For decades, boomers
have been exposed to a myriad of changes, both small and big; global and
personal; shocking and gentle; and through it all, you’re still here by the
grace of either good genes, mindful health practices, or just plain luck.

My favorite song
from Stephen Sondheim’s Follies is
called “I’m Still Here.” The lyrics make me smile and bring me comfort, because
it is a song of resilience and hope:

Good times and bad times
I’ve seen them all
And my dear, I’m still here
Plush velvet sometimes
Sometimes just pretzels and beer
But I’m here

Oh, I’ve stuffed the dailies in my shoes
Strummed ukuleles, I’ve sung the blues
Seen all my dreams disappear
But I’m here

Enter the
Coronavirus

Not long ago, you
woke up to something called the coronavirus.
As you watched the virus spread quickly from China to the U.S., it became
crucial to manage your physical, mental, and emotional health, by gaining
knowledge of the virus, how it is systemically spread, and why isolation and
distancing from others can protect you from its symptoms.

You know that
catching the virus is not necessarily a death sentence, and that underlying
health problems, especially related to the respiratory system or to the heart,
can make recovery difficult.

My experience is that my boomer friends are self-isolating. If you resisted isolation at the beginning of this pandemic, you probably have changed that mindset due to peer pressure and/or your sons, daughters, and friends monitoring your every move.

You know enough
to be cautious about social-distancing, washing hands frequently, and generally
keeping away from places that have over 10 people in attendance.

However, while
you are mindful of protecting your physical being, your mental and emotional
health should also be considered important.

Boomers have developed a variety of protocols for managing their mental and emotional health needs. I am a particular solitary woman by day and a social creature by night. I manage my situation as a solitary writer by practicing yoga and meditation, walking, swimming, and visiting my son and grandchildren with pre-planned distancing protocols.

Now that I can’t
get my social fix on the dance floor, I am creating new ways to restructure my
evenings to include social interaction via the Internet, phone calls to my
sons, my brother, best friends, grandchildren, and keeping company with
Netflix.

3 Steps to Manage
Your Mental and Emotional Health

The following are
3 other suggestions for managing your mental and emotional health in this
strange new world.

Call It Zoom

I’ve been in
Austin five years and have a wonderful group of senior/boomer friends that are
clever, smart, and inquisitive. We’ve discovered Zoom as an app to integrate a
new way of conversing and catching up on things.

Sometimes we have
a happy hour, other times we share ideas or information about internet
programming. Download the app on your computer or smartphone and you are good
to go.

Time to Get
Creative

Managing your mental and emotional health
underlines the idea that when one door closes, another door opens. Life doesn’t
stand still.

After you cleaned your closet, re-organized
your kitchen, pulled the weeds in the garden, cleaned out the shed or garage,
mowed the lawn, thrown out old files and dust collectors, it’s time to get
creative.

What have you always wanted to do in your life but haven’t done yet? Maybe: tighten up your meditation practice; use tutorials for yoga and work-outs; stretch more; increase the time you walk, and, therefore, increase the miles you log and decrease mental resistance.

Walk to your favorite music, dance, skip, and
use your arms to feel the spirit move through you.

Do you knit, crochet, sew? Get back to a
hobby. Read more, study a subject that enthralls you, take internet classes,
and learn to think differently by shifting your mind-sets.

Deepen your core values, but also practice
renewal activities, which involve developing a deeper understanding of beliefs,
attitudes, and most of all, your ever-changing identity about who you are today
in your 60s or 70s.

Expand Your Worldview

The challenge of isolation and the beauty of
silence is that you have the opportunity to expand your worldview – a world that includes philosophical and
psychological changes, as well as new ideas for personal growth and
development.

You can:

• Start spending time with the right
  people (online, of course) in intellectual discourse.
• Let go of self-limiting behaviors; take
  some risks!
• Make life simple again;
  confusion is an anathema.
• Find a new passion.
• Work through
  difficult situations with family and friends with tranquility and care.

Know
Thyself

The most formidable challenge to
everyone facing a pandemic, such as the coronavirus, is existential. The
definition of existential references your ability to face a crisis or a
disaster with competence and understanding of where your life is now and where
it might be going after it’s all over. The existential crisis tests your will,
your fortitude, and your resilience.

Cervantes wrote, “Make it thy business to know thyself, which
is the most difficult challenge in life.”

Knowing yourself reduces panic and
anxiety. To say that you don’t know enough of anything right now produces a self-prescribed
knowledge gap that is bound to inflame your neurosis quotient. Holding on to a
high anxiety level is not productive for learning to manage your mental and
emotional health.

So:

• Align your needs with
  what is happening in the present.
• Analyze your resources
  (what’s available to you in your environment).
• Worry won’t help to end the crisis any
  sooner, so stay in the present.
• Be with your own thoughts; sit with your own thoughts.
• Process your feelings instead of being
  reactive.
• Stay calm: think of the crisis as a human correction
  in your life.

