About Calgary City Editor
Calgary City Editor Ricky Zayshley knows a good thing when he sees one. His heart races when he discovers a new hotspot and his mouth waters at the sight of delectable food. After years of living out east, this Prairie boy has found his way back home and can’t wait to dish about sweet finds in his favourite city.
I’m at that age when my birthday cake arrives with one candle on it as a sort of “you-know-what-we-mean” gesture. Hey, I’m always happy when cake is involved, but boy do birthdays lose their lustre past the age of 12.
To make matters even worse, I was born in January, painfully close to Christmas. Kids don’t see the common sense in combined Christmas/birthday presents.
I’m happy to say that I had a great birthday this year. The day started out wonderfully, in fact. After receiving a beautiful bouquet of flowers from my friend Caitlin, my mom took me to Avenue Diner for an amazing lunch — what a great spot! Then later that day my friend Natalie and I went to loungeburger. After dinner we decided to see Black Swan. I sat enthralled as I watched Natalie Portman twirl, leap and go crazy right before my very eyes. Psychosis aside, she looked great in her lightweight cotton dance gear and over-the-top Rodarte tutus. I noticed that there were lots of close-ups on her face — that woman has great skin. When I got home I inspected my own face for any new signs of aging.
My search for the fountain of youth started at the age of eight after watching a horrifying TV movie about progeria. In it, a little boy not unlike myself turned into an old man by the time he was 10. I was convinced I too had this terrible disease that affects one in 8 million people. I searched for grey hairs, took note of every wrinkle and imagined my life as the oldest looking kid in town.
Luckily it was all in my imagination; however, that terrifying experience made me an expert at spotting the signs of aging. I vowed right then and there — Mr. Mugs reader in hand, under my The Facts of Life poster — to fight aging every step of the way. Here’s how I do it:
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Moisturize with SPF.
Using a moisturizer with SPF protection is the best thing anyone can do to keep the skin looking younger, longer. It won’t turn back the clock, but it will definitely slow it down. I’m currently addicted to Dior Hydra Life Pro-Youth Protective Crème SPF 15 ($65). My skin al most literally drinks it up.
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Hide my discolouration, not my skin.
I’m quite adamant about using a high-quality concealer to hide redness around my eye and nose area, but I hate the look of pancake face. I let my real skin shine through. Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage (US $28) is about the best concealer you can get — and it lasts forever! I also love L’Oreal Dermo-Expertise Collagen Filler Targeted Eye Treatment ($25). It contains light-diffusing particles that really do lighten the look of dark circles.
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Healthy from the inside out.
It just makes sense that your body needs lots of water and good fats to keep its skin healthy. I try to drink lots of water and take Genuine Health Perfect Skin for Men ($25) whenever I remember. (Genuine Health has amazing women-specific skin formulas, too.)
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Exfoliate.
I'm constantly on the hunt for the perfect exfoliator because I hate the look of dull skin conflicting with my natural radiance. I'm thinking of investing in the Olay Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System when it comes to Canada this March — it exfoliates and cleanses in one step. I like that.
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Accept the nice parts of aging.
Now as an adult I search my hair for new grey hairs because I love them. I have a vision of me looking like George Clooney some day. Some day...
Have fun and laugh.
This is a double-edged sword because excessive laughing will give you laugh lines, but my theory is a fun-filled life will trick your body into thinking you’re young forever. Laugh lines are the best wrinkles you can get.
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Of course, I don’t take this all too seriously. I’ll take good health over youthful skin any day. And I’m happy to have as many birthdays as I can! What do you do to stay young? Do you have any secret concoctions or rituals? Do you even care? I’d love to know!