Spring 2016 makeup for a 50s fashionista

Spring is my favorite time of year!  It is all about new beginnings, flowers peaking out of the soil to reach the warm beams of the sun, and, of course, it is my birthday (I turn 55 on April 18th).  Granted,  I am  a bit biased.

One of the things I like to write about on Meanderings are interests based on being a 50s fashionista (or wannabe) grappling with the challenge that we shouldn't try to dress like our 20-something daughters, nor should we age before our time with our mother's elderly good looks.

Then we have to toss in our body types, and any of the challenges we may have to adapt to changes happening.

"Aging gracefully is one thing, but trying to slow it down is another." 

                             ~Courteney Cox

Nothing says that we can't embrace bright colors, florals, patterns or hip looks, we just have to make sure it suits us.  We should be able to understand what makes us feel good :: and that usually goes hand in hand with makeup and beauty.

One thing I'm proud of is I come from great stock :: both my parents always look/ed years younger.  So I really appreciate it when the youngsters tell me I look like I'm in my late 30s or early 40s :: I think it all comes down to what I said :: finding your zone in beauty and fashion, and being able to pull it off.

At 4 ft 11, or rounded up to 5 ft, you're right to think that I would have fashion challenges of my own.  I've always liked the "chic" look and try to stay true to that.  So, to help others, I will share what I have adopted as my own Spring 2016 look.

It all starts with the eyes.  Studies say that people usually are drawn to the eyes first.  I was blessed with green ones and tend to focus on that wonderful feature.  I don't go for the dramatic eyeliner and you've already read about my lash extensions drama. I just happen to have taken a photo of my eyes just for this emphasis.

Go ahead and laugh at my creative license :: fooling around in Microsoft Paint is fun!  I use a moisturizer to start always after cleansing.  Having sensitive skin, I have learned that I have to stick with something that works because when I try something new, too rich in oils or perfumes, I break out.  (There goes the myth that you don't break out in zits once you pass menopause).  I rely on my fail-safe Oil of Olay for sensitive skin:

To define my basic look, I do sponge off of magazines and beauty counters for inspiration.  It isn't that difficult to find nude colors this spring :: it is everywhere.  I'm chomping at the bit to try Urban Decay after watching an INC. video interview of Sandy Lerner, founder of Oracle.  (I want to do a blog about redoing her look with a few modifications so that she gives up that 70s look that she seems to be holding on to).

I have already gravitated to nude as my eye base color for the simple reason that it brings out the green color of my eyes.  I would think it would suit any gal in her 50s.  (HINT :: just because you've survived menopause doesn't mean you should boycott makeup!)

I always use the lightest of light tones for my eyebrow bone (far left) and then a soft, lighter color for the lid (right in the middle).  I have the heaviest hand on the lid because I don't want it to fade as the day progresses.  I find that eye makeup with a bit of frost to it tends to adhere to the skin more successfully.  I define the upper lid with a muted softer yet darker tone for definition (7 from left).  Then it is mascara, mascara and more mascara.  

We can still learn from the young.  My stepdaughter always has thick lashes that seems to coat the mascara on.  My lashes are longer and finer, so I can avoid that thick, clumped on look.  I still swear by my recent discovery ::  L'Oreal's two step mascara :: a white base, then a black mascara :: when that dries, I then apply my Clinique mascara, followed by the butterfly effect mascara by Maybelline.  This has been from trial and error repeatedly to find something that works.  My makeup regime takes 5-10 minutes at most.

However, let me not forget the crowning glory of eyebrow brushing to finish for a polished look.  Given I have lighter eyebrows, it is a must for me.  I do battle with the temptation of fake lines and heavy handedness.  Instead, I use a complimenting eyebrow liner to give distinction, it closely matches the color of the eyebrow mascara :: MAC is the best I'm convinced.   Au natural is my focus.

When too much is just too much.

Yes, some ladies think this doll looks good??

Safe to say :: I am not battling my age :: I am glorifying my God given gifts and attempting to show that you can be both subtle and classy.  I'm not a fan of heavily caked on makeup that screams defying age tactics.  If it works for other gals, it is fine for me.

I almost forgot ::  the lipstick!!  It is the final touch to your canvass.  I absolutely adore my latest find :: Colorblur by Maybelline's "lipstudio" ::

Two colors I have already :: one for evening and one for Spring days.

A liner, lipstick and sealer all in one in an array of spring colors.

This discovery is fantastic.  You put it on and it lasts for hours, even while drinking coffee!

