my skincare routine. Life & Pursuits Saffron Face Oil has been a surprising win for me and my skin. Why so surprising? Well, it’s much more affordable than the other vitamin C-infused face oils in my arsenal.

Life & Pursuits Saffron Face Oil contains turmeric, saffron and vitamin C to improve skin’s texture and tone. You’ll find these ingredients in luxe serums from brands such as Sunday Riley and Ranavat because they work. This face oil also hydrates while it brightens and nourishes with a blend of squalane, argan oil and apricot oil. Don’t worry — no sharks were harmed in the making of this squalane. Life & Pursuits is totally vegan and cruelty-free.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Life & Pursuits is a STYLECASTER sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Life & Pursuits.

Though my skin is dry in some places, I do have occasional hormonal breakouts and I’m happy to say this oil felt lightweight and non-greasy on my skin. Still, it’s made for dull and dry skin types so if you need a little more brightening power in the winter, this is the oil for you. It’s also great at evening the skin tone, ensuring dark spots are much less of a worry.

But don’t just take my word for it: Amazon shoppers rave about seeing results after just one week of use. “I was experiencing some dullness in my face,” says one reviewer. “But after a week’s use of this massage oil I noticed the radiance and health coming back on my face.” Another reviewer agreed, saying “it leaves my skin soft without being greasy, and absorbs quickly.”

And that’s not all that Life & Pursuits does well. Fans swear by its Bhringraj Hair Oil for the way it improves hair texture and stimulates hair growth — it’s even been likened to Olaplex and Rogaine. And it’s less than $20! You truly cannot beat that.

Life & Pursuits.

And you can’t forget the skin on your body. Life & Pursuits Turmeric Body Oil contains Ayurveda herbs such as turmeric, amla and ashwagandha to nourish, moisturize, and hydrate. Skin is fresh and any irritation is soothed.

Life & Pursuits.

It’s official: don’t sleep on this affordable brand. Get it all at Amazon now. (Hint:it makes a great gift!)

Do you enjoy hiking? Hiking can include strolling in your local area or traveling internationally to trek mountains. Whatever your level and lifestyle, you need appropriate clothing and shoes to make sure you are comfortable and safe.  

Hiking is one of my favorite activities. I love researching hiking trails in my area and going as much as I can. I use the website and app All Trails to find interesting trails that are reviewed by hikers for their difficulty and other characteristics. 

Breathable and comfortable clothing is key to enjoying your hiking. Nothing throws you off course more than an ill-fitting top that makes you sweat profusely or shoes that cause blisters. 

That doesn’t mean that you have to wear old sweats and ugly running shoes either. Many brands have specialized in modern and comfortable hiking apparel – many using innovative UV protection and moisture control materials. 

Read READY FOR A HIKE? CHECK OUT THESE 5 TIPS FOR ACTIVE SENIORS.

I have put together a few hiking outfits for women over 50 that I hope can help you hit the trails comfortably and stylishly. 

Casual Day Hike – Pretty in pink! 

Heading out for a casual and easy day hike? This outfit will keep you cool and dry and still looking feminine. 

• REI Genesis Tech T-Shirt is thin, flexible, and effective at regulating body heat. 
• Outdoor Research Ferrosi Capri Pants lightweight soft-shell capris resist wind without reducing breathability. Ample stretch provides smooth movement.
• Oboz Sypes Mid Leather Waterproof Hiking Boots are built for versatility and designed with sustainable materials.
• Tilley Wanderer Hat offers 3 brim options – snap it up on one side, on both sides, or not at all.
• The North Face Lumbnical Waist Pack has an internal secure-zip pocket with key-clip webbing.
• REI Knockaround Mai Tais Polarized Sunglasses cut glare and offer UV400 protection.

Tropical Weather Hike – Beat the Heat!

Hiking in the heat carries its set of challenges and that’s why it’s important to wear proper clothing to keep your skin cool and dry. 

• Patagonia Capilene® Cool Daily Tank Top is quick-drying, has stretch for maximum comfort, and also offers odor control. 
• Patagonia Long-Sleeved Self-Guided Hike Shirt is a sun shirt made of 100% recycled polyester fabric with 50+ UPF sun protection. 
• Patagonia Nine Trails Shorts are made with a lightweight 91% recycled polyester and 9% spandex blend that breathes, wicks moisture, and moves comfortably.
• KEEN Newport H2 Sandals feature quick-dry webbing, toe protection, and an adjustable fit. 
• Hat Alchemi Labs Clearwater Sun Hat features radiant barrier technology that reflects 80% of the sun’s heat waves. 
• Zeal Incline Polarized Sunglasses offer ProFlex rubber on the temple tips and nose pads to keep them in place.

Cold-Weather Hike

Hike in cold weather with tech gear that doesn’t bulk but keeps you warm. 

