Now I’ve discovered the home made facial mask. It does make a difference – my skin becomes softened and plumped, if only for 24 hours. More to the point, it makes me feel better. Feeling better is something I can’t buy in the supermarket.

Then there’s the virtuous pleasure of being frugal as well. All these ingredients are commonly in my kitchen.

Powdered Milk

• Mix up a thick paste of powdered milk with water, thick enough so it doesn’t run down over neck onto your clothes.
• Pat it on your face. Leave for 15 minutes.
• Rinse off with lukewarm water then a dash of cold water.

Avocado, Honey and Egg

• 2 tablespoons of avocado
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 egg yolk
• Mash up the avocado, add the honey and egg. Mix it all together.
• Apply for ten minutes.
• Rinse off with lukewarm water then a dash of cold water.

Banana

• You need a ripe banana.
• Mash it up until it’s creamy.
• Spread on your face and leave for 15 minutes.
• Rinse off with lukewarm water then a dash of cold water.

More home made facials (and a bath) to make you feel better

Bathe like Cleopatra and Poppaea
Extra quick honey mask

I read in an old magazine at the dentist I should make myself an egg mask for clear, soft and lively looking skin. I’m not sure what lively looking skin is, but I’m pretty sure I want it.

Anything’s worth a try sometimes.

Egg Yolk and Honey Mask

1 tablespoon honey, 1 egg yolk, 1/2 teaspoon almond oil and 1 tablespoon yogurt

Mix together and apply to your face. Leave for 20 minutes to half an hour.

I tried it, my skin feels softer, but nothing to make a fuss about. If I find a really good do-it-yourself facemask I’ll let you know.

It’s not as though I’m telling you something you don’t know. Aging is a fact of life, and as we age, our bodies change.

But most of the changes are ones we’ve come to expect – slowing metabolism, loss of skin elasticity, the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and the development of gray hair.

Not only do we have different hair to contend with,  we have to find a different style, one that looks smart and professional without making us look as if we are desperately hanging to a semblance of youth.

Gray Hair : Along with gray comes other changes in the hair. As we age, our hair loses some of its elasticity, density and may develop changes in texture and wave pattern. Gray hair almost always has a different texture.

Your hair will need more moisture than in your youth, and you may find that your hair doesn’t hold a style as well as it used to.

Well, I don’t know about you, but my hair belongs to someone else. I woke up one morning and some stranger had exchanged hair with me during the night. (She swapped skins too).

Shorter Styles : So it’s farewell to my sleek shining hair, bye-bye to my blonde and a grumpy hello to the gray bits that are taking over. And time for a new style. A shorter style suits the face which is not so young anymore.

Above, Sharon Stone (50) in a short layered haircut, a fine formal mature hairstyle that looks terrific.

My mother and her sisters always said that as a woman grew older, her hair should be shorter.  This idea of older women  having shorter hair makes sense.  Firstly for convenience, because shorter hair tends to be easier to style and care for and, secondly, because so many short hairstyles are flattering to mature women.

Of course there’s no reason for women to feel restricted to shorter hairstyles as they get older. If it suits you – go for it! The important thing is that the style be flattering, and that it is appropriate to the type of hair you have. In other words, a classic hairstyle that would look good on you at 25-30 would probably look good on you at 50.

To your right, Susan Blakely (55), in a chin- length bob hairstyle with bangs.

The key is to avoid “trendy” hairstyles. When you see a style that you like  – and it’s being worn by someone considerably younger than you,  of course you aren’t going to run out and have your own hair done the same. But don’t instantly dismiss it as an option. Rather, talk to your stylist and discuss  the elements you like in the style.

Your stylist can then offer you a style that uses those elements, but which will suit you much more. Doing this can allow you to keep your look updated, without looking as if you are trying to look young.

For some women, gray hair is no big deal and they choose to go gray gracefully. For others (like me) it is a major issue and sends them running for haircolour.

There are many women who like the look of their gray hair, particularly those whose gray is of the silver or snow white variety, which can be very striking in certain styles. But a common complaint in women with this type of gray is that the hair sometimes seems dull, or lacking lustre. Gray hair can become yellowed due to a combination of environmental factors, product build-up, medications,  dietary issues and plain, old-fashioned age.

The solution to this problem is the use of shampoos and conditioners designed to brighten and remove yellowing from gray hair. These products use clarifying surfactants and bluing agents to remove residue and counteract the dingy tone. The result is silver hair that literally sparkles.

Pat Mitchell (65) in an excellent, slightly feathered, short haircut with lovely sparkling silver throughout.