On those days when your mature woman mojo isn’t plugged in and your mind and body simply refuse to move, how do you climb out of bed, get motivated, and stay on the most effective, positive path?

Game On

The struggle begins when you pull the bed covers off your comfy, warm body and start your day with a hot coffee or latte. You stand in the kitchen and wonder silently: What’s going on today? What do I have to do? What are my most important responsibilities?

Although the to-do list is different for everyone, the struggle to connect your body, mind, and spirit is ubiquitous. How do you hold it together and make the plan for the day? And how do you stay motivated while you move through your activities?

Empower Yourself

Thinking and doing are two distinct acts. But humans can walk and talk at the same time. You’re capable of operating on many channels with different levels of effectiveness.

Give yourself a mantra:

Life is an action; not a thought, or

The more still your mind is, the farther you can go.

The key is to reach the level of your best excellence every day of your life. And that means staying in the present with the practice of mindfulness. And this is only possible if you make positivity and joy part of your daily experience.

Most of us are not giants of industry or great artists, nor are we expected to set the world on fire with our brazen intellect. We are either doing a job with the best intentions, or we’re retired with a desire to make our life’s choices with curiosity, excitement, and kindness.

The following are 5 effective ways to stay motivated and achieve your personal excellence in life after 60:

#1 Take Control

Managing your life through thick and thin, through struggle and joy requires a strong mind and a fierce determination to stay the course. Life isn’t perfect. People can be difficult. Relationships can be strained. Work can be impossible. Health can be precarious.

No matter – you are in control. There is no escape from individual responsibility, so make the choice to eliminate blame and frustration and get on with the task of solving problems with excellence.

#2 Understand Your Triggers

Everyone has triggered. We react negatively to annoyances and obstacles. It happens every day, many times a day. C’est la vie. That’s life, warts and all.

It’s the way you navigate your emotions in the situation that makes your life easier or worse. Triggers create negative thoughts and negative thoughts create situational difficulties and personal constraints.

Hold yourself in check, step away mentally, or even physically, from a situation that involves emotional reaction. I call this the 10% solution.

Getting 100% emotionally involved with your triggers (or your encounter) will not end well. Assess the situation by taking control of your mind, body, and spirit, and decide what is a more positive or effective response.

#3 Avoid Negative People, Places, and Things

It’s easier, more sensible, and more productive to avoid the people, places, and things that trigger you, drain your energy, and just plain make you feel bad.

Your instinct is to hang on longer than needed because you like to think the best of everything. Even in the middle of talking to someone who is obviously a negative attraction, you hang on until you are triggered and the obvious response is to either leave the conversation or get angry or frustrated.

Staying 100% present gives you the ability to eliminate a rush toward negativity. Contrary to trying to be all things to all people, limiting your exposure to the negatives in your life will save you wasted time mending relationships or returning to places that connote unhappy memories.

#4 Monitor Your Social Media Intake

Social media, meaning the Internet and all attendant apps, can be the enemy of your mind. You need stroking, comfort, or security, so you go to Facebook, Instagram, and Snap Chat.

How many likes, comments, views, and responses you get consumes your live. It’s a form of addiction and an unhealthy need for recognition.

You’d be happier and healthier if you made a nice comment to the person who checks out your groceries or held the door open for a stranger. Those examples are positive, real-time affirmations that have meaning in the present.

If you are a news junkie, restrict the time you watch news broadcasts. Monitor broadcast time by reading, walking, or exercising. Your mind can get full of junk. Commune with nature and with your own mind instead of hiding out in the potholes of social media.

#5 Use Your Words

Words matter. Words count for character. The craziest negative things can come out of our mouths, and these words come from an unfiltered mind.

Words carry emotions and feelings, either negative or positive. Words can hurt, and words can connote negative attitudes as well as positive affirmations.

Keep your words and thoughts positive, and you will prevent a downward spiral of meanness and stigmatizing others. Instead, the positive words you use will make you feel uplifted and mindful of your state of being.

Staying motivated is one of the most important aspects to a fulfilling and happy life. Consider it first and foremost when you meet and greet your world. Above all, stay present.

How do you stay motivated during the day? What do you do to live a positive life? Please share them in the comment box below.

