Mother-Daughter Beauty

Your 50s

Smooth your lines Wrinkles are the number one worry for women in their fifties. But for Cindy, a little crinkle around her eyes is nothing to be afraid of. "I say bring it on!" she notes with a laugh. "I've earned these lines!" But if you're interested in counteracting Mother Nature a bit, then reach for any of the new anti-aging creams that are full of wrinkle-reducing anti-oxidants and amino-acid complexes. Therapy Systems Line Tox ($65), with muscle-soothing argireline -- just like botox -- causes an immediate smoothing effect. Or try RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Overnight Repair ($19.99), which claims to make skin appear a decade younger in just 12 weeks by smoothing and erasing fine lines.

Help your skin renew itself Because the skin exfoliates itself more slowly as we get older, the fiftysomething complexion can appear dull and lackluster. To help reverse the process, look for products with hydroquinone or kojic acid (both are skin lighteners) to counteract uneven skin tone, such as Philosophy A Pigment of Your Imagination ($30). Another option: mix a pea-sized amount of a luminizing cream, such as Chanel Sheer Brilliance in Sunkissed ($40), into your foundation or moisturizer, or apply directly to cheeks and temples for added glow and radiance. Cindy's best advice? "Wear less makeup," says this former makeup artist. "There's so much going on with your skin -- wrinkles, textures changes -- that too much makeup just makes it look worse!"

Help your makeup stay put Mature skin sometimes needs extra help to keep makeup exactly where you put it. One easy solution: makeup primers, which act like a sheer coating on your skin to both fill in any fine lines and imperfections, and set a smooth stage for foundation. After moisturizer or sunscreen, apply a thin layer of primer -- try Smashbox Photo Finish Primer ($36) or Laura Mercier Foundation Primer ($29) -- then wait two minutes before applying your foundation.

Moisturizer is a must The combination of thinner skin (another side effect of aging) plus years of sun exposure equals a complexion that craves moisture. One of the most buzzed-about ingredients to quench dry skin thirst is hyaluronic acid, which increases skin's natural ability to retain moisture, and therefore creates a more plumped-up look. Try beComing Boost Me Up Skin Immunity Hydrator ($35) or Chantecaille Flower Harmonizing Cream ($95).