As women age, the more beautiful they become–but often, the less attractive they feel. Who they are isn’t coming across in how they look. And so, they feel invisible.
I wrote a makeover book for women over 45 because I like them. We “get” each other. Younger women tend to gravitate towards the trendy and trivial whereas women who’ve sort of “been there, done that,” like I have, are impatient with hype. My clients are smart and they’re ready to hear it. I wrote my book, Staging Your Comeback: A Complete Beauty Revival for Women Over 45,
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Here are some of the lessons women 50+ can learn from makeovers in my book:
1. Growing old is optional
Rici is the perfect illustration of what happens when you do next to nothing because “it’s just too much work.” Looking natural does not mean doing nothing, especially after 60! It takes makeup to look naturally attractive.
Rici’s “before” look evoked granny in the rocking chair with the knitting–but that image simply didn’t match the Rici I met. With a great hairstyle and highlights, shaped brows, and yes, makeup–we see the true Rici, a woman who wants more from life, who wants to live.
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2. Your hair speaks volumes
Nancy has a great personality that her “before” look didn’t come close to capturing. Technically, there was nothing wrong with Nancy’s look–but, as I suggested, she might want to save it till she’s 70.
Much of Nancy’s transformation had to do with simply getting rid of her grey and going for a cut that truly suits her. Short, blond, and bangs all promote a youthful look. The spirit of who Nancy really is radiates in her “after” photo, and that’s what any makeover is all about.
3. Classic doesn’t have to mean boring
Linda’s “before” look was classic to the point of failure. Her hair and clothes were shapeless, her makeup colorless, her workbag completely lacking style. Did someone say “schoolmarm”?
Her “after” look is still classic, but it lets Linda’s vibrant personality shine through. To me there is nothing sexier than a woman in a straight black skirt, a beautiful silk blouse opened one extra button with a killer pair of heels. Plus, the matching hem, hose, and heel work together to elongate her legs. Bam!
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4. Give yourself a lift
By age 40, about 40% of women have experienced some hair loss, and the hair loss accelerates during menopause. The right haircut and styling can make a big difference.
For example, Carol thought she needed shorter layers on top for height. In truth, she needed color for texture and more length on top for support. Take control: Give yourself some lift and keep it there by back-combing and using a fine mist hairspray, preferably aerosol.
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5. Dress the woman you are today
As you try to find the balance between growing older and looking modern, don’t fall into the trap of becoming “mutton dressed as lamb.” You won’t look younger, you’ll simply look vulnerable and insecure.
Cheryl’s transformation shows the importance of dressing age-appropriately. Rather than tell a story about our past, our image must declare the person we’ve become. In her “after” photo, Cheryl shows just a hint of cleavage (all that’s needed!) and her skirt length, just below the knee, is flattering as well as sexy.
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6. Build a foundation
Maybe in the 1960′s and ’70s you burned your bra and let it all hang out, but as time passes, the spirit may still be willing, but the flesh does become weak. It’s time to recognize that the single, most important garment you can wear under slim-fitting clothing is the appropriate foundation.
Lynette’s makeover shows how the right shapewear smooths, slims, and firms. Also, choosing an outfit that creates a monochromatic line slenderizes and balances.
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7. Minimize
Lynda told me she hadn’t really “gone out” since the 1980′s because she’d been self-conscious about her weight. But after weight-loss surgery, she lost 155 pounds. And although I thought Lynda was beautiful, she couldn’t seem to see it.
In Lynda’s makeover, warm colors brighten her face while monochromatic color blocking is slenderizing. The lapels draw the eye up and out, away from her midsection. The V-neck elongates, and the necklace draws the eye to Lynda’s face. Finally, fuller leg pants help balance a bigger top.
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8. Keep it current
Gail started out with home hair color from hell and a dated hairstyle, plus dark makeup that was aging–and a little scary. Part of the problem was that Gail had spent her life spending money on her children’s clothing, makeup, and haircuts–but had trouble feeling that she deserved those things for herself.
