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

One of the most vital parts of any beauty routine is a consistent skincare regimen. While that may involve an exfoliating cleansing balm or glowy moisturizer, there’s another element you’re probably missing: a targeted face and neck serum that halts fine lines in their tracks.

The No7 Beauty Restore & Renew Multi Action Face & Neck Serum is designed to tighten and firm the skin in just a couple of weeks. Its collagen-peptide complex (Matrixyl 3000 Plus), alongside a blend of hibiscus peptides and hyaluronic acid, instantly smooth the skin, bringing results that you can both see and feel rather quickly. Users may notice a reduction in the appearance of fine lines, crows feet and wrinkles, plus your face might even look lifted—a face lift at a fraction of the cost, who doesn’t want that? 

In fact, its clinically proven to make a difference on aging skin. Per a consumer study conducted in the UK, 85 percent of subjects 85% “saw better age-defying results when adding No7 Restore & Renew serum to their skincare routine” compared to those that didn’t.

Amazon

No7 Restore & Renew Face & Neck Multi Action Serum

Even those with sensitive skin will be able to reap the serum’s benefits without unwanted irritation. To make the most out of this dermatologist-approved serum, the brand recommends using the serum in the morning and at night before bed. Shoppers also say this face and neck serum leaves their skin feeling “dewy and fresh” and “not greasy,” so it’s perfectly fine to apply ahead of makeup. 

RELATED: Shoppers Are Seeing New Growth on Bald Spots With This $19 Spray—& Even Their Stylists Are Intrigued

One reviewer called it the “best serum ever,” writing “I’ve been using this serum for a few years now and I absolutely love it. I have extremely sensitive skin and I’ve never had a problem using this. I also feel like it’s helping me ‘age backwards’ as it keeps my skin soft and supple and is perfect under my day or night cream, as well as my illuminator makeup I use on top of it. It’s a fabulous product.” 

Another five-star shopper shared how she was more than pleased with the results. “Since using this serum, I notice the skin on my neck and chest looks tighter and younger. Lines seem less visible. Skin looks more supple and hydrated. Absolutely love it.” 

Want to try it for yourself? The No7 Beauty Restore & Renew Multi Action Face & Neck Serum is available at Amazon right now for 17 percent off. 

I graduated in 1973 from a small Catholic high school. I was young for my age, ill prepared to be rubbing elbows with girls who drove Jaguars and brand new Camaros to school, had streets named after their fathers and felt little to no use for me, a country girl, from a middle class family who lived one town over, in Sonoma, a Podunk town that held none of the cache of the famous Napa Valley where the school was located.

The “save the date” card for my 50^th high school reunion arrived recently, and I began to ruminate, first about going at all, which I decided I would, then about the plethora of insecurities over what to wear, what to say and how to finally fit in.

But in doing so, I’ve made some discoveries that just might ring true for those sharing this benchmark. So, I thought I’d offer them up.

Deeply Rooted Insecurity Can Last Decades

I honestly expected to be beyond this by now, that fight or flight response to the mere mention of the cool girls’ names.

It’s true, they were less than welcoming and inclusive. Their judgmental glances were not my imagination, and there’s a very good chance they were indeed laughing at me as I walked by. But that was decades ago. How can it still matter?

A brief inquiry into that stage of life confirms, our experiences in middle adolescence, ages 14 – 17, contribute prominently to our self-image. At that age, we are beginning to test our independence, develop our individuality and react to the rumblings of sexual attraction – risky and life-altering activities, fraught with perplexing social norms and complex dynamics.

It’s an exciting time, but when things don’t go right, when that cute guy asks someone else to Homecoming or when you lose the vote for the School Council, it leaves a mark. One that can be borne for a very long time.

Even if it’s deeply embedded in the recesses of our memory, and it’s been ages since we thought about it, the thought of coming face to face with those from whom we desperately and unsuccessfully sought approval can bring emotional angst rushing to the surface.

Yes, I’m a fully grown, accomplished and secure woman – most of the time. But that impressionable young girl is still in there, too, and she remembers.

Pretty Much Everyone Feels the Same Shiver of Insecurity to Some Degree

I’ve been in touch with several of my classmates and have admitted my growing trepidation, only to be reassured they are sharing the same experience.

Like me, they’ve been spending far too much time consulting the critic in the bathroom mirror, searching the internet for Cryofacials, weight loss supplements and magic undergarments to smooth out the bumps and rolls that weren’t there 50 years ago.

