Over 40? Real Talk About Aging, Wrinkles, Cellulite & Getting Wiser

Hey Beautiful!

I'm doing something a little different today. I'm sharing some intimate stories with you because you deserve the truth when it comes to restoring your radiant skin after 40!

When I began talking to a group of women over 60 at a recent gathering and they found out what I do it occurred to me that they started to turn away, act shy, avoid eye contact, and make comments under their breath about their skin not looking good.

Here's the thing, their skin was truly beautiful and I'm not just being nice. I'm also not just talking about wrinkles. I'm talking about real beauty. The kind of beauty that radiates from your soul and shines on whoever's in front of you. I felt it. But none of this mattered because that's not the way they felt or saw themselves.

Most people DO NOT see the beauty about them that others see. Can you relate to this, too? 

This notion was proven in an experiment I read about when people were asked to comment on images of other people. They always said the person in the picture was more attractive than the way the actual person in the photo viewed themselves.

Comparing yourself to others will be the death of your self esteem. No one will ever notice the things you notice because, like me, you're so hyper focused on what you don't like that it's all you see when you look in the mirror.  And guess what, other people are only concerned about what they look like -- not you. 

I've been there, though.

I used to hate my 'cellulite' because I was unintentionally shamed for it when I was 19 years old by a close friend. They didn't mean to hurt my feelings but the idea of 'cottage cheese' as they called it, got stuck in my head and that's all I saw for 20+ years when I looked in the mirror. So much so, that I wore jeans on 100 degree days in Texas.

It wasn't until my late 30's that I became a little wiser.

I don't believe I'll ever be vain-free because I'm human but I definitely was able to see myself in a different light after hearing about a friend I used to work with who lost her leg. It was a freak accident in the morning at a popular shopping square in a small Texas tourist town.

That was it. I'd had enough with my debilitating thoughts that were keeping me from living my best life (at least my coolest one!!). Because I knew if I lost my leg the last thing I'd be thinking about is cellulite.

Besides, cellulite isn't real. It's explained very well in this post by Refinery29. It was a fat shaming term invented years ago to make women feel bad about something that is completely normal.

You get the picture. Perspective is key when it comes to how you view yourself and beauty. And how you speak to yourself everyday matters more than you can imagine. 

I'd like to encourage you to look at yourself in the mirror each morning with gratitude and speak your thanks out loud for at least one thing you love or are grateful for about yourself. 

Consider it a part of your skincare routine. 

It may not seem natural at first, but when you positivity reinforce messages to yourself on a daily basis you begin to see yourself differently -- better -- with more appreciation. 

Now, instead of looking at my legs and thinking about the dimples I see, I often give thanks for my legs for giving me the freedom and mobility I once took for granted. It doesn't mean I don't want my legs to look smoother, but that's what body scrubs, moisturizer and self tanner is for!

Bottom line is, change doesn't start with a face cream, it starts with the way you speak to yourself when you look in the mirror. When you start to see the real beauty that's you and the gifts you've been given you'll be inspired to make the changes you want and need for yourself - not anyone else.

It's about what brings you joy and makes you feel alive! And spread that joy to others by giving them a true compliment. You never know who's day you'll make with this small, kind gesture. 

And when you're ready to start restoring what's yours, like my client Courtney did (in image below), I'll be here to help guide you every step of the way. Because you've got enough to think about. You deserve a stress-free beauty experience that gives you the love and support you deserve.

At JQ, we offer easy to use beauty products and tools to bring out your skin's unique radiance, especially after 40 when you start to see signs of aging that you don't like. That may include more pronounced wrinkles from drier skin, crepey skin and eyes, or hyperpigmentation from years of not wearing sunscreen in your 20's and 30's. 

While aging is inevitable and we should all be grateful for this gift, just because you're a certain age doesn't mean you have to look any certain way!

Over 40 beauty is about individual expression and doing whatever makes YOU feel more confident. 

It's not just about 'anti-aging' or being wrinkle-free, it's about restoring what's always been yours.

It's never too late to start focusing on your beauty routine for healthier skin! 

In fact, after 40, you'll just do it better. 

The more you know the more you glow!

With Love,

Jentri

ps. Courtney is one of my longest clients who's now become a dear friend. She's a mom of 2 and a true survivor. I'm so honored to be able to continue to help her care for skin the way she deserves. As part of Courtney's skincare routine, she regularly uses our Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C+ Serum, Eye Dream of Coffee, Whipped Face Butter, Glow Oil, Brighten & Reveal Pads and Age Defying Kit. Although her all time favorite product may be the Priming Duo!