#4 Glow & Tell
Let’s Talk About Lips, Baby (and Cowboy Boots, and Balsamic Tomatoes…)
In each Glow & Tell, I share what’s been lighting up my life lately - things I hope will spark joy or add a touch of midlife glow to your day, making things feel a little easier, happier, and more fabulous.
So, what has been foremost on my mind this week? As shallow as it may sound - it’s pesky lip lines. Describe them as you will - smokers’ lines used to be the term du jour - but we get them even if we don’t smoke/vape. Barcode lines, then? Or - perhaps a more apt moniker might be Stanley Suckers (if you like to sip your water in a Stanley cup through a straw, which I don’t, but so many do. Though I am partial to a paper straw with a G&T.) Beware straw suckers because this can contribute to lines around the moo.
Or maybe - let’s just give these little crevices their actual, real name which is perioral lines meaning ‘around the mouth.’ Ok, now that’s out of the way. How can we improve them - I say improve rather than ‘get rid of’ because if you want to do it naturally and not with filler or Botox, then they won’t just magically disappear no matter what miracle claims a lip product might have on the packaging.
(And by the way, I have no beef at all with anyone wanting to eradicate lines and wotnot with filler or Botox - just that, for now, I’ve not decided not to use needles on my periorals. But, if you have - please let me know if it works and if it’s worth it!)
Using a Gua Sha is my fave way to boost collagen, plump up lines and - temporarily - give my lips a little lift. It really is so simple but please be gentle and make sure you hold the skin around the lips/cheek area taught to prevent dragging. A light/medium pressure is best and it’s important not to just work on the actual lines but sweep the Gua Sha along the muscles outside the lines, as this will help relax the whole mouth area and stop it from being tight and pursed. I use a little oil first, to give some slip and protection and at the moment, my favourite is Dee’s Organics Facial Elixir which is a dreamy blend of rosewood, chamomile, squalane and geranium. Dee lives locally to me and is a wonderful facialist who makes all her own natural products and uses a range of facial tools in her treatments. Check out her website - she’s a huge Gua Sha lover too and sells a range of beauties!
You can watch my sped-up Gua Sha video below - and check the before-and-after photo too. It’s a subtle but real difference. With regular practice, the plumpness lasts longer. I’ve also linked to my favourite lip gloss that joins the plumping party in a past post here.
I’m off to a VE Day party on Monday and am contemplating wearing a red lip, so will need to Gua Sha those lines into submission for it not to bleed along the cracks…so annoying!
Oh, and while pondering lip lines, I was reminded of a brilliant post by Jane (from Kiss My Face/British Beauty Blogger), encouraging us to speak kindly about our appearance - no more “turkey necks” or “crow’s feet” slander. She’s so right. Thanks, Jane, for keeping us accountable. Have a little listen here…
Every Day Act of Joy We Can All Manage
I found this lovely gem of joy via
who suggested starting a phone note titled “Good things are always happening to me” and purposefully adding to it every day. It is, as she said, an absolute game-changer.On the notes app on my phone, I write down little feel-good nuggets that, unless I wrote them down, I might not remember. It’s so nice just to go into the notes every now and then and read them…
Walked with Lily in the sunshine
Rosé by the river with John
Submitted an idea for a children’s book to an agent
Breathwork on my yoga mat looking at the bluest sky through the roof light
Padel tennis with friends and my pelvic floor held tight through the exertion and the laughter!
Boots that make me shout “Ye Ha!”
While reading my favourite Substack - The Midlife Beauty Edit, written by my fab friend and fellow ex-Cosmo staffer, I got very excited at the photo she shared of Camille Miceli, artistic director of Pucci who was wearing the most amazing cowboy boots! See proof in Jen’s post below. It also got me thinking about my very own gorgeous boots…
Though I’m usually rubbish at finding bargains on Vinted (how do people do that?!), I got lucky one evening. Inspired by my daughter’s gorgeous red pair, I searched on a whim and spotted the perfect Polo Ralph Lauren short cowboy boots - for £30! I double-checked I wasn’t being catfished, ordered them, and friends… they were glorious. Comfortable, stylish, and go with everything.
No, I can’t pull off the Daisy Duke look anymore - but I can still strut a little yee-ha into the room.
Lunch Love
One thing you definitely won’t find me doing here at My Midlife Chapter is whipping up Michelin-star-inspired meals or transforming your home with nifty decluttering hacks. I was firmly assigned to the Domestic Slut lane at birth, and I know my place. That said, I am breaking free of my lane for just a sec to show you this recipe that was sent to me by a friend who knows only too well my obsession with halloumi and avocado - and also knows I won’t spend longer than I have to putting a meal together. My only requirements for lunch and dinner are that they need to be quick and tasty -otherwise, I’ll just end up grabbing a packet of crisps or some nuts and cheese and calling it a day. This Grated Halloumi Cheese on Toast with Balsamic Tomatoes from Emily on Toast is heaven. It’s fool-proof and has to be tasted to be believed - and it’s healthy. And what with this lovely weather we are having at the moment, it’s a great one to take to a picnic or bbq and impress the guests!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this fourth edition of Glow & Tell. Soon, I’ll be opening subscriber-only chats where paid members can join in the conversation - sharing tips, laughs, and all the things that make us glow from the inside out.
P.S. If you’re new here or just stumbled across this post, welcome! I’d love you to stick around - take a peek at the free archives and see what resonates. You can subscribe for free to become part of this growing midlife community, where I share no-faff tips, honest reflections, and inspiring ways to look and feel your best through the magic (and mess) of this chapter - and all the ones still to come.
See you soon! xx
Just started following you and enjoying the writing and info you are sharing. Was wondering if you had any thoughts on vitamins for the menopausal women over 50 or any top tips you had heard of for hot flashes or how to get more energy.
LOVE this edition!! — and thank you so much for the KINDEST shout out (🥹💗)!! I very much associate cowboy boots with our Broadwick Street days!! (And I know, Camille is always such an inspiration, she radiates ageless joy!). And, also, THANK YOU for the video how-to — I just got a new gua sha from ESPA, so perfect timing and will put your expert moves to the test this weekend!! Have a wonderful Bank Hol, and thank you so so much, again! XXX