'Age is not a skin type'

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A passion for cosmetics landed her the title of ‘cosmetics cop’, along with the sale of over 2.5 million books.

Now, Paula Begoun,61, is taking stock of her achievements and is ready for whatever’s next.

I’ve learnt work/life balance is a fool’s game
Now semi-retired, I look back at the ‘balance’ most women try to achieve as an irrational goal. Sounds these women make are, ‘Oh, I have to live a balanced life, I’ve got to!’ I think; look at all the energy you’re putting into worrying about the balance or trying to maintain it. Striving for balance, and trying to grasp at it causes imbalance. Your car may break down, you may be running late and your family may be upset – where are you going to find balance that day? It’s so important to find the joy where you can - If you’re missing out on the joy, its not work’s problem, or those peripheral problems – it’s you. You are missing the moment. It’s about living your passion and going with your energy.

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Your age isn’t a skin type.
The biggest myth that women over 40 experience in the beauty-world is that they all have one skin type. All of a sudden you’re 50 or 60 and you’ve got to wear wax on your face! Age actually doesn’t dictate your skin type. I’m a 61-year-old and I have oily, blemish-prone skin with sun damage; there’s a lot of issues right there that my skincare regime has to address. Don’t let someone tell you what you need based on your age – this is a mistake. Address the problems you are experiencing, whether it be acne or rosacea with dryness or over productive pores. Most of my skincare range was made for moi! After years of consulting, I created Paula’s Choice for my skin, because at 61, I don’t need thick, breakout-causing creams and treatments.

Paula Begoun, 61

I wish for women to feel the same sense of accomplishment
I’ll be honest; I don’t love this stage of my life. I find it hard to believe I’m 61. There is no such thing as graceful aging. Comedian Garrison Kealer has this whole thing about how young people leap in and out of showers. All you’re worried about when you’re over 50 is getting out of the shower without slipping and killing yourself! As I think about it, my life is blessed in so many ways. I feel very lucky that when people ask me ‘what’s next?’ I no longer feel like I need to have a ‘next’ in place. I feel very accomplished in the world and I haven’t lost my passion. I will just keep going forward, filling my heart…and maybe take a nap!


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