There is one thing we can all be sure of, that with every day that passes we get older.
Gravity has a lot to answer for, literally a weight on our shoulders. As every decade passes, we fight against the effects of gravity that little bit harder. Other than moving to the moon where a gravity free life could potentially reduce the ageing process. (which does seem to be a distant possibility, but then the space helmet would make the effort pointless, I’m thinking!)
I’m talking about our face growing older, changing through the decades advertising to others who we are.
Happiness, sadness, stress all our emotions on show for all to see. As a make- up artist with a maturing face of my own I champion these changes and wish to help and motivate others to grow older feeling positive and keep evolving to reach that point where you are happy in your own skin.
Society is obsessed with anti-ageing and lets face it the concept is pretty amazing – lets stay young forever and it brings in a fortune of revenue. In the past society turned its back on women who reach the age of fifty and she suddenly becomes invisible. Now women are turning their own back on this ageist society and becoming pro-age. Lets celebrate who we are and what’s wrong with life showing on your face. It shows knowledge, experience and wisdom , which todays youth really need our guidance and inspiration to ageing without bigotry and judgement.
Why do we age as we do
Well, gravity is one thing, that obviously effects us all the constant pressure pushing every thing south. Also the older we get the more we start to run out of the good stuff.
Muscle Weakness Like our bodies are face muscles weaken if we do not keep them exercised.
Elastin is a key protein of the extracellular matrix. It is highly elastic and present in connective tissue allowing many tissues in the body to resume their shape after stretching or contracting. Elastin helps skin to return to its original position when it is poked or pinched. Elastin keeps the pores tight and diminishes as we get older so the skin loses its plumpness.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, found in the bones, muscles, skin, and tendons. It is the substance that holds the body together. Collagen forms a scaffold to provide strength and structure. Like Elastin it diminishes as we get older, you can get supplements, but the dosage makes little impact on the ageing process and many skin creams contain collagen, but facts are the collagen molecules are too large to be absorbed through the skin.
Oestrogen any of a group of steroid hormones which promote the development and maintenance of female characteristics of the body. Estrogen is made up of several hormones and the reduction after menopause can have many impacts on the body, but known to cause dryer skin. This can contribute to the ageing face in women.
Diet and lifestyle have a massive impact on how we age. Poor diet and no exercise is a known factor towards many diseases including Diabetes and Mental Health issues. Everything you do shows on your skin so Smoking, alcohol and fast foods have an impact on how you look as well as how you feel.
Sleep or lack of it causes the skin to be dehydrated and sluggish and can effect our mood and how we deal with life.
Dehydration is a major issue in older years. It so important to keep the body hydrated to keep your metabolism working to its peak and helps to keep your skin performing its magic.
So what can we do
I champion Pro-age, this doesn’t mean you give up and let nature take its course. I suggest
A healthy balanced diet: plenty of exercise (at least 2.5hrs a week) Drink 8 glasses of fluid a day, preferably water, probably best not in the form of wine. 😂
Sleep: is so important and menopause can play havoc with your sleep patterns. I suggest looking at mindfulness exercises to help, I find this really helps.
Avoid harsh chemicals on your skin and in your diet, as they can promote poor health and dull your skin.
Affordable skin products: cleanse, tone and moisturise morning and night, it is not so much about what you use, but more about the action of massaging which will increase the blood supply to the muscles, keep the skin subtle so give yourself and your skin a bit of TLC – you and the mirror time, throw in a quick Wonder Women pose to start your day feeling strong.
Face yoga can really help to keep the muscle tone in your face, they are great fun to do making ridiculous faces at yourself in the mirror.
Face up to it, age should bring us wisdom, confidence and hopefully a sense of humour. So, get exercising those facial muscles and put a smile on it.
I do a virtual workshop to lift, tone and relax your face. When our make- up comes off we show who we really are so not only are we aiming to slow the ageing process we are coming to terms with it.
Now Booking 2022
Graceful Disgraceful Virtual Facial Workout
A series of massage and face exercises lots of chat on the ageing process – The ultimate face experience via Zoom in the comfort of your own home. Only taking request group bookings min3 max 5 pro age 45+ or via Airbnb online experience -The Facial Workout- for all ages
The Graceful Disgraceful Facial Workout Karen Lockyer Make Up Artist –
My face to face Graceful Disgraceful Make up Experience based in Wiltshire UK
Friday 14th January 2022 10am-12.30pm
Sunday 23rd January 2022 10am-12.30pm
Sunday 28th February 2022 10am-12.30pm To Be confirmed
Details at: Graceful Disgraceful – Karen Lockyer Make Up Artist
About the blog
There is definitely a lack of positive imagery showing older women out there, although, it is improving all the time. Instagram has definitely helped form a community of pro-age warriors. My aim as a make up artist and positive age champion is to produce some fun, untouched, non- stereotypical beauty images of older faces showing great make up and style. Lots of beauty chat too, on how women of all ages feel about their own ageing journey, their beauty routines and make up experience. Also beauty news and some facts as in this weeks blog
I wonder if when we look in the mirror our dread of ageing is partly triggered from how we are made to feel in our society. So, let’s try and change that narrative.
Lets make a difference one face at a time.
