A Basic Skin Care Routine for Mature Women
By Missy Steinfeld

As we age it gets a little more challenging to figure out how to look our best.  We have to deal with dry skin, wrinkles, sagging, and as if that's not enough, we can still get hit with an occasional break out!  Awesome!  Don't despair!  We are older and wiser, and we can do this!

The first step is to have a "can do" attitude!  Look at yourself in the mirror and say, "I love you!  You're gorgeous!"  Optimism is a very youthful quality and love radiates from the inside out.  If you love yourself and have faith that you can solve problems, you will.  One of the good things about being a mature woman is knowing that where there's a will, there's a way!

Another great thing is that we realize that what is most important is our self esteem.  We don't want to be or look twenty again.  Being young has it's own set of heartaches!  As we get older, we just want to feel good about ourselves at our current age.  We're not looking for time travel, just a healthy glow!

There are many things we can do to give ourselves healthy, glowing skin.   You probably already know most of the things I'm about to suggest.  It's time to start doing them again!  When we get busy and forget to take time ourselves, we notice changes we don't like.  All we have to do to turn things around is to begin nurturing ourselves back to where we want to be.

If you have serious issues, I encourage you to speak to a doctor.  It is well worth the price of a twenty or thirty minute consultation with a dermatologist or plastic surgeon to see what options are available to you and how much they will cost.  You may want to save your money or use your credit card for a treatment that will ultimately make you feel wonderful.  You will never know what can be done until you ask.  Don't hesitate to get a second or third opinion, either.  I have a friend who had a large birthmark on her face and several physicians told her they could not remove it, but she didn't give up.  Eventually she found some one who was very experienced in the use of lasers who was able to help her.  She was thrilled with the outcome.  It never hurts to check.

After we get our medical problems solved, we need a basic skin care system that works for us.  We need to drink plenty of water, eat nutritious foods, get lots of rest, reduce stress and use sunscreen at every stage of life.  Take stock of those areas, and take action to improve anything you've let slide.  Being aware that we need to be kinder to ourselves gets us back on the right track.

Next, realize that the products you've used in the past may not be working any more and it's OK to experiment and change.  It's OK to use the trial and error method!  Read magazines, research on line, watch TV... and try new things.  If they don't work, try some other things!  When we were young girls, we couldn't wait to use the newest and latest cosmetics!  Go ahead and enjoy that process again!  Treat yourself to something fabulous, lock yourself in the bathroom, and see what happens!  We are more successful now and our kids are more independent, so it's time to indulge in ourselves!

There are many excellent skin care lines to choose from.  Right now I'm seeing great results with Skinn cosmetics, available on ShopHQ.com (or shopnbc.com). I also like Signature Club A, available on hsn.com.  No matter what line you decide to start with, here are the core products you might want to consider:

A make up removing cleanser
An exfoliating scrub
An anti aging serum*
An eye serum*
An eye cream
A moisturizing cream
Sunscreen
A weekly mask
Acne cream, Lip treatments, Night and Neck creams are optional.

*If you buy Signature Club A products, the serums come in capsule form.

Get back into the habit of using your products religiously, morning and night.  They won't help if they're sitting on the counter.  Commit to a complete beauty ritual for thirty days to determine if you can see a change.  Wash your face to begin your day with a clean canvas.  Use an exfoliator once or twice a week to slough off dead skin cells and keep your skin fresh.  Apply an anti-aging serum that is rich in ingredients that address your needs, like brightening or plumping.  Next, gently massage in your moisturizing cream to keep your skin soft and smooth.  Make sure to use it on your throat and decollate, too.  If this is an area where you've noticed accelerated aging, you may want a neck cream.  The skin around our eyes is thinner and more fragile than the rest of our face, so that area develops expression lines easily.  An eye serum and cream are important, and must be applied with a light touch.  If you're noticing vertical lines around your mouth, you may need a special lip treatment.  Finish with sunscreen if your moisturizer doesn't contain SPF.  Repeat the same process at night, without sunscreen.  Using a night cream is optional.  Pamper yourself with a mask once a week.  There are several, such as deep moisturizing masks and pore cleansing masks.  Choose whatever you like.  If you get blemishes once in a while, keep a tube of acne drying cream on hand to spot treat.

This may seem like a lot of products and a lot of work.  Accept that as you age, you need more TLC.  If you don't feel like what you're using is working, try something else, or use what your dermatologist recommends.  Don't get frustrated; beauty is not an exact science!  It's an art!  Dabble with a little of this and a bit of that and create a regimen you love.  As we get older, we realize inner beauty is the only beauty that matters - but there's no reason we can't be beautiful on the outside and feel amazing, too!

How To Plan a Shopping Vacation!
By Missy Steinfeld

I heard that years ago, America's wealthiest debutantes were taken to places like London and Paris every summer to buy their new clothes.  Can you imagine boarding a luxury liner to sail across the deep, blue Atlantic Ocean and returning with trunks filled to the brim with the latest fashions?  Wouldn't that be delicious?  These days, retail outlets in the United States rival anyplace on the globe, so there is no need to go all the way to Europe; unless you want to - and then you absolutely should!  With every one being so busy and shopping being much more convenient, I think we've drifted away from the delightful ritual of an annual shopping trip... and we need to bring it back!  It doesn't have to be a long vacation or very far from where you live; if you have a mall or a downtown area with cute boutiques and restaurants in your town as  well as a comfortable hotel, you can plan a lavish shopping trip at an affordable price.  You won't be paying for airfare or a rental car.  You'll use your own car, call a cab, or take advantage of the public transportation system you're used to.  You don't need to miss work.  Book your stay on your days off.