My guess is no one is immune to the discomfort of being held to some arbitrary standard of professional success, financial worth and the super human resistance to the decline of normal aging, real or imagined.

It’s Hard to Give Myself Credit for Turning Out Okay

After countless stern warnings that pride was not only socially unacceptable, but qualified as a sin of deadly proportion, I struggle to present myself as accomplished.

I’m proud of my strides to become a better writer and to be published regularly, but I still see myself as a fledgling, albeit teetering on the edge of the nest, poised to fly.

I’ve not launched. I do have a GoodReads page, but haven’t won the Pushcart. I have bylines, but no book deal. And frankly, a content creator feels somewhat like the second cousin to the published author. So, it’s difficult to decide how to reintroduce myself to those who will ask over their second glass of rose, “So what are you doing these days?”

How Ironic – No One Really Cares

The comforting revelation is no one cares. We’re all too jumbled up in our own experience of aging, our lost youth, and facing the reality of being five decades out of high school to be hyper critical. It’s hard to worry about someone else when you’re temporarily self-absorbed.

Old Memories and the Connection to Those Who Share Them Can Be a Lovely Way to Spend an Evening

It’s only one night. Yes, I’m nervous, but the occasion does hold the potential to be a delightful evening spent reminiscing with those for whom I hold fond memories, to see some familiar faces and share in their life story.

And best of all, to ultimately and ceremoniously close the book on a chapter written long ago but held precious for all time.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you recently celebrated a high school reunion? Or is yours pending? What thoughts have gone through your mind in anticipation of the event? If you’ve already been through it, what advice can you give us?

I was watching the news recently and heard that a local group here in the Charlotte, NC area, Seniors of Urban Living, was pushing North Carolina state lawmakers to sponsor a bill allowing families to monitor their loved ones in nursing home facilities electronically.

I have written about Granny Cams as long ago as 2009. I thought I would revisit the issue. So much has changed. Covid exacerbated isolation. Staffing in senior living took a hit. Distrust of senior care facilities reached a high and people actually moved loved ones out of communities. Add to that the ease of being able to put a Ring camera or similar in your mom or dad’s room.

My mom was once in a rehab facility, and, unbeknownst to me, they moved her to another room without informing me. Now imagine when I walked into what was once her room, the bed nicely made but no sign of Mom. My first thought was: She died! Did the thought of a camera cross my mind at the time? You bet. 

What Is a Granny Cam?

A granny cam is any camera that is used to watch your loved one and monitor his or her care. While nursing homes and assisted living get the most press, the truth is that families, especially long-distance caregivers, sometimes choose to install these in the home of a loved one, too. 

Legalities

Regardless of state law, some senior communities may have language in their admission contracts banning cameras or imposing specific requirements for their use. Most of this discussion is nursing home centric, not so much assisted living.

Many states have laws mandating that senior communities grant resident requests to install video monitoring equipment, or what we call “granny cams” if the resident and the resident’s roommate have agreed.

My latest count shows that Illinois, New Mexico, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Washington, Maryland, Utah and Virginia have some type of law in this area, and New Jersey enacted a program that loans equipment to health care consumers to allow them to do so. There is no federal law prohibiting the use of such cameras, however: 

• Installation may violate the privacy rights of the resident and his or her roommate. Consent is required, and if someone is doing this on the sly – or mom or dad have advanced dementia and cannot understand what’s happening – well, privacy goes out the window.
• Cameras could violate HIPAA and may violate wiretapping and electronic surveillance statutes. 
• The family must pay for all related expenses. Signs and notices must be posted.

You should contact an attorney to discuss the legal and practical considerations and read this fact sheet from The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care.

Abuse Prompts Use

There’s a lot of talk about abuse of seniors in nursing homes and assisted living, as well as in their own homes. Families may use cameras to gather evidence if they really believe that something’s going on.

Some senior care homes install cameras outside of residents’ rooms to monitor staff, and some use it as a training tool. And yes, some families covertly and illegally install them in care homes, too. The camera could be hidden in a digital photo frame or tucked away in plain sight. 

I won’t restate the types of abuse. Better resources include:

• The Elder Justice Coalition
• The National Center on Elder Abuse
• The FBI

Likelihood of Abuse Increased Post Pandemic

Some would argue that for older people, the pandemic is still lurking.

