Best Beauty Always

Will You Break Piggy for Beauty?

Women's Wear Daily reported this morning that consumers grew used to doing without in 2009 and are expected to focus spending on the important things in 2010. We're dining out less, holding on to cars that are still in good condition, and thinking twice about buying status brands. So what about beauty?

What kinds of decisions are you making about your beauty regimen? Are you cutting back on evenings out to maintain your cut and color? Will you make your expensive handbag last another season so you can have that weekend at a spa? Perhaps you've stepped away from the department store beauty counter - even temporarily - to buy skin care products at discount stores or drug stores.

I was talking with an esthetician yesterday about a skin analysis and facial and she told me her price range, so I know what I'm facing there. I have also been looking for a good hand treatment plus a manicure before an evening out with friends. That's not something I do every week, or even once a month, but I am not happy about the way my hands are looking. Oh, and I need a new night cream. Winter air is dry, dry, dry. What's a woman to do?

Get me a hammer. I'm going in!

Finding My Inner Spandex

Resilient New Year!

For many people, the "nought" years were fraught with stress, change, and fear. For me, the year just past saw losses and leave-takings pile up into a mountain I sometimes felt ill-equipped to climb. But in the course of doing some mental laundry - the sort of cleanup precipitated by life's natural disasters, I read my label. And wouldn't you know it! Just like nearly every garment on the market today, I am at least one percent Spandex, or whatever it's called in the human fabric. Yep! I can be pulled and stretched, sat upon, tossed around in the gale of life and still bounce back to my hanger-fresh form.

Sometimes it takes a decade like the "zeros" to really discover what you're made of. If your mental laundry requires a little darning, be sure to weave some love, laughter, family, friendship, good memories and at least a little resiliency into that garment, and wear it every day like a favorite scarf.

Style Trend for Spring: Enchanted

Edelkoort, Inc.'s Trend Union report for spring says that when the winter snow and ice thaw, a fantasy world will await:

"Tired of watching reality news that undermines our happiness, we will take a well-deserved break from fear and compensate with creativity. Our beauty will take flight into a wonderful world of enchanted styles for hair and make-up, inspired by fairytales born from our imagination.

"We will express our joy through a feast of colors, from the sweetest pales and pastels to dynamic brights. We will take some rest with soothing grays and invoke a dream world with the darkest hues of the night…and following up on the past seasons trends, we will call upon metallic shades to express our seduction."

Just thought you'd like to know. I think it sounds lovely.

Photo by Romain Lienhardt.

A Travel Essential

I've just come back from a quick business/pleasure trip to Europe and am in the process of unpacking my suitcases. As I work I'm reminded of a George Carlin routine about "Stuff." Do you know the one I mean? I try not to pack too much of it, knowing full well I'll be bringing more of it back with me, but there are certain things I just know I'm going to need. I've traveled enough over the years that I've gotten pretty comfortable with the toiletries I like to take along, and have even worked out how to buy and pack those things that I'll carry on for comfort on the plane, packing them for my convenience and to follow the rules. I've also relaxed quite a bit and don't pack all the things that I simply may need, knowing full well that I can find the same or an equivalent product where I'm going. (Really! You just have to know where to look for them.) As careful as I am about packing for the trip out, I always find when I get home that I have toiletries and beauty products spread out in my checked bags, carry-on and purse. Sigh.

On a tip from a coworker several years ago, I started carrying wet facial cleansing towelettes with me when I travel. They do a good job of removing makeup and travel grime, and I especially like to have them handy on the plane so I can freshen up before landing. My favorite for some time has been Pond's Wet Cleansing Towelettes, original clean, infused with vitamin E. I can usually find them in a 30-pack which more than covers a 1-week trip, and in small 5-towelette sample packs, which are great for the purse and carry-on. There are other good products if you can't find the Pond's.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to put away the rest of my stuff. Comfy travels.

