As a professional working makeup artist who specializes in helping those of us over 50, one of the ways I hope I can help you is to test both high end and drugstore makeup to see how these products perform on mature skin.

Today I’d like to share with you the products that I tried in 2020 that are my top picks for products that can work especially well for us now.

Drugstore Favorites from Elf

First on the list are five products from the drugstore brand Elf.

Camo Concealer

In 2020 they introduced a more hydrating version of their Camo Concealer – called Elf Hydrating Concealer – which works much better for most of us with mature skin.

As we all know, it’s really difficult to pick the correct concealer and foundation color from photos on a website. But Elf has created a great system that enables you to either look at all of the shades or go through a two-step system to help you zero in on your best color choice.

Cream Contour

The next product is a cream contour kit. The shades are incredibly creamy and blendable. They have a nice range of color and truly rival higher end products. There’s also a darker contour kit, and it’s only $8.00 – a really good value.

Eye Pencil

Elf’s $2.00 Instant Lift Eye Pencil comes in six colors. But what I most love about this eyebrow pencil is the formula. It glides on so easily. Although Elf has another eye pencil with a smaller tip, this one is a little bit wider, so it really does the job of filling in the brows quickly.

Considering the cost of eyebrow pencils from other brands – including drugstore ones – this is an amazing price point as well as an amazing product.

Eye Shadows

Elf also debuted eight four-shade “bite size” eye shadow palettes. Now, is this the best eye shadow formula out there? No, it’s not. But it is amazingly good and a great bargain– each of these little eye shadow palettes costs $3.00. And once we can travel again, these are wonderfully small and packable.

Retro Eye Shadow Palette

Finally, my favorite Elf product is the Retro Paradise Eye Shadow Palette. I find this palette appealing for several different reasons. First, it’s a great value. There are 18 eye shadow pans, and it costs $14.00. Second, eleven of the 18 colors are mattes which I think makes this palette especially versatile.

Third, there are light, medium, and dark colors as well as some brights, so whether you’re going for a neutral day look or want to glam it up with darker shades for evening, this palette really does it all. And the pigmentation of the shadows and the quality of the shimmers is really quite amazing.

Excellent Lip Products from L’Oreal

If you have issues with lipstick feathering, L’Oreal created a wonderful product for that problem when they debuted their Age Perfect makeup line for women over 50 last February.

Lip Liners

The lip liners not only come in eight beautiful shades – from a light pink to mocha to deep burgundy – but they have ingredients in them that help prevent lipstick from feathering or migrating. The only unfortunate thing is that these lipliners do have to be sharpened.

Lipsticks

They also released two different lipstick formulas from this line: one is called Satin Lipstick with Precious Oils, and the other is Luminous Hydrating Lipstick with Nourishing Serums. Both come in 10 colors. The formulas glide on beautifully, and they have a lovely luminous finish.

I really do think L’Oreal hit the mark in creating lip liners and lipstick formulas that work especially well for those of us over 50.

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!

Medium and Higher-Priced Products

Juvia’s Place came out with a number of new eye shadow palettes in 2020. However, I really love their older palette called “The Warrior.” It’s a wonderful complement to my very favorite “Warrior II” eyeshadow palette which is all matte.

“The Warrior” palette includes shades of gold, bronze, and brown in mattes, shimmers, and metallics. Here’s a video I recorded on this brand:

Three other really gorgeous palettes which have excellent formulas for those of us over 50 are from Sydney Grace, an independent California brand owned by two sisters, and from Natasha Denona.

The Sydney Grace “Enduring Love” palette is a cool toned palette that can provide an easy, everyday look, but also has three brighter colors which make the palette more versatile. These eye shadows spread like butter and blend beautifully together.

The Natasha Denona palettes I tried and loved in 2020 include one of her smaller five-pan palettes – the “Mini Lila Palette” – and one of her 15-pan palettes called the “Sunrise Palette.” For me, it’s all about the amazing color story and the amazing formula of these buttery shadows. They glide on effortlessly.

Excellent Face Products

Next on the list are the liquid blush and the liquid highlighter from Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty brand. The Soft Pinch Liquid blushes are highly pigmented and come in eight light to deeper colors ranging from corals to reds to pinks and violet/purples. They absolutely melt into the skin for a gorgeous, soft look. And since they are so highly pigmented, you only need one or two drops.

The Positive Light Liquid Luminizers also come in eight shades – from pearl to pink, gold, peach, and bronze. They’re stunning and buildable. These liquid products are especially wonderful for those of us over 50 because as our skin gets drier, powder blushes and highlighters can sometimes look splotchy and uneven. These absolutely give a lit-from-within natural glow.

Two Highly Recommended Products

In 2020, I discovered my absolute favorite products. The first is Colorescience’s Total Eye 3-in-1 renewal therapy product. It not only brightens the eye area but also reduces the appearance of dark circles and puffiness.

It has a chemical free, 100% mineral SPF of 35 and provides excellent hydration to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This is pricey, but the good news is that a little goes a very long way, so it lasts for quite some time.

