11 Secrets to Looking Fabulous After Menopause

Mother Nature is a funny thing. Just as we are reaching our peak of confidence, Mother Nature sends us extra weight, brown spots, and thinning hair. MN also thanks for the unstable hormones, decreased estrogen, and MIA collagen. We can still handle some speed bumps. Instead of trying to hold on to your old plans, think of menopause instead as an opportunity to discover a better way to look. You can reset your look no matter what stage of the menopause cycle you’re at — post, peri or meno.

1. Use a night cream that boosts collagen

Our BFFs were estrogen and its sidekick collagen. The bouncy, youthful look of our face, neck, and eyes drops with the decline in estrogen and collagen levels. Here’s why. Collagen and elastin are the “scaffolding”, which support our skin. Skin becomes saggy and collapsed when there is less of it. What now? You can choose a night cream with collagen-boosting ingredients such as retinol, peptides and/or bakuchiol.

For hydration, brightness, and soothing, you will also need support ingredients such as AHAs and ceramides. You can try Womaness Overnight Facial Treatment with Bakuchiol ($22 at target.com) and Pause Well-Aging Kollagen Boosting Moisturizer (Amazon.com, $72 at amazon.com) — both menopause-specific brands or L’Oreal Paris Pressed Night Cream With Retinol ($37 at ulta.com). Three months of consistent use will give you real results.

2. Refresh your makeup

Makeup can make it easy to fix sticky menopause-related beauty problems like sloppy brows, receding gums and veiny hands. To fill in, plump, and groom multitone brows, try a tinted eyebrow gel such as Benefit Gimme Brow+ Tinted Volumizing Eyebrowgel ($24, ulta.com). This one comes in 10 colors and will lift your peepers. You can also try a deeper, “neutral” lipstick such as Essence This Is Nude Lipstick In Real ($2, ulta.com).

A shade or two darker than your gums and lip color will make receding gums more noticeable. (Like estrogen, we lose our gum tissue). To draw attention away from spotted hands and veiny nails, you can trade your neutral nail polish for a brighter shade such as Essie Limited Edition Fall 2021 Nail Polish in High Voltage Vinyl (target.com, $11)

3. Be prepared for hot flashes

Hot flashes can cause your body to heat up like a rocket. It can occur day or night and, for some women, it continues even after menopause. Although triggers such as caffeine, spicy foods and alcohol can cause problems, it is not possible to enjoy a pepperoni pizza or pumpkin latte every now and again. A facial mist such as St. Ives Hydrating Facial Mist in Lavender ($6 target.com), or Mario Badescu Facial spray with Aloe and Chamomile and Lavender ($12 ulta.com), should be kept in your fridge, at your desk, and at your bedside. If you’re very flashy and want to do a true makeup look, you can use a hydrating makeup spray such as Neutrogena Radiant Makeup Set Spray with Peptides ($16 at target.com) with waterproof mascara.

4. Keep your sun protection on the top of your mind

There is no denying it. Thinner skin, including your hands and neck, is more vulnerable to skin problems such as age spots and skin cancer. Do not let the combination of gray skies and low sun blind you to skipping your daily SPF 30+. UVA aging rays, which are responsible for breaking down collagen, have a dronelike capability to locate you. They can be seen through car windows, at home or outside. For spontaneous outdoor activities, apply a non-greasy, hydrating sunscreen such as Bliss Block Star Invisible Daily Sunscreen 30 ($20, target.com), or Saie Sunvisor Moisturizing Sunscreen 35 ($34, sephora.com). If you are wearing a V neck, make sure to cover all exposed areas.

5. A little oil is a good idea.

Everything matte oil-free? It’s not possible anymore. For extra shine, you don’t have to use glitter, sequins or diamonds. Another story is a facial oil rich in omega-3 essential fat acids, such as Cocokind Chia Facial Oil (target.com), The Ordinary 100% Virgin Chia Seed Oil (8 sephora.com), or Tarte Maracuja Oil (48 sephora.com).

A glowing complexion will make you look younger and healthier. It can also nourish dull, dry skin. Face oil can be used to replace moisturizer in extreme cases. A few drops of oil can be applied sparingly to the moisturizer for most women. It’s worth it.