 If you have to insist on the old fashioned way, I did find among Google's treasure trove, instructions on how to properly do your lipstick.  (Seems like a lot of work to me now that I've found utopia with Colorblur) ::

Here is an ode to mature beauties who are hitting their stride while maintaining status as beauty icons, embracing their 50s in 2016::

Robin Wright celebrated her 50th birthday April 8th

Janet Jackson turns 50 on May 16th

Halle Berry turns 50 on August 16th

Salma Hayek turns 50 on September 2

There you have it :: style mavericks who are still dancing to their own drum.  What do they all have in common?  To me, they're not disguising their age nor are they caking on the makeup or trying tricks or the latest tactics :: they seem to know what works for them and stick to with it.  They appear graceful and poised :: ready to take on the next decade.

"Stop whining about getting old.  It's a privilege."                               

                                                                     ~Amy Poehler

Music feeds the soul

Music eliminates loneliness, heals a sad soul, gives power and strength to those who escape to its inner sanctum of reflection.  The words are poetry in harmony with musical notes.  Artistry to the ears as a painting is to the eyes.

Have a listen as you read on:

What a wonderful musical duet with Susan Boyle and her idol Elaine Paige.  What is magical is that I know more about Susan Boyle's transfor-mation from her first idol audition that astounded both the audience and judges greatly.

Dream a dream:  to be a professional singer.  I had loved this song for a long time, since I heard it from Les Miserables production in Calgary in the 1990s.

I can't say I heard the audition first hand because in Canada we didn't have Got Talent UK on the air waves.  But certainly, most of us, can recall the outstanding reaction that it gave to the world.  Played across all medias.

The lesson taught ::: Didn't this all teach us that looks are not necessarily an indication of talent?  It should have.  Watch the second video first then the one with her heroine Elaine Paige on the second. This performance taught us that dreams CAN come true ::: whatever the age, wherever one is nestled.

If you would like, you can watch The Susan Boyle Story on YouTube (60 minutes in length):

Susan Boyle was bullied, made fun of, and was considered slow.  She considered herself lonely, especially after her mother passed away.

A wallflower to be sure.   At the ripe age of 47, she became an inspiration and synonymous with courage :::  who would try to reach their dreams when most have ironed out their retirement path?

Even today, when I listen to the audition, I get chills.  When I'm in the mood to absorb music completely, tears will drip from the corner of my eyes.

To many, she championed that it doesn't matter how old you are or how small a village you hail from, you can reach your dreams.

She knew instinctively and honestly how people perceived her, yet her love of music :: shown magically by her own custom song:  "When I was a child".  Now that she had reached her true destiny, she is at peace.  Complete in her true gift.  The world in her hands ::: her turn to fly.

She may not have known the answers, she recognized when she felt free when she was who she was born to be.

::: _____________________________ :::

" The greatest glory in living

                 

                                         lies in never falling,

                                   but in rising every time we fall. "

                                        Nelson Mandela

::: ____________________________ :::

I listen to music when I'm sad, happy, social, and reflective.  It feeds my soul.  Most songs are musical tones applied to poetry.  

Back in my 20s when I broke up with a boy I liked, I would search song after song about break up, broken hearts then move on to rebirth, strength and power:  from the emotionally symbolic to transforming rock and roll that became the emblem of recovery.  

As unlikely a superstar there has ever been.  It makes me wonder:  what is my unfulfilled dream?  Writing full time, people who follow my blog, not to cause popularity but because words can help and heal wounds.  Do I have that ability?  

Time will tell.  After all, I'm soon to be a "10".  Do you know what that means?  Those born in the 1960s probably do:  it was a movie from the 1980s with Dudley Moore and his love interest Bo Derek, highly considered the equivalent of a "10" how we'd be rated on looks.

Once I turn 55 in April, I will finallybecome a member of the "10" club :::  5+5=10!  Minus the beaded braids.  Been there, scratched that, during tropical vacations where rum-filled coconut I shed all responsibility of being a daughter, wife, mom or careerialist

I constantly look forward and reach out to live the dream ::: be my destiny.  Accompanied by music to cheer me on and feed my soul.  Or set me straight and calm me down.

