The Taboo of Ageing

By Nichola English.

You might think that society these days is a little obsessed with the word ‘age’. 

But what does it actually mean to age with style and grace, and why are we forever looking for the elixir of youthfulness? These, I suppose, are the million-dollar questions! 

As part of the styling coaching ethos, we strongly believe in the power of mind-body awareness. So, no matter if you’re in your thirties or venturing into your sixties, the focus is the same: to look and feel good whatever your age. 

A few years back, researchers identified that having a positive self-perception about the benefits of getting older creates a self-fulfilling prophecy by helping you stay mentally, physically, and psychologically younger.

Betty Friedan once famously said…

"Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength." 

Did you know age comes in three forms?

Chronological age, which is the factual age of how long you’ve been alive.

Biological age is the measure of how your physical body is functioning. It takes many lifestyle factors into consideration, including diet, exercise and sleeping habits, to name a few.

Psychological age is how you see yourself, what your outlook on life is, how you view the process of growing older and the meaning behind it for you.

How do you define your age? Is it by your actual age, by your looks or by your attitude to life itself?

So, what is the meaning of age?

Like so many, we have been conditioned to believe that ageing is something to be frowned upon and that every action must be taken to prevent the curse of ageing at all costs. We buy into the ever-growing market of hyped cosmetic surgeries and spend 100’s and 100’s of pounds on beauty treatments that we see advertised in movies, magazines and tv ads with celebrity endorsements. 

However, our own individual experience with ageing tells us a whole different story. As more of us, including you and I, now recognise that the taboo around age is nothing to be feared. In fact, it’s to be greatly saluted. 

We only need to take a look at awesome women who inspire us with their attitudes around life, with a personality and smile that shines. Twiggy, Jane Seymour, Jane Fonda, Ernestine Shepherd, Halle Berry, Nigella Lawson and many more, show us that no matter what your chronological age, you can look and feel good based on your attitude and belief that surrounds it.

Let’s have a look at some tips to help you feel good and adopt a more youthful outlook.

Wear your best colours

While being comfortable in one's own skin and wardrobe is a must, it's probably safe to say that one thing that no one wants to wear is something that ages them! 

Wearing flattering colours is important at any age. Take turquoise for example – this is a colour that brings out the glow in every skin tone. Or instead of wearing true black, which can make fine lines and under eyes appear darker, try charcoal grey as an alternative that will give you a much softer tone of colour.

Focus on your health and feeling good

Have a balanced diet and eat well. Try to have plenty of Vitamin C; it’s essential for the production of collagen, which helps your skin to be youthful and glowing.

Exercise is the fountain of youth

Exercising regularly helps to increase blood flow, sending more oxygen around your body and eliminating waste. Exercise keeps skin cells healthy and vital so you look more radiant and less run down. Why not try a combo of weightlifting and cardio or even a relaxing yoga class that helps with core strength? 

Pick a regime that suits you and your lifestyle.

Always wear clothing that’s the perfect fit

The rules are simple, never wear anything that doesn’t feel right. Clothes must fit your body shape like a glove and have that feel-good connection.

Hairstyling and colours

Enhancing your hair colour is an easy way to keep yourself looking young and feeling fresh. Having a flattering hair colour and style can take years off you.

Moisturize & exfoliate regularly

One of the reasons it's important to exfoliate your face is that it helps to clean your skin at a deeper level. It eliminates toxins and impurities leaving your skin noticeably smoother, brighter, and younger-looking. Using a good moisturiser helps to hydrate your skin and give it a healthy glow.

Drink plenty of water

Try to reduce your coffee and tea intake as both can raise cortisol and insulin in the blood, which can accelerate ageing. Why not opt for green tea or nettle or peppermint tea. Drink plenty of room temperature water. We all know that drinking water is good for us, it helps keep our skin radiant, gets us invigorated, and aids with digestion. Plus, because it does so many good things to your body, it also helps with overall healthy ageing.

Eyebrows frame the face

Eyebrows are one of the most important features of the face. They are the frame that holds everything together and gives you expression. Therefore, you should not only find the perfect shape for your face but avoid mistakes that will make you look older. Always have your eyebrows professionally shaped, that way you’ll avoid any mistakes.

Final Thoughts!

Age is most certainly just a number! Feeling and looking good at any age is simply a matter of understanding how to dress, arming yourself with products that are best for reducing ageing effects and taking good care of yourself.

 Nichola English is addicted to fashion. From an early age picking out clothes for friends and family, she always had an eye for style which only expanded as she got older, eventually creating her business, The Wardrobe Provocateur. 

Nichola adores working with women (and men) across the world discovering personal style, reinventing that old tired wardrobe and realising new confidence and vitality through coaching, shopping and good old clearing out of the old. You can read her full story of becoming The Wardrobe Provocateur here.