Anybody else relate when I say that the 50th decade brings a lot of new stuff with it? I’ve had to rethink my workout routine, sleep, food choices and skincare. So, I guess it shouldn’t surprise me that I am finding myself changing makeup over 50 as well.

I have worn makeup regularly for the past 40 years and I guess you could say I’ve become an expert at it. If pressed, I can put on a full face and be out the door in ten minutes. Now, that doesn’t mean that I do it that fast every time or even most of the time…a fact that my husband can well attest to having waited a few years of his life for me to get ready.

Makeup application is just something I take for granted. But, as the landscape of my face subtly changes from year to year, I am finding it necessary to make certain tweaks and changes to keep my makeup looking fresh and flattered.

For a lot of us, change is an unwelcome concept. We don’t want the bother and the uneasiness…and we really don’t want to take the time to figure out something new. So, it’s easy to find ourselves leaning on the same products and the same techniques we’ve used for decades.

The problem with this is that the same products that worked well a few decades ago may no longer enhance the face we have today. So today, I’m talking about changing makeup over 50 and offering some tips on a few changes I’ve made along the way.

Changing Makeup Over 50

I talk about changing makeup over 50 in this Youtube video, but I’ll outline the main points here again.

Softer Eyeliner

Eyeliner is important for bringing definition and shape to our eyes, but I have found the need to go lighter as I age. I used to use black liquid eyeliner to make a thick line along my upper lash, but I now use the thinnest of lines that blends into my lashes. Then, I finish off the top lid with an espresso brown eyeliner pencil. I go a step lighter brown underneath my eye and I stop about half-way across my lower lash. Finally, put a small dot of black pencil liner in the out corner of my eye and smudge it both above and below.

Color Corrector

Our skin becomes thinner as we age. This can cause our veins and capillaries to show through; especially under our eyes and around our nose. A color corrector does a great job of camouflaging these areas and you choose a color corrector based on the color of your veins; whether they show through as blue, green or red. Here’s a simple tutorial if you are unsure what color corrector would work best with your skin.

Undereye Moisture

The delicate skin of our undereye area can often dry out, which ends up accentuating any fine lines or wrinkles. I’ve found that I can tap on a tiny bit of Jojoba oil to keep this area hydrated after I have finished applying my makeup.

Powder and Setting Spray

Finally, I’ve gone back and forth on powder. I like that it sets my makeup, but I hate when it makes me look like I’m wearing a mask. Lately, I have settled on applying powder down the center of my face and a slight bit across my cheeks. I avoid putting powder under my eyes. Then, I apply setting spray with a beauty blender. This step leads to the most natural look because the setting spray actually melts the makeup slightly leaving your makeup looking much more natural.

Well, that’s what I’ve changed up to this point!

God Never Changes

While my life and my face continues to change, I’m so glad that I can place my hope and confidence in a God who never changes.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

James 1: 17

We just emerged from a shaky two weeks of uncertainty with one of my kids and I am thrilled to say that God brought us through!! He was right there the whole time; giving us the peace that passed our own understanding and the confidence propped up by literally thousands of prayers.

We could count on Him to be the same faithful God who has shown up for us time and time again.

~ Shellie

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Of course, we all know that our face changes as the years go by, but it’s not just what we see in the mirror. Recently, I’ve come to the conclusion that less is definitely more when it comes to everyday foundation. I’ve been searching for the best foundation and concealer for mature skin that provides some coverage, but doesn’t settle into fine lines or cause my complexion to look dull.

Over Thanksgiving, my niece told me about TULA Probiotic Skin Care Face Filter Blurring and Moisturizing Primer. While not actually a foundation, this product has the slightest pigment that matches your skin tone. It moisturizes the skin and keeps it from drying out during the day. I have to admit that it is a little pricier than other foundations I have used, so I recommend the two-ounce size because you end up with twice as much product without paying twice as much for it.

