Preventative Aging: Are You Doing It?

Openletr is launching an app to eradicate marginalization of women.
Preventative aging is one of those things you hear about in magazines, and just sort of roll your eyes at. If you don’t have wrinkles or visible signs of aging, why should you spend money on it? It sounds like a money-making opportunity that brands created to sell you something you don’t need. But is that really true?
Well, yes and no. Preventative anti-aging is not just something made up by skincare companies. It is much easier to prevent the signs of aging than to reverse things like wrinkles once they start to appear. That is a fact. But do you really need to buy products specifically meant for preventative aging? Not necessarily. There are brands like Pura Organics that have been curated for women in their twenties to help prevent the signs of aging, and they are useful for sure. I use their eye gel myself and adore it. But with that being said, you can work on preventative aging without doling out hundreds or even tens on serums and creams. Just tweaking your current routine can do the trick.

Photo via Loli Beauty
First off, your under eyes are a major feature that are prone to show everything you don’t want. From wrinkles to dark circles, this is something we start concealing with makeup from a young age. So if you use concealer under your eyes, why not use an eye cream? You do not have to spend more than $20 here either. You can pick up an eye cream from a brand like Aveeno or Neutrogena. Seeing as you probably don’t have deep wrinkles, maybe just some minor crow’s feet, darkness, or bags from a lack of sleep, a simple eye cream is all you need to get started. In fact, before I started using an actual eye treatment, I use Queen Helene Cocoa Butter Cream under my eyes to help promote hydration. Now I use the Pura Organics Under Eye Tightening Gel, which is highly affordable and very long lasting, because it prevents wrinkles, as well as smoothing out and tightening the fine lines that are already beginning to appear.

Photo via Brides
Moisturizing is something you should be doing whether you are concerned with aging or not. Whether you are oily or dry, adding moisture to the skin keeps it plump and prevents it from getting saggy. Even a lightweight gel moisturizer like those from Olay offer enough to keep your skin from showing signs of aging. Check the label for ingredients, if your moisturizer contains hyaluronic acid, you are already preventating aging, and you didn’t even know it. Moisturizing day and night is a vital step for healthy skin. Don’t count on the oils your skin produces on its own to supply your skin with the drink it needs.

Photo via Kakmeas
Your hands are the first thing to show signs of aging. Not only do you wash your hands more so than any other part of your body (hopefully), which can dry them out, but we tend not to protect our hands as much as our other skin. They get hit with the most UV rays, because who puts SPF on their hands? They are exposed to the freezing winter temperatures when you forget your gloves, and they are just so overlooked. And you don’t have to buy a special hand cream to help prevent your hands from aging. Pop a simple and easily absorbed hand cream next to your sink, and rub some in each time you wash your hands. I also keep a hand cream in my purse and next to my bed, so I can slather up on the go, and before drifting off to dreamland. Who knew something so simple could help so much? Just watch out for too much fragrance or alcohol in hand creams, as they can be misleading and actually dry the skin out even more.

Photo via Livestrong
The neck is such a neglected place that shows aging. And with the digital age being now, we are at a greater risk for early wrinkles there. Staring down at our phones for hours every day enhancing the lines that are naturally in your neck, which is called Tech Neck. It is so common in fact that it has a name. If your hands are the first place to show signs of aging, your neck is certainly second. I am sure you have seen those infomercials showing befores and afters of women’s necks since using certain product. If you stay on top of it now, you will never even get to that point.