Julia McGuire’s Printed Puffer Jacket on Winter House

Winter House Season 1 Episode 3 Fashion

Julia McGuire’s printed puffer jacket that we see her wearing at the “Cold Beer Bash” on this week’s episode of Frat Winter House is super cute. And even if you don’t plan on drinking with the best of them tonight, you should still definitely get ready to grab yourself a Scotch & Soda.

Fashionably,

Faryn

Click Here to Rent or Shop Her Scotch & Soda Jacket

Click Here to Shop Her Sam Edelman Boots on Sale in 4 Colours

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Photo #2 & Info: @JuliaMcGuire

Originally posted at: Julia McGuire’s Printed Puffer Jacket

Ciara Miller’s Red and Tan Puffer Vest on Winter House

Winter House Season 1 Episode 3 Fashion

I think it’s safe to say that we are very in-vest-ed in this look Ciara Miller is wearing on tonight’s episode of Winter House, and not just because of her beer can helmet (lol) but because of her red and tan puffer vest. Which is so cute that it definitely has us feeling pretty drunk in love. 

Fashionably,

Faryn

Click Here to Shop Her Levi’s Vest on eBay

Originally posted at: Ciara Miller’s Red and Tan Puffer Vest

Winter comes, and everything starts cracking. The ice cracks, the leaves crack beneath my feet, and my skin starts cracking against the onslaught of the dry cold weather. This is not to say I dislike winter. On the contrary, I adore the soups, cuddling under a warm blanket, and the immense beauty of fresh snow.

My skin is less enthused.

If you’re like me, contending with colder temperatures means rethinking my summer foundation and moisturizer. That being said, we also need to add more oils to our diet in order to hydrate our skin from within, keep our foundation looking creamy, and maintain a high functioning gut-system.

The basic questions are, what foundation should I use for my dry skin, and how can I combat the incessant dryness?

Skin Health Is Body Health

“Skin health, is body health,”says Ben Fuchs, compounding pharmacist, nutritionists, and chemist. Your skin is a direct reflection of your physical health. Dull, lifeless, and excessively dry skin is usually a sign that your body needs nutrients, oils, and maybe even lower stress.

What vitamins and supplements help with dry skin the most?

By far and above, the most effective nutrient is adding Omega 3-6-9 oils to your daily supplement list. As we age, good oils serve as a lubricant for our entire system as well as plumping and hydrating our skin. I take two tablespoons in the morning and two at night, and the improvement in my skin is evident.

Second only to oils is Vitamin C. I take about 4000mg per day, and notice it in my health and skin when I don’t. Vitamin, B, E, D (especially important right now with Covid-19), A, and E are of vital importance as well. If you’re not supplementing your diet with these listed items, I recommend you do and see the difference.

Skin health is 80% what you do internally, and 20% what you apply to your face. That being said, using great quality skin care has a noticeable impact and is worth the money. Buy a nutrient dense moisturizer like Truth Treatments Omega 6 Healing Cream, and, if you want to go for the gusto, buy Transdermal C Serum, the absolute best serum on the market in my opinion. Used in conjunction, your skin will reach new levels of softness, hydration, and glow.

What Type of Foundation Should You Buy?

Shopping for foundation reminds me of shopping for toilet paper. You have to have it, but the wall-to-wall products available are alarming and overwhelming. If you’re like me, you just buy the same old toilet paper each time to avoid having to choose anything else, even if the toilet paper is less than wonderful.

With that lovely toilet paper analogy in mind, here are some important parameters for your next foundation shopping expedition.

For starters, women over 50 should stick with sheer to medium coverage foundation. Many of you long for that Instagram I have no marks or lines on my face look that is so popular and mostly the result of the model being age 12 and camera filters.

Convinced it’s the foundation, you reach for the full coverage jar only to discover that when you use it, you look like Herman Munster. The trick here is to have great skin (sorry to be redundant), and to use concealer on the bits you want more coverage.

For example, you can layer your foundation in your undereye circles to avoid using too much concealer (a much heavier product), and then only apply concealer on marks, redness, and discoloration. This keeps your foundation looking natural, and the bothersome bits covered without over-layering the skin.

Second, look for foundations that include ingredients with descriptions like hydrating, hyaluronic acid, tinted moisturizer, and moisturizing. Only go for matte foundations if you have oily skin, no wrinkles, and are from Mars.

