I recently met vivacious Carla Hall, of ABC’s The Chew, at a blogging conference. She relayed a personal story about her producers’ hesitancy to allow her to go au naturale when her hair started turning gray. She posed this question: “Why is it when a man’s hair turns gray he looks distinguished, but when women go gray, they just seem to look older?”

I, in turn, asked the question to my co-author, image consultant Janna Beatty. She had a perfectly good answer for this conundrum:

“When men age, they actually appear more rugged-looking, which is a very attractive attribute for males. But when women age, they lose color and moisture, and often appear less vibrant-looking and energized than their younger selves.”

What’s happening to us? If you have read our book Quintessential Style,  you probably remember Janna’s expression, Fall Off Point (Q Style: Page 100).

A Fall Off Point is the moment in a woman’s life when she may begin to feel invisible. Colors she once wore no longer flatter. She has changed, but she can’t pinpoint why. When she looks at photos of herself, she often asks: “Is that really me in that picture?”

It’s all together a bit disconcerting. But, you are NOT alone. It happens to every woman.

The Problem

As women age, they begin to lose moisture. They also tend to lose color: in their hair, skin, and lips. Janna likens it to a flower picked fresh today, versus a flower picked three days ago. 

Nothing like a graphic to get the point across.

The Solution:

Adding moisture to our skin, and incorporating color using accessories, makeup, and clothing is the answer.

Many women color their hair. But if you decide, like Carla Hall, to go gray, remember:

• Lipstick brightens more than your lips, it can light up your entire face!
• If you have a neutral outfit that is less than complementary, add color at your face using accessories and jewelry (this is called a Color Break, Q Style, page 30).
• Gray hair does not look healthy when it looks dull. Make sure you use products that promote SHINY hair.

Style savvy Carla also uses glasses to add interest into her look. Not only does she choose peepers that are colorful, but they also bring out her spirited personality.

Thank you, Carla Hall, for adding fun and flavor to our days. And for sharing your Quintessential Style with us!