Gail’s makeover stayed true to her beauty buzzwords–simple, clean, and natural–but the softer hair and makeup are much more feminine and the trapeze silhouette works well for her A-shape body.
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There was no feelings of attack or feelings of anger when I wrote my reply to you. Just stated how I feel about people I find toxic.
You can read into it whatever you like, but with the written word there is no body language, inflections, or an
yes, like my soon to be ex husband! He also fits #s1,3,4,5 above.
Fantastic. I’ve been trying to update to be age appropriate, while still maintaining “me.” Lots of great wisdom.
Wow! From frumpy to fabulous. I’m going to buy your book.
Thank you both!! Did you see the AARP magazine for March/April? We have some big makeovers there.
How beautiful they all are! Much improved. I’ll have to buy the book and create “my style”. I’ll also have to go through my AARP Magazine and look up more makeovers.
YES! And go to the website AARP the magazinne.com you can register to win a makeover, but the videos are inspirational.
This article is just “the shot in the arm” that I needed. I will be turning 61 soon and although my good gentics have given me less wrinkles, I have lost the “feel good” feeling when I dress up. I realize that I might revitalize myself by doing some of the suggestions that this article had. Merci Beau Coup!
Holy smoke! If you’d run into these women in after mode, you’d have a hard time recognizing them! I am so impressed and inspired. I am 51 and have a hard time knowing what to keep and what to get rid of in the closet and in the make-up drawer. I’ve always had to watch my budget closely and if it was still usable, or fit, I used it and I wore it! My 21-year-old daughter will sometimes just grimace at what I wear. The tips on the hair are particularly useful. I’ve never been comfortable with my hair and change it often – always searching for the perfect look that doesn’t cost a mint to keep up. I’ll be shopping for this book in the next few days. I’m simply “wowed” over what you did for these women. I hope to use your book to help me look better!
Thank you!! http://www.stagingyourcomeback.com
I bought the book
and am devouring it!
I love the makeovers! You’re only as old as you look!!
LOL.
A great way to update your look is to get rid of your reading glasses. Visit http://www.goodbyereaders.com for style tips and tricks as well as to enter to win a free makeover.
Susan
“See a New You” Team
Twitter: goodbye_readers
Susan,
I have the multi-focal lenses. They are totally awesome. I can’t imagine life without them.
I did lasik monovision, but when I need the tri focal length I’ll be all over this.
Just got mine this week, and besides seeing better, I am not squinting all the time, which made me look tense and insecure. AND probably made more wrinkles!
Wow, really great makeovers. Man, I need something like this!! I feel like I have the hair + makeup just about right, it’s the clothes and my weight that stop me from looking truly grand. Unfortunately my clothes budget is small. And while I exercise 4x a week and watch my calories, losing the weight has proven very difficult if not impossible due to menopause. argh!!
WEll at the bottom of the page it says Coldwater Creek has 70 percent off!!
And they have flattering affordable clothes. A start!!
Have you ever been to Bausch & Lomb’s website? Because you can register to win a FREE custom makeover from style experts AND a year’s supply of those multi-focal contact lenses you love!
my extra weight is due to oldage shula
Wow!! I could use some of this!!
Great ideas! But, I didn’t like the suggestion that Nancy save her look for her 70′s, some of us may be way-over-50 (or 72) but still actively out and about in the community and vibrant as we do it. We gray-hairs number in the millions, but there is little in the way of hair care products or styles….so thanks for your tips.
Madolyn
I’m getting divorced and staging a comeback of my own. Wish I had you here to help me!!! Since that’s not the case, I will probably buy your book. Loved the 8 makeovers!!
uau! I hope to have something to do here, so far way of USA! I’ll search for the right look for my age: today II’m turning sixty and I’m so proud!
WOW! I love these makeovers. The women look fabulous!
