Beauty Reinvented Archives

Hello Blog, It’s Me Nikol

November 14, 2019 ·

I realized on a recent flight this month that I have not been writing on this blog as much as I would like for 2019. This post will be a little catch-up and news on upcoming events. Most of the content I upload is here and here, but I view this blog as an outlet to interview other women that are breaking the beauty rules to encouraging you through your transitioning beauty.

To catch you up to speed on where I have been for the past six months, I have been in the studio filming and producing videos that feature makeup tutorials on women from fifties to eighty-four on my YouTube channel, which hit 80K subscribers. These videos have been such a rewarding series called #FierceAging. The series started as a four-part series but now has turned into a monthly feature. I have an inspiring project coming up that I will be announcing on my YouTube channel and Newsletter, so make sure you tune in and are signed up (find my sign up here).

If you have not joined my private Beauty Reinvented Facebook group, this is the perfect time to get inspiration and support from women all over the world. We are almost at seven thousand women sharing and helping each other through aging and gray hair. I am so proud of this little group, and I have been posting LIVE Q&A’s randomly to answer your questions in real-time.

If you love Fresh Beauty Studio Cosmetics/Nikol Cosmetics or are curious, get ready for Black Friday and Cyber Monday! New beauty products added every week. You don’t want to miss out on the specials that are coming up for the holiday season. Early access will be announced here, so make sure you are signed up.

I hope you ladies are doing well and are enjoying all the content that I am creating for you on all my platforms.

Silver Sister Spotlight with Caroline Labouchere

April 6, 2019 ·

Ladies, I am back to inspire you with a fierce Silver Sister Spotlight with Caroline Labouchere. I became friends with Caroline through Instagram and my desire to visit Dubai where Caroline lives. I DMed her on social media and told her I wanted to come and run with her and see the country her response “Come, I will take care of you,” She has such a sweet and calming spirit something that reads true on her Instagram Stories. Let’s introduce you to Caroline.

It’s not every day you see a striking model sporting natural grey hair, owning the runway, gracing magazine covers and standing out from the crowd with a message that simply says aging can be beautiful. Caroline is fifty-four years young and the Region’s (United Arab Emirates) first ‘grey’ model. She grew up in Bedfordshire, UK. Her father was Lord Luke of Pavenham; a hereditary Peer of the Realm. Caroline grew up as a Sloane Ranger and came out as a debutante with a strict mother who dressed her in typical upper-class style. She is a competitive marathon runner, alongside her husband who is a world-class elite endurance triathlete. She has run the Dubai and Paris Marathons and she is currently training to run her first Ultra marathon. She clearly lives an active and healthy lifestyle.

Q: When did you start to go grey?

A: I was turning quite grey around the year 2000. It was hard covering it up and I went through phases of letting it go (feeling old) and coloring it. Peer pressure definitely has an impact.

Q: Did you feel empowered by your grey hair or defeated?

A: Initially through the perception of everyone around me I felt the need to fit in. I now feel completely content with it and cannot wait to be more grey.

Q: Tell us about the recent award you received.

A: Oh my, from the first random email invitation to the event I had a week to pull it all together. I didn’t believe the request when the email first appeared in my inbox. The pageant was called Golden Ambassador for Beijing Tourism. I was found through social media. Contacted by a French man, I thought it was a hoax, I got my husband to speak to him on Skype. I finally spoke to another contestant from Paris via Instagram. After our chat, I decided to go for it. I found the perfect dress, eight inches too long but fabulous, my visa and was on a flight to China. Other than our outing to the Great Wall we cat walked and walked practicing for the big day, the pageant. It was nerve-wracking although the lights were so bright we couldn’t see the judges. It was an incredible experience, it is unlikely that I will enter a beauty pageant again. I am happy I did and honored to have won.

Q: How do you view aging?

A: I dislike some bits, the lack of skin elasticity being the main one. I stay very fit and find it frustrating that I cannot naturally do anything about it the inevitable march of time. I will age gracefully with some help I think. Jane Fonda is doing it right in my book.

Q: Do you feel the fashion and beauty industry supports women with grey hair?

A: No, especially makeup. The shops are daunting the lighting is bad and it is too easy to be mis-sold products. I would rather follow someone my age on Instagram and buy with their advice.

Want to be featured in my Silver Sister Spotlight or know someone that would? Email me [email protected] Can’t wait to feature more women that are aging and embracing it with a bold, fierce attitude.

