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Women of a Certain Age

We've come a long way from the days of settling for a 'blue rinse' and reaching for a twinset and pearls - now women over 50 can find many ways of holding back the years, defying gravity and ignoring the PR gurus who load our magazines with air-brushed Lara Crofts to fulfil their own fantasies According to a survey of women aged 50-64 (compiled in 2006 by the Dove Global Study) 60% of women think if magazines were reflective of a population - a person would believe that women over 50 do not exist! 91% think the media and advertising should do a better job of representing realistic images of women over 50. So how can we prolong youth after the BIG 50? No, we're not talking "Time Travel" here; it's about discovering the look that's right for you and your lifestyle. After all, you don't have to put up with the paparazzi lenses searching for cellulite like the celebrities or websites comparing photos from one red carpet event to another. Talking of which… have a look at these inspiring images:

Left: Lulu in 1975 and in 2003		Left: Sophia Loren in 1953 and in 2003

Both these well-known women seem to have found the secret of looking younger with the passing years. Lulu is over 50, a yoga enthusiast and has admitted receiving a little help from that nice Mr Botox, but her energy and style just shine through! Sophia Loren the ultimate Italian beauty is in her 70's and swears her love of pasta and up to 10 hours sleep a night have maintained her film star looks.

It's all about choosing a style that's right for you - a modern one! UKHairdressers.com have a "Style Gallery" where all the new looks are showcased - find one that could work for you and let your hairdresser adapt it to suit you. Don't be afraid to use the latest straightening or curling irons to good effect. Equally, it's better to banish grey hair and select a colour for the new you.

Actress Jane Seymour and model Iman Both in their 50's

Frèdèric Fekkai the celebrity French-American stylist says "Blondes need a multi-tonal look, with high and low lights - pure blonde can appear contrived. Blonde hair catches the light and it's a softer look as women age." Likewise, a brunette shade frames the face and enhances bone structure; adding caramel or copper tones makes for a more natural finish. Very few people actually have hair that is the same colour all over, sunlight can lighten certain strands, or darker hair grows underneath - so the tones you choose will define how natural it looks. Happiness is a good head of hair

If your hair is prone to thinning or has lost its healthy shine - there are some fabulous products out there to encourage growth and improve condition, for men and women. Some have anti-ageing protection, others can give root lift or add volume. Supplements can also help thicken hair, they give your body what it needs to promote hair growth such as Omega -3. If hair loss is a problem, portable Laser Combs use infra red

light to stimulate the scalp for men and women to help hair follicles produce more hair. It can all be done in the privacy of your own home.

Too Sexy for your Hair?

Men always seem to improve with age, a surprising number look good with a close crop or even shaved head - unless they opt for the old "comb-over routine!" Choosing the shaven look in your twenties or thirties, can actually arrest the ageing process, because there is no noticeable change in hair line or texture as the years go by. Bald can be sexy as many screen heroes have proved. Microscopic kertin hair fibres are available that can be sprinkled onto thinning scalps to instantly increase the thickness and density of each hair. Instead of simply colouring the scalp area like some creams and sprays, these fibres actually merge with your existing hair - creating a perfectly natural blend, undetectable to the naked eye.

Left: Bald is beautiful actors Yul Bryner and Patrick Stewart. Right: A young Pearce Brosnan as Remington Steele was handsome, but now in his fifties he has more female fans than ever - double 00 heaven. Below are some great ideas to help with hair loss and prevent ageing - all are available through UKHairdressers.com - click to view any of the products:

Genesis Hair Complete Hair Loss Remedy Pack HAIRMAX Laser comb HAIRMAX Laser Comb SE	NANOGEN Hair Building Fibres Kit NANOGEN Nanothik Best Sellers J F Lazartigue Colour Emulsion For Grey Hair Assorted colours

Article by Heather Bell.