My only problem with adapting any of these looks for me is the shoes the women are wearing. For many women over 50 (myself included), shoes are a huge factor in aging our looks. We get that. But many of us are unable to wear heels. I’d love to see makeovers for women like me with foot problems that require wearing shoes with support – not just flats because they lack the support.
Me, too! I wear secure laceup tennies, but cannot always get away with them.
boy do I hear what your saying!! I live in snow country,so heals are a BIG no- no..Its been so long since I have had a pair on my feet I am afraid I would look and feel silly in them..Any advise for us no heal gals?
You don’t need to wear heels at all, but for the most dramatic slenderizing and “makeover” looks heels just looked better with many of the outfits. Round and chunky adds pounds so a slimmer wedge or oval toe will be more slenderizing thant a square, round or chunky toe.
Great! This is inspiring and enlightening! Kudos to Christopher!
I agree about the shoes. I’m 52 and have had arthritis since I was 13. The only shoes I can wear that are comfortable are sneakers so I haven’t worn a dress in years. My hands are also a dead giveaway about my condition. I would love to see makeovers done on women with physical challenges.
OMG..do I love this post or what!! I only wish I could get a consultation from Mr.Hopkins..which would absolutely make my day..lol I know exacty what these ladies are referring to about reaching a certain age and feeling invisible..It is painful beyond belief. And then there is a problem of knowing what to wear so you dont look like youre trying to look to old or to young..its a fine fine line..and I personally find it difficult. My closet is starting to look like a Vampires..in that I only seem to wear black. Im sure someone once told me a thousand years ago I looked good in black..or maybe its because of the “ten pound off” illusion but somehow I seem to always gravitate to that color.
Thank you!
Youre most welcome! If you ever do a workshop in Houston..or private make-overs Id love to sign up. I am very very focused on being physcially and mentally the best I can be..and Im not going to let age stop me! I have ordered your book already and a couple of friends are doing the same. “The proof is in the pudding ” as my grandmother used to say (who also had the last name Hopkins)…and you could see the results in the pix you showed…You definitely know what youre talking about..and knowledge is power..so Im going to gleen any tips I can from your book and put them to use asap!!
Great Post! I would love to have this book….
Christopher Hopkins is a master. These women look fabulous. I’m getting the book too!
the confidant look on these beautiful women in the after pictures says it all !!!!! Oh to feel that good about yourself..Thanks for the insight to changing some of our old ways..
I think they all look great but so much of it for some is the lack of glasses in the after picture. If you are not a candidate for contacts or surgery then the after effect is not so dramatic.
I think eyewear can make a wonderful after photo. I just did not have time incorporate eyewear into the already HUGE challenge of 12 haircuts, colors, styles, fittings, shopping, photo shoot etc.
I get confused sometimes because I have different people telling me what looks good and doesn’t so who do i really believe?
Well, me, of course.
Truthfully, media and magazines want sound bytes. But you can’t say one broad sweeping sound byte about what works for “all women over a certain age.” So I wrote about the facts. This does that. If you do this, this will happen, rather than “this looks old, and that looks young.”
But what on earth do you do with natural curly hair? I love the short sexy cut but that only works well with straight hair! Natural curly hair always looks uncombed, unruly. Will that ever be in?
Hally Barry…very curly unruly hair. Short haircut. It can work. Read Curly Girl by Lorraine Massey. I think that has good answers.
I bought that book and I love it. The makeovers are awesome and so helpful.
Pictures are awesome; but hell with the book…….I want my OWN makeover!!! ;p
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Does beening over 50 mean you can’t have long hair anymore and still look good?
I assume you mean the all inclusive you, Debbie. Because if you’re asking me, the answer is yes. I can’t wear my hair long anymore and still look good (and I’m 46). Many women can.
Wow! Wow!! And wow!!!
These makeovers are fantabulous. Ladies, you are gorgeous. Mr Hopkins, where have you been for MY last 20 years? Genius! I’m off to buy the book ….
Music to my ears!!!!