Avoiding tackiness

If you don’t do anything else to maintain yourself, be mindful of the basics. 

Stained Teeth:  Fortunately, it is one of the easiest problems to fix. And – there are remedies in a range of price points.  On the high end: whitening sessions at the dentist’s.  These are fine, as long as the end result doesn’t resemble Chiclets!  Some of us have good luck with post-dental cleaning applications of whitening strips.  These are fine if you don’t have sensitive or receding gums – or both.  The other option – the one I favor – is using Rembrandt Intense Stain toothpaste after every meal.  Other options if funds are really limited:  baking soda and peroxide!  Apply to teeth with an electric toothbrush and allow the paste to set for a minute or two, then rinse and repeat.

Unkempt hairstyles: Short, layered cuts need a commitment of time and money to keep them well-maintained.  Styles need to be carefully chosen and cut regularly. Hair color is a separate matter, and I will be addressing it in a future blog post.

Nails: Long talons with points, “shovel” shapes, high-contrast French manicures, or even just short nails with crusty cuticles – all could be considered tacky at worst or at best, time-warped.  Keep nails simple: cut short, with buffed nails or clear polish.

Posture:  At this point in the aging process, posture and alignment are more difficult to maintain.  To prevent this, consider Pilates and/or yoga classes.  These disciplines also help to maintain balance and muscle mass, thus helping to prevent falls.  If you have some structural injuries, as I do, look for classes and instructors who can work with students who have orthopedic challenges.  Aqua Kriya Yoga is excellent for arthritics and those with chronic pain syndrome.