Dark Night

t was a cold night out on Treasure Island, but worth the picture!

Take Flight

A falcon in flight. I must say that luck can play a big role in photography.

Celebrity Gossip

Best Celebrity Gossip Blog Here

Hip Hop Celebrity

Best Celebrity Gossip Blog Here

's-Hertogenbosch

After a party while waiting for the first train to go back home I was all alone on this deserted trainstation in 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands. To kill time, I decided to take a picture. Hope you like the result!

Thursday, 31 May 2012

Beauty Tips for Women Avoid Lip Liner Horror over 40


It’s really shocking but we’re still seeing this – women who line their lips too darkly and end up looking like drag queens. We’re always taken aback when we meet these gals. Don’t they realize their lips look harsh and scary?

Now we understand the reason behind it. As we age lipstick starts to bleed, so it’s natural to want to use a nice liner to contain the lipstick, or even to use the liner to draw over the lip a tad and make it seem slighter larger ( It beats injections and getting trout pout) The problem occurs when you can’t see that your lip liner color is so dark and heavy that it sticks out like a sore thumb. Many women who do this wear a darkish brown or pinky brown liner  and they’ve filled their lips in with a much lighter color or even a  gloss.

It’s hard to talk to these gals face to face without staring at their wild crazy lips.

Maybe these women just need glasses?? We’ll admit that as the eyes start to go applying the right amount of make-up gets more challenging. Or maybe it’s just that these women don’t know any better.

Here are some lip liner tips for you, so you never fall into this strange middle age no-no.

1. Choose a lip liner that is as close to your natural lip color as possible. Just bought Bobbi Brown – ballet pink – and it’s a great shade! See if it works for you.

2. Apply your lipstick first and then your lip liner. This way you don’t have to fiddle around trying to keep the lipstick within the liner border.

3. If you like you can  line your lips, then fill them in entirely with lip liner. Next, apply a lip gloss. That’s what we do. Why? We find gloss gives a more natural look than heavy lipstick and filling in the lips with liner makes your  gloss stay on much longer.

4. Last tip is, if you do go with a lipstick + liner- make sure lipstick is not too light compared to the liner or too Betty Davis – Baby Jane dark. Too dark  a lipstick against pale, aging skin is harsh and haunting. Choose a natural liner and a nice peach or pink lipstick instead of dark red, or heaven forbid,  brown or mauvey brown lipstick which looks like you are ready for the funeral parlor.

Do you line your lips? Tell us your tips and tricks

Update Your Spring Wardrobe to Look Fabulous After 40


The other day, Deborah and I were chatting about how we both are trying to figure out how our closets have gotten so stuffed with too many clothes.

So we decided to We agreed that we were both going to get a large shopping bag and start getting rid of the things that we were not wearing. Do you have that problem too? “Give a girl a closet and she’ll just fill it up!” as the old saying goes.

Once we got that done it was time to start looking around for how to update our wardrobe.

When you want to look Fabulous After 40, finding a new pair of shoes or accessory can always make an old outfit seem new.

Here are a few items that we think are fun:

Nude wedges with a cork sole (Peter Kate Shoes)

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, 30 May 2012

Over 40 Dressing: Lost weight and now what looks good on me?


I love you site. It has become a favorite!

I am 52 and recently lost 30 pounds. Both my kids will be in High School and I feel like I'm starting life over.  I'm a size 6 at most stores and love shopping again. However, it's a whole new world as I'm not 30 anymore and I'm not quite sure what's age appropriate.  I am desperately fearful on looking foolish or like I am trying too hard.

I recently purchased a pair of shoes, but every time I put them on I feel like "I'm trying too hard".  I'm pairing them with a semi-fitted t shirt with rushing and straight leg jeans (which I've never worn in public for the same reason)  or a cuffed Capri jean.  Please help me.  What do you think?

Thanks so much!

Diana

Hi Diana,

Well first off we want to congratulate you on your weight loss!  How exciting to be starting off this part of your life with confidence and a new body!   As far as your question goes, a common complaint we hear from women who have lots weight, is that they  are confused on how to dress their new figure.  But the good news is that we think you are right on track!

For example, we think the shoes are wonderful!

