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Let’s talk about filters

Lets talk about filters. I am asked often if I use them and the answer is ‘no’. I only use Instagram editing to modify the brightness, shadows and highlights. I simply can’t be bothered to do anything else, it’s just too much effort.

I know lots of women (and men!) use filters with wonderful professional results. Some are filtered to a particular hue or effect, some smooth out wrinkles and make your eyes pop. But, when I started looking for women my age for inspiration just over a year ago, I didn’t find many unfiltered shots of natural ageing…. no botox, no fillers, no facelifts etc. So I started my own.

I have friends who have gone under the knife, with tucks, liposuction and a full facelift and it made them happy. Others with botox, lip fillers, makeup tattoos and it made them happy too. We should do whatever we need to make us happy. Dye your hair? Do it! Shave your head? Do it! Lip fillers? Of course …and so on.
I’m happy to watch my face slowly melt into old age. Which reminds me of a story. When Seb was 8 he asked what would happen if we put a doll in the oven. I said ‘Lets find out!’. So we popped Barbi (no idea where she came from as I don’t have a daughter – sorry to whoever left it at my house) into the oven, then took her out at 5 minute intervals. Pity we didn’t document it as it was incredibly funny. Barbi aged very quickly. Her face melted, her hair made it’s way down her face and her boobs sagged under her arms within 10 minutes. I now know how she felt.
I want to be a positive ageing role model to the younger women in my family and to daughters of friends too. But, if you have coloured hair, botox, fake boobs and you’re happy, thats also a positive role model.
Never worry about the opinion of others. Join which tribe you want, we can all still be friends and happy with our own choices.

#ageing #aging #emptynest #ditchthedye #silversister #aginggracefully #healthyaging #vegan #bodypositive #over40 #over50 #braids #silverbraids #bluehair #matureskin #maturebeauty #maturemakeup #maturewoman #gettingold #violethair

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Wakeup Mid Lifers!

I’ve been hitting the bottle again today. Don’t panic! It’s the same temporary vegan hair colour I’ve used before. Instead of adding it straight out of the bottle I’ve mixed it with my shampoo for a softer effect. It will wash out within 1 week, quicker if its sunny which it should be for the rest of the week.

My sister sent me a recipe for dandelion honey yesterday. I was intrigued but not convinced it would be a successful experiment. Seb jumped over a high wall and collected lots of flowers for me from a meadow next to Churston Woods. I could have jumped over but didn’t rate my chances climbing back as I don’t have his Spiderman climbing skills.
I’ve been getting a bit frustrated lately, I just can’t help it. I hear so many people talking about supporting the NHS by staying home or clapping once a week but they still smoke or are grossly overweight. They don’t consider or appreciate, the additional load their poor choices or lack of care places on the NHS.

I struggled with my weight all my life and never gave my body the care and attention it craved. It eventually crashed and it was only then I realised how stress and neglect was affecting my body. My life chasing the next goal was taking me closer and quicker to my grave.
The only goal I want to achieve now, is to wake up other mid-lifers up to the long terms effects of their current lifestyle and diet. If I can do it, anyone can.
What inspires you to make positive changes?

#vegan#plantbased#aging#healthyaging#violethair#purplehair#over50#over50style#maturebeauty#matureskin#maturemakeup#50plus#healthyeating#midlife#middleaged#wellbeing#fitover50#over40style#silverbraids#braids#maturehairstyle#over50hairstyle#silverhair#olderwoman#ageing#ageingwell#agingwell#aginggracefully#crueltyfree#selfcare

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The one thing I hate about ageing

Sadly as we age, those ahead of us must leave to make way for new life….

I have realised the one thing I do hate about ageing. It’s losing the wonderful and precious souls who have positively contributed to, and influenced my upbringing, making me who I am today. Providing love, affection, guidance and support in every possible way.

Sadly as we age, those ahead of us must leave to make way for new life, ultimately allowing us to take their place as senior members of the family, if we are lucky enough to live into our seventies, eighties or more. Older, perhaps wiser, we are able to provide the same support and loyal counsel to the younger members that we once were.
I love everything else about each and every year that leaves it’s little mark or impression on my ageing body. Each wrinkle, sun spot, stretch mark, silver strand and scar is a perfect treasure and reward for a life well lived.
#aging#ageing#midlife#loss#ageinggracefully#silverhair#emptynest#wrinkles#agepositive#braids#silverbraids#bluehair#matureskin#maturemakeup#over50#over40#goinggray#healthyaging#maturewoman#over50style#over50makeup#wrinkles#scars#over50hairstyle#gettingolder#older#bodypositive#positiveaging#proaging

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I don’t have great skin

I get lots of messages from women telling me how lucky I am to have great skin. They tell me they feel; pale, uninteresting, old and tired. I don’t have great skin, I have a great makeup collection!

I feel crappy without makeup, I look tired (my friends suggest a visit to the doctor when they see me makeup free)…. and I feel tired! Even though I may not see anyone or even leave the house except to hike in the woods, I slap on some makeup every day to put myself in a positive frame of mind and to protect my skin from the sun. If I don’t wear makeup for a few days, I can feel my mood slipping so I find a nice pink lippy and some golden bronzer to add some colour and sparkle to give me a boost.
I do enjoy browsing ‘before and after photos’, – do you? It’s a kind of magic and I find many inspirational and motivational photos from women over 40.
I’ve been playing with my collection of vegan hair colour since I found it tucked at the back of the cupboard. I mix 1 teaspoon with my hair conditioner and leave on for 5 minutes. Longer if I want a more vibrant result.
What do you do to give yourself a quick pickup? Pamper session? Makeup? Hair mask?

Earrings: @_jasperrocks
#matureskin#maturemakeup#beforeandafter#makeupmagic#makeuplife#transformation#makeuptransformation#makeupblogger#beforeandaftermakeup#silverhair#pinkhair#braids#vikingbraids#maturewomen#50plus#40plus#silversisters#grayhair#ageinggracefully#over50inspiration