For concealer, I like Maybelline’s New York Instant Age Rewind Eraser Treatment Makeup. This product has a nice finish and it doesn’t settle into fine lines. The price is nice too! 

I talk about both of these products and give some application tips in this video. Also, I share my two cents on filtering advice from various media influencers.

What To Do With All The Advice

There’s no shortage of advice out there. I myself like to follow my own favorite influencers. But, is all advice good for you? Yes, I know I’m one of those people who gives advice, but I still think we all need to learn how to filter the information we take in.

While I’m talking about makeup advice in the video, I believe a lot of what I say spills over into our daily life. People love to share their opinions and they are always ready to shed some advice to fix other people’s problems or the world’s problems for that matter.

Makeup is one thing, but when it comes to life and living I firmly believe that God gives the best advice.

⁷ Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.

1 Timothy 4: 7

God’s Word holds a well spring of awesome advice and lessons for living. Better yet, God has a way of getting right to the heart of the issue. Let’s remember to go to Him when we need direction on real-life stuff. His advice is sure to fit us perfectly.

~ Shellie

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Have you ever had one of those, “I must have been living under a rock” moments? It’s that moment when you realize you have been missing out on this awesome thing because you literally did not know it even existed? Well, that is how I feel about my new discovery – nail polish strips.

If truth be told, I can easily see why I didn’t notice this “newish” trend of nail polish strips. I can’t really say it’s new because it wasn’t even on my radar. Why?…because I have never really been one to do the whole mani thing until about two months ago.

Now, I love nicely painted nails as much as anyone. And yes, one might assume that nails fit with my interest in fashion and beauty, but I’ve always relegated them to the realm of admiration from afar…along with the habit of changing purses to match every outfit (nice concept, but not for me).

Why Have I Never Done My Nails Before Now?

As I mentioned, I really admire the look of nicely manicured and polished nails. But, several obstacles have always stood between me and manicured nails:

• Self-painted nails inevitably end up smudged or nicked because I am too impatient to wait for them to dry.
• Self-painted nails only last for a couple of days.
• Salon manicures look awesome, but I don’t want to pay for them.
• I never wanted to commit to a regular schedule of salon appointments.

New Discovery – Nail Polish Strips

I guess you could say my whole nail story changed a few months ago. I was scrolling through social media as part of my daily entertainment in quarantine and I came across a post by my cutie niece, Corri. She had decided to become a stylist for a product called Colorstreet.

To be honest, I ordered my first Colorstreet nail polish strips to support my niece, but it only took one application to make me an instant convert. I absolutely love nail polish strips because they answer every one of my previous misgivings:

• Nail polish strips are 95 percent dry when you apply them, so you don’t have to mess with the nicks and smudges.
• Nail polish strips last for 10 to 14 days.
• One pack of Colorstreet nail polish strips lasts me for at least 3 manicures, which makes them very affordable.
• I can apply them at home without going anywhere.

And, I have one additional thing to add to the list…

• Applying nail polish strips is a great creative outlet! Each woman can go as loud or classic as she wants to with designs and color choices.

No, I’m Not Going To Sell Colorstreet, but I am hosting a one-time party!

As always, I am sharing something that I love and I think you’ll love it too.

I will be hosting a one-time Colorstreet online Facebook party on Tuesday, October 13 at 8:30 (ET). Corri and I will open with a short Facebook Live and then she will have some fun interactive posts, as well as, discounts and giveaways…woot, woot!

Better yet, this party will highlight Breast Cancer Awareness with two special designs! Two dollars of each of these sets go to support this worthy cause.

I would love for you to come…and the great thing about it is that you don’t even have to leave home! Click the link below if you want to join us. Oh, and make sure to stop by the event page before the day of the party. Corri will be posting some tips and tricks and she is ready to send free samples to anyone who wants to try-out Colorstreet for themselves.

I Want To Party With You On October 13!!