Photo via Stylish Curve
SPF! SPF! SPF! Say it with me. Sunscreen not only prevents skin cancer, but also wrinkles, age spots, sun spots, melasma, and more. So many signs of aging are due to the sun. Yes, a tan is nice for now, but is it really worth it when you have irreversible damage later on? Prevent those signs of aging by loading on the SPF daily, and even more so when you know you will be spending a decent amount of time outdoors, even in overcast. Also be sure to remember that sunscreen is not just for your face, but any other part of your body that is exposed to the harmful UV rays. Your shoulders, feet, and hands also need SPF. No matter your skin tone, SPF is necessary to prevent a handful of nasty problems. It truly is never too early to start preventative aging. So where will you begin?
Cover photo via Livestrong
There are popular versions of acne spot treatment. There are luxury ones and drugstore alternatives. And although they are all marketed in the same general way, used in the same way and tend to share common ingredients, they are not identical. I cannot tell you which came first, but I can tell you which does what, how they are rated, and which is my personal favorite.
At one time I would have said Target sold drugstore beauty brands, you know the classics: CoverGirl, L’Oreal, Maybelline. But, Target has been shaking things up recently. Not only have a lot of stores gotten a “next generation” makeover at the high-end level, but their beauty sections have exploded with new brands, relaunched ones, and a decent selection of cruelty-free and eco-friendly findings.
Practical and natural beauty products can be hard to come by, sometimes nearly impossible. What’s natural is not always the best and what’s the best is not always natural. Whichever end of the natural beauty and makeup spectrum you land on, these are some of the latest in the natural-ish world of beauty.
It is a new year! We get to redefine ourselves, set goals, and hopefully stick to them. But, a new year comes with a breath of fresh and frigid cold air right to the face. We have already discussed skincare changes you can make to accommodate yourself for the cooler weather in our "Skincare Products For Fall" post, but what about makeup changes?
The exfoliators you used back in the day, St. Yves among others, probably had little plastic beads in them, which are now banned. Not only were these detrimental to the environment but they could burst within the pores causing serious damage. All of those have since been replaced with physical exfoliators. What is a physical exfoliator, you ask? Here are basics of exfoliation!
Tis the season for shopping. If your friends gave you a list of exactly what they want, good for you, but not all of us are so lucky, and finding gifts they will LOVE can be tricky. So here are some last minute beauty gifts Ideas according to personalities!
For how long has makeup been marketed solely to women? Just because a product has pink packaging, is sold near handbags, and being used by female models does not mean it is only meant for women. And times are changing. Men, transgenders, and those who are gender-neutral are making their voices heard in the beauty world.
Drugstore brands have just as much money as high-end brands and quite often the actual products are just as good. So let’s take a minute to focus on some new and standout products from the drugstore. These are not just new shades of blush, but products we don’t often see at drugstore prices.
Natural beauty is on the rise. The brands we love and the products we buy all contain natural essence, organic this, and plant-derived that. There is a reason we adore them so much; they work. Essential oils have been used in beauty routines and rituals for centuries. So, here are some tips on essential oils and DIYs for your skin type.
Finding hidden gems in the beauty world can be nearly impossible. Everyone is screaming from the rooftops about brands like Urban Decay and Tarte, but what about the products that are not getting the praise they deserve? Discover the undiscoverable, the diamond in the rough, the latte in a world of instant coffee.
For real summer is officially over. What does that mean for your beauty routine? Your skin will most likely start to parch, and that increase in dryness is localized on your cheeks, lips, under eyes, back, and legs. So, other than amping up your moisturizer game, here is how you can make your skincare and beauty routines work this fall.
As much as budget buying in the beauty world is easy and convenient, there is nothing like splurging on luxury beauty products. Whether it be skincare, makeup or hair care, when you invest in yourself the feeling is indescribable. So here are just some of the luxury brands that not only make you look amazing, but make you feel extra fabulous.
Have you heard of franken-makeup? Maybe not. After all, it is a relatively new idea and is not exactly a running success. No, it isn’t making your makeup look like Frankenstein or anything like that. It also isn’t the next cat eye or liquid lip craze. It was first introduced to the online beauty community about a year ago by one of the most unique creators there is Safiya Nygaard.
Whether you are looking to revamp your beauty collection, go entirely cruelty-free on a budget, or just want to delve into the world of affordable beauty, these are some cruelty-free brands selling phenomenal makeup for mostly under $5. Many of them even have a large number of vegan products available, and rarely cost more than $10.
“What do you mean?” is probably a question you ask a lot if you read about beauty, but are less than familiar with beauty jargon. Beauty, like most everything else in life, is all about learning. There is an endless world of techniques, looks, styles and ideas to know, play with, and master. So here are some of the most common and confusing beauty slang words and their definitions.
