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.

How do we really know when it’s time to retire? What images do you have of the term “retirement?” To some it means enjoying life and golfing every day. For others, it means moving to a warm climate.

Some people have a foreboding vision of cotton-head hell and early-bird dinners. Many more experience a crippling fear of reduced income, getting old and being left behind.

There’s a lot riding on making that big leap into the next stage of our lives. Big life changes are scary things to think about. They can often paralyse us with fear of the unknown. We look in the mirror and ask, “Am I ready to do this?”

Nagging Questions for a Retirement Life

Here are some of the questions that may stress you at night.

• Who will I be without my business card?
• Can I survive without the big pay cheque and perks?
• Will I lose the friendship of my colleagues if I leave my job?
• Will I get old and fat in my sweat pants?
• How will I spend my days?
• What else am I good at doing?

These are all legitimate concerns we need to come to terms with. The first step is to be brutally honest with ourselves. We have to admit just how much our ego is fighting against our inner voice. Then we need to make a plan. Without one, things will surely all fall apart.

Way Back in the Olden Days

The word ‘retirement’ may have been the appropriate term for the men who ruled the ranks for generations. After years of loyal service, they simply disappeared with their gold watches into that great abyss of black knee socks, white shoes, and polyester pants. But the woman of today is a new breed of corporate citizen.

So perhaps it’s time for us to lead the charge and find a different word for this important life transition and leave the old definition behind.

Changing the Narrative

The dictionary defines the word “retirement” as “withdrawal into privacy or seclusion.” Are you kidding me? With so many vibrant boomers making the leap into the golden years, the term “retirement” itself needs to be retired.

We need to re-imagine a more modern term that reflects our arrival at a well-earned destination. So with this in mind, why not create a new word and call it our “arrivement” instead?

Survival of the Fittest

I was a woman executive in the corporate ranks. My career was often fraught with the usual debilitating impacts of stress and political agendas. Many of us were pioneers in making significant cracks in those glass ceilings. This was especially true in industries where men were traditionally kings. Good for us, ladies!

But even today, many women in the workforce find that staying alive can be an effort in tough survival. Women working at senior levels continue to be covertly punished by disconnects in gender communication. We have always been at a disadvantage, disabled by our inability to manipulate casual deal making at the urinal.

We worked damn hard to get where we are in life. So the concept of leaving it all behind can be both intriguing and unnerving. We deserve everything we want to do with our lives, so let’s get on with it.

Here Are 7 Steps to Reaching Your Own Personal “Arrivement”

• Follow your instincts and be true to your inner voice.
• Ignore the doubts of others around you and be your own role model.
• Make a list of the big and little things you still want to do with your life.
• Prepare for the next step by taking courses or volunteering in your areas of interest, while you are still working.
• Talk to your financial advisor about your plans and find ways to live within your future income.
• Be gentle with yourself and don’t wait until you’re burned out.
• Make the break and enjoy the rest of your life doing what you love.

An important thing to note is that “arriving” at this stage of your life doesn’t mean you need to stop working. It might mean staying where you are if you love your job. It could mean reducing your hours to pursue other interests. The important thing is that you follow your bliss and shift gears into something close to your heart.

You might want to choose a quiet life of good books and family. Perhaps you’d prefer working at a job at an art gallery, volunteering at a hospice, becoming an actor, going back to school, or joining the circus. It’s all good because your life belongs to you. And you deserve the joy that will come when you find the ways and means to go for it!

On a Personal Note…

I am now a whopping 20 years into my “arrivement,” and I have never looked back. I followed my writing dreams. I have enjoyed many travels with my husband, and feel blessed to have time to spend with my daughter and granddaughter.

In a word… life is beautiful when you enjoy every moment, regardless of aging issues or physical limitations. The important lesson I have learned is to say YES to the things I want to do and a big fat NO to the things I don’t. And with each passing year, I’m thankful for this remarkable gift of new beginnings.

Are you ready to take the leap into your “arrivement” or are you already there? What is your favorite word for retirement? Share your story in the comments below. Let’s start a conversation.

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

We can’t pretend like our skin is ready for summer, because it simply isn’t. The gloomy weather isn’t giving us the natural sun-kissed glow that we deserve, so faux tanning is all we’ve got. However, we don’t want to drop hundreds of dollars on spray tan appointments. Thankfully, a celeb-loved tanning product known and loved for its stellar results just so happens to be on sale at the moment.

