BellaSugar

Are You Really Aging Like Your Mother?

BellaSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:00:33 -0700

This story popped up recently, and I wasn't gonna cover it at first because the research underpinning it is narrow and lends itself to a lot of pat, stereotypical conclusions about mothers and daughters. The story seems to be reporting wholesale that we're all going to age just like our mothers (dun dun dun!), so I figured I had to clear a few things up so you get the real info.

Look, this study is based on data culled from just 10 sets of mothers and daughters who were brought in because they were already similar-looking. It's junk science, seriously. I hope I do age like my mom (the lady is fine, I tell you, F-I-N-E fine), but since I'm a totally different individual and not some fembot clone of her, all bets are off. We could create a wider, probably more accurate study of our own here, so that's exactly what I'm doing. Are you aging like your mom? Are you aging at all? Let's create a little "science," OK?

7 Aging Surprises You Might Not Expect

BellaSugar — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 06:00:16 -0700

Getting older isn't the terrifying thing so many people think it is. With that said, yes, your looks will change over time, but the tradeoff is that you'll get wiser, too. (I like to think of it as beauty evolution.) There are things you already know are coming, but guess what? There are surprises, too. Read on to see some of the first changes that could make you arch an eyebrow or two.

Photo by Flickr user graymalkn

View Slideshow ›

Can You Guess the Age of These Stars?

BellaSugar — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 09:00:35 -0800

We've come a long way from the days when you couldn't trust anyone over 30. Now, 40 just isn't the new 30 - it seems that 50, too, is the new 30. Take a look at some stars and see if you can guess their ages. Be forewarned, it's trickier than it looks!

Source

Question 1 of 5

How old is Lucy Liu?

Do You Agree With Madonna's "Ageist" Comments?

BellaSugar — Fri, 23 May 2008 13:00:44 -0700

Madonna appeared on Nightline last night to talk about her new album and documentary, I Am Because We Are. I was sad to hear her say that she likes her thighs now because they "aren't as chubby" as they used to be, but I did like what she had to say about the double standard that aging women face:

I don't think we live in just a sexist society, we live in an ageist society, connected to women. I think women in an unconscious way are valued for their youth, youthful beauty, not so much for their wisdom and experience. Hopefully, we're going to change all that.

Madonna went on to point out that people are hyping her upcoming 50th birthday, but that the same fuss isn't made over older male rock stars such as David Bowie and Mick Jagger. I think she has a point. Do you?

Source

Why You Don't Necessarily Need to Feel Bad About Your Neck

BellaSugar — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 10:08:41 -0700

Remember Nora Ephron, the screenwriter of When Harry Met Sally...? Lately, it seems like all she wants to talk about is how she feels bad about her aging neck. "The neck is a dead giveaway," she writes. "Our faces are lies and our necks are the truth. You have to cut open a redwood tree to see how old it is, but you wouldn't have to do that if it had a neck."

Maybe so, but your neck doesn't have to be any less gorgeous and healthy than your face. The key to avoiding "turkey neck" in your golden years is to stop it before it starts, and fortunately, doing so is easy. Wear sunscreen every day (even on cloudy days and in winter). When you apply your moisturizer each morning, cover your entire face, then apply lotion on your neck and decolletage, too. With vigilant use, the book you write in your 60s will be I Feel Great About My Neck. As for writing hit romantic comedies, well, you're on your own with that.

Holy Moley! Beauty Marks Keep You Younger

BellaSugar — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 06:00:01 -0700

Woo hoo! Cindy Crawford and the rest of the mole people have something big to celebrate. A new study reports some great news for those of us who have plentiful moles (or beauty marks, if you prefer):

Scientists claim that those with lots of moles are years younger biologically than those with mark-free skin. ... They may retain their youthful looks for longer and could be at lower risk of a host of age-related diseases such as heart disease or osteoporosis.

Could this be the reason Cindy looks amazing at 41? As someone who also has a beauty mark on her face, I'm hoping the answer is yes! Do you have moles? Have they affected the way you feel about your appearance?
Source

Beauty Marked! An Anti-Aging Eye Cream

BellaSugar — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 17:20:44 -0800

Ever since I realized my tried and true Shiseido Skincare Eye Revitalizer, $37, lost its effect on my aging eyes, I've been on the hunt for something heavier! Thank you to all of you who responded to my Beauty Mark It! post and shared all of your super powered age defying eye creams! To see all of the anti-aging eye creams that you have chosen for me click here.

Beauty Mark #1 found by Musewings, is an Essential Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 15 With Antioxidants for Normal to Dry Skin made by Paula's Choice, $12.95. It is a fragrance free lotion that helps to hydrate dry skin as well as protect it from the sun. It's not just an eye cream, it's so moisturizing that if you apply it liberally to your orbital bone, it should do the trick!

