We love this insightful interview from the beauty team over at the Glitter Guide. Aging is often given a bad rep among women, but why? Who says it’s a thing to be feared rather than embraced? Perhaps if more of us took the perspective that’s detailed below, we’ll begin to hear, see and feel such a needed change.
It’s no secret that the media’s portrayal and treatment of older women isn’t always positive. Actresses often speak out about the lack of roles made available for women over 30. Gray hairs and wrinkles are usually airbrushed out, or simply avoided at all costs.
These unfair societal standards and skewed perceptions of beauty are exactly what inspired Taylor Chang-Babaian — a celebrity makeup artist and author — to write her latest book, “Beauty Rewind.” The book is dedicated to helping older women recognize their worth and beauty despite the oft-stigmatized aging process. We sat down with the beauty buff to talk skin care, hair care and what it means to be your best self. Read all about her perspective below!
Tell us about your daily skin care routine.
Taylor: I am really busy, so I try to keep it as simple as possible. Sometimes it changes a bit depending on what’s going on with my skin. In the morning, I use a gentle Murad cleanser, followed by a Murad collagen serum, because I’m seeing a loss of elastin in my skin. I seal in the serum with Clé de Peau Beauté day moisturizer. This has sunscreen it it, but not quite enough for me — so I wait a minute or two and then put a layer of Clé de Peau Beauté sunscreen with SPF 50+ on my face and chest. In the middle of the day, I add yet another layer of sunscreen. This time it’s a loose sunscreen, which is actually easier to apply than it sounds. It comes with a brush, which I rub in circular motions on my chest and face. No mirror necessary!
Why did you ultimately decide to write a book like “Beauty Rewind“? What is it about the aging process in relation to beauty that intrigues you?
Taylor: My books are always about answering meaningful questions that arise throughout different chapters of my life. During tours for my other books, I met a lot of women who were unhappy about their age. There was always a complaint about a wrinkle; a self-deprecating or “I’m too old to …” comment (the worst!). Beauty is about being your best self, inside and out, at any age. I wanted women to know that they are never too old to do anything, and that beauty is not just reserved for the young. I wanted to write a book that I would want to read; a book that challenged what the mainstream media projects as beautiful. I wanted to profile amazing women who don’t define themselves by their age.
I wanted women to know that they are never too old to do anything, and that beauty is not just reserved for the young.
I got into makeup because of its ability to empower. I was considered the “ugly” sister growing up, but I learned how to make myself feel beautiful, and it gave me the confidence to take on the world. I wanted to provide others with that same power. By age 40, women tend to be more comfortable in their own skin — they often don’t really want to look like anyone other than their best selves. I noticed that the media rarely profiled older women as beautiful, so I wanted to do it myself. I’ve acquired incredible knowledge and resources in my 20+ years in the beauty business; as a result, I’m fortunate to feel in control of my aging. I wanted to help other women feel that same sense of control. The whole point of this book is to help you look and feel your best — now or 10 years from now; regardless of age.
How do you maintain gorgeous skin while balancing family and a stressful career?
Taylor: I was a tomboy growing up, and I still am in some ways. I don’t look forward to my skin care routine (does anyone?), but it works, so I do it every morning and night, as quickly and efficiently as possible. Many women make the mistake of unnecessarily complicating their skin care routines. Make all of your products easily accessible — you’re never going to use them if they’re hiding in a drawer. And don’t try to go from nothing to a 9-step process. Start small! Doing one step daily is more beneficial than doing nine steps once a week.
Do you wear makeup?
Taylor: Every day — although I’m wearing less as I get older. Foundation, no powder (it defines every line on my face), Anastasia brow pomade, NARS waterproof eyeliner and a natural-looking pair of kre•at beauty false lashes. And lip gloss, of course — usually Paula’s Choice clear lip gloss because it has SPF 40.
What’s your hair care routine?
Taylor: I have really long hair — and a very active lifestyle. I wash and condition every other day, and I get highlights because my hair is so gray. What I lack in wrinkles, I make up for with gray hairs. I used to joke that my grays came from having kids, but my daughter is 20 and she has quite a few, so that argument doesn’t really work. I use L’Oréal Root Rescue to touch up my roots and hide my grays. I love that I can do it myself in just 10 minutes, as I have a really hard time sitting still for long periods of time! To keep my hair healthy, I let it dry naturally whenever I can. When applying sunscreen to my skin, I often apply the excess to the ends of my hair to keep them from getting brittle.
I noticed that the media rarely profiled older women as beautiful, so I wanted to do it myself.
What makes you feel especially beautiful?
Taylor: Like most women, I’m really critical of myself. I feel beautiful when I’m donning a sultry smoky eye, a pencil skirt and really high heels — and when I’ve accomplished something meaningful that makes me feel strong. Beauty is holistic: You won’t feel truly beautiful if you’re not working toward something in life, nor will you feel beautiful if you’re constantly worrying about how you look.
Find the rest of Taylor’s interview, including what she learned from her mother and how to best embrace the aging process, over on the Glitter Guide, here!
Interview by Mackenzie Patterson; Image via Milena Mallory
