Reader TTS

Mother Nature has a wicked sense of humor. Just when we peak in confidence, she sends us thinning hair, brown spots and extra pounds. Thanks MN, too, for unstable hormones, reduced estrogen

and MIA collagen. But we can handle a few speed bumps. Start by thinking of menopause as an opportunity to find a new and better way to look rather than trying to hang on to the old plan. No

matter where you are in the menopause cycle — peri, meno or post, here’s how to move forward and reset your looks. (Left to right) Womaness Overnight Magic Facial Treatment with Bakuchiol;

Pause Well-Aging Collagen Boosting Moisturizer; L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Pressed Night Cream with Retinol Target; Amazon; Ulta Beauty 1. USE A COLLAGEN-BOOSTING NIGHT CREAM Estrogen and

its sidekick collagen used to be our BFFs. Unfortunately, as estrogen and collagen levels drop with menopause, so does the bouncy juicy look of our eyes, neck and face. Here’s why. Collagen

along with elastin make up the “scaffolding” that support our skin. A reduction of production causes skin to collapse and sag. So now what? Choose a night cream (because evening is when our

skin does its best repair work) with collagen-boosting ingredients like peptides, retinol and/or its plant alternative bakuchiol. Of course, support ingredients like AHAs, ceramides,

niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and antioxidants will be in the mix, too, for hydration, brightness and soothing, but it’s that simple. Try Womaness Overnight Magic Facial Treatment with

Bakuchiol ($22, target.com) or Pause Well-Aging Collagen Boosting Moisturizer ($72, amazon.com) — both menopause-specific brands, or L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Pressed Night Cream with

Retinol ($37, ulta.com), and give yourself three months of consistent use to see real results. (Left to right) Benefit Gimme Brow+ Tinted Volumizing Eyebrow Gel; Essence This is Nude

Lipstick in Real; Essie Limited Edition Fall 2021 Nail Polish Collection in High Voltage Vinyl Ulta Beauty (2); Target 2. MAKE OVER YOUR MAKEUP A little makeup tweak can improve sticky

menopause-related beauty issues like sparse brows, gum recession and veiny hands in minutes. Try a tinted brow gel like Benefit Gimme Brow+ Tinted Volumizing Eyebrow Gel ($24, ulta.com) to

fill in, plump and groom wiry multitone brows (this one comes in 10 shades) and lift your peepers. Try a deeper “neutral” lipstick like Essence This is Nude Lipstick in Real or any other

of the 20 shades ($2, ulta.com). Going a shade or two richer than your gums and lips makes receding gums less noticeable (like estrogen, we lose gum tissue!). Last, trade your pale

neutral polish for a brighter, trendier shade like Essie Limited Edition Fall 2021 Nail Polish Collection in High Voltage Vinyl ($11, target.com) to draw attention away from veiny, spotted

hands. (Left to right) St. Ives Hydrating Face Mist in Lavender; Neutrogena Radiant Makeup Setting Spray with Peptides; Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Chamomile and Lavender Target

(2); Ulta Beauty 3. PREPARE FOR HOT FLASHES During a hot flash you can feel your body temperature rise like a rocket. This can happen day or night, and for some women continues for years

after menopause. While spicy foods, alcohol and caffeine are said to be triggers that exacerbate things, who can resist a pepperoni pizza, pumpkin latte or margarita now and then? Keep a

facial mist like St. Ives Hydrating Face Mist in Lavender ($6, target.com) or Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Chamomile and Lavender ($12, ulta.com) chilling in the fridge, bedside

and on your desk. Or if you are very “flashy” and doing a real makeup look, try a hydrating makeup setting spray like Neutrogena Radiant Makeup Setting Spray with Peptides ($16, target.com)

along with waterproof mascara to prevent a meltdown.