Gorgeous stylist Jackie O'Fee talks aging - and how she does it gracefully... 

Jackie O'Fee runs personal styling business Signature Style - and her frank and down to earth approach to all things fashion and style has earned her a strong public following and solid industry reputation. She was chosen to present TV3’s first ever makeover and fashion show "Does my Bum Look Big?" is regularly featured on "Sunrise" and called upon for segments on TV shows. We though she was just the person to step in and talk aging on Beauty Bible - because she is down to earth, stylish - and must be doing something right because the woman is STUNNING!

When Gracie Stewart, editor of Beauty Bible, asked me to write a piece on beauty for the over 25s, I thought: “flatterer”! Gracie knows - along with many others, that I am well over the age of 25 not just by years, but by more than a decade. However, as such I am really and truly qualified to write this.


One of my first purchases after starting my first job at 17 was a range of skincare – I’m pretty sure it was Helena Rubenstein (gosh, can you even still buy that?) The range consisted of a cleanser, toner, day cream & night cream. I think I may have added a mask to the package. My mother had totally instilled the “cleanse, tone, moisturise” mantra in me from a young age and this seemed a natural thing to do. It really wasn’t until I was in my mid-twenties that I realised that other girls didn’t do this. Even now, when I teach women in their 40s and 50s how to apply make-up I realise how lucky I was to have a mum like that – some of my earliest mum-memories include watching with fascination as she removed peel-off masks, moisturised and nourished her skin. It would have to be said – she looks fabulous for her 60+ years.  

 

Skincare from A - Z ....... literally
When I think of skincare ranges I’ve tried and used over the years from A to Z: Avon, Athene, ASAP, Biotherm, Clarins, Clinique, Decleor, Dermalogica, Dr. Haushka, Darphin, Dior, Environ, Emergin-C, Elizabeth Arden, Estee Lauder, Guinot, Gatineau, Helena Rubenstein, Innoxa, Jurlique, L’Oreal, Lancome, MD Formulations, Mary Kay, Nutrogena, Natio, Origins, Orlane, Pier Auge, Sothys, Shiseido, Thalgo, Yves St. Laurent - it’s an extensive (and expensive) list. I guess when I’ve tried all of these, what I’ve been searching for is the ONE – the perfect cream that makes me look years younger, gives me a glow and makes me feel like I’m treating my skin well. Add to this rather exhaustive list the various beauty therapy & specialist treatments: the glycolic peels, the photo-facials, micro-dermabrasion, Botox & Restalyne and I don’t think I want my husband reading this article.

So, with all of those years of market research behind me – what do I recommend as essential to a skin just beyond the flush of youth? Well, I’d have to say I’ve been a very, very happy user of Environ products for around six years now. If there’s a range that can match the great results, the planned step-up of product, the lack of fillers and perfumes, the concentration of enzymes and acids that work, I’ve not found it – although I’ve stopped looking.

Many of the brands you buy over the counter entice you with a recognisable brand courtesy of a multi-million dollar marketing campaign, shiny counter top, beautiful bottle, lovely smell and a nice feeling as the product glides over your skin. Unfortunately, some of these “fluffy” products only provide these things – real results sadly do not equate to the dollars you spend. I believe real results come from the time & attention you give your skin, great genetics and using a product range that works for you.  

 
Jackie's routine

Some essentials:

Cleanser – get one that removes your eye make-up as well as your other make-up, so you don’t need two products. I like Clarins for this. Also, as cleanser is the one product you wash off, you truly don’t need to use an expensive one – it’s task is simply to cleanse the skin. I use a cleanser both morning & night.

As for toner – I stopped using this when I hit 30. I have noticed a definite drying in my skin as I age, and toner only serves to strip more oils from my skin – at a time when I need to be adding moisture – not removing it. Instead, I use a serum that contains AHAs, so I’m adding to my skin – not removing. If you have an oilier skin, you might prefer the “extra-clean” feeling that toner gives you, but as you get older I’d avoid any containing alcohol.

Moisturiser: I use the same cream both day & night. I’ve read research that suggests your skin doesn’t know what time it is. I just think those seven or so hours every night where I at least am not wearing make-up are probably good for me.

Extra bits:

Each night I use a retinol product, my AHA serum and if I feel like my skin needs a boost, a vitamin E oil capsule. I also use an eye-gel day and night.

Most days: I add a sunscreen – every kiwi gal needs to put a sunscreen into their daily routine. When I forget, I console myself that both my primer & foundation contain SPF 15.

I am also a beauty therapy regular:

That monthly facial serves as far more than time-out for me, it’s focussed attention that I’d like to think my skin will thank me for. That said, I don’t believe you can really fight aging, so to pass on some of the best advice my mother ever gave me:

“When you get old, make sure you have happy wrinkles”.

In other words, laugh & smile a lot in life – it’ll be written all over your face in the rest home if you don’t.