Or, if you aren’t into attending an online party (or you read this post after the fact), but you would like to check out the nail polish strips, just head straight to this site…

Just Let Me See The Nail Strips! 

I feel like God has been renewing my hope in recent days. In fact, His message of hope has literally been at every turn. I received a card about it and now I have a t-shirt that reminds me of it.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:23

Hope keeps me grounded when everything else in life seems so squirrelly! So, come on girls…let’s hang onto our hope!

~ Shellie

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You know you’ve done it. You read an article about the greatest hair product since the invention of electricity, then you go out to spend way too much on a full-sized bottle of it. Now, it sits gathering dust on your bathroom shelf. It delivered none of the stunning results you hoped for, but you can’t bear to throw it away.

How I wish I could recoup all the money I’ve spent on useless hair styling products over the years.

But, I’m glad to say that I’ve honed my hairstyling routine down to a few select products that I go to time and time again. So, I thought it was about time to share my favorite hair styling products with you.

My Favorite Hair Styling Products*

My hair texture is fine, which means styling products are essential for volume…fine hair also means that the wrong products can easily weigh it down.

We all want nice hair. After all, it sits right up there on the top of our heads for everyone to see! So, hair is an area I am willing to splurge on, but I would way rather go with less expensive products when possible. And, for the most part, I’ve found several affordable options that do a bang-up job.

Of course, I purchased all of these products because they are the ones I use every day in my own hairstyling routine…so let’s get to it!

• Turbie Twist – I recently discovered this great little invention. This microfiber towel hangs right in my shower, so I’m always ready to wrap up my hair after shampooing. As a result, my hair stays smoother because I don’t rough up the hair cuticle with towel drying.
• Generic Leave-In Treatment With Keratin (Sally’s Beauty Supply) – I pump a few squirts in my hand and smooth through my hair, avoiding the roots. This makes my hair a lot more manageable.
• Generic Volumizing Root Lifter (Sally’s Beauty Supply) – This product comes with a unique nozzle that allows you to apply it directly to the roots. After applying, I run my fingers across my scalp from front to back to distribute it.
• BB Volumizing Spray – Although this product carries a higher price tag, it really delivers a lot of body. I spray it all over my damp hair before blow-drying.
• TRESemme’ Heat Tamer – Since embracing more gray hair, heat protection has become a necessity. I spray this styling product on the outer layers of my hair before using a straight iron.

*This post contains some affiliate links, which don’t cost you one penny. This just means I may receive a few cents if you choose to click on them or decide to purchase something I recommend.

Let me know if you decide to try any of these hair styling products and if they work for you.

Finally, I want to leave you with a nugget of encouragement to stash in your purse or pocket.

²⁴ For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

Romans 8:24-25

I’m so glad we don’t have to have our whole lives figured out every second of the day…aren’t you?! We may not see how things are going to work out when we are wading through churning waters. I’m just glad that God sees the bottom.

~ Shellie

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I am back in the US of A and I am oh-so-glad to be here! I made the journey without any hiccups and I was thrilled to ride poor man’s business all the way or “three seats to myself” for those of you who may not be familiar with the term. The hardest part was wearing a face mask for the whole journey. I gained an even greater appreciation for our front-liners who wear face masks day in and day out! These days I’m riding a fine line between lipstick and face masks.

I’ve kept my distance as best I can, just to make sure I didn’t pick anything up on my journey. Still, I can actually step outside to feel the sun and wind on my face and that’s a long-awaited treat!  I looked up at the sky today and I was convinced it’s never been quite so blue.

On a less cheery note, I was tested for Covid yesterday as our state offers open testing for people who are non-symptomatic. I want to know I’m safe before visiting with older family members and the test allows me to be sure long before the 14-day waiting period. While I knew the test required a swab up the nose, I can’t say I was prepared for just how long it had to be there and how deep it had to go…phew!!

For once, I’ve returned to America without feeling like the new kid on the block. Instead, I’m adjusting to the new American landscape right along with everyone else.

