The 9 Unsexy Things I Use/Do/Eat Every Day To Look (And Feel) 39 Even Though I’m 49.
I’m not chasing youth. I’m chasing hotness. There’s a difference.
by Audie Metcalf
The last time I wrote an article and referenced my specific age, a gentleman on Facebook (male, 66, posing on a motorcycle) commented “oof, rough 48.”
And yet I have mustered the strength to do it again.
I don’t have all the answers, I’m sure I could be doing more/better/different, but I feel pretty good, I feel pretty strong, and after losing quite a bit of weight (if you’re curious see here, here, and here) I do feel as though I’ve figured out a few key factors in the “aging gracefully” category of life that don’t involve toxins or medications, and nothing has taken over my life—meaning I don’t have to devote every waking second to any of this. It’s all sort of second nature now. So let’s dive in. And let me know either in these comments or our insta DMs if you need more info or if you have your own hotness routine you want to share. I’m glued to my phone so I’ll see it.
1. The weighted vest that gives me muscles without trying
WHAT: Apexup Weighted Vest*
I started with 8 pounds, then went to 10, and am now at 15. I also use THESE* ankle weights and barely notice them. I tried cheaper versions but they all pinched my ankles.
A pair of leggings that actually fit me are key and THESE* are the only ones I wear.
2. These Exact Sneakers
WHAT: Hoka Clifton 10*
Once I found a pair of sneakers that really fit and made me feel capable of breaking into a Tom Cruise Run, I was transformed. Also the socks* are critical to this mission.
3. This oil that got rid of my vertical chest wrinkles
WHAT: Furtuna Skin Due Alberi Biphase Moisturizing Oil*
Wrinkles on my BODY were not really "top of mind" until I turned 45 and they suddenly appeared, seemingly overnight. But I banished them whence they came with a very pricey oil that couldn't be more worth it. I also slather it on my face which is what it’s actually for, but I discovered this chest wrinkle thing so I ran with it. Also we work with the brand (AFTER I personally discovered them so you can trust it) so we have a huge custom code if you want to try it. No presh, obvs.
Use CANDIDLY for 20% off.
4. The only thing I meal prep
WHAT: Green Goddess Yogurt Dip*
Meal prepping makes me want to die. I don’t do it, I can’t do it, but once a week I do make this herbaceous dip that I snack on mindlessly with peppers and cukes and radishes, and because it’s made only with non-fat Greek yogurt, it’s like easy protein all day. And protein is key to life/staying full/building muscle.
5. These plastic tablespoons be cause I can’t trust myself to “eyeball” anything
WHAT: Powbab Measuring Spoons*
When I use my regular spoons to approximate a serving of olive oil or peanut butter or salad dressing or mayonnaise, my estimation is usually twice as much as a serving. Which means JUST through using an actual tablespoon to measure out all these and condiments, I was in a calorie deficit (which is the single only way to lose any weight if that’s something you’re interested in) so I use these washable ones because I need like 5 a day.
6. The moisturizer I always come back to even though I get to try every possible one for a living
WHAT: Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Magic Cream*
I cannot feel hot and gorgeous without hot and gorgeous skin. There is no way around this fact. And I really do wish my favorite moisturizer was some little-known, affordable, weird drugstore discovery but alas, it is this wildly popular cream that apparently is sold once every minute across the globe. It makes my skin SO soft and hydrated but never ever sticky. And it never breaks me out (and everything breaks me out).
7. A bra that makes me look like I have implants. Half under the muscle of course.
WHAT: Neiwai Barely Zero Anchored Cup Spaghetti Strap Bra*
If you are sliding toward 50 as I am (when did this happen?) an excellent bra is utterly imperative for a life well and hotly lived. HOWEVER. In our slow descent towards death I become ever more repulsed by wires and clips and brackets and metal things on anything that touches or even whispers near my skin. This bra has NONE of that and yet, creates a perkiness that rivals my teenage boobs. Not sure of the “tech” going on here and frankly don’t want to know.
8. The Wildly Affordable Blender So You Don't Have To Go Broke Buying A Vitamix
WHAT: Nutribullet Pro® 900*
I made the aforementioned dip in this beast AND I make my daily, high-protein, low-sugar smoothie* with a secret ingredient that you will think is gross but it's really not.
9. The Perfect "Your Lips But Better" Color That Isn't Sticky And Lasts Forever
WHAT: Merit Shade Slick Tinted Lip Oil in Twin Set* and Signature Lip Liner in Bespoke*
I want giant lips because l guess I am weak and can't accept that my lips are shriveling before my very eyes but am much too scared of filler so this is the next best thing. These colors are UNREAL and unlike any other gloss or liner I have ever tried.
Well that was fun, wasn’t it? It only took me a full week to capture all those tiresome photos between asking friends to help and getting different tripods and waiting for the light to be just right and creating a monstrously complex Instagram multi-image carousel that’s actually very hard to do, and we don’t have a social media manager so I just do it myself, and if you didn’t like any of this, or you think I just look my age, well, all I have to say to you is:
Yes, this is the best thing I own. Get your own HERE* and we can be twinz.
Audie Metcalf is the Editor-in-chief of The Candidly, and lives in LA with her family. You can find more of her articles here.
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