Today's (Sunday February 28, 2016) top lyrics and song (copied from Metro Lyrics ) with video link from YouTube: 

Rihanna featuring Drake

Work work work work work work
He said me haffi
Work work work work work work!
He see me do mi
Dirt dirt dirt dirt dirt dirt!
And so me put in work work work work work work!
When u ah guh
Learn learn learn learn learn learn
Mi nuh cyar if him
Hurt hurt hurt hurt hurting6

Dry! ...me a desert him
Nuh time to have you lurking
Him ah go act like him nuh like it
You know I dealt with you the nicest
Nuh body touch me you nuh righteous
Nuh badda, text me in a crisis
I believed all of ya dreams, adoration
You took my heart and my keys and my patience
You took my heart on my sleeve for decoration
You mistaken my love I brought for you for foundation
All that I wanted from you was to give me
Something that I never had
Something that you've never seen
Something that you've never been!
Mmmmm! but I wake up and act like nothing's wrong
Just get ready fi1

Work work work work work work
He said me haffi
Work work work work work work
He see me do mi
Dirt dirt dirt dirt dirt dirt
And so me put in
Work work work work work work

A woman on a mission

This blog has been evolving since it first started in March 2015 as a result of not always wanting to write about business, leadership or sales as I do on my optioneerJM blog.  I am thankful for those followers, and want to keep on track to write the articles there that many of my foundlings started out getting to know me.

However, as a self-described "fabulous fashionista fighting fifty" I realized that sometimes I just wanted to write with abandon and be freedom of self-expression or reflection.   It stemmed from loving to assemble great finds, whether it be art, photography, beauty tips or fashion statements.

"I want you to experience this Blog.  It would be great to be a vision for Baby Baby Boomers' experience and perspective.  Helping and entertaining is just a byproduct of doing what you love."                         

 I like to ramble on about what is concerning me in my world.  Least to say lately, that would be what happened in Paris.  I will probably dedicate writing about that on its own because it bothers me what happened.

Not to be conceited or to blow my own horn, but over the span of my lifetime, I have been noted for having a strong style sense.  At 5ft0in (rounded up from 4ft11in), busty, with more of a muscular build than a swelt frame, I have to work a little harder at finding what suits me.  

I have been a major fan of accessories, with a weakness for shoes that MUST have purses to match, that should be coordinated with the rest of the assemble, I think about what I'm going to wear.  

I passed a pink moonstone ring by the other week, regrettably.

Jewellery captures beauty by creations with masterful artisans or gemologist that make me almost drool.  I have a pretty fair collection, but nothing that would threaten the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, famed for her diamonds.  I'm innocent in that regard.  Born in April, diamond is my birthstone, and a privilege to own.  I don't selfishly collect it.  I just spoil myself once in a while when something attracts me, of less rare stones, while still beautiful.  



Wandering around vintage boutiques, thrift shops and charity stores, I love to find treasures that have been glazed over by others.  I have kicked myself for not buying something that I knew was beautiful and a one of a kind ... to me.

I make beauty mistakes, whether it being a hair color that is too dramatic for me or make up that isn't always so flattering.  I've written about my eyelash folly and discovered a better natural way to plump up the volume since then (stay tuned).

I have learned over time what suits me and don't mind being the most over dressed at an event.  It is not to show off.  Sometimes it is merely by luck to assemble the right outfit with the right accessories, the right footwear with a matching purse.  

Having a blog like this, I can fantasize about wearing something quite off-the-wall or not age appropriate.  That's the beauty of having an outlet like this blog to express myself.  Not necessarily by what I'd want to wear, but a look that would suit others of other generations or age groups.

I'd wear this but with a colorful scarf and accessories to match ... the boots with heels a must for me

Perhaps others can learn some tricks or looks that I've come up with.  There is always Polyvore, that allows someone to create fantasy looks, that may not compliment their frame, personality, or age.  That's good.  We need a place as adults to go beyond dress up dolls or Barbies.  

Be sure to wander back to my page as it strikes you.  The page itself may have updates on a great movie I recommend, art that has resonated with me, or images that strike my fancy.  It's chalk full of stuff.  Images.  Reading recommendations for books or blogs.  It is ever changing and constantly evolving.

One of my favorite places in Calgary during winter, skating with music in the background

Short and sassy trends

I keep going back and forth between letting my hair grow out or cutting it short short.  The last time I did that was two summers ago and the hunkster hubster just about had a coronary.  He said:  "Why would someone do THAT to you?"

I don't think men like change much and even more so, they gravitate towards lasses with long tresses.

Then there is color.  My experiment with going silver instead of the in grey, ended up fading into platinum blonde.  I had even waited three whole days before I washed my hair, to ensure the color would last.  (Guess that is the last time I go to an "expert" stylist at the place that rhymes with "matters".)

Whenever I'm on the verge of a change, I scour the web for images for something that I think will work.  Goodness, the ones I seem to move towards are not only short, they're of the reddish variety.  Here are some that stood out, for young or old:



Miley Cyrus has thankfully settled down and realized that no attention is better than freak attention.  This look, without the fru fru on the top, would work nicely with my already platinum color.


Haley has shown us for quite some time:  if you find a look that suits you, stick with it and work around it.  The way her cut frames her face compliments her great cheekbones and make her eyes pop.

