According to the Associated Press-Life-GoesStrong.com poll, baby boomers say wrinkles aren't so bad and only 12 percent are upset about looking older. The vast majority say they would not get plastic surgery.
I agree -- I don't think I would get plastic surgery either. I would rather go to my esthetician D and get coconut oil lathered on my face to help erase my wrinkles. Have you ever had coconut oil on your face? I did last week when I treated myself to a facial with D and it smelled so good and my face looked so good afterwards.
The AP poll also found that 55 percent of boomer women who responded are taking some steps to look younger, including dying their hair to cover the gray and 25 percent have paid more than $25 for an anti-aging skincare product, such as a lotion or night cream.
Me too, me too. I'm part of the 55 percent who dye their hair. However, I do it not only to cover the gray, but also to provide my aging hair with more body and poof. As for the anti-aging skincare, I spend a lot more than $25 on lotions and night creams. In fact, I likely spend four times that amount each month.
Speaking of anti-aging, the other day I received a letter in the mail from Allure magazine, which claims to be a beauty expert. It said free gift inside, so I opened the envelope. It was a very thin envelope so I wondered what the gift could possibly be. There it was -- a small card with seven, yes, I said seven, anti-aging tips printed on the card. Ooh, aah. Aah, ooh. What a gift.
Ooh, aah. Aah, ooh. A professional discount order form was also enclosed. For $10, you can get two years worth of Allure magazines plus another free gift of a "must have" bag, said the flyer. What a deal... but dare I add another magazine to my mailbox? Yes. No. Maybe so.
What's that you say? You're my friend and friends share their gifts. Okay, you want me to share the seven anti-aging tips from Allure editors? Okay, boomer girls, here they are:
1. Shrink Your Pores: Allure says, "pores expand as gunk accumulates in them -- the older you get, the more likely they are to stay expanded. Put them on a diet by switching to a cleanser with salicylic acid. It helps slough away dead skin that can lead to clogging." (Wonder if coconut oil can help shrink my pores? Will have to ask D the next time I have a facial.)
2. Let It Rip: Allure says to "deflate and clean pores -- like the ones on your nose -- once a week with pore strips." (I will do anything to make my nose look smaller. I always wanted a nose job, but I was not going to let any doctor break my nose and fix it, especially after I went through sinus surgery.)
3. Get More Beauty Sleep: Listen up boomer girls. Allure says, "if you go to bed 15 minutes earlier, for four nights running, you'll establish a routine where you get an extra hour of dark circle-zapping rest. For your best shot at the necessary eight hours, quit the coffee after 3 PM and avoid exercising in the three hours before bedtime." (Oh, Allure mag, you are so right. I do usually skip the caffeine after 3 PM, but I should try harder at going to sleep earlier. Thank you for the reminder -- what a great gift.)
4. Pile On The Anti-oxidants: Allure says, "the most potent anti-oxidants are CoffeeBerry, idenbenone, green tea, pomegranate and Coenzyme Q10." (What about blueberries? I've been eating blueberries every day during the summer months. Do I have to put them on my face to make the wrinkles go away?)
5. Wipe Out Dark Spots: Allure says, "wrinkles may be the classic sign of aging, but studies show that most people view mottled skin as even older-looking. (Uh-oh, I better use more of the fading cream that D gave me last year. I better put it on every night. And I better stay out of the sun, like D warned me. I definitely don't like the idea of mottled skin.)
6. Brighten Up: Allure says, "as I age, cell turnover slows and dead skin cells pile up all over my face. Allure says I can "whisk my dead cells away twice a week with an at-home glycolic acid peel. (That sounds a little harsh. Wonder if I can use coconut oil instead?)
7. Don't Forget Your Neck and Hands: Finally, Allure says, "the body parts most likely to betray the age that's on my passport even when my face doesn't, is my neck and hands." (I do take care of my neck and hands. I try to put sunscreen on them each day and lots of cream at night. Oh, yes, I make sure that my passport photo is one from 10 years ago too.)
Oh, Allure, what a gift you have given me in that one little envelope I opened. As a "thank you" to you, I think I will have to take you up on your offer of that two year subscription for only $10. What a bargain. Just think what other anti-aging tips I will be able to share with all my boomer girl friends for the next 24 months.