Lipstick and Face masks

I’m trying to get used to the new reality of wearing face masks and I must say it really cramps my style. Several times, I’ve applied my lipstick only to wipe it off as I headed out the door. A thirty-five-year habit is not an easy one to break!

I still like to use a little tinted lip balm because it keeps my lips from drying out and I just feel more like myself with some color. So today, I’m sharing a tip for creating an easy natural lip.

The trick to defining a natural lip is in the liner. For this look, I line my lips with a taupe eyebrow pencil. I bet you didn’t see that one coming! The taupe eyebrow pencil defines the lips without standing out like a typical lip pencil.

Why don’t you give this tip a try? I think you’ll be pleased with the results.

The last three months have been a lesson in gratitude. I have learned to recognize and rejoice over every small blessing; many of which I overlooked in the hustle and bustle of pre-quarantine life.

 ^“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

James 1:17

Though the landscape appears to change with each new day, I can count on God as my firm foundation and as the giver of perfect gifts. He knows just what I need.

~Shellie

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I’ve spent a lot of time with me, myself, and I over the past seven weeks of home quarantine. At first, I pretty much approached my home time as I would any other season. Home has always been a place where I let down and relax, which pretty much means no makeup, no hair styling, a t-shirt and shorts.

But, as the days dragged on and melded one into another, my zero-effort routine began wearing on my emotional state. So, in recent weeks, I’ve been more conscious of my personal appearance…not because I have anywhere to be, except more present and purposeful for my own peace of mind.

I talked about this inside-outside connection in a Facebook video a few weeks ago and I am including that video at the bottom of this post in case you missed it the first time around.

I have wanted to do a video makeup tutorial for a while and I finally had ample time to sit down and give it a try. Today, I am showing you my 3-minute makeover. This is what I do when I need to run out to the grocery store, or in the case of home quarantine, host a Zoom meeting. I hope you enjoy it.

As believers, we know that our physical appearance has no bearing on our relationship with God; however, we are called to live in relationship with God and man. Let’s face it….we humans look at physical appearance and this is no secret to the one who created us.

The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

1 Samuel 16:7

Fashion and beauty treatments will not be necessary for our heavenly bodies. Yet, enhancing our appearance can boost our confidence, which in turn affects how we interact with others and how they interact with us. And this 3-minute makeover is easy to fit into your day.

Here’s to God’s grace for every moment and in all circumstances!

~ Shellie

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Growing up, I always paid attention to my hair and makeup. I’m a southern girl and that’s just what we do. So, I never really thought much about my natural inclination to consider my personal appearance.

Obviously, I love to talk about all things fashion and beauty. In fact, I’ve written quite a bit on both subjects. So, I guess it makes sense to take a little time to consider the question, “should Christians care about their personal appearance?”

I’ve had this conversation more than once in my life and it usually goes something like this, “Shellie, I’ve never really thought much about my clothes or my makeup. But, I am getting to the point in my life that I think I would like to put a little more effort into my personal appearance.”

For these women, this personal realization was more than a passing comment, but rather a sincere, heartfelt desire. One that I can only assume they had pondered for a while before broaching the subject with me.

These were women who had hearts for God, but they had never before seen the need to put much thought into their personal appearance. Still, something had shifted in their perspective as they began to explore the possibility of caring about something they had never given much thought to before.

We can’t ignore the human tendency to evaluate things and others by their appearance. God even spoke to this tendency when he told Samuel, “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

It’s obvious that God prefers to get right to the heart of the matter without getting mixed up with our surface appearance. And yes, we as Christians should strive to be more like Him as Paul instructs in Ephesians 5:1, “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children.”

Still, the question for those seeking a godly perspective on appearance may not be whether or not a godly woman cares about her personal appearance, but why she cares about it?

Ah, the why question…

We are called to follow after God’s example; to seek guidance from scripture and inevitably we are changed in the process.