My Top 3 Foundations for Dry Skin

In the video, I show and tell my top three hydrating foundations that I use on myself, and on women I make-up. By Terry is a wonderful product that contains hyaluronic acid and is a sheer coverage great for mature skin. It comes in a wide array of shades, and holds up well throughout the day. Be still my heart.

Chantecaille Just Skin tinted moisturizer is my favorite tinted moisturizer on the market. Sheer, smooth, and long lasting, I adore it. Plus, the brand donates heavily to animal conservation efforts in Africa, something I value and want to contribute to.

Lastly, for a medium coverage, I deeply love Koh Gen Do’s Maifanshi Moisture Foundation. If you must have coverage above sheer, then use something as delicious as this. It hydrates, goes on like butter, and stays all day. When I want to look extra awesome, it is my go-to brand.

Cold weather doesn’t have to mean cracked and dry skin. It does mean you have to take extra care with your vitamins, hydration, and using foundations that work with your skin and don’t set in fine lines or look cakey. I hope these tips help you avoid the Herman Munster look and enjoy the snow, without cracking.

Do you use special skincare and makeup products for wintertime? What are they? What nutrients do you supplement with? What effect have you noticed on your skin with vs. without supplements?

You’ve likely endured many spiels from your mom, bestie, and fav beauty YouTuber about the importance of moisturizing your face, especially during the colder seasons. Well, we’re here to tell you that they’re right and you should absolutely listen to them. But, there are a lot of different face hydrators out there, and it can be hard to figure out which one is the best for you. To make this important decision as easy as possible, we spoke with four (!!) different dermatologists to get all our facts straight, as well as get their best face moisturizer recommendations. 

Fall is here and it’s time to lather your face in all the creams, gels, and lotions you can get your chilly hands on. Colder weather makes skin more vulnerable to dryness, dullness, and irritation—and nobody likes flaky, itchy, red skin. To spare your skin, remember to moisturize every single day. If you think your face doesn’t need a moisturizer, think again. Everyone should use a face moisturizer—and we seriously mean everyone, even people with oily skin. 

“Moisturizers help keep skin hydrated and contribute to a healthy skin barrier,” says Dr. Marie Hayag, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Fifth Avenue Aesthetics. A healthy skin barrier can prevent breakouts, wrinkles, and dry patches. 

RELATED: 5 Crème De La Mer Alternatives That Make Your Skin Look Younger & Cost A Fraction Of The Price 

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what you should know when searching for your next face hydrator. Keep reading for a crash course on the 10 best face moisturizers that come highly recommended by our four experts. These range in cost, so hopefully you’ll find something that’s ideal for your budget. 

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. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

There isn’t a set blueprint of ingredients that you should definitely look out for when choosing a face moisturizer, because everyone’s skin varies. In essence, though, Dr. Hayag suggests formulas packed with antioxidants for protecting against damage and combatting signs of aging, humectants for moisturizing and maintaining a healthy skin barrier, and emollients for soothing and softening the skin.

We’re talking vitamin C, vitamin E, and green tea extract, but also hyaluronic acid, glycerin, oleic acid, and shea butter. And, of course, don’t forget your SPF, regardless of the season or weather. Many face moisturizers contain sun protection, and Dr. Hayag recommends using one with at least SPF 30. 

Ingredients are key to nailing the ideal moisturizer for your specific skin, but so is the consistency. Lotion, cream, and gel moisturizers couldn’t be more different from each other in composition. Lotions have a lot less oil, are more liquidy, and might contain alcohol. They’re best for combination and normal skin types. Creams have an equal balance of water and oil, are much thicker, and might leave a greasy feel on your skin. They’re ideal for dry and mature skin types. Lastly, gels are water-based (a.k.a. oil-free) and less likely to clog pores, making them great for acne-prone and oily skin types. 

Thank you for tuning into our moisturizer lecture, but it’s now time to get to the good stuff. Here are the 10 face moisturizers that you should be adding to your cart this fall.

Courtesy of Violet Grey.

Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream

As you may know, celebs can’t get enough of Augustinus Bader’s The Rich Cream. Dr. Hayag is on the same page with the A-listers, and suggests this moisturizer for targeting extra dry skin. 

“This is a fast absorbing formula that contains multiple moisturizing ingredients, including squalane (an emollient) and hyaluronic acid,” she says. “I love that it also includes antioxidants, vitamin E and green tea extract.”

