Triona McCarthy: Pro-ageing is the new buzzword! Here are the products to help you age magnificently

I want to keep on keeping on and that will include wearing jeans (sometimes with holes in them), push-up bras, high heels and keeping my hair long.

You see, my generation isn’t ageing like our mothers — although my mum Margaret looks amazing. She has never had Botox or filler, and doesn’t fancy it at all. And that’s fine! You can be and do whatever floats your boat.

I know a lot of you dear readers have been through the highs and lows of my life — I’ve shared it, warts and all, here in Life since I was in my 20s, and you know how I’m all about changing the way we think about ageing. I prefer the the term ‘pro-ageing’ rather than ‘anti-ageing’, because, let’s face it, I’m not trying not to age.

When I hear people say you should age gracefully, I think, what about ageing magnificently?!

Not everyone I know has the same opinion on hitting the halfway mark. I sometimes think maybe only those who have experienced huge loss can understand what an absolute privilege it is to get older.

If you’re not feeling fabulous about getting older, do what I do and make a ‘gratitude’ list of all the things that are better now than when you had spots, self-doubt and multiple heartache, as I had when I was younger. ​

Besides Botox — which I get twice a year and love for softening out the lines on my face — there’s a slew of products aimed at my age. See Three of the Best below for my luxe go-tos because, as much as I love make-up — skincare is the best thing to invest in when it comes to curating a skincare routine that works at this age.

I know you’ve heard it a hundred times, but SPF should be your BFF. My latest love is Dr PawPaw Your Gorgeous Skin SPF 50, € 20.95, lookfantastic.ie.

If I could, I would gift everyone over 50 Jones Road Miracle Balm, €40, jonesroadbeauty.com, as it has blurring and glow properties. It comes in nine fab shades.

You wear your hair every day so to hide those greys, I’m all about Color Wow Root Cover Up, €28, millies.ie.

Eyes next. I noticed my eyes do look a little smaller. That’s because your skull shrinks as you age — my eyebrows had become less prominent, so I had them done at The Dublin Makeup Academy and it was worth every penny for the difference it made in opening up my eyes again! Brow Aid The Hero Tinted Brow Mascara, €29, brownthomas.com, is all I use on them since. It comes in three shades.

Right, I’m ready for you, 50!

Three of the best... luxury goods

1. Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel, €25 for 5, spacenk.com. Because it’s my birthday and I am a Leo who loves luxury, indulge me if you will — I only buy these pads when I’m feeling rich. I use them at night once a week and wake up with baby-soft skin.

2. Augustinus Bader The Cream, €82, Brown Thomas. This award-winning, deeply hydrating cream stimulates the skin’s natural process of rejuvenation. With 40 different ingredients, from vitamins to amino acids, it smooths fine lines and fades dark spots.

3. La Mer The Lip Balm, €70, Brown Thomas, Arnotts; The Loop. This ridiculously expensive lip balm is a real treat but so terrific as it seriously leaves lips noticeably smoother and softer. The hint of mint is marvellous. Apply to cuticles as well.