Guest Room

The Millionaire Makeover on a Shoestring

By Charlotte on April 25, 2012 6:42 AM

By Vicky Oliver

 

It's relatively easy for anyone under 20 to look like a million bucks. The skin is resilient and strong. The hair naturally complements the skin without resorting to highlights and lowlights. And even pounds don't conform to hips as readily. As George Bernard Shaw once observed, "Youth is wasted on the young."

The good news is that transformation at any age is eminently possible. And even Boomers on a budget can afford it. You can have a Millionaire Makeover simply by taking items that are already in your closet, refrigerator and bathroom and putting them toward a higher purpose: a full head-to-toe metamorphosis without setting foot in a salon, gym or spa.

 

Ready to give it a try? Below, find seven common signs of aging, each with a beauty suggestion that will make the problem vanish from sight. And, after a certain age, out of sight really is out of mind.

 

The "I Used to Be Skinny" Blues

Forgo the diet and master the new habit of dressing thinner instead:

 

• Wear high heels (every inch visually subtracts three pounds).
• Brush a contouring blush on your cheeks that's a shade or two darker than your skin tone (doing so will appear to subtract two pounds).
• Slip on monochromatic clothing, such as black-on-black or navy-on-navy (you'll automatically look eight pounds thinner).
• Wear a body shaper (to visually subtract five pounds).

And voila--you'll have shed 18 pounds without having to invest in any special diet foods or join a weight-loss support group.

 

Vicky Oliver

 

The Incredibly Shrinking Body

Feel like you've gained girth around the middle but lost height overall? Cheat your height by looking for clothes that elongate the physique--pieces with understated stripes or vertical seams, come to mind. Seek clothes that draw the eye up and out. You may even get some mileage from jackets featuring smallish shoulder pads.

 

The trick is to uncover these body stretchers among the stash that's already in your closet. That way, the cure that stretches your body won't shrink your wallet.

 

Stressed Out Skin

In today's 24/7, e-connected world, getting eight hours of sleep may seem like a luxury. But from a beauty standpoint it's a necessity.

 

Sleep revives, rejuvenates and refreshes skin--helping to restore its youthful resilience and bounce. So before you vow to "turn back the clock" with injections, serums and potions from the dermatologist's office, set your alarm clock for a full eight hours of shuteye tonight. Then be sure to do it again tomorrow night. And the night after that.

 

Mood Swings

The ancient Egyptians believed perfumes could help one attain spiritual perfection. In more recent times, science claims certain scents can help lift moods. Citrus-based scents may help promote happiness; rose scents may promote calm; the scent of bergamot may relieve anxiety and stress. Experiment until you find a scent that soothes you and promotes your wellbeing.

 

Feeling Old

Chronological age is only a number. In fact, you are what you read. So try picking up a classic that you haven't read since high school, such as The Catcher in the Rye or The Great Gatsby. Then feel the years roll off as you reacquaint yourself with some beloved characters.

 

The Occasional Memory Lapse

New studies show that taking on a new project helps keep your brain young--even if you're not particularly skilled at the task required. So pick up your local newspaper and try your hand at puzzles, such as KenKen or Sudoku. Puzzles can help Botox your brain against the ravages of time. So can playing a rousing game of bridge or Trivial Pursuit.

 

Feeling Uncool

Twitter yourself glamorous. With its unique micro-blog technology, Twitter makes it easy for us to keep in touch with the biggest stars on the planet.

 

Sign up today to follow your favorite celebrities and models, many of whom will provide loyal fans with a steady stream of insider tips on everything from dressing elegantly to skin, hair, clothing and makeup pointers. Following your favorite store could even result in special savings offers and inside knowledge about sales. Ain't life tweet?

 

With a few simple changes, you can look like a million dollars without spending it at your dermatologist's or shrink's office. First, vow to make peace with imperfection. Then make it your mission to have more fun in your life. You're as young as you feel, and with some minor modifications, you can soon feel as young as you look.

 

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Vicky Oliver is the award-winning author of The Millionaire's Handbook: How to Look and Act Like a Millionaire, Even If You're Not (Skyhorse Publishing, November 2011) plus four books on career development, including the bestselling 301 Smart Answers to Tough Interview Questions (Sourcebooks, 2005) and 301 Smart Answers to Tough Business Etiquette Questions (Skyhorse Publishing, 2010). She has also published Bad Bosses, Crazy Coworkers & Other Office Idiots (Sourcebooks, 2008) and Power Sales Words (Sourcebooks, 2006). She lives in New York City, where she helps people turn around their careers and their lives. Contact her at GetTheMillionairesHandbook.com and vicky@vickyoliver.com.

 

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