Embrace your beautiful self at any age

Nov 30, 2020Courtney Morris
Beauty tips for any age

Perhaps you've heard some of these beauty myths: The damage is done by 18. Acne goes away with age. Oily skin resists wrinkles.

Or you've seen magazine covers selling the idea that only a certain look, shape, or age is beautiful or handsome.

Maybe you've also heard beauty is more than skin deep, so why even focus on appearance anyway?

It's OK to focus on both: beauty on the inside and outside. Here are some ways to embrace your beautiful self no matter what your age!

Beauty starts on the inside

Cornellia Angelle, San Jacinto College North Campus program director of cosmetology, encourages you to start cultivating what's inside before enhancing what's on the outside.

"Don't get over-obsessed with beauty," Angelle said. "If you feel you need some enhancements, do what you can to make yourself feel better. But beauty has less to do with physical appearance. It's about being kind and humble."

Embrace patience, gratitude, and forgiveness toward self and others. Savor and share the good things in life.

Self-conscious about your appearance? Culture has started redefining beauty to accept all shapes, sizes, and qualities.

"Especially as we age, a misconception is that we're trying to stop the aging process," Diana Perez, South Campus cosmetology instructor, said. "Now more than ever, we're trying to age beautifully and gracefully."

While beauty starts on the inside, how you look can affect how you feel. Angelle and Perez share tips to highlight the beauty that's already there.

Embrace that face

Balance your skincare regimen with products that sustain health and protect from everyday pollutants.

Some things to do:

  • Cleanse, tone, and moisturize in the morning, evening, and after exercise to remove pollutants from your face.
  • Choose a moisturizer with SPF or apply sunscreen after moisturizing.
  • For more advanced help, consider facial treatments to prevent/correct damage, smooth fine lines and wrinkles, and reduce discoloration, sunspots, and vascular marks.

"This way, we can maintain a smoother, younger-looking complexion for longer by giving our skin exactly what it needs," Angelle said.

The skin's natural cycle is 30 days, so try new products at least six weeks to see the effects once new cells generate. Use anti-aging serums and creams at least four months to see whether they boost the skin's natural collagen and elastin cycles.

Perez encourages getting regular facials. Facials cleanse the skin by bringing impurities to the surface. If you do them only before special events, you're more likely to experience breakouts.

"A regular routine is always a good idea," she said.

Love those locks

It's no surprise your hair ages with you. Because your scalp produces less oil, your hair may become dry. Try a conditioner for mature hair.

If your hair is thinning, you can also trim it shorter so it looks fuller, but this doesn't mean chopping everything off. Work with your stylist to explore flattering cuts for your hair texture. Or download a phone app that lets you test different hairstyles with your face shape.

"The basic rule of finding a great haircut is to highlight your best feature," Angelle said. "The last thing you want is to get a haircut that makes you feel unlike yourself."

Perez has seen more people — even in their 20s and 30s — embrace gray hair, dyeing everything gray to match their roots. Also, longer hair and perms are trending.

"Textured hair is making a big comeback," she said. "Now we do a bigger, looser curl for volume and body."

Ultimately, how you feel about yourself trumps what the beauty industry considers flattering. With the right attitude, you can rock any haircut.

Show those hands

Have you ever heard you can tell someone's age by his or her hands? According to dermatologists, your face is one of three "faces" on the body. The hands and neck/dcollet (upper chest) are just as exposed to common aging elements.

Treat your neck and dcollet to the same cleansing and skincare routine as your face to prevent premature aging.

Use moisturizing creams that contain antioxidants and SPF to protect your hands from pollutants and UV exposure. Keeping nails healthy is also the perfect excuse for a manicure!

"Regular manicure routines are good," Perez said. "An oil manicure especially will be nutrient-rich, keeping the nails looking beautiful and young."

Get pampered

Sometimes you need an opportunity to unwind.

If you have room in your budget, get pampered for an entire day at a spa. A hand or facial massage gets endorphins flowing and can help you feel better mentally.

"Pampering can help you feel relaxed and focused and even reduce pain," Angelle said.

Or pamper yourself at a fraction of the cost at San Jac! The North and South Campuses' new salons occasionally offer discount days for senior citizens.

Because of COVID-19, both salons may still be closed. To check on hours, services, and prices, contact:

Due for a new do?

Check out our salons at the North and South Campuses! Advanced cosmetology students offer many services, including ...

  • Haircut
  • Straighten/iron curl
  • Manicures and pedicures
  • Reform curl
  • Permanent wave
  • Foil or cap highlighting
  • Temporary or semi/demi color
  • Brow, lip, and chin waxes