St. Tropez’s Jumbo Self Tan Express Mousse is one of Kim Kardashian’s all-time favorite self-tanners, she previously revealed on her KKW blog. It’s a lightweight, fast-absorbing tanning mousse that doesn’t leave your skin feeling sticky after application. The product is just $49 during Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale. It usually costs $88, making its $39 markdown a must-buy.

“I’ve used St. Tropez self-tan express for a couple of years and I love it. I’ve tried other brands but always come back to this,” raved one Nordstrom reviewer. “Goes on beautifully, no streaking, gorgeous color, one application lasts a week and it gradually fades just like a real tan. Dries fast and doesn’t stain.”

In no time, you’ll be glowing like Kim K thanks to this tanning mousse. It’s the perfect way to make it feel like summer all day every day.

RELATED: Shoppers Say This $22 Self-Tanner Makes Them Look Like They ‘Got a Full Face of Filler’

Photo: St. Tropez.

The best part about this airy mousse is that you can control the depth of your tan. Apply and wait one hour before showering for a light tan or sit still for two hours for a medium golden tan. You can even leave it on for up to three hours for a darker bronze. But regardless, you’ll have a natural-looking tan that stays for days.

It doesn’t streak, stick or transfer, which ticks off all our boxes. The mousse also dries quickly and is super hydrating. Basically, it’s foolproof. Anyone can use this self-tanner, even first-timers and beginners.

To make sure your self-tan lasts, remember to exfoliate and moisturize drier areas, like your hands, feet, ankles and wrists. Next, put one pump of mousse on your mitt and smear the product in sweeping motions. It’s okay to overlap each layer because it’ll prevent missed patches and an uneven tan. Then, shower after one, two or three hours, depending on how deep you want your tan to come out.

Soon as you know it, your tan will be developed after four to eight hours. And you won’t have that off-putting fake tan smell, either, since this formula has a new mood-boosting fragrance.

St. Tropez’s bronzing mousse has everything you could possibly want in such a product. And when Kim Kardashian swears by it, you know it’s going to be fabulous.

Years ago, I did yoga weekly, at a local yoga studio, but it was such a hassle getting there in rush hour traffic. So, I started going less and less, always finding a good excuse to skip the session.

About a year later, I started to feel pretty crappy. I was having difficulty sleeping and was irritable. My days seemed somewhat stressful and I was feeling rather sad. I thought it was aging. When my doctor told me I was fine, I knew my body was trying to tell me something.

I had to make a change, so I decided to get back into gentle yoga.

Exploring the Benefits of Yoga for Women Over 60

To keep it simple I did yoga at home with an on-line yoga video. I enjoyed the on-line class and did it again the following day, and then a few days after that. I was enjoying the freedom of doing yoga whenever I wanted, and surprisingly, I was feeling good. I was upbeat and happier. I was handling problems with ease, not bothered by the small things that had been irritating me.

Was it the yoga?

I did some research and found two things that were responsible: one was the yoga breathing technique, and the second was the effect of mindfulness.

Yoga or Ujjayi breathing involves deep inhalations and slow exhalations controlled by a narrowing of the throat passage and repeated through the yoga session. It is often called “ocean breath” as the out-breath produces a wave-like sound. Many researchers have found this breathing reduces stress and helps strengthen our mind-body connection.

Mindfulness is living in the moment. We are mindful when we focus on the present and on our physical and mental selves. During yoga, we are in a mindfulness state, as our attention is on our breathing and how we are feeling as we move through the yoga positions.

Being mindful, according to scientists, has both emotional and physical benefits, in addition to stress relief, increased patience, and a more positive attitude.

Yoga was taking, on a whole, a new meaning in my life. Not only was I feeling so much better, many aspects of my life were improving.

Here are 5 unexpected benefits that I have experienced from yoga. I hope my experience encourages you to consider looking into this more deeply.

Building a Stronger Mind

I was able to better focus and had more control of my thoughts. This enhanced mental control helped me understand with more clarity. I was making better decisions, as I was more aware of my options and analyzing them in a more focused way. Yoga strengthened my mind.

Developing Stronger Body Movements

I was becoming much more flexible and agile. My posture was improving and my hips weren’t painful as before. My body was balanced and getting stronger. I felt my walk was more relaxed and natural without the hip pain. At 61 I’m no spring chicken, but I think I now have a spring in my step!