• Patagonia Nano Puff Vest is Warm, windproof, and water-resistant.
• Fjallraven Kaitum Fleece Hoodie combines the temperature-regulating and warming properties of wool with the strength of polyester.
• Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Pants provide warmth, stretch, and unrestricted movement with their durable, stretchy, stitch-free material.
• The North Face Shellista IV Mid Waterproof Boots are made of premium full-grain leather, ultra-durable nylon, and padded ripstop tongues for extra warmth and comfort.
• Outdoor Research Frittata Beanie is made of breathable, moisture-wicking merino wool. 
• The North Face Recon Backpack has a large mesh storage pocket and daisy-chain attachment points.
• REI Co-op Merino Wool Midweight Hiking Crew Socks add a bit of warmth for cooler hikes. But they’re still breathable, moisture-wicking, and naturally odor resistant.
• Icebreaker Cool-Lite Merino Chute is a face mask, beanie, neck-warmer, sunshade, and headband all rolled into one.

Multi-Day Hike

Pack a few more items when going on a multi-day hike. Make sure all your items match and that your pack is big enough (but not too big).

• REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants are made of stretch fabric and a zip-off design that provides an easy transition from pants to shorts.
• REI Co-op Sahara T-Shirt wicks sweat, dries quickly, stretches, and shades you with solid UPF 30 sun protection.
• Trekmates Jungle Hat is made with organically grown cotton and has a removable chin string.
• Merrell Moab 3 Mid GORE-TEX Hiking Boots offer a waterproof membrane to keep your feet dry while still allowing your feet to breathe.
• Patagonia Side Current Tank Top is an easy-to-wear transitional tank top.
• Black Diamond Trail Trekking Poles with FlickLock adjustability, comfortable foam grips, and excellent value.
• Patagonia Refugio Daypack 30L is Fair Trade Certified sewn.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Which outfit do you like best? Where do you like to shop for your hiking clothing? Where do you like to hike? Tell us about it in the comments below.

Travel has been an important part of my life. I have lived and traveled in Europe, Asia, and Latin America starting in my 20s until now. Travel makes the world come alive. I love meeting people, making friends, and learning about the different cultures.

When I was diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer, I learned that I needed surgery followed by a year of treatment.

Every three weeks, I had a lab test and a doctor’s appointment. For the first seven months, I had to endure intensive chemo and for the next five, maintenance chemo – not to mention regular CT scans and other tests.

Give Up Travel? I Don’t Think So

The diagnosis happened in early December 2017, the year I turned 65. To celebrate, I had already invited my three adult children and their partners to join my husband and me at our rainforest reserve in Nicaragua.

The first thing I did was to check with my doctors to see if I could possibly make the trip before the whole ordeal was to start. They said it would not hurt to go as long as I shortened the trip.

We did go, and it was such a wonderful experience, full of magical family moments in the jungle in spite of the tinges of fear about what was up ahead for me.

Then, in February, early on in my chemotherapy, I was invited to go to Berlin to present at an international conference that November. I immediately wrote to the conference organizers telling them that I wanted to go, but I could not possibly know what my health status would be in November.

To my surprise, the organizer replied that she too had cancer and was very understanding. She suggested that we find a person I could present with, so I would not need to worry in case I had to cancel. That was no problem.

All through the grueling chemo treatments, the trip to Berlin was something to look forward to and inspired me to push ahead. I scheduled the two-week trip, book-ended by my chemo treatments.

When I returned I was full of the glow of the experience. I was so glad that I chose to go. If you are a travel lover who is sick in some way or has an impediment, I encourage you to find ways to travel. Even with limitations, it is a healing experience. Here I will share a few things I learned.

Prepare: Do Your Homework

As you get ready to go, find out about your destination. What are the health conditions where you are going? How long is the flight and what support do you need to manage it?

Don’t hesitate to request a wheelchair for going around in the airport. Luckily, I did not need one, but realized that especially in some airports, there are crowds, rushes to connecting flights, and long walks between gates.

Find out what kind of accessibility conditions are available in the country or location you are going to. I was surprised to find that in the Berlin apartment we rented, the elevator went only to the 7th floor and our apartment was one floor up.

Also, Berlin does not have the kind of accessibility that we’re used to in the US. Find out what kind of medical facilities are nearby. In the Nicaraguan jungle, the hospital was a two-hour boat ride away. In Germany, I did not need to worry.

7 Tips for Senior Travel

Consult with Your Doctor

The first thing you must do, and I probably do not need to tell you, is to check with your doctor if you are healthy enough to travel.

Know Your Coverage

Get travel insurance before you leave. Then, once you arrive at your destination, check on whether your hotels and tours offer refunds and allow for late cancellations. It eased my mind not to be worrying about having to make a change.

Take Time to Plan Your Trip

Plan your itinerary carefully and include time to rest. We decided to spend most of our time in Berlin and avoid a lot of running around – this time.

Express Your Needs

Do not be afraid to let your hosts know your needs. No need to push yourself beyond your limits no matter where you are going.

