We watch celebrities do it with seamless ease, so how do we keep ourselves looking as good as the stars?

When legendary Italian actress Sophia Loren visited Sydney in June as part of the Italian Film Festival, many of us were left wondering how, at the age of 72, she remains one of the world's most celebrated beauty icons. Loren, who was once described as the he world's eighth natural wonder says, ‘Ageing is a problem only when you stop liking yourself as a person. In order to stay slender and flexible, she exercises every day, including stretches and a walk. Loren eats a light breakfast, a hearty lunch and a small dinner. She avoids butter, red meat, dairy and fried foods. Early to bed, early to rise is her motto, and she uses baby shampoo for her silky locks.

And, while we are not all blessed with Loren's genes (nor perhaps pampering at a hand's reach), there are several steps we can take to prevent, reduce and even reverse the ageing process.

In your 20s

Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen! According to dermatologists, 80 percent of all ageing can be directly related to exposure to sunlight. Even sun damage acquired in your 20s will show up later in life as wrinkles and age spots.

Apart from sunscreen, Dr LeWinn's Product Manager Teresa Hryniewiecka says it's never too early to start using anti-ageing products. ‘These days the description "anti-ageing" has been extended from repair to also include prevention and protection. We all know that prevention is better, easier and usually less expensive than repairing damage already done.

‘It is believed that anti-ageing products should enter our skin care routine around the age of 25. With proper products focusing on maintaining skin's youthfulness and preventing damage caused by exposure to the sun and free radicals in the environment, we can effectively delay the appearance of the signs of ageing.'

A good cleanser is also essential to your daily routine. Concealers can be used to disguise dark circles the morning after a night out and a lightweight, tinted moisturiser can even out skin tone.

30-somethings

By the time you reach your 30s, skin cell turnover has slowed. Environmental damage from pollution, smoke and sunlight begin to take their toll on the dermis, causing collagen fibres to loosen and skin start to lose its tone. Fine lines and wrinkles develop.

By now you should have established a daily skincare regime that involves exfoliating (two or three times a week), cleansing, moisturising and sun protection for your skin.

It's important to maintain a balanced diet consisting of fresh fruits, vegetables, grains and fish, which are high in antioxidants such as Vitamins A, B, C and E. These Vitamins counteract free radicals in your body that help the skin to repair itself, produce the enzymes that stabilise collagen production, and stay moist and healthy.

You might want to consider adopting two blushes - one that blends effortlessly into your skin and a brighter shade to wake up your face. Keep a neutral lip colour handy that you can apply at a moment's notice.

40s and up

In your 40s, collagen fibres decrease in number, stiffen and break apart. Elastic fibres lose some of their elasticity, thicken into clumps and fray. The result is the skin forms crevices and furrows known as lines and wrinkles. In addition, loss of fat in the subcutaneous layer leaves your skin more fragile, whereas the dermis will continue to lose its elasticity. A rich, nourishing moisturiser is important.

During this time the stratum corneum (the outer layer of the epidermis) starts to grow even thicker, as dead skin cells hang around for longer. If you are not already using an exfoliant regularly, now is a good time to get into the habit of exfoliating your skin regularly.

Thankfully, anti-ageing creams have come a long way over recent years and help reduce the appearance of ageing. ‘Consumers are well educated and they demand better products. Today we have new active skincare ingredients with proven efficacy, varied delivery systems that further enhance the product's performance. We also have better knowledge about skin, its physiology and its needs. The market requires some proofs of what the product can do so clinical tests are very common for anti-ageing products confirming their ability to deliver on their promises,' says Hryniewiecka.

Spot-apply foundation to cover redness and even out skin tone and try eyeliner and mascara to add definition to eyes. Don't be afraid to experiment with hair color. A few highlights or all-over color to cover gray can brighten your face.

Ageing gracefully - 50 and over

As you reach your 50s and beyond, your hair and nails grow more slowly. Langerhans cells (involved in the immune response) dwindle in number, decreasing the immune responsiveness of older skin. The decreased size of sebaceous (oil) glands leads to dry and broken skin that is more susceptible to infection.

In women, after the menopause, decreased oestrogen levels mean that skin lose its plumpness and tone, and it may be left dry, itchy and more sensitive to allergens. At this stage in your life it is important to take that extra care of your skin's health. Mature skin is more fragile, prone to injury and infection and bruises easily.

Taking care of your skin will reduce the ageing effect; keep it healthier as well as more resistant to injury and infections. Take your moisturiser up a notch, and use an extra-rich formula to make skin look fresher and lines less noticeable. Definition is key at this stage of your life, so use a lip pencil to keep lipstick from feathering and eyeliner to make eyes stand out.

Remember, prevention is better than a cure. ‘The emphasis is on prevention and protection,' says Hryniewiecka. ‘Even with the extensive knowledge we have today, we still can't stop ageing, but we can delay the signs of ageing or at least partially repair them.'

Makeup: ‘less is more'

It's easy to take the more-is-better approach to cosmetics when your complexion starts showing signs of aging. However, once skin starts to lose its firmness, less is actually better, because makeup tends to slide into and accentuate lines and furrows.

Rather than applying an all-over foundation, dot an opaque concealer (or stick foundation) over brown spots and broken capillaries. Then use a sheer concealer to eliminate shadows under eyes and in and around skin folds.

Avoid glossy lipsticks, which can slide into vertical lip lines. Stick to matte or pencil types instead.
For cheeks, try a soft cream-to-powder blush, which stays put and won't get caught in nearby crow's-feet. Rim eyes with a brown powder liner, applied with a dampened brush, for softer definition; harsh lines will exaggerate wrinkles and sagging.

Age fashionably

‘Camouflage dressing', or dressing to minimise your worst assets can work wonders to enhance your appearance. For example, to disguise the effects of gravity, stay away from round or scoop necks, which repeat the curve of a drooping bust. Instead, try v-necks to direct the eye upward. To hide a sagging neck, avoid the classic turtleneck as it pinches loose skin. Go for a scrunch-neck or loose-fitting mock turtleneck. And look for jackets with small shoulder pads to square off slumping shoulders and balance out widening hips.

In regards to jewelry, avoid chokers, which draw attention to crepey neck skin. Instead, try a pendant necklace with that flattering V-line. Don't be tempted by dangly earrings that accentuate jowls. Rather, opt for delicate studs or small-hoop earrings that are classic and will enhance but not overpower your face.

Bella Beauty Magazine #7