Courtesy of Ulta.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel Moisturizer

Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost line is absolutely iconic, and you’ve definitely seen it lining the shelves in every drugstore. It has a huge cult following, which happens to include two of the dermatologists we turned to for this story. 

“It is a reliable, cooling gel that delivers hydration and is great for everyday use, especially in warmer weather,” according to Dr. Corey L. Hartman, founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama. 

“It hydrates, is not oily, and is good for all skin types. It is also non-comedogenic,” adds Jeanine Downie, MD Director of Image Dermatology PC in Montclair, New Jersey and board-certified dermatologist. 

Courtesy of Ulta.

Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator

Household beauty name Clinique has garnered lots of fans for its Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator. The moisturizer gets its name from its ability to go 10 layers deep into the skin and provide lasting hydration for 100 hours, even after washing your face. 

“This is a great product to help plump and hydrate the skin. It is perfect for oily skin types,” says Dr. Michelle Henry, founder of Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan.

Courtesy of SkinStore.

Dr Dennis Gross Skincare Hyaluronic Marine Moisture Cushion

You’ll likely notice a hyaluronic acid trend in this roundup, and that’s because this skin savior can hold up to a thousand times its weight in water. This oil-free gel-cream incorporates the powerful ingredient. 

“The Hyaluronic Marine Moisture Cushion has a unique texture that’s somewhere between a gel and a cream,” says Dr. Hartman. “It is soothing and cooling and chock-full of hyaluronic acid to deliver moisture without too much shine. It’s great for all skin types.”

Courtesy of Dermstore.

EltaMD Moisturizer

For all the sensitive skin folks out there, Dr. Hayag recommends the EltaMD Moisturizer. It’s ideal for those with dry, peeling, and flaking skin, and even those who need their skin to heal after laser treatments and chemical peels. The formula is so gentle that people with eczema and sunburns can reap the benefits of this moisturizer.

“It contains petrolatum, an occlusive, that sits on top of the skin to prevent water loss,” says Dr. Hayag. 

Courtesy of SkinStore.

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra Moisturizing Cream

The Toleriane Ultra Moisturizing Cream is formulated to cater to people with super sensitive skin, since it excludes a laundry list of ingredients that could potentially irritate the skin. The main ingredients that help deliver moisture to your skin are neurosensine and La Roche-Posay’s thermal spring water. 

Dr. Henry says, “This is a great, rich moisturizer that is suitable for all skin types.” 

Courtesy of Ulta.

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 30

Aveeno’s Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer ticks off all the boxes. It’s oil-free, hypoallergenic, and non-comedogenic, and it has sun protection. This moisturizer is one of Dr. Downie’s favorites. 

“It is clinically proven to improve skin tone and make the skin more radiant,” she says. “I like the SPF 30 in it, but I also recommend using an additional sunblock with any facial moisturizer.” 

Courtesy of Ulta.

Vichy Mineral 89 Daily Skin Booster Serum and Moisturizer

For around-the-clock hydration, go for Vichy’s Mineral 89 serum and moisturizer. It has a lighter gel consistency that excludes both fragrance and oil from its formula. Dr. Hartman recommends this serum-moisturizer crossover for those with oily skin. 

“It’s like a cool drink of water for the skin,” he says. “Not only does it contain HA, but it also has 15 minerals found in Vichy’s proprietary volcanic water, which has been found to correct inflammation and dehydration caused by all of the external factors that we face every day.”

Courtesy of SkinStore.

SkinMedica Replenish Hydrating Cream

SkinMedica’s cream addresses a ton of different skin concerns. It not only does the obvious—moisturizes your skin—but it also protects your skin from external damage and brightens your complexion.

“It is great for all skin types and does not make you greasy, clog your pores, or break you out,” says Dr. Downie. 

Courtesy of Nordstrom.

Sisley Paris Black Rose Skin Infusion Cream

According to Dr. Hayag, this moisturizer from Sisley Paris is a great option for those with combination skin. It plumps and illuminates your skin so that it can get back that sought-after, youthful bounce. 

“This cream has a silky texture that absorbs fast into the skin and moisturizes without feeling too heavy,” she says. “It also has multiple moisturizing plant extracts and shea butter, which is a soothing emollient that’s also rich in antioxidants.”