This post is part of a series examining 1950s era charm, poise, and beauty using Secrets of Poise, Personality, and Model Beauty written by modeling agency and schools icon John Robert Powers and published by Prentiss-Hall in 1960.
Since a woman is the sum total of her experience, every year of her life can add to her charm and beauty. If a woman is constantly striving toward successful self-expression, each year adds to the luster and glow…Your beauty and charm is what you make it. There may be no fountain of eternal youth–but there is a fountain of eternal charm and it is available to any woman who takes the trouble to drink from it. ~ John Robert Powers
Mr. Powers calls the years from 35 on as “The Age of Realization.” He says that the golden, joyous years of a woman’s life should begin at 35. Okay, I’m going to be honest here and say that I do not consider “35″ to be the golden years. Heck, in today’s modern world, 50 isn’t even considered “golden” anymore! When I hear “golden,” I think “retirement age.” But let’s not quibble about numbers and instead focus on the heart of what he is trying to say:
1963 Cadillac advertisement; Image courtesy of Jordan Smith on Flickr.com
- Physical beauty is a state of health. Take care of your body and watch your health! What you put into your body really impacts whether you look like you have a healthy glow or a pasty shine. Exercising and eating right is a prescription for beauty that doesn’t require a trip to the cosmetics counter.
- Age is a state of mind. I know some perfectly healthy women who are ready for the deathbed at 65 years old and other women who are so full of life at 80 that I get the impression that they will live forever. The “fountain of youth” is found by having an active and open mind, trying out new things, and staying out of a rut.
- Charm is a state of spirit. Charm springs from the heart and soul. Is she feminine, considerate, compassionate, understanding, and kind? A charming spirit moves with grace, glows with good will, shines with her sparkle, and endures with her loyalty.
Those of us “of a certain age” have time and experience on our side. We have been able to outgrow most of the angst of our youth because we have more successes under out belt that enable us to have a bit more confidence. But we have to make sure that we don’t hold onto anger and/or judgment over unwise choices or devastating situations because the ugliness of those feelings shows on the outside, too. With age comes the wisdom needed (we hope) to regroup and move on with a joy filled life.
Mr. Powers reminds us that it is never too late to be beautiful because charm is the most important beauty asset of all and has no age limit...”if a woman nurtures it!”
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