Ah…to remain forever youthful…what we wouldn’t give! Aging is an irreversible fact of life. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t techniques to help us keep it at bay. In this article, I share with you 10 secrets to maintaining a youthful appearance.

• Age is just a number. The secret to defying your numerical age has everything to do with attitude. You are what you think and believe about yourself. Feel like an old lady? Well you probably dress, behave and speak like one too. Embrace a youthful and playful attitude about life. Do not sweat the small stuff. Live in the moment. These attitude adjustments will shave off years from your appearance.

• Laugh. Be silly. Play! What? You’re too old? Nonsense! Get some pep in your step and free your mind of all concerns for a couple hours each day. Engage in your hobbies. Get active. Play with children or pets. Do the things you enjoyed as a child. Hang around young people. Spend more time in nature and experience the wonder of creation. The impact of joy in your life is powerful.

• Are you still dressing like you’re back in the 80’s? If so it’s time for an image revamp! Nothing ages us more than being in a clothing time warp. Get an updated look and keep fashionably current with clothing that reflects your personal style.

• Are you getting enough sleep? Most of us need 7-9 hours every night. When we don’t give our bodies enough rest it shows on our face—our eyes look tired, red or puffy, aging us instantly.

• Avoid cakey, thick or heavy makeup on older skin. Makeup facelift:

1) Plump your skin with a hydrating cream foundation instead of a powder one-creams soften lines and wrinkles rather than settling in them. Same for eye shadow.

2) Brighten your eyes using peach or yellow tone concealers under the eye to mask those puffy dark circles.

3) Radiate you skin using blush high on your cheekbones.

4) Lips: After lipstick apply a pale glossy lip gloss on top for a youthful finish.

• Unless you get botox or surgery no cream will get rid of the wrinkles you already have. But you can reduce their appearance and slow the creation of new ones by using the right moisturizers. I personally like Estee Lauder’s “Advanced Night Repair” eye cream. For all over moisture, look for products that contain retinol and alpha hydroxyl acids (AHAs).

• Don’t be scared of trying the latest fashion trends. Instead, adapt them to suit your age and body type. I shop in any store regardless of the target market as long as the clothes are made well and fit well. Some of my best finds have been at teen-oriented stores especially for accessories and cute summer tops.

• Do you have the same hairstyle you’ve had for 20 years? Dated hairstyles add years to your look. Get a fresh, stylish haircut from a professional and experiment with new hair colors or highlights. Shoulder length hair or shorter is usually more flattering on older women.

• Don’t underestimate the power of shapewear! Spanx anyone? A bra that lifts and supports is essential and can make you look taller and slimmer in an instant.

• What we resist persists. Kicking and screaming every year we clock another number only makes matters worse. You will become so hyper-focused on every wrinkle or grey hair that the worry that will result will only exacerbate the problem. Accept and embrace aging—it is part of our life’s journey. Look at your crows feet and laugh lines as a newer, different aspect of your innate beauty. Acceptance is key.