Dramatic yes.  Wouldn't it be great for your seasonal events, office parties, customer appreciation events?  This is not a wallflower look.

What a wonderful way to say, I'm the "girl next door, friendly, positive, with a sparkle in her eyes".  I don't have any freckles but it would work well with green eyes.


This is a messy that says its on purpose look.  The warm tones really compliment the pale complexion.  My skin tone has a little more color and may make it look reddish.  A professional stylist would know best.

This shows me how great a short looks on any skin tone or age.  The cut seems to lift her face and make her look vibrant.  That's a cheap face lift.

This says:  "I've got my eye on you and I know how to handle you."  Short wavy auburn with bursts of red make it quite dazzling and reminds me how great short dos show off those long earrings!

A half shaved head is all the rage.  I guess my age did show when my youngest daughter's friend came over this summer while she was in town, with this look.  I was a bit alarmed because she looks similar to this model and I did think to myself, why would you destroy a feminine look?

Just when you think it was just a twist of a trend, you see the likes of Demi showing off her half man head (my opinion).   I guess it's cool.  Yet I don't think it suits anyone, not even a pop star.

 This may be considered a little more key but the holed ears remind me that kids nowadays are fascinated with the 80s ... I thought punk.

I found this and threw it in here because men are known to want to make a statement with there, um, heads.  All I could think of here was:  "did he have to poke holes in his head for them to stay, or are they glued?"  Seems like a lot of work for a weird image.

So, there is a lot of choices out there.  I know that I have to do something.  My clue is when I don't blow dry or style my hair, but just pin it back.  It seems to me that it screams to everyone that I'm in an "in between stage".

Whatever color or style you chose, after all, has to suit you.  If you go for more trendy or dramatic statements, you have to be able to pull it off with the rest of your looks.  I guess the easy part of the shaved look would mean all you have to do is pull on those torn and tattered jeans with a t-shirt with a Nirvana print to show your finger is on the pulse of style and you have an affinity with the 80s.

My "before" look.  See what I mean about the pinned back hair?  That bump on the top back turned whispie darn it!  Well, at least I'm smiling.  Could be because the earrings and necklace set shows I love my accessories!

Magical mystical POLYVORE tour

Polyvore gives me a creative outlet while at the same time I surf through outfit combinations, new products, great clothes, and just plain experiment.  Here I share a few of my latest creations.  The nice part about Polyvore is that it gives the product makers, prices, and links to websites where, if you're inclined you can buy anything shown.



I let the creative juices flow when creating this whimsical tribute to fall and winter accessories.  I do adore the dress though (a Chanel piece that was scooped from Pinterest)!

strangeVISITORS by jeannette-marshall featuring fall centerpieces


Here are some of my favorite temptations to buy: 

Crea Concept long sleeve sweater

285 CAD - liberty.co.uk

Borghese mac eyeshadow

73 CAD - beauty.com

GlassesUSA Luna Silver (non-prescription lenses)

85 CAD - glassesusa.com

If that's not enough, I get ideas for makeup and nail polish finishes that appeal to my style sense.  Oh, and jewellery galore for the accessory mad mrs that I am:

Copper eyeshadow

16 CAD - japanla.com






Nail polish
9.81 CAD - etsy.com

Augustine Jewels stud earrings
170 CAD - jewelstreet.com

Bling Jewelry pearl earrings
44 CAD - blingjewelry.com

Turban headband
33 CAD - etsy.com

Plaid shawl
17 CAD - romwe.com

Strike me up for getting into the spirit of Halloween early.  After all, careful planning creates masterful looks.  We dress up at work for Halloween, even having a contest.  I guess this looks like I'm leaning towards being a witch (which is work friendly and business appropriate).





Bright nail polish

17 CAD - etsy.com





Urban decay eye shadow
25 CAD - urbandecay.com





Vegan lipstick

12 CAD - etsy.com





Haircare

66 CAD - amazon.com


I dream of a tropical vacation where the waters shimmer like blue topaz.  I can't right now, so I dip into Polyvore to take me away anyhow.

Zimmermann sleeveless top
635 CAD - zimmermannwear.com

High-waisted shorts
51 CAD - pinkice.com

SwimSpot blue sandals
35 CAD - swimspot.com

Dolce Gabbana leather handbag
1,305 CAD - thecorner.com

White gold ring
3,220 CAD - firenzejewels.com

Amour stud earrings
265 CAD - bluefly.com

Ice sterling silver jewelry
195 CAD - iceonline.com.au

Eyeshadow
16 CAD - japanla.com

Louis Vuitton travel bag
3,920 CAD - therealreal.com

Nail treatment
19 CAD - etsy.com