It starts from the inside. Self esteem, confidence and focusing on ones health. It’s knowing who you are. what makes you comfortable and pleases your eye. It’s not keeping up with trends but discovering the look (clothing, hairstyle, makeup etc.) that compliment your body type. It’s not trying to look like someone other than yourself. It’s knowing how to "work" what you have.

You’re the real expert. There’s nothing wrong with getting suggestions,  asking questions and updating your look as time progresses. The look you had at twenty will not work for you at sixty. Remember, there’re hundreds of so-called experts and with them come hundreds of opinions. Remember, opinions are like a - -holes everyone has one.

Yes, I concern myself with my appearance. However, I’m not obsessed with it. I’m a confident person. I find when I go out into the world  feel even better if I’m-looking great. Great for me could mean fresh haircut, eyebows well shaped and MAC Pop Mode lip gloss. Along with a pair of well fitted jeans, cute flats, crisp white  long sleeve shirt, pearl necklace, earrings  and ring. It’s very personal.

L.C. rightly states that it comes from INSIDE first and foremost, and I agree. For me, the decision to take control of my weight was the start of feeling healthier and stronger, and that has made me feel more confident and more comfortable in my (saggy) skin.

I teach, and am in front of people regularly, so I do care about my appearance, but not to the point of obsession! On the days when I will be teaching or out and about on business, I make sure to moisturize with an SPF 30 product, use some light foundation to even out the skin tone and apply some subtle eye make-up. Lipstick or gloss is an option. Moisturizer is a twice-a-day ritual, even on days when I don’t poke my nose out the door.

I’ve changed my look often over the years, experimenting with being platinum blonde in my 20’s; brunette in my ‘40’s; and now a red-head in my ‘60’s. When I have on a nice pair of well-fitted slacks or a pencil skirt and a nice top and jacket - I feel good, and I think (again, echoing L.C.) I do better work.

I check out fashion magazines and websites for style tips - some of which are pretty odd, but many of which are great and translatable to my budget. In fact, the one fashion magazine I subscribe to is Bazaar, and I am a HUGE fan of Glenda’s reality-based advice.

While I’m comfortable on the inside, I’m not so at ease co-ordinating  outfits together for someone 60 yrs old. To me 60 is really just a number, being that I’m still biking 50+ miles a week, hiking and kayaking. So my current choice is to choose solids and punch up the accessories but that can get boring.  I’d love to see J. Crew and the like to come up with a line of clothing for the young 60 year olds out in the world. 

I believe I look alluring and for me it is totally not natural…it is all a facade. Without the make-up, false eyelashes, hair, jewelry and clothing I am as non-descript as they come. I blend into the woodwork and am not at all notable or noticeable.

However once I put of my facade, like Pavlov’s dog, I garner reactions from people. I’m at an age now where I recognize what it is and why it happens. And I’m comfortable with it. I think women who are blessed with natural beauty and allure are fortunate. I know countless women with flawless skin, sparkling eyes who need only put on some lip gloss and they’re out the door. And I also know women that don’t have great skin, eyes, hair or the ability to exude confidence, and they don’t care how they are perceived by others.

There’s a level of envy on my part for both camps of thought.

Alluring:

–adjective

Fascinating and charming are completely within your control!  It’s about self-confidence, intelligence, paying attention to those around you.  But it isn’t simple!

As for the Very Attractive piece - at 35, I started using moisturizer. Now, I use multiple moisturizers (serums, eye cream, whatever - it’s all moisturizer), Retin-A, personalized makeup from Prescriptives, that prescription lash stuff, I have my hair done regularly, I exercise and eat right and bleach my teeth when they start to look dingy. I use lip plumpers and exfoliate and do at-home masks and chemical peels, and go the spa when I can afford it!

And I’m told that I’m beautiful when I wake up in the morning (and not just by my husband).  It takes a lot of work to look this effortless.

after gallbladder surgery-a hysterectomy-and open heart surgery—neve mind the boobs gone south—I am afraid I look like a road map—-I cannot imagine ever letting a man see me naked—-well maybe we can buy a neon glow in the dark sharpee and he CAN connect the dots-in the dark that is…….

I feel ugly even though I am not on the inside or really on the outside I look natural and good for my age—-but I know what is underneath my spanx and it is not pretty,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,