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5 Smart (and Womanly) Buys for Fall
By Lois Joy Johnson, August 5, 2014 02:17 PM
Am I the only one who witnessed Sharon Stone coming out this spring?
Not sexually, mind you, but chronologically. Stone has been something of a refusenik when it comes to aging, so I smiled to myself when she told Shape magazine, "I'm not trying to make myself look like a girl because I'm not a girl anymore."
And I positively cheered when Stone went on to report that she's "very happy" about being a grown woman: "I think there's a lot of sexuality and glamour and allure and mystery to being a woman that you just don't have when you're young."
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You realize what this means, right? Not only can we all stop trying to look 35 forever, but being over 50 is now officially sexy. Given Stone's strong "basic instinct" for beauty and fashion, I suspect she'd approve this to-buy list for the autumn:
A ripe red color. Red lipstick, that fall perennial, makes us feel sexy, confident and powerful (just as stiletto heels once did). If your lips have thinned, lost definition or drooped a bit with age, you have three good options: 1. Wear reds in sheer tints or balms. 2. Switch to chunky red pencils for instant shape and color. 3. Choose soft red-corals or rosy-reds. And hold the neutrals, because nothing wakes up a mature face faster than red. Try Tarte LipSurgence Lip Tint in Lust (sephora.com), Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm in Striking or Unapologetic (target.com) or Bobbi Brown Rich Lip Color in Coral Gables or Watermelon (bobbibrown.com). 
A chic gray sweater. Clothing designers are pushing big chunky knits with cuddle appeal in at least 50 shades of gray this season. Ignore the bulky "chubbies"; instead, snap up a sleek gray pullover with a neck-lengthening wide V or boatneck. Try Banana Republic Ribbed Vee (bananarepublic.com) or Victoria's Secret Essential Sweaters Bateau (victoriassecret.com). 
A grownup foundation. Fall is when self-tanner addicts slack off, revealing brown spots, broken capillaries and pasty complexions. We love BB and CC creams in theory, but fall calls for extra hydration - and for coverage with a built-in broad-spectrum sunscreen, of course! The following three light, high-pigment formulas offer to "Photoshop" mature skin in seconds: Chanel Vitalumiere Moisture-Rich Radiance Sunscreen Fluid Makeup SPF15 (chanel.com); L'Oréal Paris Visible Lift Blur Foundation SPF18 (lorealparisusa.com); Estee Lauder Perfectionist Youth-Infusing Makeup SPF 25 (esteelauder.com).
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A body-hugging LBD. A knee-length jersey fit-and-flare dress with sleeves shows your shape in elegant comfort. Everyone from Donna Karan to Valentino to Lanvin has a little black dress these days, but try more affordable ones by Kamali Kulture Dress-Crew Flare (bloomingdales.com) or Old Navy Women's Elastic-Waist Jersey Dress (oldnavy.com). 
A classic fitted blazer. A crisply tailored pantsuit makes age-embracing babes like Sharon Stone look drop-dead alluring and authoritative. You don't need the whole rig - just the jacket in black or charcoal will do. Choose a viscose stretch blend (seasonless!) with a refined fit, nipped waist and notch lapels. Add slim, toned-to-match ankle pants to suit up, or a pair of jeans to go "dress casual." Try Banana Republic Faux Leather Trim Blazer (bananarepublic.com) or Anne Klein One- Button Blazer (nordstrom.com).
For more beauty and style tips for women 50+, check out my Wardrobe Wakeup: Your Guide to Looking Fabulous at Any Age.
Photos: Target.com; victoriassecret.com; bloomingdales.com.
Also of Interest
- Chin Up! It's Time We Felt Good About Our Necks
- 10 Must-Have Wardrobe Items for Women at 50+
- Fight Fraud and ID Theft With the AARP Fraud Watch Network
- Join AARP: Savings, resources and news for your well-being
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