Scandle Body Candle's Eco-friendly Holiday Ideas

Are you familiar with Scandle Body Massage Candle? It's a candle that includes vegan and natural ingredients including soy butter, shea butter, jojoba, vitamin E and essential oils, that burns at two degrees above body temperature producing an oil that can be used in a spa or at home for massage, spa treatments, manicures and pedicures and as an every day moisturizer. What a neat idea to combine candlelight, fragrance and warm oil in a spa treatment. I had a chance to see some of the latest products at the ISPA show.

For the holiday gift-giving season, Scandle is wrapping its body treats in Sinamay, a natural and environmentally friendly fiber made from hemp leaves by artisans around the world. The holiday gift line includes a refillable 10 oz Scandle Body Massage Candle and comes with one refill candle; Scandle's Body Massage Stone that doubles as a candle holder; and Scandle's Sole Survivor and Helping Hand foot and hand treatment kits that include a 4 oz travel candle and moisturizing gloves or socks.

The gift sets will feature holiday fragrances including Holiday Spirit and Sleeping on Snow. Brrr.

POO-POURRI. Really!

I have been hearing about a product called Poo-pourri for some time now, and I finally got a tester sample at the ISPA show in Austin last week. In case you've never heard of it, it is a fragranced product marketed with the simple instruction: "Spritz the bowl before you go and no one else will ever know." It is a blend of natural essential oils intended to "create a barrier to embarrassing bathroom odors." Basically, you spray it liberally over the water in the toilet before you do your business, and the citrus-y oils in the product help contain the olfactory evidence. The original scent of bergamot, lemongrass and grapefruit is available in a travel kit that includes scented wipes, too.

The brand has expanded from its original offering to include a variety of scents: No. 2 has the fragrance of mandarin, bergamot and orange enhanced by peach and berries; Royal Flush for men is scented with eucalyptus and spearmint; HeavenSCENT features white jasmine florals and natural essential oils; and, most recently, Nature's Call Organic features organic essential oils.

I'm sold. You can order online or locate a retail outlet near you.

Angela Ritchie's ACE Camps Part II

This is part two of my inspiring Q&A with Angela Ritchie, blogger at Grace Is Over 50 and founder of Angela Ritchie’s ACE Camps. See part one here. And take the opportunity to contribute to the discussion! I'd love to hear from you.

Karen: You’ve had what sounds like a pretty adventurous life. What were some of the best parts? What do you like best about what you’re experiencing now?

Angela: I used to grab my bedding and sleep on my roof when I was about 8 years old – it was exciting for me to wake up in the morning in the outdoors.  I’m not sure I ever told my mother this and am pretty darn sure she wouldn’t have approved.  I have never been afraid to try new adventures and guess it’s because once you start doing them it just gets easier.  I’m a bit of a nomad which I suppose sets me apart from those that have chosen a life lacking in adventure.  There’s a thrill about it.  I’m not talking about bungee jumping or cliff diving or other dangerous sports. I’m thinking it’s more of spontaneity and trusting the outcome.

Some of my favorite times have included experiences in nature and in cultures – like skiing in deep powder in the trees in Whistler, B.C., hiking the Grand Canyon, hanging out in the Sahara desert, running a hotel in Mexico where all the staff spoke another language or walking in the bush in the Yukon staking a gold claim after being dropped off in the middle of who knows where by a helicopter – to meeting a guy in a bar in Rio de Janeiro and trusting that he would meet me at the bus station in Buenos Aires after 48 hours on a bus.  We never spoke one word to each other – he Spanish, me English but there he was waiting for me when I got off the bus. Some things I did would not be regarded as safe today and I certainly don’t recommend them, like hitchhiking to our cottage in Northern Ontario or driving with 4 other girls across Canada in a tiny push button gear changing Renault.

What I like best about what I’m experiencing right now is the challenge of making the Ace Camps successful. I like to work and have figured out what type of job would best fill my days.  One morning I woke up and basically the word Ace Camps was in my head and I went from there.  I have a lot of great ideas for the camps and hope to have a following of great people who upon reading of the newly listed camps will sign up right away.  I’m working on the new website and hopefully soon it’ll be launched.