If you are looking to be more casual and stay cool:

Tuesday, 29 May 2012

Sunglasses After 40 How to Choose the Right Ones


Guest Author: Molly Borter

With summer on the horizon, sandals and sundresses are at the top of our shopping lists, yet many of us forget about the most necessary item: the perfect pair of sunglasses.  Aside from offering important protection from the sun , the right pair of sunnies are the icing on the cake for your signature summer look. They take any outfit from mediocre to pulled-together in one swoop.

How do you find the perfect pair for you? By understanding the unique angles and lines of your face.

FIND YOUR FACE SHAPE

Is your face square or circular? Oval or heart-shaped? Sometimes the hardest part of this process is deciphering which category your face falls into.

Here's a quick trick: Stand directly in front of a mirror, making sure to pull any loose hair away from your face. Using a washable utensil—lipstick, soap, or a dry erase marker will work—trace the outline of your face on the mirror's surface. Although everyone's bone structure is unique, most faces fall into four categories: round (circular), square (rectangular), oval (oblong), or heart (triangular).

Take a step back, and try to match your outline with the face shape most similar to yours. You can use these sketches as a guide:


Round

Round faces are characterized by a smooth, circular shape free of harsh angles. Your jawline is round and full, your face is about as wide as it is long, and your rounded cheekbones are the widest part of the face.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Square

Square faces are distinguished by a broad, boxy jawline, with the forehead, cheekbones and jaw being the same width. The sides of your face are straight, and your hairline is most likely straight as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oval

For oval and oblong faces, your face is longer than it is wide with a softly rounded jawline and hairline. Your face is free of harsh angles and is widest at the cheekbones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heart

Heart and triangular face shapes are characterized by a wide forehead and long, pointed jawline. Your forehead is the widest part of your face or the same width as your cheekbones, with your chin as the narrowest part.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PICK YOU YOUR BEST PAIR

Now that you've mastered your face shape, choose frames that accentuate your best features.

If you're round: Know that opposites attract. Balance soft lines with harsh, square-angled frames like classic wayfarers or oversized square sunnies. Vintage-looking cat eye shapes will also add definition to soft features. Steer clear from round or oval shapes, which will only add extra width to this face shape.

 

 

 

If you're square: Square faces call for softening up harsh angles. Combat boxy silhouettes with round shapes like oval glasses or always-in-style aviators. Cat eyes and trendy rimless sunglasses will work to soften square faces, too.

 

 

 

If you're oval: Oval faces are the envy of all other shapes, because they can wear just about any frame style! Oval and oblong faces DO need to keep in mind proportion: petite faces need to stick with chic smaller frames, while longer, broader faces can experiment with the oversized trend. Oval faces pull off aviator and wayfarer styles well.

 

 

 

If you're heart: Frame styles that sweep upward will naturally soften the severe jawline of a heart or triangle face shape. Popular cat eye and angular wayfarer frames will not only make a fashion statement this summer, but will highlight this face shape's gorgeous cheekbones.

 

 

Guest Author: Molly is a content writer and fashion consultant for Scarves.net. When she's not styling summer scarves or browsing the best sunnies, she loves cooking new dishes, reorganizing her house, and spending time with her precious nieces.

Meet After 40 Fashion Bloggers at the Fashion Flash


It’s our turn to host the Fashion Flash and introduce you to our group of fabulous bloggers who specialize in over 40 fashion, health and beauty topics!  We know you will enjoy exploring all of these wonderful and informative blogs!  Just click the blue links to read more on each topic.

Here they are:

 

Black Cat Plus:

 

 

Menopause Makeover:

More than 70% of women ages 55 to 75 are overweight, is menopause to blame? Staness Jonekos, creator of the Menopause Makeover, has tips to conquer menopausal belly fat.

Fav Over Forty:

Start your summer out right with one of these must-have bronzers favored by Fab Over Forty.

 

.

Fab Over Fifty:

 

 

Aging Backwards:

 

 

 

Female Fat Loss Over 40:

Female Fat Loss expert, Shawna K gives some pointers on how you can learn one of the toughest exercises around.