Fashion Dysmorphia – Why The Need for Youth is Ruining Our Self-Esteem

February 22, 2019 ·

Let’s have a little sit-down chat, shall we? I recently subscribed to the magazine PORTER instead of receiving the magazine on my Nook. Porter came yesterday, and as I flipped through the magazine, I was creeped out at how young these models were for big brands like Chanel, Michael Kors, Fendi, Jimmy Choo, etc. It’s honestly disgusting to me that in 2019 we are still showing these little girls in clothes that cost over five thousand dollars a piece. Think about that for a second heck is anyone thinking about this or questioning how the fashion industry portrays women?

I don’t think so, or something would have changed by now. I can’t relate to teenagers in a Chanel suit or a teenager putting on Chanel makeup. I think it’s ridiculous for me to try and compare my skin, face, body to an embryo. Let’s remember that I probably see zero to one percent of the time a gray-haired model or woman over fifty featured in these magazines (that’s not a celebrity) such as Elle and Harpers Bazaar. Oh, wait! I did see a mature woman with long gray hair for Valentino but they had her hold up branches with leaves all over them so I couldn’t see her face. If you don’t believe me check out the March issue of Harpers Bazaar. We all know the fashion and beauty industry is extremely shallow but how is looking at a pubescent girl going to make me want to buy clothes? Buy an anti-wrinkle cream or even better seven hundred dollar shoes?

We all know the fashion and beauty industry is extremely shallow but how is looking at a pubescent girl going to make me want to buy clothes? Buy an anti-wrinkle cream or even better seven hundred dollar shoes?

Advertising is all subconscious ladies; you look through these magazines and page after glossy page you are bombarded with teenagers, unrealistic images, some women over the age of thirty and forty but very rarely. What does that say to us? If you are over forty, you are not beautiful, not worthy of being shown in an ad? Seriously how can you go to the Chanel counter and look at the teenage girls on their point of sale and think I am sixty-five I am going to look like that if I use this cream for four hundred dollars? Is thin, thinner, thinnest the only size in fashion? Surgery, laser, botox, filler anyone?

As a former model, I am getting so tired of seeing this display of ignorance and limited thinking by the fashion and beauty industry. It’s almost laughable to put Kaia Gerber (Cindy Crawfords daughter) a seventeen-year-old that has sparked tons of rumors recently for having an eating disorder in a Fendi or Jimmy Choo advertisement. Am I missing something? Because I feel like I am. I have nothing against Kaia or the other teenagers featured in these ads; it’s the ripple down effect that I want to point out. The pressure is beyond intense in the social media/fashion/beauty industries with more and more “influencers” completely changing their faces and bodies whether that is in the form of filters or full-blown surgeries. What is this saying to our daughters? What is this saying to women in general that feel like they are not enough because all they see is altered faced and bodies? The competition is brutal; influencers are all vying for a bite out of the lucrative pot of “influencer” marketing dollars. Enter why people buy fake followers and “likes” geez did I even just write that?

I ran a poll on my Instagram Stories the other day asking you if you thought it was weird that Chanel was featuring teenagers in their ads and most of you said that now that you think about my statement it WAS peculiar. Hearing from my followers reinforced what I have been thinking for a long time now, NO ONE IS THINKING ABOUT HOW WEIRD ANY OF THIS IS. We are all looking and not caring, or we are so numb to how dysfunctional these powerhouse advertisements are that we are blind to them. Do you think this will ever stop? Do you think that there could be a movement that one day companies will show who is really buying their clothes, accessories, and makeup?

In my opinion, it’s all fun and games for these girls until you see what’s happening behind the scenes with the pressure of social media and the pressure of the fashion industry to be thin, “perfect” and fit into a fake world ruled by numbers, subscribers, followers. Take for example Lisa Rina’s daughter Dalia, I caught up on the second episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills last night and was not surprised to see that Lisa’s daughter came out to the world about her eating disorder from the pressures of trying to be a model. More and more girls are looking at these ads like Chanel and Fendi with Kaia and thinking that this is normal. Selfie surgery is on the rise if you don’t know what that is you’re lucky.

Not all companies are creating this unrealistic disease. We still have CoverGirl and Neutrogena that have a brain and have tapped into their demographic. CoverGirl is featuring Maye Musk age seventy with the campaign slogan “I Am What I Make Up” and Neutrogena featuring Nicole Kidman age fifty-one for an age-appropriate skin care product like “Rapid Wrinkle Repair.” This post isn’t about not buying from Chanel or the rest of the fashion houses that are out of touch with women. This post is about being aware in a world where it seems we accept what we see and don’t stand up and say HEY! That’s Not Right!!! Start the conversation, stand up for what you think is right or wrong. Don’t sit back and think “Oh well, it’s all too big and out of reach for me.” or “I am just one voice who really cares?