In home and community settings, older adults have had fewer opportunities to interact with family, friends, neighbors, senior centers, churches or volunteer programs. This decreases the strength of support networks. Elder abuse is more likely to be unreported or unnoticed.

In care homes, visitation has been restricted and, at times, prohibited throughout much of the pandemic. It still happens when an outbreak occurs. Furthermore, infection control measures in these settings have decreased interactions. Amid these circumstances, any form of elder abuse experienced by residents is less likely to be noticed, reported, or addressed.

Transparency and Better Resident Experience Builds Trust

Cameras usually stem from a lack of trust and a failure to communicate. If you want to decrease the odds of a camera being installed, increase the communication to families and residents.

Even worse, knowing there are cameras hurts morale. And bad morale leads to lesser quality care. Could you do your job well with a camera pointed at you? Staff retaliation is also a possibility after they find out that they’ve been spied on.

Unintended Consequences

Here’s a hypothetical. Let’s say the grandkids are visiting, and they’re talking about their personal life and things going on – and it’s all being recorded on camera, which they don’t realize. That crosses boundaries.

Oh, and what about sex in assisted living? Happens more than you know. And I am sure the residents aren’t setting out to make a sex video.

Alternatives

There are so many systems out there that allow families to keep in close contact with loved ones without cameras. Voice-activated technologies allow you to communicate directly with mom or dad. 

Alexa can remind your parents to take their medications, help them request their favorite songs, find social activities and groups and more. Homes can create shared calendars that family members may view, and they can invest in software that allows relatives to securely text staff, request pictures and updates, or view digital records.

In short, minimizing senior isolation minimizes the chance of harm.

Use Common Sense and Do the Right Thing

If you’re even thinking about putting that camera in, consider it a sign that mom or dad is in the wrong place. Find another one. 

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What are your thoughts about granny cams? Have you considered installing one in a loved one’s living quarters? Do you think it would violate their privacy? Would you say the pros outweigh the cons or vice versa?

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

I’m a sucker for a shampoo and conditioner that fills my shower room with fragrance so I can feel like I just stepped into a spa every time it’s hair wash day. But it can be super hard to find a deliciously-fragranced shampoo that’s also free of harmful ingredients like parabens and dyes. That’s why so many shoppers are freaking out about the Herbal Essences Bio Renew products that have completely thrown out the original Herbal Essences formula and removed tons of chemicals and harmful ingredients.

What’s left is just a fragrance-packed product that never leaves hairy oily or brittle. With this argan oil shampoo and conditioner set, you’ll pick up fragrance notes of citrus, spices and vanilla. Plus, the key ingredient argan oil helps repair damaged strands and smooth out frizz in one easy step. It’s so good, one shopper said, “The conditioner is probably the best I’ve ever used,” adding that “it makes my hair super soft and shiny. I’ve used other hydrating shampoos before, but they often leave my hair a greasy mess, and this one doesn’t.”

Courtesy of Amazon.

Herbal Essences Shampoo and Conditioner Set Repairing Argan Oil of Morocco

Right now you can pick up two long-lasting pump bottle formulas that are perfect for easily reaching for in the shower. Each shampoo and conditioner bottle comes with over 20 full ounces of product. So yeah, buying this set for under $20 and having it last nearly all year is a pretty good investment.

Another shopper wrote that, “I have thick curly hair, this duo is perfect.” A good rule of thumb for washing with thick hair? Make sure to spend double the time rinsing out the product that you did working it into the scalp.

It’s also good for dry hair, as one shopper reported, “I have super dry, wavy hair. Using this just one dramatically changed how soft, healthy and shiny my hair is.” 

With over 18,000 5-star ratings and the amount of product you get for the price, pick these up for under $20 for both and revamp your haircare routine.

Tracy Tutor’s Red Crochet Dress on Instagram

Million Dollar Listing LA 2023 Instagram Fashion

Woowwwww Tracy Tutor knows how to pack for a vacation. I am obsessed with the red crochet dress she’s wearing on her Insta. It just makes me want to drop everything and book a trip. But for now I will just drop money on a Style Stealer of this dress and drop hints to my BF to take me on a beach vacay.

Sincerely Stylish,

Jess

Click Here to Shop Her Cult Gaia Dress

Photo Credit: @tracytutor

Originally posted at: Tracy Tutor’s Red Crochet Dress