Karen: What else would you like to experience for yourself?

Angela: I would love to camp across Australia in an Airstream bus, live in Paris for a few months, build a pond yacht at The Wooden Boat School, laugh with Shirley MacLaine, play one song on a musical instrument, travel India by luxury train, travel through wine country in Argentina, build a rustic cabin on a lake…ah, so much to do!

Karen: Are all of your camps art related? Any trout fishing or adventure cooking with interesting chefs? What’s on tap for future camps?

Angela: There will be all sorts of different experiences involved with the Ace Camps.  I would like to have travel writing workshops with Tim Cahill in Yellowknife, NWT – (hey, Tim, are you reading this?), journeys in New York with Charleston lessons and attending the Jazz Picnic on Governors’ Island, tennis camps, fly fishing, cooking in Italy in a castle, mystery writing in an ice hotel and even a glass of wine (or two) with Francis Ford Coppola at his winery.  In January 2010 I have a four-day camp in Panorama, B.C. with Heather Bilodeau, one of Canada’s best ski instructors.  If she can’t get you skiing like you never thought possible no one can. And if you know any “kick-ass” boomers whom I should feature on Grace is over 50 – feel free to contact me at [email protected]

So, Best Beauty Always readers, are you itching to experience adventure, culture and education? The ACE Camps in the Baja are filling up fast.  Sabrina Ward Harrison will be leading the first one from October 24^th – November 2^nd, followed by Suzanne Northcott – November 7^th – 14^th.  If you want to keep in touch and check in on the camps you can follow Angela’s Facebook page for updates and as soon as the Ace Camp website is finished there will a link from www.graceisover50.com, and find the tab for ACE Camps.

I have a long list of adventures I’d like to experience. How about you? Please share a few of the experiences you would like to have in a comment here at Best Beauty Always. I can’t wait to read them! -- Karen

Angela Ritchie's ACE Camps Part I

"You have to try to do what you really like – or what’s the point?  Angela Ritchie

 On her blog, Grace Is Over 50, Angela Ritchie paints 50-plus with a “cool” brush, seeking out people living lives of art, inspiration and adventure and assuring us that we are not living our mothers’ 50 plus. She also runs a venture called Angela Ritchie’s ACE Camps, through which she takes “cool people on adventurous, cultural and educational trips,” thus the name, ACE. While ACE Camps is for people of all ages, I think the opportunities Angela offers, and others like them, could be especially wonderful for women over 50 looking for new challenges and new ways to express themselves. In a two-part post that will finish up on Thursday, Angela answers a few questions I had for her about being 50 and doing what she really likes.

Karen: I love your blog. It says to me, 'See, 50 is not the end of hip and interesting!' Being over 50 hasn’t always seemed so cool, but you clearly know of a lot of people who are making exciting things happen for themselves. Is our generation changing notions about middle age?

Angela: Most definitely our generation is changing the notion.  We have lived through some of the most interesting eras especially the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s.  We are redefining what it means to be 50 – celebrating in our own unique style and with an enthusiasm for life.  I think most of us have a belief just because we’re getting older that doesn’t mean we stop doing incredible things.  My blog is not about health concerns, retirement or complaints about aging but rather to encourage the growing older crowd to get out there and live life to its fullest.  I also want the readers to be proud of their age and not hide it.  I am hoping to tell everyone that we as the older generation can live as mentors of style, grace and encouragement, not just old folks to be ignored.

Karen: Your blog is about growing older with adventure, audacity and style. How can owning those three things make life better after 50? If you feel as though you’ve never really embraced those things, where do you begin?