Finally, here’s something that exceeded my already-high expectations: the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Ghost Edit palette that has two setting powders, a strobe highlight powder, two blushes, and a bronzer. Hourglass comes out with a new palette each year around December so there was a 2020 version of this palette with different colors.

Let me say it’s quite expensive, but it lasts an incredibly long time. I use it often and haven’t even made a dent in it. Also, each of the blushes, bronzers, finishing powders and highlighters in this palette comes in quite a few different colors and can be purchased individually in a regular size and in a less expensive mini size.

There is something almost magical about this formula. It simply melds together every product on the face and makes the entire face appear perfectly blended and seamless while also creating a gorgeous, soft glow.

So, these are my finds for 2020. What are yours?

Did you find some new makeup products in 2020? Which ones have turned into favorites? What do you like about them? Please share with us makeup loving women!

Lisa Barlow’s Leather Jacket, Striped Top, Black Bag and Purple Pants

Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Season 1 Episode 11 Fashion

Lisa Barlow’s leather jacket, striped top, black bag, purple pants and sunglasses in Vegas was a lewwwkkkk. And while I loved the general bones of it all, you probably won’t catch me in purple pants anytime soon, Vegas or not. So I had a totally fun time recreating the look in colors that are more my mood, below. In addition to pieces that will allow you to steal her style with enough money left over for Blackjack.

The Realest Housewife,

Big Blonde Hair

Click Here to Shop her Bottega Veneta Bag

Click Here to Shop her Leather Jacket

Click Here for Additional Stock

Click Here to Shop Even More Stock

Click Here to Shop her Purple Pants in Many Colors

Click here to See her Striped Bodysuit

Click here to Shop it in Black

Click Here to Shop it in Red

Click  for Info on her Sunglasses

Originally posted at: Lisa Barlow’s Leather Jacket, Striped Top, Black Bag and Purple Pants

Nordic pole walking originated in Finland in the early 20th century as a summer training exercise for cross country skiers.

The real breakthrough of this activity as a practiced exercise came in 1997, when a Finnish company, in cooperation with athletes and sports medicine experts, invented a new wrist strap system to make the present-day Nordic walking technique possible.

With the proper technique and equipment – just two poles and good walking shoes – there’s an astonishing list of benefits to taking up Nordic pole walking.

Benefits for Older Women

Anyone can do Nordic pole walking, but there are particular benefits for older women. In fact, the greatest segment of the population who commit to this sport are over 55, with some avid Nordic pole walkers as old as 100.

This sport gives you a tall feeling – naturally aligning your spine and strengthening your core. Over 50% more muscles are engaged than walking without poles. Pole walking targets arms, abdominals, waist, chest, bottom, hips and thighs.

A side benefit? In particular, this helps burn the unwanted back fat and floppy arms that torment many of us!

Studies have also proven that pole walking is beneficial for breast cancer treated women with arm lymphedema.

Budget-friendly Equipment

With any sport or activity, it’s important to have the right equipment and instruction. Fortunately, Nordic pole walking is budget-friendly and the equipment is simple to transport. As stated above, all that is required is a good pair of walking shoes and two proper poles.

Lightweight shoes or trainers with a flexible sole are a necessity, as the foot bends when you push off for each stride.

“Don’t be tempted to use skiing, hiking or trekking poles, which are designed for totally different purposes,” says Cathy McNorgan of Wellesley, Ontario, a physiotherapist and certified Nordic walking instructor.

This article has specific information for seniors interested in purchasing poles. The author, Pete Edwards says, “Seniors and anyone with a balance issue should never be recommended to use 2-piece or 3-piece twist-lock or flip-lock walking poles.”

All Nordic walking poles have a spike tip at the bottom for walking on grass and trails. This spike is covered with a rubber boot-tip that grips sidewalks and indoor surfaces. Some poles have thick ergonomic handles, while others have a thin handle with a wrist strap. Any knowledgeable sporting goods store staff will be able to assist you with the right choice.

Average prices range from $70.00 to $200.00. A good addition to a birthday or Christmas list!

Where and How to Walk

You can Nordic pole walk anywhere, in any season. Nordic walking can be done in any location – city or countryside.

Just step out your door – preferably with some good company – and away you go. You may initially think this is no different than going for an ordinary walk. The statistics prove differently!

This sport uses similar movements and muscles as cross-country skiing. The walking poles are ideal for wintry weather but also suited to any season and any landscape.

It’s also a sport that can be easily learned. “Trekking with poles is walking with serious attitude,” says Jayah Faye Paley, a certified trainer from California.

The cadences of the arms, legs and body are, rhythmically speaking, similar to those used in normal, vigorous walking. The range of arm movement regulates the length of the stride.

Health Benefits

Most importantly, the proven health benefits are enormous. Research shows that this low impact, full body sport strengthens the upper body and core, decreases stress on the hips and knees, increases your heart rate and burns 20% more calories than simply walking.

