I recently shared my top five beauty mistakes I’ve made in the course of my fifty two years.
Today I’m sharing the best beauty decisions I’ve made to date.
My Top Five Beauty Secrets
#1 Lasik Eye Surgery
Best decision ever. Sure it was scary because it hadn’t even been out for too long when I decided to do it but walking out of the office sans glasses or contacts was incredible. Of course now with my aging eyes I’m beginning to notice that my eyesight is deteriorating. The joy of not having to deal with contacts or glasses for some 20+ years was totally worth it though.
#2 Eye Lash Extensions
I started these about eight years ago. As I have very long, straight, blonde lashes they are essentially invisible. I had them dyed for a few years but eventually I started reacting to the dye and had to quit. My eyes are very sensitive and mascara bothers them. The lash extensions are a great solution. I can’t feel the extensions on my eyes and they last until the lash falls out naturally on its own. I go for a mini fill once every two weeks which takes about 30 minutes. This keeps me from looking bare. Some people do it less often, most commonly every three weeks.
For my blog photos I often add additional glue on lash strips to pump up the drama.
#3 A Haircut That Works With My Hair
I didn’t discover the haircut I have now until nine years ago.
The red colour came afterwards and the ombre about a year after the red.
In the 80s and 90s I had blonde hair with highlights and spiral perms which gave my hair the body, curl and thickness that I craved.
I gave up the perms as it was too damaging for my hair.
For years I had layered haircuts.
It took far too much daily styling trying to get my hair to look thick and full.
I was working against the natural qualities of my own hair.
Learning to accept the hair I have was huge.
I am very grateful I found a cut and colour that works so well.
On the days I wash my hair I spend five minutes blow drying it. I don’t do anything else.
On the days I don’t wash my hair all I do is run a brush through it.
I rely on the cut and the colour to do all the work so I can be lazy. Granted, the visit to the hair salon is every 3.5-4 weeks but I figure that is a reasonable trade off for not doing anything else on a daily basis.
I also have my brows dyed every time my hair is dyed. Otherwise my blonde brows would be invisible.
#4 Water
I don’t drink anything but water. Literally, nothing but water. Yeah, I know it’s boring. My friends joke if I want to go out for water. I am a cheap date!
I had to give up alcohol about four years ago due to allergies. I still miss it but I’m okay with being alcohol free.
I often drink hot water in the mornings to replace the tea I was once addicted to and regular water the rest of the day. It’s easy, it’s cheap and it keeps my skin and body hydrated.
#5 Daily Beauty Products – Sun Screen, Oil of Olay and Snoxin
Those are the three things I use on my skin daily. I don’t use soap. I use a facial cleanser by La Roche-Posay called Effaclar about twice a week, otherwise I just rinse with water.
In the last few months, on Patti’s advice, I’ve started using Retin A cream, the weakest version, at night.
I’ve used Oil of Olay since I was in my teens. It is one of the very rare products that does not bother my sensitive Rosacea prone skin.
The Snoxin I use around my eyes and a bit around my lips. It is for wrinkles and full of peptides. I’ve used it for about six years now.
I always wear sunscreen and a hat when in the sun.
I also exfoliate when I’m in the shower twice a week. I don’t use anything but my finger tips. After being in the shower for five minutes the dead skin is loosened and easy to remove by gently rubbing the skin.
The best thing I’ve done for my beauty on my blog is to buy studio lights.
I look ten years older when I don’t have them on. I wish they could follow me around in real life too.
That’s my top beauty tips. What are yours?
Linking up with Patti for Visible Monday, Turning Heads Tuesday and Fancy Friday
I love the old photos! You are so adorable in them. And I’m glad you came to accept your natural hair. Most women look best in their natural state and it’s certainly less work than trying to contort your hair into something else. I met you with your current hair-style and always thought it was perfect on you.
I’m so happy I stopped wanting hair that was impossible for me.
Thanks for these, Suzanne. I think you’re a great beauty, and it’s proven in your no-makeup looks.
I agree that going with our hair’s natural texture is the only way. Who wants to blow-dry, iron/curl, and spritz product every day? Love seeing your wedding pics too, gorgeous couple you are. xox
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Our wedding reception was a month or so after we’d eloped so we had some time to dress up. I think I like my actual wedding photo even more because I’m wearing my sister’s graduation dress and Robert is just wearing a blazer and slacks. The ceremony was in a hotel room with a justice of the peace.