 

No -Nonsense Beauty:

Now that warm weather has finally arrived, Deb of No-Nonsense Beauty Blog explores anti-aging options for the décolleté

 

Une Femme d’un Certain Age: 

 

 

 

 

 

Prime Beauty:
Cindy from Prime Beauty finds a less expensive alternative to her beloved WEN Cleansing Conditoner with the Marc Anthony Oil of Morocco Collection, in her latest Splurge v.s. Steal!

In case you missed it, here at Fabulous After 40 we  asked the question, “What is one of the biggest mistakes mature women make that can cause them to look frumpy and dated?” Are you making this fashion after 40,  style faux pas?

Monday, 28 May 2012

Over 40 Fashion Tips: Help with Aging Necklines, Bronzers, Belly Fat and more


It’s our turn to host the Fashion Flash and introduce you to our group of fabulous bloggers who specialize in over 40 fashion, health and beauty topics!  We know you will enjoy exploring all of these wonderful and informative blogs!  Just click the blue links to read more on each topic.

Here they are:

 

Black Cat Plus:

The recent agreement among Vogue editors to use healthy models can be a start to affect change and should include the decision to use plus size models which represent women of all shapes, ages, and sizes.

 

Aging Backwards:

 

Has one California woman found the Fountain of Youth? Jackie Silver from

AgingBackwards.com spoke to Tamara Yapp, CEO and founder of real food.real
life about her "accidental" discovery.

Menopause Makeover:

More than 70% of women ages 55 to 75 are overweight, is menopause to blame? Staness Jonekos, creator of the Menopause Makeover, has tips to conquer menopausal belly fat.

Fav Over Forty:

Start your summer out right with one of these must-have bronzers favored by Fab Over Forty.

 

 

Female Fat Loss Over 40:

Female Fat Loss expert, Shawna K gives some pointers on how you can learn one of the toughest exercises around.

 

No -Nonsense Beauty:

Now that warm weather has finally arrived, Deb of No-Nonsense Beauty Blog explores anti-aging options for the décolleté

 

Prime Beauty:
Cindy from Prime Beauty finds a less expensive alternative to her beloved WEN Cleansing Conditoner with the Marc Anthony Oil of Morocco Collection, in her latest Splurge v.s. Steal!

In case you missed it, here at Fabulous After 40 we  asked the question, “What is one of the biggest mistakes mature women make that can cause them to look frumpy and dated?” Are you making this fashion after 40,  style faux pas?

Friday, 25 May 2012

Win Gorgeous Marie Bruns Jewelry!


Enter to win this gorgeous necklace by commenting below

If you love antiques, fashion and a touch of the exotic you’ll go nuts for our newest style find- Jewelry from Marie Bruns.

Marie is an international businesswoman, world traveler and mom who expertly crafts real gemstones and pearls into unique pieces from classic to funky that reflect her extensive travels and fashion sensibilities. Her jewelry looks like it walked straight off the runway and adds glamour to any wardrobe.

Choose a pearl lariat or traditional double strand… Find gold vermeil bangles with semi-precious stones ideal for Summer while the Gem Stack rings look stunning alone or stacked.

Lucky for us we’ve made an arrangement with Marie Bruns for one lucky Fabulous after 40 reader to win a piece of this stunning jewelry!

Marie Bruns Dangle Earrings

Odds are very good YOU could be this month’s winner. Our contest ends Monday June 11th at 9 a.m. est, so don’t delay. Hop on over and come back and comment below and  be automatically entered. Good Luck!

(P.S. Marie also wants you to know you can support Breast Cancer Awareness by purchasing one of 4 pieces she has designed with proceeds going to the Breast Center at Willowbrook Hospital. Find your new favorite piece in the Marie Bruns collection.)

 

Tips on How to Shop in Paris, featured in this weeks Fashion Flash


This weeks's Fashion Flash includes Tips on How to Shop in Paris!

Hope you all had a wonderful  Mother’s Day, Deborah and I sure did!

You won’t want to miss today’s Fashion Flash, our weekly round up of the hottest fashion tips written by and for women over 40!

Our host this week is Geri Brin from Fab Over Fifty, a wonderful lifestyle blog with a full range of over 40 fashion tips, beauty product reviews and more!

Here are some of the topics that we are chatting about today:

 

 

Surprising ways to look smashing on a budget!


