Wanted to second happyladi's Crizal recommendation. Best AR coating I've ever had! I always get AR for two reasons: so there is no reflection bouncing off my eyes if someone is looking at me. And looking outward at night especially, no light bouncing around. Takes the fuzzy halo off car headlights, etc. I used to get tiny wispy scratches almost precisely at the 1 year mark, and it was a rapid descent from there, so bad it was impossible to see through the swirls. (It was like the darn things were designed to disintegrate as soon as the warranty was up.) When my clinic offered the much pricier Crizal I tried it out of sheer frustration. And it comes with a 2 year warranty. With my current lenses it's going on 18 months and zero annoying scratches. (Rinsing under water is part of my twice daily face cleansing routine. Major lens mileage. It's those 'grab the shirttail' wipes that are damaging.) Now, a story about older women, eyeglasses and color. There is a gentleman that works in the optical department at my clinic. He dresses like a Brit going to tea with the Queen. Impeccable. So dapper and so adept at helping women pick frames, I adore him. (Plus he calls me 'darlin', gets me every time. ;) So anyway, last time I went for a plastic frame, haven't worn those since the 80's but the size and shape were perfect and they were oh so comfortable. Then chose the light golden brown tortoise shell. A good neutral. Being half blind is a real disadvantage trying on frames. My gentleman consultant is my best judge in all things eyeglass related, even beating out my brutally honest sister. He liked the frames very much but was "eh" over the color I had chosen. So safe and predictable. I needed an updated spare pair. He said "Here darlin', try these." He nudged me to the same frame in amethyst. Now I happen to love amethyst & purples, but for glasses sitting on my face my inner voice said "Uh, no way, dapper dude". Once they lined up the possibles on their camera machine, I became a little more receptive. Still had doubts because those machines are helpful but they make driver's license photos look like a pro studio job. Decided it was time to shake things up and go for it. Once my glasses came in the difference was amazing. You know the eye shadow palettes recommended for certain eye colors? Purples are often recommended for hazel eyes. The amethyst somehow plays off and really emphasizes the gold in my hazel eyes and absolutely brightened both my eyes & complexion. Heck, my cheeks even look rosier. Still pushing out of my comfort zone some, they were going to be my 'fun' pair when going out, etc. Well, my gentleman friend nailed it again. Wore the neutral, no one close to me noticed. The first time I wore the amethyst a girl at the insurance office was helping me and during a moment on hold she suddenly complimented the color. And the compliments kept coming, even 18 months later. (That never happens.) Usually where people are standing around killing time; grocery store checkout, in line at the bank. Always women, surprisingly often much younger women. I stopped to visit my cousin and the only change since our last visit several months prior was my highlights (too subtle to notice) and the frames. She was looking at me and said "Something is different." She paused, squinted, and said "Hey, did you get botox, you look younger". Nope and cool :) I don't even know where the safe neutral pair is, think in the console of my car. The amethyst are my everyday pair. Moral of this story is once you get the right frame size & shape for you face, don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and go for color! It might just surprise you :)

I too use a magnifying mirror, and when i look in it I tend to wipe off the makeup I have on. It looks to me like it just kind of sits up on my pores. I am a redhead (well natural redhead, but being 61 the years have faded my hair, so the salon helps me keep it a light auburn), and I have blue eyes, very fair skin and freckles, plus lots of wrinkles My friends say I need make up, that I look pale. What foundation can I try that will not look cakey to me, like it is sitting on my face? Have I explained that, right? I try to use concealer on the undereye circles but that looks too thick too. I have used the bare minerals, and liquid foundations, now I have a maybelline cream that i put on with a foundation brush. I have spent SO much money over the years on cosmetics, and skin care. I would love to find some good products that would help my aging, dry skin.

Trailrunner, Jterrilynn, & Nance...thanks for the kind words! Golddust, I love your haircut. It enhances your pretty, delicate, heart-shaped face & high cheekbones. Adorable! Dlm, wow! You have great hair & look marvelous with it straight or curly! Nice to have options. I assume that's your DH & son? They are certainly handsome too! Beautiful family. LvrGolden, Mona, & Rose...all beautiful ladies over 50 with great hair! Oakley, I am dying to know what you think of your virtual hairstyling! I think Kelly found just the right do for you, and you know what? You really, really do look like Meg Ryan! You two have very similar features except that you are not scarecrow thin like she is (fortunately...'cause that's scary!) You would look great with layers around your face if you want to take baby steps toward shorter hair. I'd be delighted to get free advice too, if anyone has any suggestions. All feedback is good feedback. It can be hard to know what hairstyle options to pursue as we find ourselves no longer 25!

Love love love all the ladies and their 'tude! Sometimes the coming-of-age gives a real sense of self~~gotta love 'em!! Now if I could only learn to like bright colors! ;o)