Age & Beauty

In my younger years I LOVED experimenting with new eyeshadow looks, or lip colors. As I entered my 30's I was struggling with what I thought was appropriate for me as an actual adult with a child, husband and responsibilities. Then as I approached my 40's, I had the lovely addition of VERY noticeable changes. My already sensitive, dry and rosacea prone skin was suddenly unhappy with EVERYTHING. I had no idea what to do with my skincare, foundation, eyeliner.... nothing seemed to work anymore. Lashes? They seemed to cease to exist overnight. I gave up on mascara because the few little stubs of lashes I had left, I didn't want to be lost to eye makeup remover. So for several years I didn't really do much. At some point I finally decided to start over. I started slow. I finally found a foundation that didn't show every pore in my face, and actually made me look alive! I would get compliments on my skin even! Those words of affirmation from amazing women I would encounter gave me the encouragement I needed to continue my journey. I even found my passion for some of the more fun aspects of beauty returning in my interactions with some of the younger women in my life. I was starting to feel like myself again, but in a new way. Ironically my journey with beauty helped me to love my imperfections more. Sure I love to make my lashes look long and gorgeous, but I loved that I had figured out how to improve the health of my lashes, it wasn't just because of some mascara. This was the secret.

I may be older, and I may not look like I did in my 20's, but I know so much more now. I understand myself more. I know what I like and don't like. I have learned so much and I continue to do so. I have the best skin I have ever had. Who can say that in their 40's? No, I have never had botox, fillers, or any cosmetic procedures. I've had a couple facials. That's it. I'm not saying I would never do any procedures, because I don't know how future me will feel. This 40 something version of me is pretty happy with where she is at. I'm not perfect, I never was, but I love and appreciate the person I see in the mirror. I want every woman to feel this way. I want us to enjoy taking care of ourselves, and not feel bad about it. I want us to enjoy life and not worry about how we look. I want us to really live. We aren't getting any younger, and I intend to enjoy every minute I can. I want to see the Age & Beauty community grow and become a place that we can talk about things we love, or have discovered that bring us joy! Let's change the conversation. Let's look for the beauty in aging.