By Shahnaz Husain
As we approach the age of forty, certain changes can start showing up on the skin, hair and figure, like lines and wrinkles, thinning or graying hair, or excess weight. So, one should come to terms with these changes in a positive way. Take an honest look at yourself and find out the areas that need improvement.
If you have been following a healthy diet and lifestyle, you have an advantage. Good health and fitness have many benefits. Regular exercise helps to delay aging changes and has a beneficial and rejuvenating effect on both body and mind. So, consult your doctor about taking up some regular exercise. Adopt a healthy eating pattern, with an emphasis on fresh fruits, whole grains, salads, sprouts, lightly cooked vegetables, yogurt, clear soups and fresh fruit juices. Your diet should be low in fats, sugar and starch, but high in vitamins and minerals.
Take weekly facials at a good beauty salon. Professional massage, with cleansing, toning and mask, really helps. The skin’s ability to retain moisture improves and so does the process of cell renewal. The skin also becomes clearer, finer and more translucent. Dark spots or patches can develop on the skin during the forties. Avoid sun-exposure and use sunscreens.
A change of hairstyle can also make you feel like a new person. In fact, with thinning hair, you can go in for a shorter haircut and style, which can give the hair a fuller look and make you look younger. We are living at an age, when one can experiment with new looks without raising too many eyebrows.
Remember that protection of the skin is even more important as one grows older. Apply sunscreen before going out in the sun. Regular exfoliation with masks or scrubs helps to preserve youthful qualities of the skin. Pay attention to the daily care of the area around the eyes, with a light massage and application of under-eye creams and lotions. Avoid leaving cream or make-up around your eyes overnight, as it leads to puffiness.
Make-up certainly helps to add a dimension to the face. It can also be used to cover up flaws and blemishes. Subtle make-up is what you should try for. Keep an open mind. Try something new. You never know, it may suit you. Be subtle with accessories too. Cultivate your interests and hobbies. They provide another dimension to the personality. Beauty, after all, is a total impact.
About Shahnaz Husain
Shahnaz Husain, pioneer of the Ayurvedic beauty movement, heads the Shahnaz Husain Group, with a global network of franchise ventures and 375 Ayurvedic formulations. A Case Study at Harvard for Brand Creation, she is now a Harvard Subject for “Emerging Markets” She was honored with the Padma Shri Award and is the first woman in 105 years to receive the World’s Greatest Woman Entrepreneur Award from Success, the U.S. business magazine. Indeed, Shahnaz Husain is a leading international beauty icon.