If you want to customize your lip scrub and have full control over what you put on your skin, or are on a budget but still want a quality product that works wonders, DIY is your best bet. And trust me, I made the best lip scrub last week and it took under 2 minutes. My lips are smoother and more kissable than ever before! Plus, this is the best time to get into the lip scrub life, because that chill in the air will only get colder, bringing with it cracked and flaky lips.
Beauty brands can no longer launch without some sort of concept beyond “this is skincare” or “this is makeup.” With the beauty space so full that even the biggest of beauty lovers cannot possibly get their hands on everything, brands need to stand out from the crowd. Of course, there are new brands launching what seems like daily, but these 4 are some beauty brands that really stand out due to their unique ideas, fun concepts, or intense transparency.
Unless you have been living under a rock (with the latest political news, I wouldn’t blame you), you have likely heard something about blackhead vacuums. Nearly every beauty blogger and vlogger has reviewed one. These handy gadgets are super intriguing. You know the satisfaction when you rip off a pore strip and see the grossness come off, seeing blackheads being sucked out with a vacuum is much better. With all the hype, do these gadgets really work? And if so, which ones are the best?
We have all heard of the Clarisonic, Foreo, and Neutrogena Light Therapy Mask. And thanks to stunning celebrities like Tracee Ellis Ross and Sarah Hyland, we also know and love the coveted Nurse Jamie tools. There are so many beauty gadgets around, it can be hard to keep up. Yes, some are certainly gimmicks, but others are actually worth it with sophisticated Instagram videos and stunning before-and-afters that are impossible to deny.
Pimples. We all deal with them. Whether it is full on acne, one spot, or a cluster of pimples, they have a life of their own. They pop up overnight, but seem to take ages to bid us adieu. So what’s happening when a pimple rears its ugly head, becomes inflamed, dries out, and scars? Let’s run the hardship of having a breakout, and what’s actually happening underneath our skin.
A few months ago, we published an article on Hair Growth Inhibitors, and it was so well received that we decided to dive a bit deeper and tell you everything you need to know. Hair growth is an issue we all struggle with, whether you remove your hair or not, dealing with is a hassle.
Sadly summer is heading into its final weeks and that means fall and winter beauty collections are on the rise, so there is even more to buy than usual. There are about 10 new foundations on the market, fun beauty tools, and even unique and affordable skincare releases. It is all so glamorous and more importantly, intriguing. Personally, I want it all. But as a girl on a budget, I must stick to a list.
We all love to test the waters and spend time in front of the mirror getting dolled up, but sometimes that go-to look is just you. It is when you feel the most you, and that is a great feeling to have. Here are some looks and how can you achieve them in a few simple steps!
With sheet masks being the latest trend, it seems the almighty clay masks have taken a back seat in the beauty and skincare realms lately. Perhaps it is just me, but it seems the latest masks are all about brightness and being glowy. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love a glow, but acne still exists and millions of people suffer with it every single day. I know because I’ve been there
New products, exclusive releases, and brand launches — It is all happening now. And it is actually becoming hard work to keep up with all the new beauty coming out. There are new palettes, new lip products, and complete ranges to check out. So what is on the hot list right now?
Kat Von D is well-known for her unique style, her outspokenness, and of course, her cruelty-free beauty line. For years now, her makeup line has been celebrated for its full-coverage and long-wearing nature. It is also in the works that she plans to make her entire line vegan. And although the brand has been criticized for their lack of deeper shades and high prices tags, it has done very well in the vegan and cruelty-free marketplace. That is until recently.
If you keep-up-to date with the beauty world, I am sure you could name at least 5 warm nude palettes that launched in the last year or two. You may even have a few. And there is nothing wrong with brands putting out palettes that people want, even if they are similar. Having a choice of price range and brand is great when shopping for your go-to palette, but where does the trend stop and creativity begin?
It seems like there is a new foundation release every day. And with so many brands trying to compete with the likes of Fenty and MAKE UP FOR EVER, it is a competitive space. So what brands are doing it right? And what brands are doing it wrong? Are the shade ranges varied enough? Is the price right? Let’s see…
A new season means it is time for a new do, a hairdo that is. And whether you go for a pixie cut, a lob, or just add in a few layers, changing up your look for the cooler season ahead is like buying a new wardrobe to head back to school. It is exciting, boosts your confidence, and shakes things up. A new hairstyle can push you to change up your go-to makeup look. It can draw attention to your bone structure or your eyes. It can also make your hair routine less of a struggle on a daily basis. There is so much a new style can do for you. So here are some fun and simple haircuts to try out. And also some more bold looks if you are daring to make the chop.
We have all heard of food fasting; some of us do it for health reasons, others for religious ones. All in all, fasting is beneficial for controlling your blood sugar, heart health, weight loss, and some experts say it can even aid in cancer prevention. But, what is the deal with skin fasting?