How time flies.
Thanks Patti : )
You’ve just defined one of the benefits of getting older–discovering what works and makes you feel good and owning it. You were gorgeous as a young woman but given the confidence you exude today, it could be argued you’re more beautiful now. Even with the changes you continue to make in your style, overall it feels like you’ve found a stride and groove that suits exactly who you are.
– Sherry
http://www.petiteover40.com
Thanks Sherry : )
Like you, I often wear eyelash extensions. These tips certainly do work beautifully for you. I can’t believe it only takes you five minutes to style your hair. It is so gorgeous. One of the benefits of aging is knowing what looks good on us.
I enjoyed seeing the photos of you with your 80s hair .
I use products with hydraulic acid in it and I like them. I also scrub my face with a cheap, rough washcloth, and that exfoliates and improves circulation!
How stunning you look in the black lace!
❤️❤️❤️
Elle
https://theellediaries.com/
That black lace is gorgeous. I need to find more occasions to wear it out though.
My skin is still getting used to the hydraulic acid but I can see where it also peels the skin a bit. Does it do that to you?
I suffer from loads of broken capillaries so I try not to scrub or rub my face too much as it seems to worsen the condition.
Your wedding photos are delightful and sharing them allows us to grasp your evolving beauty. I appreciate your beauty tips more having seen you grow into a few them.
Your wonderfully unique haircolor, gorgeous curves and feisty intelligence make it easy to conclude that these beauty secrets are worth heeding!
Thanks Jude : )
thanks for sharing all the pictures of yourself and your wise advice!, I love to see those wedding pictures, so shocking to see you as a blonde girl, and it really proves that having a hairstyle which flatters you is really important! Love your redhaired style, you look so fabulous!
And your advice is really useful! I’m learning a lot about beauty routines through blogs, love that you share a piece of your ‘real life’.
besos
It is funny for me because as I mentioned I’ve been a blonde pretty much all my life and only discovered the red more recently. Previously I would have never thought to colour my hair on a regular basis. I’m happy with my choice now though.
Yesss, water is a huge helper! And I’ve been thinking recently about eyelash extensions. They make a big difference and now I’m considering it a bit more haha
Sharan Gill Blog // Instagram
you look so sweet in your wedding pics – hubs too!
my beauty tip is – do nothing beside of gentle cleaning and protecting from the elements…. for me its aleppo soap and pure vegetable oils – and sunscreen if needed.
and do not eat crap.
i fought hard with my hair in the past, but i learned to handle its horse quality around my 30s – thankfully. no salon involved since then.
xxxxx
I *wish* I had some horse quality in my hair : ). Maybe then it’d hold a curl for more than 10 minutes.
The do not eat crap is a big one that I still sometimes struggle with. I eat healthy overall as I’m vegetarian and don’t eat bread or dairy but I still crave chocolate and sometimes salty carbs like crackers.
I’ve vacillated about trying eyelash extensions —I’m still using the serum for now, but we will see….
And the hair thing—you are so right. Heck, there are some days I don’t even brush my hair now!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
It’ll be hard for me to give up my lash extensions now that I’ve gotten so accustomed to them.
You need to have pretty good lashes of your own to have lash extension. If you have thin or very short lashes they might not work for you.
You look so adorable! loved your wedding photos and tips! 🙂
Xoxo Babita
http://travelhues.com/
I loved seeing the photo of your Farrah Fawcett hair. How we all wanted to copy her!! In fact, when I visit the hairdressers I sometimes get them to blow dry my natural curls into a ’70s flicky do. It’s temporary but I love it as it’s not something I can do myself. Check out the latest post on my Instagram feed for a recent picture! @FayHallam x
I loved your contemporary Farrah flip : )
❤
What a lovely photos! My sister has always used Oil of Olaz and thinks that s the best! I used to buy expensive creams but don t anymore. It s not always said that the expensive products are the best.
Yes, money doesn’t necessarily buy results.