Experiencing a Stronger Mind-Body Connection

I seem to be better able to control my emotions. I’m more relaxed and calm. I’m enjoying the moment and not constantly worrying about “what ifs.” Sure, things can still be stressful, but now I can handle them in stride by doing what I can, and not worrying about what I can’t do.

I find myself using Ujjayi breathing to relax through any stress, as I think happy thoughts and smile it all away. And this works!

Increasing Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence

I’m more positive with how I see myself. Sure there are things I don’t like, but that’s okay, as there is a lot of good in me too. I’m proud of where I am in my life. If people want to judge me, well that’s their prerogative, but I’m not going to worry about this anymore.

Improving Sleep and Reducing Fatigue

I’m sleeping through the night more than I was before. And, because I’m sleeping better, I’m feeling refreshed when I wake up and less fatigued during the day. I’ve even eliminated that mid-afternoon nap. That’s when I’m rolling out my yoga mat…

Yoga has improved my overall quality of life. The yoga positions, along with the special breathing and the state of mindfulness during the practice, have helped me become mentally and physically stronger. I feel more in control, I have more confidence, and it feels good. Yoga has helped me focus my thoughts so I can better analyze my options, assess my abilities and understand the consequences of my choices. I can see myself as I am, and I do like what I see.

Wow, did yoga really do all that? Absolutely, so roll out your yoga mat and start feeling terrific too!

Have you tried gentle yoga? What was your experience? Have you also experienced any of the benefits of yoga mentioned in this article? Please join the conversation and “like” and share this article to keep the conversation going.

Many specialists recommend dancing to encourage mature adults to move and feel good. Everyone can enjoy the benefits of dance including healthy mature adults, those dealing with chronic conditions, and those needing care.

Dancing provides physical, mental, and social benefits.
It’s fun and enhances our creativity.

We may think of dancing as a standing activity. But
haven’t you caught yourself dancing away sitting in your car as a particular
song comes on the radio? Dancing in wheelchairs, with walkers, sitting in a
chair, and standing are all possible and fun.

Sometimes exercise, which is one of the four
pillars of active aging, can be boring and not much fun. Dancing provides
physical and mental health benefits and enhances creative expression.

Using dance to explore your own story is one of the
unique benefits of this type of exercise. Also, it’s fun and generates joy.

Dance Your Story

Jessica Conneely is a professional dancer who
started teaching dance classes for mature adults. The unique aspect of dance as
an exercise is the way that it enhances creativity. Jessica encourages
participants to use creative expression to build their own stories through
dance.

Dancers can use a structured set of movements or improvise
their own movement. They can immerse themselves in movement, make a dance of it,
and add emotion. With a variety of music styles, tempos, etc., movements come
naturally.

To encourage social interaction and creativity, Jessica has participants tell their stories. The stories build connections in the group and engagement among the dancers. Giving people time to tell their story, listening and honoring each of them, leads to social interaction.

Physical and Mental Health Benefits of Dance

The main benefits of exercise are increased
strength and endurance and improved balance and flexibility.

Dance improves all these areas, especially balance
and flexibility. Depending on the tempo, dancing can also improve muscle tone
and lung function.

Important mental benefits include increased
cognitive performance and re-discovering physical movement memories. Dance then
can be beneficial along the health spectrum.

Dance for Chronic Conditions

Dancing encourages proprioception, or the awareness
of the body’s position as it moves. Parkinson’s disease impairs this brain
function and can thus lead to imbalance and falls.

But falls can be prevented with technique. Dancing
requires you to concentrate on the part of the body you are moving and the
direction you are moving it in. This kind of combined
mental and physical exercise can counter Parkinson’s effects.

Using motion from other areas to create a dance routine
can be beneficial for both movement and memory enhancement.

For those with dementia, using movements that are
specific for other areas of life, like sports or gardening, challenges their
memory and encourages their creativity.

In dementia, movement can trigger people’s memories
– like one always knows how to ride a bike
regardless of how long it has been since the last such experience.

Dance Is for Everyone

Everyone can enjoy the benefits of dance – from healthy adults, to those who need special care. It’s fun, enhances our creativity, and encourages us to move our bodies to our own rhythm and tempo. Let’s dance!

How often do you dance? Do you go to dance classes?
Which style is your favorite? What do you think about dancing your story?
Please share your thoughts and let’s have a conversation!