¹⁸ And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,^[a] are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.^[b] For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

2 Cor. 3:18 ESV

And, just maybe, as we mature in God and pass through different life seasons, we may actually desire to enhance the outside to better reflect what God is doing internally.

At this point, I consider other facets of my life; home decor, writing, speaking or graphic design. Have I ever felt pressured, whether internally or externally, to just let these areas go without tweaking or polishing them? Absolutely not, in fact, I strive for excellence.

I recognize and value the gifts God has placed in my life and I seek to reflect His glory in everything I do.

For instance, I wrote this article over the course of several days. I started with a few ideas and then slowly added others until my thoughts were adequately conveyed.

At that point, the article pretty much said what I wanted it to say, but it was far from finished.

I then proceeded to the most essential aspect of the whole writing process…editing. While the initial draft reflected my thoughts well enough, it needed to be polished and refined before I would allow anyone else to read it.

No one would argue the need for editing to produce a presentable piece of writing. However, some do wrestle with the idea of “wasting their time” on personal appearance when it could be better spent on spiritual pursuits. After all, the word is clear that we should “not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of [our] mind[s], that by testing [we] may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

I like this writer’s take on the issue,

We should not reject caring about our physical appearance just because the world cares, but we should be changed inside so we can tell what the will of God is.

Compellingtruth.org

As Christians, we are called to live and move in a world that holds an entirely different set of values and standards. And yes, physical beauty often rests at the top of their priority list. Still, that in itself doesn’t disqualify us from seeking to portray an attractive outer appearance, as long as, our hearts remain rooted in kingdom plans and purposes.

Ultimately, we tweak the outside because it reflects and illuminates what we have going on within.

I like the phrase, “you never have a second chance to make a first impression.” Maybe their first impression or attraction is my outfit, lipstick or hairstyle, and that’s OK. Why?…because ultimately I serve a God who works through relationships. I trust Him to use every means and every relationship to reveal His glory in and through my life, even if His chosen means is Loreal lipstick #590 in Blushing Berry.

~ Shellie

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The post Is Personal Appearance Something Christians Should Care About? appeared first on Shellie Bowdoin | The FABulous Journey.

Every now and then, someone asks me about my skincare routine. I’ve wanted to write about it for a while, but I knew it would be better with a video demo. So this week, I finally decided to try a video tutorial.

And, I’ll have to say it was just about as difficult as I anticipated. I guess it’s always hard to try something new. In fact, I well remember how challenging this whole blogging thing was when I first got started.

While the whole video process was new to me, skincare is something I’m a little more comfortable with. I am including both the video and written instructions for my evening skincare routine for mature skin.

1. Many of them come with a hefty price tag.

Ultimately, you pay companies to make the process easier for you with a 1, 2, 3 step process. They formulate the ingredients for easy consumption. And, some of us are willing to pay for the convenience of someone else taking the guesswork out of our routine. I prefer to go for the more affordable skincare option of choosing my own ingredients.

2. Many labeled skincare products don’t actually tell you what ingredients are included in their product.

You hear all these buzz words, like glycolic acids and peptides, but then you really have no idea if you are using them or not because your product is labeled simply – hydration serum. So, maybe you are and maybe you aren’t.

Instead, I’ve done a good bit of research and discovered that our skin really only needs certain key ingredients to promote elasticity, stimulate collagen production and even out our skin tone.

I’ve realized that I can go straight to those component ingredients myself with great results and a much lower price tag. What’s more, there are several application techniques that also help tone your face.

I started this skincare routine about 3 years ago and I definitely see improvements in the texture, tone and appearance of my skin.

1. First, washing your face is a must. Why is it so important? Because throughout the day you walk through a host of free radicals and particles as they float through the air. Unfortunately, a bunch of those undesired elements end up settling on your face. If you don’t clean your face, then these undesirable elements are left to do their dirty work on your skin by breaking down collagen and degrading the tissues. That’s when your skin becomes more vulnerable to wrinkles, sagging and hyperpigmentation

• I like to keep my facial cleansers in the shower because it’s just easier that way. I alternate between a gentle cleanser and a gentle exfoliating scrub.