You could be a deadringer for Kate Bush in that first photo! And how fantastically radiant do you look in your wedding photos. I’m too scared for the eye surgery, and after all these years I think I look weird without my glasses. The eye lash extension are worth looking into. I don’t drink alcohol either, but just water would be a bridge too far, although I do drink lots of it. I love your hair the way it is now! xxx
I have never once regretted getting that eye surgery. The surgery takes less than 5 minutes! In fact, you’re only under the laser for less than 10 seconds I think. It is incredible fast and easy. Of course though, with every surgery there is the risk of complications. Both myself and my husband got it on the same day and were able to drive back home sans glasses after 30 minutes. I’d probably get it again if it could help me now but they say it doesn’t work for aging eyes that aren’t able to focus as well.
Be careful with lash extensions if you wear glasses. Sometimes they can be so long that they hit your glasses!
I gave up tea years ago because it stained my teeth too much and I despise going to the dentist. I used to be really addicted though, especially when I lived in the UK. Otherwise, I’ve never liked sugary drinks.
Sounds all very sensible. Love that dress in the top photo. Has a beautiful sense of drama. Your hair looks indeed bloody good the way you wear it now. You say it isn’t thick. Well.. I have 1/3 of your volume.. sigh. Oh well, we all have better and worse things than another.
Greetje
‘Tis true : )
I’d love to have your long legs!
So enjoyed seeing you evolve through the years. Your hair is always beautifully sleek and the colour is superb . So true that if your hair feel great so do you. I have always wondered about eyelash extensions but have not gone further as my eyes are sensitive – so maybe.
Good tip about the studio lights too.
I really do love my lash extensions. I was worried with my sensitive eyes I wouldn’t be able to cope with the glue they use but it doesn’t bother me. The gal I go to is really good.
Should you decide to try it out you need to find someone that has loads of experience and lots of positive reviews.
I always do a double take when you share old photos, we were so alike in the 1980s it’s uncanny! It almost makes me wonder what my Dad was up to when he was in the Royal Canadian Air Force back in the mid-1960s.
Your hair always looks fabulous. I wear false lashes but do my own extensions when I’m going travelling – I keep wondering whether to go to a salon to have them done professionally.
People often compliment me on my skin, I think it must be genetic rather than anything I do. xxx
Ha! : P. I agree…we did look quite twinsie back then.
You really do have great skin. I wasn’t quite so lucky as my family has loads of skin issues. My Dad has strawberry blond hair. My Mom has blond hair and very fair skin. We all have freckles which means we are prone to easy burning.
I’ve only known you with red hair and have always thought it suited you perfectly. I’ve thought about trying eyelash extensions because my own lashes are so sparse and short, but my eyes are often itchy and watering because of allergies so I don’t know it would be worth it.
You always look beautiful in your photos so obviously all the things you do work well for you.
You wouldn’t be a good candidate for lash extensions. You need to have lots of strong, long lashes of your own otherwise it won’t work. The lashes will just fall out and then you will be bald. Most of the people that get lash extensions is so that they no longer need to wear mascara.
Had that exact same Farah cut in the 70s and the wild curly perm in the 80s. Love your wedding photos. Seems you look gorgeous in any haircolor! I’ve always wanted to try Lasik but was afraid, Though I have friends, who like you, swear by it. But I think I may be too old now. I am considering lash extensions or false lashes, as I notice mine are getting very sparse and I can’t deal with messy mascara.
Theresa
If you have too few lashes the lash extensions won’t work Theresa. You need lots of strong lashes of your own otherwise they will simply make your natural lashes fall out. : (. False lashes that you can buy at the drugstore might be a good idea for you. They can be a pain in the butt to apply though. Glue everywhere!
Seems like everyone at that time had the Farrah flip : )
Hi Suzanne!
Love the perm! I had many perms in the 80s! Had one perm that left me with kinky tight curls that i went in the car and balled my eyes out! I LOVE your hairstyle! i always liked the look of straight bangs for people that can wear that look. I enjoyed reading about the lashes and lasiks. I think i look strange without my glasses, as it has been so long i worn them! i use retin a and other skin care products from ncn professional skin care , its taken me a long tiem to find one that works!
thanks for linking!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Oh, I think we’ve all had bad perms like that. I had one that turned me into a poodle. I went the very next day and got it all cut off into a pixie cut. That was BAD.