According to Marja-Leana Keast, PT, “Nordic walking has also recently been investigated as a potential rehabilitation modality for conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, type 2 diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and fibromyalgia, post-acute coronary syndrome or congestive heart failure, and orthopaedic issues such as arthritis and peripheral neuropathies.”

Keast adds, “Nordic walking is great for cardio-pulmonary rehabilitation patients.”

Using poles offloads weight from hips, knees and lower spine, and into the upper body, making it ideal for some clients who have arthritis or low back pain, or are easing back into activity after surgery.

Have you tried Nordic pole walking? What are your favorite aspects of this activity? Do you have your own walking group? Please share your advice and experiences with the Sixty and Me community.

Valentine’s Day is one of those holidays that it’s best to gift yourself even if you’re partnered up. Sure, your S.O. might get you a necklace or new perfume but there’s nothing wrong with grabbing what you really want: Bath & Body Works’ Valentine’s Day goods. As usual, the retailer is going all out for the romantic holiday with fragrance mists, shower gel, body lotion, body cream, body wash, bath foam, lip scrub, hand soap and 3-wick candles in 15 new fragrances. Phew! We told you it was a lot.

The collection is sugary sweet with scents like Coconut Cream Pie and Strawberry Pound Cake. The packaging is seriously cute, as expected from Bath & Body Works, in shades of red, pink and gold. Pick up a few for yourself (you deserve a night of self-care!) and grab some for your friends, work wife and mom. There’s so much to choose from, with even more fragrances online than you can find in the store.

Shop a few of our favorites below and visit Bath & Body Works for the rest of the Valentine’s Day goodies.

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.

Bath & Body Works.

Raspberry Jam Donut Shower Gel

With scents of wild raspberry jam, powdered sugar and donuts.

Bath & Body Works.

Pineapple Pancakes 3-Wick Candle

With pineapple, pancakes, banana, and brown sugar essential oils.

Bath & Body Works.

Coconut Cream Pie Ultra Shea Body Cream

With scents of toasted coconut flakes, caramel custard and pie crust.

Bath & Body Works.

Chocolate Covered Cherry Super Smooth Body Lotion

With scents of milk chocolate, cherries and sweet liqueur.

Bath & Body Works.

Bubble Rosé 3-Wick Candle

With rosé, blood orange and cranberry juice with essential oils.

A ticking clock in your home can affect you in ways you may not realize.

One of the primary effects of living with a ticking clock is that you are likely to feel that time is limited or running out for you. This is because the constant background ticking noise provides a continual reminder that time is passing. Your conscious mind soon learns to tune it out but your subconscious continues to hear every tick.

I’ve found this to be the case with every client I’ve ever worked with who has a ticking clock in a prominent location in their home, and there is scientific evidence for this phenomenon, too.

In one study by researchers at Florida State University, people were asked to fill out questionnaires about their ideal partner and at what age they would like to get married and have children. It was found that when there was a ticking clock in the room, women opted for getting married and having babies at an earlier age.

Those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds were the most affected, but I have found that anyone who has a ticking clock in their home is subject to feeling there is generally not enough time. Remove the clock or replace it with a silent one and the belief will usually melt away.

Feeling that Life is Repetitive and Boring

Another effect of a ticking clock is that the monotonous, repetitive sound can cause you to feel that your existence is nothing more than a series of cycles, repeated day after day, week after week, year after year.

Some people say that they find the ticking noise comforting and enjoy having a safe, predictable life, but as Benjamin Franklin once put it, “Some people die at 25 and aren’t buried until 75.” There is so much more possible in life than doing the same things over and over again.

A Ticking Clock May Affect Your Body Rhythms

The human body has many different rhythms. We each have a unique heartbeat that is so distinctive that technology is now being developed to use it as the most secure password system ever invented. There is also the rhythm of our breath, our brainwave frequencies and our personal sleep-wake cycle. Most cells in the body have their own circadian rhythm.

External rhythms can affect these. It is well established that depriving a person of sunlight can disrupt their sleep cycle, and certain types of music can lower blood pressure and heart rate.

A study conducted by Shoko Yamane and Naohiro Matsumura in 2015 in Japan showed that having a slow ticking clock in a room has an entrainment effect that slows a person’s performance. There are likely to be many other effects that have not yet been monitored.

Solutions

A ticking clock in any part of your home will affect you but the worst place to have one is on your bedside table, or anywhere in your bedroom. You will be exposed to the sound during all the hours of sleep.

And it’s so unnecessary. Just do a Google search for “silent clock” and you will discover a whole range of readily available noise-free clocks.

Most wall clocks are battery operated these days, so it’s just a matter of finding one that goes with your decor. If you use an alarm clock, be sure to choose one that runs on batteries rather than mains electricity, for the reasons explained in this article: Why the best place for a clock radio is in your bin, not on your bedside table.

Had you ever thought about the effect of a ticking clock? Do you have one in your home? Have you ever tried silencing it to see what a difference that makes? Please join the conversation.