We asked some fabulous 50+ women they really feel about life, age and experience
As part of the launch of our sensational new Wise Woman™ Skin Care Range for mature skin, and our online community www.wise-woman.net, we got up close and personal with some fellow fabulous 50+ women to get their take on getting older.
Together they shared stories about their inspirations, their celebrations and their aspirations, and also divulged some of life’s little secrets to looking and feeling great. And when asked about their actual ages and how old they really feel, the resounding response from every woman was years younger than they actually are, all sharing a common positive attitude to life and a new found confidence that comes with age.
It seems many women in their 50’s and 60’s are wising up to the fact that the ageing process can be a cause for celebration not desperation, as they discover a much more powerful passion for life and relish the rich rewards it has to offer. The great news is that according to The Body Shop global research, women are reaching a real wellbeing peak, realising it’s not a number but an attitude that defines them. Often unleashed from domestic, career building or child rearing restraints, many reported a desire and ability to do things that they wouldn’t have dreamt of when they were younger, enjoying life to the full. And the very best beauty secret, bar none, smiling.
These women are empowered and in their prime, not one finding ageing anything other than beneficial to their lives.
Here’s what some of our fabulous Wise Women had to say:
Helen (57 but feels ageless), the kind and caring The Body Shop receptionist is also a full-time wife, sister and aunt, and surrogate mother to hundreds of her colleagues.
Beverley (53 but feels like a 30 year old). Vice Principal of a College of Technology, Beverley is by her own admission a ‘bit of a head case’. The mother of four is constantly on the verge of laughter.
Julia (57 with a 17 year old trying to get out). A ‘potty’ The Body Shop At Home Consultant and committed mother, daughter, grandmother and lover, and inspiration to 300 colleagues.
Oraphin (58 with a younger woman inside). Oraphin is a mother and sister and newly married to an Englishman. She describes herself as a chatty, sociable English student.
Veronica (54 but still feeling as childish as ever) is a year-round mother and ‘trusted friend’, plus full-time community housing expert.
We reveal their retorts as well as other aspects of their lives; their loves, their inspirations and what they wish they’d known when they were younger. It makes for encouraging reading.
What puts a smile on your face?
Beverley. Everything makes me laugh.
Julia. I think I smile more than I don’t. I smile at other people’s quirkiness and I always see the positive in situations.
Oraphin. Natural things, especially birds.
What is the best thing about being the age you are now?
Helen. I like being the age I am now. I’m more settled down and I’ve become a much calmer person. I enjoy it, I really do, and I have more confidence. But I can’t keep late nights any more.
Beverley. I feel I can do anything I want to do. The things that phased you when you were younger don’t anymore. The confidence that comes with age. The ability to do things now you wouldn’t before. You’ve got nothing to lose.
Julia. Having the grandchildren. To get independence back, especially as I had children young. I can do what I want when I want. The only downside is gravity.
Veronica. The best thing about being this age is being confident, the knowledge you’ve gained and knowing there’s a lot more that I can do.
What’s your secret to feeling young?
Beverley. The laughing. It doesn’t matter what else you do – if you don’t smile, you look older.
Veronica. Laughter and seeing the funny side of things. My secret is realising that every experience can be a positive, a learning.
Oraphin. Smiling, trying not to be stressed and having a positive outlook.
Helen. The odd glass of wine, walking, eating plenty of fruit, and drinking water.
Julia. A positive outlook. Forgetting how old I am until my feet kill me. Enjoying life to the full. Not giving in. Life is what you make it.
What’s your one single beauty tip it would be a crime for you not to share?
Julia. Moisturise day and night, especially with Vitamin E. Exfoliate weekly and moisturise the whole body every morning. Have a facial once a month.
Beverley. Learning to look after my skin and following a good regime suited to my skin.
Helen. Drinking lots of water and cleansing. Once I get home from work every day I sort out the dinner and then clean my face.
Oraphin. Getting enough sleep.
Veronica. Using lots of moisturiser.
What one piece of advice did your mother give you that you’d definitely pass on?
Helen. Always be polite to people, manners are hugely important and never let yourself down.
Julia. Enjoy it to the full. Do what you want to do when you want and worry about the consequences later.
Veronica. Life is what you make of it, don’t be afraid of it.
Is there anything that you know now that you wished you’d known when you were younger?
Beverley. The importance of looking after your skin. I wish I’d started my skincare regime a long time ago!
Helen. I wish I’d done more travelling but there wasn’t the opportunity. My one regret.
Julia. That the housework will always wait. Don’t lose your friends, make time for them. Treat people as you would want to be treated.
Oraphin. I wish I’d known how to look after my skin when I was young.
What advice would you give a young person today?
Julia. I would say love the job you do. Enjoy life to the full. Have a positive attitude to life. If you want it enough, you’ll get it, it may take time, but you’ll get it. Try not to get stressed.
Oraphin. Get married. Or at least have a child. Find a good person to be with.
Who are your best friends and how would you be described by them?
Helen. My husband and Loretta who I’ve known 35 years. We call each other everyday at 1:30pm and catch-up on all each others news. She’s caring. I can trust her. She was first one round when I was ill.
Veronica. A friend from school who lives in Nigeria but we still visit each other and talk all the time. I share everything with her. I’d like my friends to describe me as “sympathetic, someone you can talk to, and someone you can trust.
Julia. Apart from my mum and two daughters I also have friends that go back to primary school; Jennifer, Brenda and Gwen. They’d describe me as a bit potty and a perfectionist.
What would you like the future to hold for you?
Beverley. More fun. To keep really enjoying my life and to keep having things to look forward to.
Helen. I’d like to retire. I feel like I’ve been through a lot, and I’ve worked hard. I’d spend time on the beach and go on a long train holiday in Europe.
Julia. Personally, I just want to be happy and contented and keep living in the fast lane. I also want to keep sharing my energy and enthusiasm for business and seeing people surpass their own expectations.
Oraphin. I’d like to learn English and be able to communicate with people more. I love to chat and I am very sociable and I would like to make more friends.
Veronica. I want it to be full of challenges, new experiences, and I just want to be happy and for other people to be happy.
About The Body Shop
The Body Shop International plc has more than 2,200 stores in over 57 markets worldwide. A global retailer of toiletries and cosmetics, we are committed to environmental protection and respect for human rights; we develop trading relationships with communities in need; we are against animal testing in the cosmetics industry; and we encourage education, awareness and community involvement among our staff and customers.