The Age of Falling Apart

Ever since I turned "the age that shall not be spoken" I have started to fall apart.  Physically.

But that's refreshing from the person who normally falls apart mentally.

Three days after my 40th birthday I went to a Mary Kay party and while I admit I was there to score some eye-depuffing products, I wasn't expecting to have to put my eyes back in my head just from filling out the profile card.

For a few years now I've been able to check that 35-44 box on most profiles and surveys.  But not on the Mary Kay card.  In Mary Kay's world of beauty it's much more cut and dry than 35-44.  In her pink world of women we are in our 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's and so on.  So three days after I turned 40 I had to check the 40's box and it all went downhill from there.

Pain in my side, that's led to a battery of tests with no results.  I swear my cramps from my monthly friend are worse than they've ever been and any time I eat anything that tastes good, it seeks revenge on my digestive system.  Yeah, being 40 sucks.

Oddly about the time all of this was happening I was also invited to join StyleUnited a new website where I could get some beauty and fashion recommendations.  Those that know me can probably attest to the fact that I abandoned beauty and fashion in my 30's (yes, THAT box on the Mary Kay profile card).  OK, not entirely but these aren't things that are forefront on my agenda.  But since I am now checking that "other" box I figured a little look-see couldn't hurt.

StyleUnited is brought to you by brands including Olay, Frederic Fekkai, DDF Skincare and Cover Girl. Providing access to exclusive editorial content and personalized recommendations, StyleUnited connects women to their full style potential using these unique tools:

• Style 360 - a fully personalized diagnostic quiz that has been designed to understand your individual needs in skin care, hair care, cosmetics and fashion. 
• Customized Beauty and Fashion Content - hundreds of curated articles, blogs and how-to videos from industry experts created to answer your every question while keeping you up on the latest trend news.

I immediately did some of the Style 360 quizzes and quickly found that my fashion style is "casual cool" and my makeup style is "fresh".  Both of these descriptions are in fact, quite accurate, and I also agreed with the product recommendations given to me by the programs.  I liked the recos because they weren't full of high priced shampoos and eyeliners, the items were reasonably priced and ones I knew I could find in my local big box store.

I really like StyleUnited.  I am by far not a Cosmo Girl.  But I found that this website didn't talk down to me, and it seemed to really use my answers to the Style360 quizzes to determine it's recommendations for my beauty and fashion style.  That doesn't happen much on other sites.  I don't fit into a typical mold when it comes to my style and personal habits but I didn't get the impression that it mattered.  I got the impression that I mattered and it was OK to be me.  Even if I now check the 40's box.

Oh and as a bonus for joining StyleUnited you can also enter the New View, New You Giveaway to win a $500 shopping spree at Macy's or Nordstrom. Entries are now open until June 8th!

Disclosure:  I will receive a complimentary gift from P&G/SheSpeaks in exchange for this post, but all opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.