For more anti-aging eye creams, read more

Beauty Mark #2 found by zeldaf, is the Lancome HIGH RESOLUTION with COLLASER - Deep Collagen Anti-Wrinkle Serum, $62 for one ounce and $92 for 1.7 ounces. In just 48 hours it is said to help renew the deteriorating collagen in the sensitive area around your eyes.

It was inspired by professional laser therapy, which also helps to promote collagen production and thus reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

Beauty Mark #3 found by sigmaration, is the latest anti-wrinkle cream from Bliss called Wrinkle Twinkle, $42. This fast-acting line eraser is a topical "muscle relaxer" for your wrinkles! It fills in the fine wrinkles around your eyes and then relaxes and regenerates the muscles. Over a few month period, it should also help reduce the look of dark under eye circles. Wowsers!

Three Things To Do Today To Save Your Skin Tomorrow

BellaSugar — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 09:00:46 -0800

These days the market is flooded with anti-aging products from serums to sprays to pills, so it can be a daunting task to figure out which treatments are necessary to ward off the early signs of aging. But there are three basic, simple things you can start doing today to keep your skin healthy.

Moisturize Since a lot of women struggle with occasional bouts of acne, we often overdry our skin when preventing and treating breakouts. But you can hydrate your skin without clogging your pores. Keep your skin as hydrated as possible by using an oil-free moisturizer with an SPF in the morning, and then a moisturizing gel or hyaluronic acid serum in the evening to lock in as much moisture as possible while you sleep.

To see two more ways to start preventing the early signs of aging, read more.

Exfoliate If you aren't exfoliating, you're not putting your best face forward. Removing the superficial layer of dead skin cells from your face can help with everything from acne to fine lines. A highly effective choice is an at-home microdermabrasion treatment done once a week.
Sunscreen You already know that wearing sunscreen keeps your skin healthy. But for you sun worshippers out there, I want to remind you what the sun really does to your skin. A suntan is your body's response to injury caused by prolonged exposure to UV rays. This exposure irreversibly alters the structure of the DNA in your skin cells. When this happens, the injured cells can mutate and divide uncontrollably, which is how skin cancer forms. Protecting your skin from the sun is as much about your health as it is about beauty. Almost every moisturizer on the market these days contains some sort of SPF, so no more excuses! If you're on a budget, try the L'Oreal Oil Free Moisturizer SPF 15 ($10).

Source

Bella Quiz: How Well Are You Aging?

BellaSugar — Mon, 12 May 2008 08:00:01 -0700

Wrinkles and sun spots are far from the worst thing in the world, but if you can prevent looking tired and aged before necessary, why not do so? A few easy lifestyle changes can help you look and feel healthy, no matter whether you're 20, 40, or 60. To find out if you're doing all that you can - and to get some specific suggestions for aging gracefully - just read on.

Source

How often do you smoke cigarettes?

At least once a day.

Occasionally; I'll light up at parties, but that's about it.

I used to smoke, but I don't anymore.

I've never smoked.

How often do you wear sunblock?

Never

Only when I know I'll be outside for a long time

Only when it's sunny outside

Every day

How do you handle stress?

Very easily. I have little stress in my life.

Pretty well. I keep the little things in perspective, but a few things get to me.

Not so well. I tend to get worked up frequently.

Horribly. I'm constantly a bundle of nerves!

What's closest to your typical dinner?

A frozen dinner, followed by a serving of Ben & Jerry's

Fast food or a meal from the local takeout place

A light dinner such as salmon with steamed veggies and brown rice

I don't always eat dinner.

How much sleep do you get each night, on average?

7–8 hours

5–6 hours

6 hours or less

When it comes to alcohol, you are...

A teetotaler

Not going to turn down a glass of wine now and then

Happy to party on the weekends

Sauced 24/7

Are you using any products with vitamin A derivatives such as retinol?

Yes

Oh Man: Anthony Logistics Self Tanner with Anti-Aging Complex

BellaSugar — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 06:00:31 -0700

Anthony Logistics Self Tanner with Anti-Aging Complex ($28) is technically made for men, and with my sensitive skin, I'm often wary of trying products for guys. However, I have been using this self tanner on my face for months, and I couldn't be happier with it.

The face lotion has a light, citrusy smell, and it has never turned me even a little bit orange. Even better, it works quickly: You'll notice results within an hour of applying.

Anthony Logistics Self Tanner contains an alpha-hydroxy blend that helps to get rid of dead skin cells, so it leaves your face brighter and smoother. It's categorized as an anti-aging product because it contains green tea, an antioxidant that could help slow the visible signs of aging. To learn how to use it, read more

After exfoliating, cleansing, and toning your skin, apply this lotion to your face and neck. The more often you apply, the deeper your tan will become. You can use it morning and night, although I suggest alternating it with your moisturizer once daily. Also, don't forget to wash your hands when you are finished; you don't want any evidence that your "natural" glow came out of a tube.