2. Next, I use Pixi Tonic, which includes glycolic acid, ginseng and aloe. This is my single most favorite product. It really does make your skin glow and helps the skin slough off its dry, dull appearance.

• I often don’t apply my products in succession. Instead, I like to let my face rest between steps.

3. Next, is Vitamin C serum (the one in the video is by TrueSkin). This serum can cause some redness and tingling, which makes it a good choice for the evening, before bedtime.

3. Next, I use a Peptide serum. Peptides fight against free radicals and rejuvenate skin cells.

4. Now, it’s time for the moisturizer.

• I am not tied to a particular moisturizer. Instead, I use quality products I find on sale, sometimes from Black Friday sales or, at other times, I use high-end samples.
• Moisturizer helps to seal in the serums and it also makes it easier to apply Retin-A, which is the final step in my routine.

5. Retin-A is is a vitamin A derivative that is sold only by prescription in the US. It goes by the generic name Tretinoin. I live in Asia, so it is easy to access. I’ve been using it for about 15 years. Retinol products help to regenerate collagen in the skin and even out the the skin’s texture and they are readily available in various brands. This site makes some good recommendations for over-the-counter retinol creams.

• I find that retinol products go on better over a moisturizer.

And there you have it, my evening skincare routine for mature skin!

You can find the links for all the products I’ve mentioned in the video description.

And, while I love to talk about all things beauty, I still recognize that my outside only reflects what I’ve got going on inside. Always remember, that your truest beauty bubbles out of a life that’s full of heart, love and purpose.

…your beauty should come from inside you – the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. That beauty will never disappear and it is worth very much to God.— 1 Peter 3:3-4

~ Shellie

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When a group of girls get together, it’s only a matter of time before the conversation turns to hair. And, there’s not one of us that doesn’t have a story of woe to tell.

Today I’m talking about my best tips for getting the short haircut you want.

Let’s face it…our relationship with the hair salon is a love/hate one at best.

Oh yes…we love, love, love to have a standing appointment with a trusted stylist…until that fated day when she says what usually starts with “Sorry” and ends with the bombshell that she will not be available in that salon to cut your hair six weeks from today!

Why is it so hard to find someone to cut our hair?!!

I think it boils down to this…we just don’t know what we want or what to ask for! That’s why it’s essential to arm yourself with the right terminology and a game plan before you head to the salon; especially if you plan to get a short haircut.

Here are my best tips for getting the short haircut you want.

1. Confer with the stylist before your hair is washed.

The stylist needs to see how your hair lays when it’s dry. If you don’t like something about your hair, it’s much easier to point it out when your hair is dry.

Plus, something happens to a women when she sits in a salon chair with a towel wrapped around her head…it makes her blurt out things like, “do whatever you think is best”…and none of us want that!

2. Do not expect the stylist to read your mind.

Show a picture of the exact hairstyle you want; including the back view. And then, ask the stylist if she thinks that hairstyle will work with your hair texture and face shape.

3. Use the correct terms for what you want done to your hair.

Terms To Know For A Short Haircut

• Asymmetrical – hair is cut shorter on one side than the other
• Bevel – the hair is cut with a slight curve that tapers in at the ends
• Graduated – refers to hair that is longer in the front and shorter in the back
• Undercut – cutting an area really short and allowing a top layer of hair to fall over it (this removes volume on the bottom)
• Texturizing or “Point cutting” – cutting the ends of the hair at different lengths, usually done by cutting into the hair at an angle (I recommend this be done with scissors, not with thinning shears)
• Weight – Area of the hair that you want to have the most volume
• Pixie – a short hairstyle typically short in the back and on the sides of the head and slightly longer on the top with very short bangs (this is NOT my hairstyle).

