Chic at 60ish!

When the sun rose on January 1^st, an overwhelming majority of women made the same New Year’s resolution: To take better care of ourselves. Many of us spend so much time pleasing and doing for others, at last we’ve admitted we need to pamper ourselves a bit. We are discovering the dazzling lift that comes from feeling great—from looking radiant. Did you promise yourself more workouts, more blowouts, more manicures, and more massages? It’s February—how are you doing?

I’m often asked, “What are your favorite beauty products? Your regular beauty routines?” I love products & I love professionals. For me, the easiest way to stick to a regimen is to book appointments. See a make-up pro. Call a gym, a hair stylist, an esthetician or skin specialist. Even better, make standing appointments. And keep them. Buy yourself gift certificates. (That really works. Some salons even offer discounts for buying several weeks of services at once.) Just do it!

MAKE STANDING APPOINTMENTS, AND KEEP THEM: My weekly schedule always includes a blow-out at Salon Cachet in Haverford or Ralph Manne in Wynnewood & a manicure at La Beaute Nails in Rosemont

If you look good, you feel good! Besides appointments with pros, a good beauty routine at home works wonders—for both your looks & your wellbeing. To catch me up on the latest scoop, I visited Saks Fifth Avenue’s Djurda Pantoviv, at the Sisleya counter in Bala Cynwyd, one of Philadelphia’s finest make-up consultants and my make-up guru for years.

MY NEW FAVORITE THING: Djurda, my make-up professional at the Sisleya counter at Saks, recently introduced me to “Le Teint” foundation, giving me smooth coverage & dewy “glow” at once, from saks.com or bluemercury.com

Just like your wardrobe, it’s important to have a relationship with a sales associate in the make-up department. It’s a matter of trust. There are so many items on the market at any moment; it becomes almost impossible to navigate your way. A good professional keeps you from making mistakes, and frankly from overspending on products you’ll never use. How many lipsticks, blushes, and eye shadows reside in your make-up bag? How many do you use?

RELY ON PROFESSIONALS YOU TRUST: Getting glam at Saks Fifth Avenue in Bala Cynwyd

And though there are trends—particularly as we become 60ish—we just want to look beautiful. When Djurda shows me a new shadow and says, “You’re going to love this,” I usually do; when she says, “This new lipstick is the hottest thing but too bright for you,” she’s usually right too.

    DO NOT LEAVE HOME WITHOUT YOUR LIPS ON: The newest lipgloss from lauramercier.com & westmanatelier.com

Another way to get a lift is from a new lipstick. Gorgeous reds, peaches, and pinks with a luscious gloss on top. Like all make-up, your lipstick is very personal—not only color, but texture—some prefer very light, some very opaque. Whatever your preference, don’t leave home without your lips on—the quickest way to look polished in an instant.

I NEVER WALK OUT THE DOOR WITHOUT MASCARA: “Monsieur Big” mascara–I do not leave home without it–at lancome.com; new to the market, “Big Deal” mascara at loreal.com

That said, personally, I will not leave the house without mascara. It opens and defines your eye, makes you look younger, prettier, and more alert. Chanel to Maybelline and everything in between, for me, Lancome’s “Monsieur Big” is a must-have. Eyeliner enhances even further, use a Q-tip or eyebrow brush to blend.

THE EYES HAVE IT: Quadra eye shadow at saks.com or chanel.com

Ready for something new? Try a smoky eye, offered at every counter. A beautiful look on everyone. Start with a light, shimmery shade under the brow, apply a matte brown in your crease, then a lighter shade across the lid and a darker hue in the outer corner. For evening, add a “magic dot” of sparkly white, silver, or gold in the center to really open your eye. Don’t forget brows—nothing is more aging than grey hairs in your brows. And always, a softer lip with dramatic eyes; important lip with softer eyes.

DRAMA, DRAMA, DRAMA: Ardel #301 half lashes at amazon.com

Another of my favorite things? (Yes, I have lots of favorite things, but I try it all so you don’t have to!)  Ardell half lashes #301, enhance your eyes in a way you won’t believe, without that “false eyelash look.”I prefer Duo eyelash glue, found in most drug stores or on Amazon. “Paint” the lash with the glue, then adhere to your lash line OVER your liner, securing it with a half Q-tip or a tweezer. Add mascara and watch your eyes pop. A fabulous, feminine look you’re going to adore.

BEFORE & AFTER: I don’t really have a good before & after photo, but you can see the bags under under my eyes in this photo with Jonathan from last spring; bags gone in this photo with Lauren & Margot from December! My thanks to Dr Jackie Carrrasco at phillyeyeplastics.com

Full disclosure! Despite an addiction to make-up & knowing the latest “tricks of the trade,” time takes its toll on all of us & I just could not stand the bags under my eyes. So in October, I “had my eyes done,” a blepharoplasty on my lower lids. Full success! Main Line Health’s fabulous Dr Jackie Carrasco removed the fat pockets under my eyes, smoothing my lower lids, while giving my psyche a real boost too. Besides her top credentials as an ocular plastic surgeon (she is also on staff at Wills Eye), Jackie is a doll—if you share this aliment, call for a consultation. 610.649.1970

LOOK AT THE DIFFERENCE! My beautiful cousin Cindy before & after a lower face & neck lift by Dr Jason Bloom–so sculpted, so natural, so pretty! bloomfacialplastics.com

Talking about plastic surgery, my beautiful cousin Cindy now looks even more beautiful after her lower face lift. Once more, time takes its toll & Cindy hated her neck. Main Line Health’s Dr Jason Bloom, bloomfacialplastics.com—who is also the warmest, sweetest guy—performed a lift on her lower face & neck. Magnificent!! Totally natural. Just sculpted & gorgeous.  

CREATE A HOME SPA: A myriad of body & bath products in several soothing scents at moltonbrown.com and bluemercury.com

Once you’ve put on a good face, take time to unwind at the end of the day. It’s all about wellbeing and vitality. Looking and feeling healthy and fit. Workouts to yoga to meditation to creating a home spa. Indulge in luxurious bath products, leaving your skin smooth as silk. And don’t forget to treat yourself to a delicious scented candle. So perfect on a cold evening or a wonderful gift for your favorite hostess.

ANOTHER FAVORITE THING! Nest scented candles–my fave is “Moroccan Amber,” at Home Grown in Haverford or bluemercury.com

Pamper. Unwind. Relax. Rejuvenate. Stick to your resolutions. Steal an hour at least once a week. Go to the gym. Get a mani/pedi. Have your hair blown out. Have a massage. Just do it! What do women want? Now you know. Here’s to a Healthy & Gorgeous 2025! Enjoy every exquisite moment~ Ellyn Golder Saft