Don’t Overpack

Pack light: I cannot stress this enough. We went on trains and climbed those stairs with small suitcases that I could handle myself if needed. With big bags? I don’t know how we would’ve handled it.

When Available, Purchase Online

Use online options as much as possible. Now you can buy many tickets online and avoid waiting in long lines. It also saves confusion as you are navigating a language you might not speak!

Don’t Forget a Dictionary

Bring an electronic or hardcover dictionary, just in case you need it. I thought there would be dictionaries at every tourist location, but not any more. I found a simple App for my phone that worked wonders.

One of the hard parts of dealing with cancer and other debilitating conditions is the fear that you do not know what lies ahead in your life.

Planning a trip ahead gives you something to look forward to and that gets you through hard moments. It also inspires gratitude making you feel appreciative that you actually can go and grateful while you are there. And once you return, you actually feel proud of yourself: I did it!!!

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What debilitating condition is stopping you from traveling? Or perhaps it’s something else? Where do you plan to travel to next and what are some tips you can offer? Please share in the comments below.

Have you ever pulled the hair back that’s around your temple and been a little startled by how sparse the hair looks in that area? I know I definitely have! And most of us have also experienced the look of sparse brow hair as well.

Since so many of us deal with thinning hair and eyebrow issues, I wanted to share with you today two products I’m very impressed with that are quick and easy fixes for these hair and eyebrow issues. One product is specifically for brows and the other is for hair although some people use it for both hair and brows.

A Helpful Product for Sparse Brows

Let’s first focus on eyebrows. In the video below I demonstrate a product from a company called iMethod, which I found on Amazon. It’s an eyebrow kit that contains two sets of five different eyebrow stencils, an eyebrow pomade, a sponge applicator for stamping on the eyebrow color, a dual-ended eyebrow brush, a set of complete directions as well as a handy zippered pouch so all these items can be kept neatly and securely in one place.

There are eight different eyebrow pomade colors from which to choose, so it’s very likely that you’ll find a color that’s the perfect match for your eyebrows. This product is also waterproof and long-lasting.

The Brow Filling Step-By-Step Process

In the video I use shade number 9 which is an ash brown. The promise from the iMethod brand is that we can get flawless symmetrical brows in a minute. The first step is to select the stencil that best fits the shape of your eyebrows.

Then take the sponge applicator, dip it into the pomade and then tap the sponge into the cap of the pomade jar to remove any excess product. A little of this product goes a long way, so it’s always best to apply a small amount first and then reapply if necessary.

Next, hold the stencil in place with one hand while you stamp the product onto the brow. Then, if you need to, you can add a little more of the pomade product using the dual ended brush. But be sure to just pick up a very small amount of the pomade on the brush.

The brush can be used in several different ways: to fill in the brows even more completely and/or to create a little more definition along the edge of the brow. I need to create a little more definition along the top of my brow since I have a scar and have to apply product more deliberately in that area. Then just use the spoolie on the other end of the brush to blend it all in.

Make sure to wipe off the stencils after using them so the product doesn’t build up on them. Also, wash the brush for the same reason. Detailed directions for washing the small sponge applicator are included in the kit.

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!

A Great Product for Thinning Hair

To fill in color on my scalp where I have thinning hair near the temples – and to fill in along the part where grey hair always seems to show first – I tried a product called Truhair Waterproof Color and Conceal.

This is a waterproof cream-to-powder concealer which comes in 10 shades. It’s for temporarily touching up root grow-out, contouring the hairline or filling in thin spots. Some people also use it on their eyebrows! I haven’t tried that yet, but I certainly will give that a try using one of the stencils from the iMethod Kit.

The sponge tip applicator on the Truhair product holds the formula for a mess-free targeted application. And the cream formula is designed to make it easy to blend into the hair. This product does not feel wet, sticky or the least bit uncomfortable, and it’s meant to stay in our hair until we shampoo it out.

It also won’t stain pillowcases. In the video I use the color Dark Brown, applying it in my part line and along my temple area where my scalp is becoming more and more visible.

I hope you found today’s product tips helpful.

If you’d like to learn more makeup tips, techniques and product information, please drop me a line at boomerandbeyondbeauty@gmail.com and let me know you’d like to be on my mailing list.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What products have you discovered that help with thinning hair and brows? Are they effective? Have you experienced any problems with application or learned new techniques?

Tamra Judge’s Brown Cat Eye Sunglasses on Her Instastories

Real Housewives of Orange County 2022 Instagram Fashion

If you were keeping up with Tamra Judge’s IG stories and wondering what she thinks of Emily Simpson where she got her brown cat eye sunglasses, you’ve come to the right place. We were able to track them down and and give you the answer! And you’ll be pleased to know they are very wallet friendly. As for Tamra and Emily being friendly I guess we will have to “watch and see”.

Sincerely Stylish,

Jess

Click Here to Shop Her Sojos Sunglasses

Photo Credit: @tamrajudge

Originally posted at: Tamra Judge’s Brown Cat Eye Sunglasses