4. Explain exactly where you want the most weight or volume.

Often, a good and bad haircut comes right down to unbalanced weight. Spend some time looking at your hair in the mirror before you go to the salon.

Does your current hairstyle flatter the shape of your face? For example, if your face is round, then balance the fullness with straight lines. If your face is long (like mine), then choose a hairstyle that draws the eyes outward to balance length of your face.

I’ve had two typical issues with my own haircuts in the past:

• A-Frame – The weight of the hair is concentrated in the bottom third of the hair and there are not enough layers cut into the top portion of the hair.
• Puppy dog ears – The weight of the hair is concentrated in the bottom half of the hair and usually looks too full behind my ears.

5. Do not let the stylist use thinning shears on a short haircut.

I don’t care what they say…thinning shears don’t work on my fine hair and they don’t work on my kids’ thick hair. And yes, only two years ago, I went in for a haircut with a new stylist. I told her that I did not want thinning shears.

She convinced me that she would use her shears in a way that was far different from all other stylists. I caved…needless to say, her method was NOT revolutionary. I ended up having to re-trim all the little hairs sticking up all over my head.

Ask your stylist to texturize your hair with scissors. Point cutting allows the stylist a lot more control.

6. A good stylist will know the correct terms for various styling techniques.

Discuss what you want, then ask the stylist to explain her plan for cutting your hair before she begins…just to make sure you are both on the same page.

I actually have a harrowing story of a stylist who gave me a haircut based on a picture above the one I had pointed to in a magazine. We were literally not on the same haircut!!

How To Get My Exact Haircut

It’s one thing to see a picture of a great haircut in a magazine or online, but it’s not always easy to walk out of the salon with a haircut that resembles the one you wanted.

So, I decided to take things a step further for you today. Not only will I show you pictures of all sides of my hair, but I will also explain the exact wording I use when discussing this haircut with my stylist.

Even though I go to the same stylist every time, I go over my expectations every time, so there is no misunderstanding. Just remember, your regular stylists has cut dozens of other people’s hair since your last appointment.

I will give one disclaimer for this post…the pictures were taken inside the salon, so I didn’t actually style my own hair. I usually find that no one else quite knows how to work with my hair like I do. But, I think you can still get the idea.

My hairstyle is…

• Asymmetrical cut, the shorter side has a 1″ undercut above the ear and across the back bottom. The undercut is short, but not short enough to allow the skin to show through.
• The back of my hair is graduated or shorter than the front. The top layers are cut at a diagonal angle (like an inverted V in the back). The neck line is cut straight across the bottom and the neck is shaved with a straight razor.
• The long side of my hair is beveled. The side fringe is 5″ at the shortest point from the side part. The under fringe or bangs are cut at a diagonal across the front, the shortest (when pulled straight) is cut to mid-eye and the longest is cut to the lower lash line).
• The weight or volume of my hair behind the ears is cut to end at eye level (this works especially well for me because I have a long oval face). A lot of attention is paid to this particular area of my hair; texturizing is done before and after the hair is dried.

Well, there you have it, I have laid out everything I know about the art of asking for and receiving a great short haircut.

I hope it works for you! If the idea of a short haircut is new for you, check out my post on how to rock short hair.

Finally, I leave you with this thought.

 1 Peter 3: 3-4

³ Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— ⁴ but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.

A great haircut can never replace the beauty of what’s cultivated on the inside!

Catch all my posts by subscribing with your email in the right side bar of the blog page, footer of the homepage or Follow with Bloglovin’! Check out the other fabulous fashion linkups I’m joining this week – My Linkups!

~ Shellie

The post Tips For Getting The Short Haircut You Want appeared first on Shellie Bowdoin | The FABulous Journey.

Benjamin Franklin was on to something when he coined the term, “an inch of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” So, here’s some of my best tips…what to do in your 30s to have great skin your 50s.