It’s an axiom that every crisis shakes loose the old order: the sudden catastrophe changes the rules of human interaction and demands a review of old mindsets and antiquated opinions.

Managing your mental and emotional
health in difficult times will, of necessity, shift the sense of who you are
and what role society will play in your future. It’s an opportunity not to be
missed.

And smile when you remember that in good times and bad times, you’re still here.

How well do you manage your mental
and emotional health? What activities do you engage yourself in to keep busy?
What activities do you engage in because the calm down your anxiety? Please
share with our community.

Kenya Moore’s Snake Print Slit Skirt

Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 12 Episode 20 Fashion

A few weeks back Kenya Moore wore some killer snake print over the knee boots on Instagram and last night when she met with her estate planner we found out that they weren’t the only perfect python in her closet. And in these scene her slit snake print skirt wasn’t her only smart choice, as she provided a great example to women in terms of financial planning. Whether we are single or married, we need to know where our money is and where it might go, regardless of the size of our bank account. Even if that balance is about to get a tad bit smaller for those of us who choose to steal Kenya’s style.

The Realest Housewife,

Big Blonde Hair

Click Here to See her Sold Out Topshop Skirt

Originally posted at: Kenya Moore’s Snake Print Slit Skirt

Just when I thought the Sunday scaries and Monday blues were settling in for the week, the Nordstrom Better Together beauty sale pops up to put a smile on my tired beauty routine’s face (and give me an excuse to shop). As you are probably well aware, most of our favorite brick and mortar beauty destinations outside of the drugstore have been deemed non-essential and closed for the time being. However, that hasn’t stopped the surprise deals and recurring markdown events from flooding in, because some of us actually count our hair, skin and/or makeup routines as self-care.

With that being said, if you’re overdue for a replenishment, Nordstrom’s Better Together sale is something to keep your eye on. Because physical stores are closed, Nordstrom has teamed up with a gang of brands for daily deals across all categories and today, that distinct honor goes to beauty. From now until April 7 at 9AM EST, shoppers can save 15 percent on full-price makeup, skincare, hair, fragrance and grooming products, all of which includes free shipping and free returns.

Understandably so, there is no shortage of items to choose from, so I recommend going for those cult-favorites you’ve never had a chance to try whether it was because something sold out or you didn’t have the budget for it at the time. And if neither of those applies to you, well, I can’t think of a better time than now to simply treat yourself. Before you get lost in endless scrolling, here are 11 iconic items to keep in mind and don’t forget to check out the spring clothing sale too.

Estee Lauder.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup

Though this long-wear foundation is full-coverage, it feels unbelievably lightweight and offers a radiant, non-drying matte finish.

(Original Price: $43)

Kiehl’s.

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream

A top-selling option for dry and sensitive skin made with olive-derived squalane and glycoproteins derived from sea glaciers for that cooling sensation fans love so much.

(Original Price: $32)

Laura Mercier.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer

Infused with SPF 30 sun protection and vitamins C and E for nourishing barely-there coverage.

(Original Price: $47)

M.A.C.

M.A.C Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15

One of M.A.C’s many iconic coverage options for oil control and medium, buildable coverage.

(Original Price: $31)

Moroccanoil.

Moroccanoil Treatment

A truly versatile argan oil-infused hair oil that can be used as an all-over moisture treatment for thick hair or applied to the ends of fine hair for creating texture.

(Original Price: $34)

NARS.

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

A multipurpose coverage option that can be used under the eyes or directly on top of blemishes around the face.

(Original Price: $30)

SK-II.

SK-II Pitera First Experience Kit

If you’ve ever wanted to try the essence with countless celebrity co-signs, this starter kit includes just that along with a facial lotion and mask.

(Original Price: $99)

St. Tropez.

St. Tropez Self-Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse

Self-tanner newbies shouldn’t overlook this classic, easy-to-apply mousse for building color.

(Original Price: $18)

Tom Ford.

Tom Ford F*cking Fabulous Candle

Tom Ford’s sexy expletive perfume is also available as a home fragrance that will intoxicate anyone who steps inside your humble abode.

(Original Price: $132)

Anastasia Beverly Hills.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz

A retractable brow pencil that effortlessly mimics the shape of single brow hairs and can also be used to fill in sparse arches.

(Originally $23)

Too Faced.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

Does this volumizing mascara really need an introduction? The waterproof version is also on sale too.

(Original Price: $25)

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 and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

If you listen to the media, getting ready for life after retirement is all about how much money you can stash away. So, like squirrels, we run around, burying nuts all over the garden, hoping that they will last us through the winter. Then, when we reach retirement (or semi-retirement), we realize that money isn’t everything.

Boomers Say that Health Matters More than Wealth

I read a fascinating report by Merrill Lynch about leisure time in America. Among other things, they pointed out that people over 65 have an average of 7.5 hours of leisure time a day. That’s a lot of time to fill!