If you can afford it now, why wait?  Pack your overnight bag this minute!  If you need to save your money and schedule in advance, set aside a bit every paycheck until you have enough for a nice room, a few meals out, and a some shopping!  Avoid the temptation to sleep at home.  That's a regular day at the mall.  You have to actually get away (even if it's just for a night) to make it feel luxurious.  You can go alone or with a friend and split the cost.

Think about what you'd like to purchase and make a list.  You can be at the shopping center when the doors open, pick up a latte, and take a stroll to check out all the window displays.  Go back to the stores that interest you and try things on.  Have a bite of lunch and think things over.  Try on some more clothes, and shoes, and bags. Take your time in the decision making process.  Have fun with it!  Look for scarves and jewelry.  Stop at the candy store or the book shop and treat yourself!

Once you get back to the hotel, take a swim in the pool, have a hot bath or shower and dress up a little.  Visit the lounge and sit at the bar for a drink and an appetizer and socialize.  You could also phone a friend to join you for dinner, or enjoy room service.  Many hotels have salons, so you can make an appointment for a beauty treatment the next day.  When you wake up, have breakfast in bed or go to the restaurant in the hotel or one nearby.  Get your hair done or have a facial.  You can do more shopping or go home and relax, but you will look and feel so much better after taking a little time "away" for you!

My husband and I went to France last spring for the first time and had a wonderful time.  If you'd like to go to Paris, we tried a Viking River Cruise called "Paris and the Heart of Normandy" and it was great.  There are many ways to travel abroad, but what I love about this company is that when you make airline reservations through them, they pick you up at the airport and take you back when you're done.  No panic attacks!  Your meals are included, and they're delicious - beer and wine comes with lunch and dinner, the cost of most day trips are included - and the ones that cost extra are specified.  You generally get to shop for a while at the end of the outings or you can opt out of the group tours and walk around on your own.  We spent quite a bit of time in Paris and saw many other charming locations, too.  The service was terrific.  I felt like it was a very safe way to travel, so if you're going alone or with a girlfriend, you might like it.  They have sales periodically throughout the year, so we took advantage of that.  Considering the length of the cruise and everything that was included, we found it very economical.  Here is what I packed!

How To Do A Weekend Make Over
by Missy Steinfeld

We've all seen those TV shows where some lucky lady gets a brand new look overnight.  Who wouldn't want that?  We all deserve it, but we don't have to wait to be the winner of a national contest.  Let's roll up our sleeves, dig in, and do it ourselves!

We know we have to take care of our hair, our skin, our teeth and our nails.  We know we have to update our clothes, accessories and make up occasionally.  A make over is just doing that all at the same time!  Choose a free weekend and schedule some "me" time!  The first day will be for shopping and finding things you'll need at home; the second day will be for the make over.

If you like to buy things on line or use catalogs, you'll have to order ahead of time to allow for delivery.  Find one complete new outfit that will make you feel confident.  It can be casual or dressy or a work outfit.  Choose something that's different from what you have - maybe a new style or color - and find shoes, a bag, jewelry and a scarf (if needed) to go with it.  Get as many items as you can; you will look for everything else in your local stores.

If money is an issue, "shop" at home.  If you want a date night outfit, go to your closet and pull out what you have.  See if you can combine things in new ways.  Does your old dress go with a newer cardigan?  Do you have a necklace you could wear with your skirt and top that would dress it up?  How about wearing boots and jeans with the top instead of the skirt?  Do you have a clutch tucked away that might look cute instead of your shoulder bag?  Look in thrift stores - you might find a bracelet or a jacket for a very reasonable price that would shake things up a little!

If you haven't gotten anything for yourself in a while and want a new outfit, go to your favorite store and find something you love!  Next, look for shoes, a bag, jewelry and a scarf.  Not all outfits require a scarf.  You may need to go to several places to find what you want, but take your time and enjoy it!

You'll need cosmetics.  You may have some of these items at home, but pick up what you don't have:

Bubble bath or shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, a hair mask, body scrub, body lotion or butter, self tanner (optional), facial cleanser and scrub, a facial mask, facial and/or body hair removal cream and/or a razor and shaving cream, facial serum (optional), moisturizer, eye cream, foundation, concealer, bronzer, blush, eyeliner, shadow, mascara, lipliner (optional), lipstick and lipgloss, nail polish remover, base and top coat and nail polish and Q-tips.

The next day, treat yourself to a healthy breakfast and an invigorating walk.  Run a bath and use facial hair removal cream, if needed.  Soak in a bubble bath or take a hot shower.  Wash your face and body, then exfoliate with your facial and body scrubs.  Shave your legs or use hair removal cream.  Wash and condition your hair, use the hair mask.  Rinse completely, dry off and wrap your hair in a towel.  Use your tooth whitener and facial mask.  Relax for twenty minutes or so to let everything work.  Next, apply your facial moisturizing products and body lotion.

Take a break.  Have a bite to eat.  Spread out a towel and get comfortable in front of the TV.  Do your nails and wait an hour for them to get totally dry.

Style your hair, tweeze your eyebrows and apply your make up.  Slip into your beautiful new outfit and shoes, add your accessories, and check out the "new you" in the mirror!  You look great!  Be proud of what you've accomplished!  Go downtown, take a stroll, browse in your favorite boutiques... or meet some friends for a class of wine.  You deserve a toast.  Cheers to you!