1. Use the same skincare you use on your face on the neck and hands
People often spend a lot of time and money to care for their faces but tend to neglect other key areas of the body that are just as telling of one’s age. For example, one study conducted in 2006 revealed that people can tell a woman’s age by looking only at her hands.
Other areas that can show your age are your neck and decollete area. So, if you’re not wearing turtlenecks and gloves all the time (which most of us don’t) it only makes sense to extend our anti-aging skincare routine down the neck, chest, and hands.
When it comes to hand care in particular, dermatologists and aestheticians also point out that it’s a great habit to apply hand cream with SPF during the daytime, as it will reduce the appearance of sunspots on the hands over time while also preventing the development of new ones.
2. Sleep on your back
Gravity is not our friend if our goal is to appear younger. Luckily, we can trick it, at least in some cases. One such case is your sleeping position. When you sleep on your side, you’re pushing your face against the pillow, and in the morning, you’ll likely observe that the wrinkles on the side you were sleeping appear more visible.
Sleeping on your back accomplishes the opposite effect - the gravity helps lift and smooth out the facial skin in your sleep, and you’ll wake up looking more refreshed. In addition, sleeping on your back as opposed to the side or belly will also help prevent swelling by promoting lymphatic drainage, so if you want to enhance your beauty sleep, definitely try out sleeping on your back.
3. Experiment with nail colors
One trick that will make your hands appear younger is a nice clean manicure. In fact, one research article showed that participants who looked at pictures of hands with nail polish and natural nails consistently rated the hands with the nail polish as being younger.
What color and style should you choose? It’s best to have a neutral clean nail shape, but you can experiment with the color as much as you’d like. In fact, bright, deep, and even neon colors can look as chic as the classic nude-colored nails, according to stylists and manicurists.
4. Eat antioxidant-rich foods
Of course, we can’t look radiant and youthful when we don’t feel well, so you must eat healthy to look healthy. One group of nutrients we’d like to bring your attention to are antioxidant-rich foods, which are present in all kinds of plant-based foods, from vitamin A-rich carrots and tomatoes to berries and leafy greens rich in anthocyanins and resveratrol.
All these antioxidants will help you fight off harmful free radicals and prevent them from damaging your cells, especially the skin. Antioxidants are also very good for resisting environmental damage, including UV damage from the sun, so eating plenty of fruit and veggies will help protect your skin from premature signs of aging, such as deep wrinkles and sunspots. To read more anti-aging nutrition tips, read our article 20 Foods That Make You Look Your Best.
5. Pick the right undergarments
While many people think that wearing nice underwear is only meant for special occasions, you’d be surprised at how much a well-fitting undergarment, be it a bra, panties, or a slip, could really improve the look of your overall silhouette and clothing.
The above-mentioned misconception is evidenced by the fact that as much as 80% of women are wearing a bra of the wrong size. This sounds about right and is hardly surprising since there is a vast variety of body shapes and an equal amount of lingerie styles to meet those different requirements of coverage and support. To feel more confident and comfortable, we recommend experimenting with different fits and styles or getting fitted professionally at a lingerie store.
6. Relax and give yourself some “me” time
When we feel exhausted, anxious, and stressed out, it shows. On one hand, we simply don’t have the time to get enough sleep, stay hydrated, and take care of ourselves in high-stress periods, or at least we think that we don’t and start neglecting our appearance and diet.
On the other hand, stress on its own can manifest itself through anything from acne and skin redness, to dark circles under the eyes, and even hair loss. Therefore, taking care of your psychological well being and giving yourself time to spend on hobbies, meditation, or any other activity that relaxes you is also an investment in your appearance as well.
7. Care for your hair
It doesn’t matter if you like your hair long or love a pixie cut, if you’re embracing your gray hair or dyeing it, the most important part is to invest in your hair and maintain the hairstyle you chose on a regular basis. After all, our hairstyle is one of the most powerful and constant accessories, one that can either flatter our face shape and express our personality or do the absolute opposite.
Whatever your preferred style is, make sure to always care for your hair and go to the hair salon on a regular basis, if possible. This is especially important as we grow older, as the hair texture becomes coarser and more unruly with age, and we need a smart and tailored haircut and a hair care regimen to address those issues. If you're looking for specific hairstyle recommendations, read our previous article - 10 Hairstyles For a Miraculously Younger Look!
8. Add a splash of color to your wardrobe
No, we’re not saying that you should abandon all neutral colors and start wearing rainbow-colored outfits, or that you should dress head to toe in one color. By all means, keep all those staple tan, beige, black, and gray clothes, but try embracing color accents in your wardrobe, too, be it a colorful scarf, a bright shirt peeking through from a gray or tan cardigan, or colorful accessories.
These colorful items will not only lift your mood, but they will also add some interest into your wardrobe and will make it fresher and yes, more youthful.
9. Stay away from teeth-staining foods
According to dentists, yellow or discolored teeth can make a person look older and less attractive. So by taking good care of your pearly whites, you’ll also be making yourself look younger, no matter your age or gender. Unfortunately, brushing and flossing are often not enough to maintain a bright smile, as the foods we eat often darken and stain our teeth.
Some of the foods that can do so are red wine, coffee, dark soda, tea, and even dark-colored sauces and dressings, such as soy sauce or balsamic vinegar. Fortunately, the solution is simple - just rinse your mouth with water after eating or drinking these items, and you’ll be able to maintain a charming smile for years.
10. Wear less makeup - but do your brows
There is a common misconception that women of a certain age need to pile on more makeup to compensate for the less-desirable wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. This is just not true, as the layers upon layers of foundation and other makeup products will only accentuate those problems by creasing, highlighting dry patches and discoloration.
Instead, we recommend you work in thin layers and place foundation and concealer strategically only in the areas that need it, which is usually the under-eyes, around the mouth and nose, and the T-zone.
That said, the often overlooked part of your face that you should spend more time on are your eyebrows. Grooming and lightly defining the outline of the brows and filling in any sparse spots with a pencil that matches the color of your brows will help frame your face and add structure, which can compensate and balance out the slight drooping of the eyes and wrinkles according to makeup artists.
Share these everyday habits with others, if you found them useful!