In addition, they reported that Boomers were 2X more likely than other groups to say that their health has a bigger impact on their leisure time than their wealth.

Having recently spent 6 weeks in Bali, I would have to say that I agree with this assessment. I’ve been careful with my money on this trip, but, it isn’t the size of my bank account that has held me back. Instead, I have struggled with back pain from a previous injury and stiffness from decades of inactivity.

Of course, the truth is that it is never too late to make improvements in your life. I am completely committed to using gentle yoga, cardio and weights to improve my health. At the same time, it occurs to me that, as a society, we put way too much emphasis on the financial aspects of preparing for retirement.

What Impacts Your Leisure Time? Health or Wealth?

I’d love to get your opinion on this. Looking back, do you wish that you had taken better care of your body? I certainly do!

One thing is for sure, I am definitely going to make sure that my adult children understand just how much my semi-retirement years are being impacted by my lack of physical strength and flexibility. I’m also not giving up. I’m going to work hard every day to give my body and love and attention that it deserves.

What do you think impacts your leisure time more, now that you are in your 60s? Health or wealth? Or, are they, perhaps, of equal weight for you? Please join the conversation.

The number one thing you can do to revolutionize your look is to change your eyebrow shape. As a senior, what techniques do you need to know so that your brows are stunning, in-line with current trends, and easy to work with?

Is your hair
color different from your eyebrows and should they match? What brow shape is
the most flattering for your face? How are eyebrows for senior women different
than, say, a millennial’s eyebrows?

Being a
professional makeup artist and business woman who floats around Instagram and
Facebook, I can attest that the difference is potentially huge. For example, eyebrow
styles for a 25-year-old would resemble Groucho Marx’s eyebrows on an older
woman! As entertaining as he was, a fashion statement for older women he is
not.

As we age, our
faces become more angular and need a softer, more blended look, rather than the
sharp lines and ultra-thick brows trending now. With this in mind, I created
the above video tutorial to show what techniques are more suited to an older
woman.

What are the key
factors to create a perfect brow?

Eyebrow Shape

Eyebrow styles
are regional and also cultural. What this means is that you can create the look
that suits your personality as well as your location. I live in Colorado, where
the women wear yoga clothes to work and mascara is a sufficient amount of
makeup.

That being said,
my best friend lives in Atlanta and the women there wear more makeup than I
would ever wear on a daily basis! The nuts and bolts, however, of shaping your
brows remains relatively consistent no matter where you live.

To shape your
brows, take a pencil or brush and place it from the outside corner of your nose
straight up (line A in the figure below). That is where your brow should start.

Then take the
brush from the outside of your eyeball straight up, and that is where your brow
should arch (line B).

Then, put the
brush from the edge of your nose, to the outer corner of your eye and up into
your hairline (line C). That is where your brow should end.

Lastly, draw a
straight line from the bottom of where your brows begin to the bottom of where
they end (line D).

Should I Color My Eyebrow
Hair?

In some cases,
our eyebrows can become thinner and the color turn different from that of our
hair. This begs the question, should you color them?

Well, it all
depends on what looks the most natural and appropriate on you. For example, if
you have let your hair go grey, and your eyebrows are still blonde or dark,
this might look very pretty and flattering!

On the other
hand, if the blonde in your brows is turning into a dirty yellow blonde shade,
it might be worthwhile to brighten them up.

As a rule of
thumb, you don’t want your brows and your hair color in competition. Therefore,
if you color your hair bright red, you might want to have your brows a cool
brown, and if you color your hair blonde and your brows are silver, it makes
sense to have them match.

What’s
the Best Way to Fill in Your Brows?

There are
basically three different ways to fill in brows: a cream or liquid/gel, a
powder shadow, or a pencil. In the video, I focus on shadow and pencils to
shape and boost the brows, as in my not-so-humble opinion, using a cream or gel
provides lines that look too sharp on older women.

If creams and
gels are your preferred method, then feel free to ignore my advice, but in
general I use the other two methods.

Pencil is a
wonderful and simple way to fill in brows. Be sure to use
short strokes so that it matches your natural hair growth and length. Then use
your finger to blend it in so that it loses the sharp edges and “lined” look.

Eyeshadow is an easy to use method to fill in
brows as well. Using a slanted brush, or small tipped brush, fill in your brows
according to the preferred shape. You can use the edge of the brush, or your
fingers to blend in the color so that it looks the most natural. On the whole,
I use eyeshadow when filling in brows on older women because it’s fast and
blends well.

Have fun with these
ideas to shape and color your brows and see what works best for you. Or you
might be like my many Colorado friends, who do nothing at all and are totally
happy. Whatever your choice, I hope this has been helpful!

What are your
struggles with eyebrows? What works best for you? Do you fill in your brows or
color them, or both? What techniques do you use? Please share with our
community!