It’s showing off your real age, it’s the beauty of being old. Looking healthy not necessarily younger. We want makeup that is not bad for us, so clean cosmetics. Its a thing! Please educate yourself. Makeup that enhances not covers up, has SPF and a little glow.

It also means we still care for our skin and be healthy with good food, our mindset, functional movement, skincare and makeup choices. You can still color your hair (or NOT! Silver is so cool!) Its celebrating and embracing the natural passage of time, including aging. Normalizing looking your age whatever that is…..stepping out of judgment about what we should or should not be doing. I “DO” alot….not for any reason, but for me. Its not for everyone, those lines and wrinlkles earned from sadness or trauma….maybe you feel better treating them, its your choice. No judgment only support and acknowledgment.I believe choice and non-judgment must be a part of the Pro-Aging movement. I’m all in! how about you?

Over the years especially into my 50’s I got a lot of questions about what I’m doing to look younger. At first I was like “ well, not really anything special.” I mean my mom insisted that if I was going to wear makeup at 13 years old I had to wash my face…she let me use her Noxima to clean it off and set me on the path of good skin care habits. I admit I was one of the lucky teens, hardly a break out and plenty of good old italian genetics to help me look younger than my age literally at every decade. I have been a sun worshiper most of my life, and was part of the generation that did not use suscreen. uuugh, its the only thing that keeps us from wrinkling prematurely. Forgiving mother nature and good genetics have continued to bless me.

Later in my 40’s I got very serious about monthly facials and fancy french skincare. Enlisting injectables and Medspa treatments here and there. It paid off in my 50’s and I hope into my fast approaching 60’s.

When I think about aging well, I always think about what is going into this body…….what my mind is consuming and the movements and rest I allow myself. Good habits with movement and relaxation are essential here. I have consistently been curious about like everything!! I am learning everyday on purpose or in the moment. Keeping my mind spry and flexible adds to the cocktail of youth.

I live a lifestyle of less, from my 500 sq ft apartment to buying used clothing and homewares. I truly believe in the long life of stuff and especially its re-use. Its more interesting, thoughtful and your unique expression of you to curate a life filled with objects that have a story and hold your heart close.

As for food, well I am a bay area native, the availability of local food is unsurpassed, so much is grown within 50 miles of my home here in Oakland. I eat seasonally and teach others to prioritize daily cooking. I call my style batching and riffing. I cook 3 days a week and reheat the meals on workdays. I’m inspired by Alice Waters, Samin Nosrat, Ottolenghi, Nigela Lawson and David Lebowitz to name a few.Its california cooking for me. with a little italian hertige sprinkled on top. I am a dedicated intermittent faster, finding my groove of 8 hr eating from 10-6 most days. Its a commitment but worth the hassel adjusting to for the benefit of weight managment and healthy longevity. My mind feels sharpest with 7 hrs of rest and an 8 hour eating window each day.

I believe in just eating well, full fat, a little less on the plate and eating early,or at least 3 hour before bedtime.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve, make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.