Hello fellow 60-something women

I've started this blog- Cosmetically Kit - for the beauty and style empowerment of 60-something women. Specifically, it's for those of us who don't choose to - or can afford - to spend thousands of dollars at the dermatologist's Fountain of Youth.

I spent several months researching websites, blogs, magazine and newspaper articles, and found lots of material about injectables. Conclusion: They're expensive, they have to be repeated, and if not administered skillfully, make us look like as if we've been body-snatched. Next, I learned about laser resurfacing: It operates on the same principle as re-surfacing a country road. And again, it's expensive and has to be repeated. I didn't explore facelifts: This is territory I can't afford and even if I could, I find it challenging to endure **required** surgeries, much less facelifts!

However, I have my share of "aging symptoms", like the skin tags on my neck. They drove me crazy and I couldn't stop playing with them. So, I finally invested $200 in a session of skin tag removal at the cosmetics services department of my HMO. Result: I still have skin tags. That's when I knew laser resurfacing - two treatments at $1000 each - were the only guaranteed way of getting rid of all of them! In the meantime, I use lots of heavy balm on my neck. It helps.

Next, I reviewed style articles for 60-plus women. I think most of these would work well for the woman who goes to extreme measures to assure that she will, at best, be noticed or at worst, not be invisible! Perhaps she's mixing together giant patterns, feather boas, unreal hair color and glasses frames that could have been borrowed from Elton John's collection. I don't know about you, but I don't have the time, patience or budget to assemble a costume every day. Besides, I don't have anywhere to wear it!

So, where does that leave us? I'm not completely sure at this point. I just know there has to be a better way for us: One that gives us dignity and a quiet strength and beauty. One that gives us the respect we deserve. And finally, one that inspires us to be the powerful elder women our culture needs so desperately!