Angela: I’d like the readers to grasp on to the adventures ahead and to explore what is meaningful to their lives – to take on the challenges of their dreams without fear.  I feel that if the older generation is grabbing their challenges and making an effort to follow their dreams it can only prove good to the younger folks.  I can’t think of anyone who doesn’t admire strength in someone – let’s say Audrey Hepburn who, even as she grew older, participated in causes that were very dear and important to her as a person.  If someone over 50 has never embraced the things in life they deemed important now is the time to start.  It’s not frightening – it’s wondrous.  It does not matter how simple your goals are.  It matters whether or how you achieve them.  Style is about the way in which something is said, done, expressed, or performed and no matter what it is that you try to learn about, no matter if no one around you has the same desire, it is only important if you take the chance and the steps to move forward and continue learning.  No cranky oldies – respect is my hope.

Karen: There are a lot of people over 50 who just wouldn’t be so comfortable with what Suzanne Northcott (ACE Camp artist) calls “following the mapless terrain of the creative life.” They like a little more structure in their days. How would you encourage them to sign up for an ACE Camp adventure – or just get out and try something new?

Angela: I contacted Suzanne Northcott to verify her statement and I think it fits in quite well with the message I’m trying to get across.  Suzanne wrote me back and stated the following:  “It means that when you are learning to listen to your best, wisest instincts, you don't know where that will lead. She is right to wonder if this could be risky because living this way is exciting and energizing and can cause changes in your life.  The "muse" is another name for your own voice, the voice of the creative courageous you that would never ask you to go in a direction that isn't ultimately good for you.  Our job is to sort this voice out from the often louder voice of fear and dysfunction.”

I know that participants will come back from an Ace Camp renewed, rejuvenated and excited by spending their time with other like-minded people.  Ace Camps are about learning, exploring, inspiration and having fun.  The camps are small and a great opportunity to create new friendships.  It is my ultimate desire to have participants stay in touch with each other, join up for other Ace Camps opportunities and be able to step out of their norms.  I have never known a person who has successfully taken a risk and not evolved.

I love that last line! Be sure to come back on Thursday for part 2 of Embracing Adventure. In the meantime, be thinking about the next adventure you’d like to have.

Beauty Under Where?

In my last post I wrote about the growing number of nutritional food and beverage products aimed at improving some common skin concerns. Today I'm sharing a snippet from the folks at beautypress.com about new products designed to deliver beauty benefits via your undergarments and other clothing.

Once only popular in Europe, caffeine-infused shapers and pantyhose are gaining steam in the US. Right now, “cosmetic clothing” is limited mostly to undergarments that target cellulite, but new technology in France is bottling the concept. The lotions can be applied to any article of clothing, and aren’t restricted to cellulite toning. Here’s how it works: Add one of the three lotions that each have a different benefit (moisturizing, toning cellulite or refreshing tired legs) into a load of wash. During the wash cycle, the fabric becomes coated with microcapsules that are wrapped in silicone. Once you put on the clothes, the silicone breaks down (from the friction created by the fabric touching your skin); the capsules open up and spread onto your skin, which absorbs them like any topical cream or lotion. The lotions are only available in Europe now, but keep an eye out for them to reach US shores in the near future.

I have to say, I love the idea of a product I can wash INTO my jeans, for example, that will refresh tired legs.

Authenticity is Beautiful

This above all: To thine own self be true...

Shakespeare’s words from Hamlet seem quite fitting this morning upon reading the wonderful comments on the Q&A with Diana Lewis Jewell. Two thoughts rise to the top: the desire for authenticity and the power of community.

In this day of sometimes overwhelming choice and opportunity, when it seems that nearly every heart’s desire can be fulfilled, what so many of us seek is simply to be true to ourselves. The strength to sort through the options and filter out the negativity comes from inside ourselves and from finding like-minded women to talk with.

And what a marvelous thing, just knowing that there is a community of women to guide you, to push you gently from behind when you tire, to catch you when you fall, and to applaud when you reach your goal. All you have to do is find your people and join in.

Many thanks to Diana for sharing her thoughts with us, and to the many women in her Going Gray Looking Great! community who took the time to comment because they feel so deeply about the experience they all shared and the support they received. We are all richer for it.

Have a beautiful day!