6. A hyaluronic cream can plump up your wrinkles

Hyaluronic acid serum can be likened to reupholstering your skin. Hyaluronic acid serum is an ingredient that attracts and holds moisture in the skin. It restores a youthful, plumped-up appearance to lines and creases. It can actually hold over 1,000 times its weight in water. A serum such as L’Oreal Paris’ Revitalift Derm Intensives 1.5% Hyaluronic acid Serum ($28, target.com), Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hyaluronic Al Serum ($22; target.com), or The Inkey Hyaluronic Antioxidant Hydrating Serum $8, sephora.com) can be added to your moisturizer to enhance its hydrating properties and add more moisture. Higher concentrations of the star ingredient, in this instance, hyaluronic acids, are found in serums. Serums deliver special ingredients to the skin more effectively because they have smaller molecules. You will still need to moisturize.

7. Facial hair can be a bargain

The number of stray hairs around our chins and upper lips increases as the hair on our bodies and heads grows. We can’t deny that most people wouldn’t notice these stray hairs if they weren’t for magnifying mirrors, which we use to apply our eye makeup. Simple tweezing or waxing, threading or depilatories will last until the hair grows back. Electrolysis and lasers are able to permanently remove hair follicles in more severe cases. However, this requires a licensed dermatologist or board-certified electrolysis technician.

A note of caution: Laser hair removal is not effective for light or white facial hair. It can also be difficult for women with darker skin tones. You can get rid of peach fuzz (aka downy cheeks) by using a damp sponge to buff your face or setting spray (see tip 3). Avoid trendy dermaplaning, and its less-fancy counterpart “face shaving.” These techniques can be dangerous for sensitive and mature skin. The best part is that downy hair is naturally soft. It will grow back darker, stiffer and more bristly if you shave it. No!

8. To improve hair color, dye it and trim it

Some women can laugh off menopause and feel the need to get hair extensions or minoxidil. The best way to thicken your hair is with color. Begin with a volume-enhancing chop. Unfortunately, long, thin hair highlights everything, from wrinkles to facial sag. Let your hair do the rest. You can also add balayage highlights. These streaks are hand-painted and use a mixture of tones-on-tone colors that make your hair look fuller, shinier, and healthier than it is. Highlights can give your hair a thicker and more vibrant look, even if it’s completely gray.

9. Butters and balms are a great way to pamper your body

Menopause can be a head to toe affair. While lightweight body lotions and gels that have a higher water content worked well yesterday, they are not suitable for today’s more sensitive, dry, and itchy skin. Rich creams, such as Weleda Skin Food Body butter ($19, ulta.com), and Soap & Glory Call of fruity No Woman No Dry Hydrating Butter Body Butter ($15 at ulta.com) is infused with ingredients such as shea butter, cocoa oil, and argan oil. These rich creams are better suited to replenish moisture and seal the skin’s barrier layer.

Your body’s estrogen levels decrease during and after menopause. This can cause your skin to become more sensitive to temperature changes and may make it feel more irritated. A balm that isn’t scented, such as Eucerin Radiance Oil Balm ($12 at target.com), may be more beneficial for those with sensitive skin. Avoid long, hot baths or showers. Instead, take shorter, warmer showers or baths. For better absorption, apply your balm/butter to dampened skin right out of the tub or shower.

10. Makeover your earlobes and earring-design

Menopause is when your ear lobes and nose continue to grow. Combining hearing aids with sloppy ears and piercings that are too large is not a good idea. It’s too much work in a small space. One obvious solution is to switch from heavy, dangling earrings to lightweight or clip-on earrings. This is the choice that many celebrities make. Consider having your lobes stretched or repaired by a cosmetic dermatologist or plastic surgeon. You will need to let the piercing site heal for eight weeks before you can repierce. You can also have your doctor fill in the droopy areas with a shot to boost their strength.

11. Recognize and celebrate your menopausal body and face

Do not get caught up in self-criticism. For many women, feeling invisible is another negative psychological side effect of menopause. Wear colors that aren’t black all the time, and you will feel more confident and positive about yourself. Red can stimulate your skin and rejuvenate it in seconds. White will also help you look brighter, even without makeup.