Why is it when we think of a special occasion we just automatically think we will have to spend a bundle?

It never ceases to amaze us when we see a woman looking fresh and stylish that they often admit that they have “scored” their outfit without breaking the bank.

Our most recent “find” was in Hilton Head, SC  where we spotted this gal on her way to dinner with her husband.  ”This dress is from Dress Barn and I loved it so much I wore it to my son’s rehearsal dinner”.

We just loved the retro print of this dress and the crisp cotton fabric.

Her husband chimed in…”Good things you changed your shoes like I told you to!”.

Ha! We can’t imagine what she was originally going to wear but these creme slingback wedges with an Espadrille feel….were just perfect!

Creme Slingback Wedges

Next, we met travel blogger,  Carol Cohen in Sarasota, Florida who also shared her casual dress find.

 

She says that she owns several of these little pull on dresses she found online,  in the Junior Department from Target. While  we usually suggest that you steer clear of  clothes made for the younger set, for summer these dress options can be just the perfect thing to have to throw on for something casual and comfy. They could even double as a bathing suit cover up.

This fuschia pull on dress can be worn to run errands in with a pair of cute flats or sandals.  While it might be a little short on a tall gal, it would hit right above the knee on someone 5’4 or under.

Or this little blue number – it’s supposed to be a dress but you could certainly pair  it with leggings, turning it into  a long top!

Fuschia Pull-on Dress

A dress that could easily be a cute top over leggings.

 

For more tips on how to look smashing on a budget, check out our popular eBook:

Thursday, 24 May 2012

Look Slim with Shapewear this Summer


As the days heat up, out come our summer wardrobes. From breezy loose tops, to cute beachy sundresses, and lightweight sporty capris,  there’s no more hiding extra pounds under heavy winter clothes.

Sure you can diet like crazy to shed that winter weight. 50% of women are said to be on a diet at any given time, but at some point you just need to dress the body you have.  Shapewear sculpts and defines your body and gives you the confidence you need to look fab in the summer months.

Spanx, Playtex and Ultimo, offer shapewear styles for everyone and every outfit. If you’ve never tried shapewear because you thought it was too much like a girdle, think again. Today’s shapewear is lighter and more comfortable than ever. Here are a few tips on Top Summer Shapewear Styles to tame your trouble spots.

 

This season is all about Tropicana floral prints, ice cream pastels and bright block colors essentials.  Once you have found your perfect shapewear, you can start planning your summer events with the assurance that you will look fabulous! Check out these chic summer styles that can work with your new body confidence.

Have you  ever bought shapewear? Did it help?? We;d love to know.  Comment below!

Win $200 worth of Dobbin Clothing!


Dobbin Clothing is a new on line store made with the over 40 lady in mind!

Over and over we get the same letter: “Where can we buy casual  clothes that are fashionable and modern and that don’t make us look like an old lady or our teenage daughter either?” Boy, do we agree with you! We have been so frustrated and have been looking for clothing companies that “get it” and we have finally found one!

Ladies, we are so excited to introduce you to a wonderful new clothing line called Dobbin Clothing.  

Dobbin Clothing is made in the USA (New York) and have styles that are made for the over 40 woman that are chic and have wonderful fit.

Not only that but they have Free shipping both ways!

The best news is that you can enter to win $200.00 in beautiful Dobbin Clothing! Just visit Dobbin Clothing, then hop on back and  comment below on which style you like best and why?

We love this Carla Lattice Skirt, so colorful and just right for running around in!

If you are ready to shop now, they have a special 15% discount just for you! (Enter Code: Fab40) 

Good luck and make sure to share this with your friends! We know so many of you are going to be excited to finally see an online store like this!

We are curious..do you like the length of this skirt?

Fashion Flash


It’s time to be gearing up for this season’s round of graduations, reunions, weddings and outdoor fun! See what great fashion, health and beauty tips we have in store for you with this week’s Fashion Flash!

The Fashion Flash is our weekly run down of tips from some of the top over 40 fashion bloggers. Here you will find links to them and the full articles on a variety of over 40 style tips and more.

Our host is Jackie Silver from her aptly named blog Aging Backwards!

