Bring It Down!!

Sep 19, 2015

Shelley W.

I recently had the lovely experience of being carded by a complete stranger after she found out how old I was. She was 41 years old as well and shocked that every inch of me was aging gracefully according to her. Her key areas of concern were her hands and neck/chest area. They were rough looking and quite telling of her true age while her face was just simply gorgeous. Clear and smooth. Fine lines were faint and I could tell she all about a great facial. I asked what products she was using on her face to achieve such awesome results. No issues there.

I knew off the bat that she wasn't bringing the products down. When she cleansed she wasn't bringing the cleanser down to under her chin and neck. Wasn't toning, applying serum/moisturizers and sunscreen down the neck and décolletage.

Our hands and neck tattle tale a woman's age. This doesn't mean buying an overpriced neck cream that is truly a glorified facial cream repackaged into something else. After cleansing just be sure to tone your neck as well and bring some of that moisturizer unto your neck and décolletage. It's something I've been doing for years and learned from my great grandmother who was French. When she passed away at 100 the woman's skin from head to toe looked 60-something.

As far as the hands go if I manage to have any left over cream or serum I just turn around and apply it on the tops of my hands. But most of the time I just sather on a mix of oils (vitamin e, jojoba, grape seed oil and coconut oil) and wear gloves I purchased from Japan that don't suck the moisture from my skin but instead assist in keeping my hands hydrated. For daytime I also use a moisturizing hand cream that contains SPF.

So in a nutshell for those concerned about anti-aging be sure to offer TLC to the above mentioned regions.

Sep 19, 2015

Danielle H.

Thanks for sharing this! I look after my neck but don't take care of my hands. I will definitely start doing it! :)

Sep 19, 2015

Diana T.

Thank you bionic Shelley! Lol jk but seriously I think we all want to age as graceful as you do girl - you look half your age and it shows how great care you take of your skin - I usually do tone n moisturizer down to my collar bone cause I usually bring my makeup down there too - but I wanna hear more about these gloves you got - what brand and I can I find them on Amazon maybe!?

Sep 19, 2015

Shelley W.

Lol Diana. Love the bionic tag. I'm shocked at myself for not even mentioning those steps here on BL. The gloves I purchased were from some random street booth but you can definitely get them from Amazon for under $10 bucks. Search terms to use...check under moisturizing hand gloves or moisture hand glove. For those residing in the You.S. and not abroad you can find them at ULTA and I think Bed Bath & Beyond might carry them (they carry such odd/random things). It should be at least 90% cotton 10% Lycra. They should not contain polyester.

Sep 19, 2015

Diana T.

Thanks girl I'll definitely look into them!

Sep 19, 2015

Janette B.

This is wonderful shelley, I'm faithful about applying my skincare products on my decolletage, but my hands need a little tlc. thanks for the reminder!

Sep 19, 2015

Cindy R.

I know this is probably a dumb question. What is toner and what are the benefits and how do you use it? Lol I see it on here all the time but don't know what it's 😕

Sep 19, 2015

Shelley W.

There is no such thing as a dumb question Cindy. ;) Toner used after cleansing the skin can pick up residual cleanser or skin debris that wasn't fully removed by cleansing. In some instances,depending on the formula, it can also balance out your skins Ph level. A toner can be as basic as aloe vera/distilled water mix or witch hazel. And become as complex containing salicylic/glycolic acid. They aren't a must have but if you are wanting to up your skincare game it's worth using. I'm currently using Thayers Rose Witch Hazel formula that is alcohol free and I focus on getting the perimeter of my hairline with it because of the hair butters I use I don't want clogged pores in that region. Plus it picks up cleanser that tends to linger along my hairline. I dab a few drops of it on a cotton square and gentle work it around my face. Takes about two squares.

Sep 19, 2015

Cindy R.

Thanks Shelley. I may need to get some toner then because my ph balance has been thrown off completely because of a high dose of hormones through bc. From body Oder my scalp and even my skin is really bad. Do you think this would help put my skin back In order

Sep 19, 2015

Roz X.

Stellar post. Actually, my favorite one to date. Brava!

Sep 19, 2015

Nikelle B.

Thanks so much for sharing Shelley! I too forget about my neck area and don't give my hands the attention they need. Thanks again for pointing these areas out.
Always love learning from the knowledge you share!

Sep 19, 2015

Angela J.

Thanks for the reminder as I have been terrible about this lately and it shows when I wear a low cut shirt:( I need to get it together big time before it's too late!

Sep 19, 2015

Shelley W.

@Cindy...to counteract your situation because it's quite unique you will need to reach a lil deeper and eye your diet. I'm not at home right now but when I get home I will leave a more detailed response for you as I will have a few questions to pose to you.

Sep 19, 2015

Shelley W.

Aww Rozberry ;)

Sep 19, 2015

Cindy R.

Thank you so much Shelly 😀

Sep 19, 2015

Jessica P.

If its just a cotton hand glove then CVS and Walgreen's carry them as well
.

Sep 19, 2015

Sarah N.

You're so right Shelley. A woman's neck and hands really can show their true age if not properly taken care of. I always tell my clients to do the same thing, why spend so much time money and effort into your face but completely avoid your neck and hands? I don't get it. Our skin is so delicate in those areas as well they do require a good routine. I use grape seed oil and vitamin e as well as special socks and gloves every night and it makes such a difference.

Sep 19, 2015

Roz X.

It is true...feet also!!

Sep 19, 2015

Ban H.

Great post Shelley!! I'm definitely guilty of not bringing it down XD better late than never!

Sep 20, 2015

SophistcatedChocolate C.

Love this post!

Sep 20, 2015

Livi H.

Shelley I use Thayer's witch hazel toner as well I LOVE IT it's so affordable too!