When it comes to your skin, it’s a lot easier when you start with a good foundation. I guess you could say I have a proactive personality. I grew up in the Sunshine State, but it didn’t take long for me to realize that marinating in the sun was not going to do much for my skin. Now, I can’t say I didn’t have my share of brown summers, but I had pretty much given up laying out in the sun by the time I hit my 20s.

Keep Your Face Out Of The Sun

I know you’ve heard about the negative effects of sun exposure a thousand times. Every girl wants to look tan when the sun goes into hiding for Fall or in anticipation of an approaching summer season. Even if you can’t resist tanning every other part of your body; protect your face.

Here’s something you may not have stopped to consider; you have young skin for about 30 years, but you’ll be living in that same skin for hopefully 80+ years. There is a lot of life left to live after 30.

There are some excellent self-tanners and bronzers on the market, so use those instead.

Use The Same Products on Face, Neck And Chest

A lot of us only focus on the face. But, interestingly enough, the crepey skin on the neck is one of the first things to give away your age. The skin of the neck really has to fight against the pull of gravity, so you want to make sure to keep it as tight and moisturized as possible.

Always Remove Your Make-Up Before Bed

Forgetting every now and then will not do much harm, but habitually going to bed without cleaning your face can really age your skin. Make-up and foundation clog the pores and introduce bacteria that can cause acne and inflammation.

Throughout the day, our make-up soaks up free radicals from the environment. These eventually break down the collagen in the skin; leading to fine lines.

Also, your face needs to have the opportunity for cell renewal while you sleep. By removing your make-up and using proper moisturizers, you give your skin time to repair itself.

Use Serums On A Cleansed Face

To be honest, I only discovered the value of simple serums over the last few years, but I wish I had started using them long ago. Don’t be fooled into thinking you have to spend a fortune to find good quality face serums. I buy mine on Amazon. These brands don’t run brick and mortar stores, nor do they have to spend tons of money on advertising, so you reap the benefit of lower prices.

Here’s the ones I use:

Use A Low Percentage Retinoid/Tretinoin On Your Face

Retin A is one common brand name of Tretinoin. Basically, a retinoid is a vitamin A molecule. It is commonly prescribed for acne, but it has also shown great results as a long-term beauty regime when used in small amounts and at low percentages. Unfortunately, this product is not available without a prescription in the US; however, there are a number of products that contain retinol in lower concentrations.

Avoid Sleeping On Your Stomach Or Side

Remember waking up with a ”bed head” when you were young? The creases down your cheeks were an instant giveaway that you’d just crawled out of bed. As we age, our skin loses its elasticity, which means it just doesn’t bounce back like it used to. In fact, the older we get the more those creases etch permanent wrinkles and sagging into our skin.

Alcohol Is Not A Friend To Your Skin

Alcohol consumption causes the blood vessels to widen and expand. This affects your skin in several ways. First, it causes your cheeks to redden. Small blood vessels around your nose and mouth can also pop; leaving small spider veins. And, the whites of your eyes will darken and yellow over time.

If not for your health, then you might consider what the cumulative effect of twenty years of drinking will do to your face.

Lose The Goal of Looking Younger

Age happens to us all and there’s not a thing you can do to stop it…so, stop trying! Instead of striving to look younger, learn to be satisfied with being the best version of you…no matter what your age may be. Constantly, striving for the fountain of youth is a futile effort.

The more years I add to my life, the more I come to realize that true beauty really does radiate from within….so, embrace your age.

*This post contains some affiliate links, which don’t cost you one penny. This just means I may receive a few cents if you choose to click on them or decide to purchase something I recommended.

Catch all my posts by subscribing with your email in the right side bar of the blog/home page or Follow with Bloglovin’! Check out the other fabulous linkups I’m joining this week – My Linkups!

~ Shellie

The post What To Do In Your 30s To Have Great Skin In Your 50s appeared first on Shellie Bowdoin | The FABulous Journey.