Lookin’ Good
Should our definition of beauty change as we age?
Anyone who watched Saturday Night Light in the 1980s might recall a particular character played by the comedian Billy Crystal. His parody of the Argentine-American actor and director Fernando Lamas was known for a particular catchphrase: “It’s better to look good than to feel good, and you look marvelous.”
Older adults can look good and feel good by focusing on some key areas. Looking “fabulous” after 60 comes down to five defining factors, according to a story on the website Prime Women: muscle and flexibility; posture, gait, and stride; weight maintenance; skin care; and hair, makeup, and wardrobe. Each will play a significant role in how people express themselves to the world and, in turn, are perceived by others. While many of these can be accomplished on one’s own, writer Dawna Stafford Wilson suggests we may be well served by enlisting a professional in matters of skin care and a professional stylist for hair and wardrobe, especially in light of ever-changing trends.
Speaking of professionals, the expertise of an informed dietician can do wonders for the body at any age. Too much sugar can prompt weight gain and the onset of diabetes, but it may also contribute to premature aging. At the same time, so-called “diet” soft drinks and other low- or zero-calorie foods that are marketed as healthy are often rife with artificial sweeteners that can cause other issues. In the same breath, consuming too much salt can lead to life-threatening conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.
Also consider the role of proper hydration, ample sleep, and regular exercise, which not only affect the way we look, but also how we feel. The body will let us know when we’re not drinking enough water, getting enough sleep, or skipping workouts, but it’s worth a reminder to prioritize all three.
There are ways to help our cause in terms of how we present ourselves in the Instagram age. For example, use subtle camera angles to avoid any unflattering changes to the neck or beneath the chin. It also helps to know which colors bring out our best features based on eye color, skin tone, and other factors.
Some people are of the mind that we should stop trying to look younger, and simply age appropriately. Jamie Lee Curtis, age 64, is one of them. In a prior interview with HuffPost, Curtis lamented the culture’s use of the term anti-aging, suggesting aging was a natural process all of us should embrace—“evolution in its purest form,” as she said.
A more recent HuffPost story concluded with a refreshing thought regarding how we perceive ourselves in older age: “Whatever you do, be kind to yourself.” Stay curious. Laugh often. Stay mobile and break a sweat. Prioritize self-care. Express gratitude. Eat and drink in moderation. And forgive yourself for the mistakes and missteps of your younger self, because regret can be a difficult burden to bear.
An age-appropriate face carries the wisdom of our years, after all, each wrinkle and imperfection a sign of a life well lived. In other words, age should not prevent us from looking and feeling our best—or, as Billy Crystal’s Fernando Lamas might have said, marvelous.
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Life magazine, May 2023.