Enjoy this weeks tips on:

Poor Fit = Frumpy After 40!


Are you drowning in your clothing? Do your pants bag? Does your top look like a tent? Go the mirror now. Take a good look. Be honest. Baggy, poorly fitted clothes are a big problem after 40.

You’ve gained a few pounds, you don’t feel really good about your body and you cover up- big time. But you are not fooling anyone!

Big baggy clothes will not make you look slimmer. They will make you look heavier- much heavier than you really are and they make you look frumpy as frumpy can be!

Case in point. Look at the problem with this outfit on the left. The sweater is too heavy and baggy, the skirt too long and loose- rather dowdy wouldn’t you say, but look what happens when we put her into this outfit on the right.- a slimmer fitted sweater with a more open neckline, shorter skirt with nice pencil style. Viola- absolute difference.

Before- baggy

After

 

Lesson here is poor fit = frumpy.

Embrace the body you are in now and wear clothes that skim your silhouette no matter what your size. Not too tight, not too loose- but just right.

Take your clothes in- men do it all the time but we feel we have to buy off the rack. We give you permission to take something in, or throw it out and start all over.  Dump the frump and get the right fit!

Here are some things to think about when you are trying to get the right fit:

1. Sleeves on jackets should just cover your wrist bones when you hangs hang down at your sides.

2. Shoulders of a jacket should sit perfectly straight on the shoulders with no drag or pull to one side.

3. A jacket should not cling or be snug across the back – no horizontal lines across the back or it is too tight.

4. Skirts lengths should be at the knee or up to 2′ above the knee if you have great legs.

5. Side seams on skirts or pants should lie flat and hang hang straight from the waist.

6. The rise is the key fit area on pants. Make sure the crotch is not too low or you will look short, too high and it is distasteful.

7. The hem of your pants should touch your instep in front and gently slopes back down covering half of your heel.

 

Do you have an outfit that you are not sure about the fit? Send an email and photo to questions@fabulousafter40.com and we will tell you.

Cheers!

 

 

 

Thursday, 17 May 2012

Top 5 Favourite Nail Polishes for Spring!

Spring to me is all about bright, pastel shades which help ease us into the heat, fun and colour frolics that is summer, so I decided to put together my Top 5 Nail Varnishes for Spring!  These are all perfect for adding a hint of colour to your daily outfits and are sure to get you in the mood for BBQs, sun and picnics over the next few months.

IMG_0774

Nails Inc Wellington Square* – The MOST perfect peach nail colour I have ever seen, I adore this shade.  It’s absolutely perfect for adding colour to every day outfits and will look absolutely wonderful against any skin tone.

17 Lasting Fix Nail Polish in Parma Violet – Such a good quality nail polish for an amazingly cheap price.  I love this light pastel purple shade.

Barry M Nail Paint in 295 Turquoise – A nice, vibrant blue shade which looks perfect with two coats.

Bourjois 10 Days Anti Chip Polish in 25 Pastel Coral*– My favourite pink polish of the moment.  This is a pink shade with the smallest hint of orange which I adore.  Very girly and easy to wear.

Orly in Jealous, Much…?* – Also featured in my ‘April Favourites’ post, I have been adoring this nail polish in Spring 2012.  It looks stunning on pale skin and is the most perfect milky green shade.

+ a bonus polish

Illamasqua Nail Varnish in Nomad* – Another green, but this is such a striking shade I couldn’t leave it out! 

spring polish 1

I also filmed a video explaining why I chose these products and you can also see swatches of what they look like ON my nails also.  All of the nail polishes above look great with only two coats!

What are your favourite polishes for Spring?

xxxx

Wednesday, 16 May 2012

Schwarzkopf Got2b 'Play it Straight'

This product has been popping up all over the blog world recently and I can see why; it’s an easy way to get salon straight hair, at home.  I know so many girls who straighten their hair and use a gallon of products every day because of unruly curls and frizz, but with this product you can banish the flyaways and enjoy swishing around your silky straight hair.

got2b - play it straight - Packshot - With New The Play it Straight ‘Straightening Blow Dry Kit’ from got2b works in just two steps – smoothing and sealing, which will give you straight, manageable, tame hair which will last up to 10 washes.

