アグネス流アンチエイジング極意を公開！

　超高齢化社会を迎え、若くありたいと願う人々が増えるにつれ、アンチエイジング商法が盛んになりました。51歳のアグネスは自分の年を隠さず、笑顔で自分に対して肯定的に生きることこそ若さを保つ秘けつといいます。もちろん、朝晩のお肌のお手入れは欠かさず、酒、タバコ、砂糖は御法度のようです。

　As baby boomers age, the anti-aging business is blossoming. Since society celebrates youth and beauty, people growing older are trying to cling to a younger look. The choices for fixing wrinkles, blemishes, sagging of the face and bulging waistlines are endless. There seems to be a new answer every season, and women more than 40 years old are in danger if they do not try some of the remedies.

　Having passed the "50" timeline, I am one of the main targets for this merchandise. I must admit that I do have a lot of creams in my cabinet. Most were samples sent to me by cosmetic companies; some I bought myself.

　As I am in show business, looking pleasant is part of my job, and I have been putting makeup on since I was 15 years old. I have a very strict routine when it comes to cleaning my skin and keeping it moist. It may be a good practice if you want your skin to look healthy. Let me share with you what I do.

朝晩の洗顔は大事に

　I wash my face diligently twice a day and very carefully at night. I wipe my face with a soft towel to remove dead skin and clean my pores. I then put a liquid moisturizer, an age-defying lotion and a cream on my face every night before I go to sleep. In the morning, I wash and put on a liquid moisturizer and a protective cream base before I apply my makeup. The creams do not have to be expensive -- I believe that most work the same -- but they must match your skin, and you must feel good after you put them on.

　I use a liquid foundation that does not dry up. It is difficult to maintain a flawless look, but it is worth it because it helps prevent formation of premature wrinkles and can hide small wrinkles better than a powder base foundation. That is about all I do for my complexion.

　I keep other makeup to a minimum so my face can appear natural. I care about my body, too. I put cream on my neck, hands and legs after a bath. I also do a little stretching to keep my body in shape. A flexible body and good circulation enhance a youthful look.

　Besides doing things for my face and my body, I eat a balanced diet, which is based on the Chinese herbal medicine theory of getting a variety of foods that fit my body type. I am also careful not to overeat. As I am not a very active person, I try to keep my calorie intake in line with my activities. I also do not drink or smoke, which is great for anti-aging. I drink a lot of tea, but do not drink sugar beverages or coffee.

　I believe that psychological factors also influence the aging process, and I try to maintain a very positive mind-set. I take every day as a gift, and I swear to enjoy every day as it comes. I am thankful for what I have, and I try to the best of my ability to enhance the opportunities that I come across.

笑いは無料の化粧水？

　I enjoy volunteering and caring for others. This philosophy keeps my mind at peace and my attitude positive. And best of all, I like to laugh! I am always thinking of ways to make people laugh, and people say that I laugh wholeheartedly at the slightest provocation. My staff tells me that they enjoy working with me because I am so funny. Even my husband says that he never gets tired of me because I am so funny. I take that as a compliment. I just enjoy having a good time.

　Well, I guess the greatest secret to staying young is to accept your age and treasure the experience that comes with it. I am a really content 51 years old, and I do not try to hide my age, but I do not like to be tied down by it, either.

　There are things that only women of my age can do, and I am proud that I am still living after all these years. Wear what you want, present yourself as the person you like best, and let everyone around you feel your positive aura. Before long, they will start to tell you how young you look. It is all in the attitude. A person who is comfortable with herself and nice to others always looks good.

　You can still spend a lot of money on treatments and creams, but don't be disappointed if they do not give you the promised results. The best result will only come when you feel good about yourself as you are now. You can be beautiful from this moment, because you are.

By Agnes Chan

• fixing...blemishes　しわやしみを取る
• sagging...face　顔のたるみ
• bulging waistlines　ウエストの出っ張り
• pore(s)　毛穴
• flawless look　完璧な外見
• complexion　顔の色つや
• herbal...theory　薬草学の理論
• keep...activities　自分の活動量に合わせてカロリーをとる
• at...provocation　ちょっとしたことで
• treasure...it　年とともに身についた経験を大事にする