Why we won’t age like our moms

Whether your mom believed in aging gracefully — with gray hair, wrinkles and a few menopause-related pounds — or tackled each birthday with a splurge on face cream, a new dress and a day at

the hair salon, she did the best she could _at the time_. But now that many of us are older, we are defying stereotypes about what aging looks like with updated solutions and attitudes. You

can thank science, technology and constant exposure to the fast-paced cycle of trends and social media for that. No, we won’t age like our moms, but we will continue to proudly strut our

stuff in sunscreen, jeans and a “you go, girl” grin. It’s because we are … 1. SMARTER ABOUT SKIN CARE (Left to right) Jennifer Aniston (55), Gabrielle Union (51), Mary Steenburgen (71) and

Julianne Moore (63). Getty Images Unlike Mom, we don’t bake in the sun, smoke or get too friendly with alcohol — all skin wreckers that eventually show up on our face. Mom saw a

dermatologist rarely and only when there was a problem; we see one preventively at least once a year for a total head-to-toe skin check. She used suntan lotion with no or low SPF to get a

tan, and just at the beach or pool in the summer; we use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher daily — rain or shine — to bypass the UVA aging and UVB burning rays that cause wrinkles, brown

spots and skin cancer. Mom was aware of the value of moisturizing, but we know that skin-care ingredients matter more than a pretty jar or fragranced cream. We look at labels for peptides,

ceramides, retinol and antioxidants to smooth lines, brighten discoloration and erase past sun damage. Mom used to gaze in the mirror, pull back the skin on her face and joke about a

facelift. Fantasies aside, she didn’t have access to all the dermatological solutions we do, like Botox, fillers and lasers, which can effectively solve issues like angry facial lines, saggy

cheeks and discoloration without a scalpel. IF YOU WANT TO UP YOUR SKIN-CARE GAME, try these bargain beauty buys, the hottest new skin-care serums and solutions, and the latest in facial

peels. 2. TAKING BETTER CARE OF OUR HAIR (Left to right) Julia Roberts (56), Helen Mirren (78) and Laura Dern (57). Getty Images Whether Mom was a salon regular or the DIY type, her

hairstyle and color mattered, not hair health. Hair spray and a roller set were her antidote to everything, from limp locks to wind and humidity. And when it came to style, hitting age 50

often meant a requisite short cut, sprayed in place to last from dawn to dusk. We, on the other hand, demand thicker (or at least _sassier_) hair that gleams, swings, tousles and looks great

freshly styled or straight out of bed. We want hair with sex appeal, and for many mature women that now means longer hair, either real or extensions. And roots? We don’t mind darker roots —

in fact, they’re trendy — though a brush-on or spray touch-up is easy to do in minutes. Let’s not forget: Mom’s faux color was usually one solid, wiglike hue that was so light it washed her

out, or so dark it emphasized shadows and wrinkles. We get that multitone highlights not only make hair appear thicker and help grays blend in but also have a cosmetic brightening effect on

aging skin. Mom used shampoo and conditioner, of course, but now those basics have ingredients that repair, stimulate strength or growth, and offer protection from heat styling. READY TO

MAKE A HAIR UPDATE? Learn ways to love your grays, give thinner hair some oomph, find a new hue for your hair or dye natural hair safely.