It contains a protein that helps loosen the bonds that make hair frizzy, whilst also giving lots of condition with ingredients like keratin and silk and wheat proteins, to help care for your hair at the same time. 
These ingredients also work to create a humidity-resistant barrier to frizz, which is perfect for those living in the weather crazy country that is England, or even perfect before a holiday!

What I like about this product is that you can still wear your hair curly or wavy after using this product – it’ll just mean that the curls won’t be frizzy and shaggy, they’ll the smooth and silky instead.

You can watch a video on how to use this product here so you can see how easy it is to use.

Got2b play it straight is £6.99 RRP and available now from Boots, Superdrug, Asda, Savers and Amazon.  You can also visit the got2b facebook page here to find out more information!

Do you suffer from frizzy hair? Will you be trying this new product for £6.99?

xxxx

sponsored post!

Monday, 14 May 2012

Space NK Event & New Launches!

A few weeks ago I was invited to the Soho branch of Space NK to have a gander at their new collections and releases for this summer.  The store itself is lovely and absolutely covered in so many products on its walls and stands, I could easily have spent hours in there.  I’ve squeezed as many of the new launches in this post here so you can see if anything takes your eye.

By Terry – By Terry is a brand that I’ve adored for a few years now but have never had the chance of owning because I simply couldn’t afford it with my student budget.  However now that I’m living back at home and saving a little, I’m hoping that I can add a few pieces of By Terry’s luxurious and classic pieces to my makeup bag.
As you can see below, the packaging is all beautiful and has star quality and I was able to speak to the creator of the brand, Terry de Gunzberg who showed me a few new additions to the range.
BY TERRY 
Above you can see the Aqua Lip Tint which is AMAZING.  I’m going to put a full review of this up soon, but it’s basically a long lasting lip tint in the most beautiful pink shade (swatch above too).

Below are two new shades of Ombre Blackstar which are pigmented eye shadow crayons.  One swipe of these beauties on your eye lids will add a flash of colour, and they can be smudged for a more sultry look.  The Blue shade is called Paradise Island, and the green is Fizzy Jade.
BY TERRY 2

HourglassKate and I spent a good ten minutes oohhh-ing and ahhh-ing over the Hourglass stand.  We were shown the Opaque Rogue Liquid Lipsticks which are absolutely incredible; intensely pigmented and available in a gorgeous variety of shades and they last hours on the skin.  I’m drooling over the orange red shade!  We were also shown the new Primer Serum which feels like silk on the skin – a perfect base for foundation.
HOURGLASS LIP 

Liptropolis Lipstick Library by Lipstick Queen – SUCH a good idea, this lipstick library was created by Poppy King (lipstick queen!) and I had a chance to talk to her all about lipsticks which was amazing.  Poppy created the first Liptropolis lipstick library all inspired by the idea of ‘lipstick in the city’ and New York.  The three shades in this box are Soho, Upper East and Central Park.  My favourite is the pale peachy shade, but I could see myself easily wearing all three of these lippies.  After swatching these on my hand (and after Poppy complemented my lipstick swatching skillz) I got to see just how lovely these lippies are – soft, creamy and pigmented!
This box retails at £40 in Space NK and I can’t wait to see more Liptropolis boxes that Poppy creates in the future!
LIPTROPOLIS

In Peace Eau de Parfum – This perfume was born from an exclusive partnership between Space NK and Women for Women International.  10% of profits from this perfume will go directly to women survivors of war to help rebuild their life.  The perfume itself is quite a unique scent – it’s very light and fresh with hints of iris and freesia and then develops into a sensual musky smell thanks to sandalwood and white musk.  A bottle of this costs £60 and you can read more about the charity here.
IN PEACE PERFUME

Other Launches – Also worth mentioning is Rococo Nail Apparel (below right), who have a summer collection of nail polishes being released.  And finally Beautannia who are releasing their Brighton range.  The packaging of this whole range (below left) is absolutely beautiful (I’m obsessed with all things nautical) but unfortunately the smell of the range is just a bit too strong and musky for me!

SPACE NK LAUNCHES

What is your favourite brand in Space NK?  Do any of these launches catch your eye?

xxxx