I can’t wait until the day that I hear my mailbox clang pour a glass of crisp champagne and slide into my reclining couch to read the latest fashion magazine. I expect to see glossy page after glossy page women over forty that inspire me, encourage me to embrace my age and love my aging body. It might be far off on the fashion and beauty horizon, but I will never stop dreaming of the day we celebrate women through age and acceptance in magazines, billboards, the workforce, TV and commercials.

Why I Almost Deleted This Video

January 14, 2019 ·

It’s one thing to film a video it’s another to edit it and then watch it back. I was surprised at the reaction I had recently when I unexpectedly met another Silver Sister waiting in a line.

It’s becoming more apparent to me that it’s not just about the silver hair color that is connecting and pulling us together like a magnet. It’s bigger than that. The line of connection runs deep down into the soul of who we are and who we want to be in this world.

My video titled “How to Survive Your Gray Hair Journey” took an unexpected turn on the emotional roller coaster when I was filming. I never know what’s going to happen when I start shooting. On this particular video, I wanted to explain how Beauty Reinvented website even came to fruition, why I am so passionate about featuring other women on my blog and showing up in this world as a voice to break the beauty rules.

I mention a couple of examples of fate when publishing my book and meeting two women with compelling stories when I have been out and about town. I edited my video and watched it back multiple times, I started to second guess myself. Should I really be this vulnerable?

Should I let the world see me this emotional? I keep my emotions pretty close to the belt in general but after going through hell with IVF and connecting with women all over the world on what seemed to be one emotional explosion. I am much more lenient with myself when I have these little passionate windows to my soul.

Ladies, have you stopped and thought what your gray hair journey is all about? Is it really about hair color? Age? Or are you creating a bold voice/movement in society and within yourself?

I have sat and stared at the sky and thought how silly that I would let other peoples rules and ideas affect how I show up visually to the world. And I am so happy that I took the plunge in my thirties and said I DON’T CARE WHAT ANYONE HAS TO SAY ABOUT MY HAIR COLOR!!!!!!!

It’s about your attitude, building yourself up from the inside out and stepping into the uncomfortable feelings. If you are feeling uncomfortable, you are right where you need to be on this journey.

I decided that I wouldn’t be embarrassed or apologize about this video and how much I wave my hands around or how passionate I got on the topic. Most days I am still trying to be “perfect” but videos like this tell me to just be real and go with it. Stop fighting who you are and let that woman out.

Is One Voice Enough?

December 17, 2018 ·

Gabrielle Union is the latest woman up on the chopping block because of her infertility and the picture of her holding her newborn in a hospital gown skin on skin. Before I jump into this topic, let me give you a little bit of background.

Gabrielle Union is an American actress, activist, and author. She is married to NBA star Dwyane Wade and is very open about her struggles to conceive. Even though I don’t know Gabrielle personally if we met, we would understand each other without having to say a word.

You see, we are both IVF sisters we share a silent bond of struggle, sadness, longing, heartache, and loss we also share a late diagnosis of endometriosis.

Dealing with painful periods my entire life was one thing and has since lessened after the endometriosis surgery but the pain of not being able to have a biological child well, that pain will last a lifetime.

Even though it seems like everyone is doing IVF or having fertility struggles coming forward publicly is not easy. Gabrielle’s decision to share her journey helps other women that might be silently enduring the pain of infertility.

When I saw the post on Instagram from Oprah saying that Gabrielle is receiving unfair criticism and Mommy shamming about the pregnancy and childbirth of her daughter it enraged me. Thank goodness Gabrielle was able to use a surrogate.

I am not sure why this is such a big deal to people, but it seems that Gabrielle was wearing a hospital gown and holding her newborn skin to skin common protocol for a new Mother. The public took this as she was trying to “pretend” she had the baby herself.

I am outraged that people are saying that she is “trying to pretend she had the baby.” For starters, Gabrielle went through eight to nine miscarriages (she has said she lost count of how many) and another eight failed IVF cycles. She has been completely transparent about her baby journey.

For the people that have made a negative comment it’s out of ignorance and the intent to spread negativity. Just like with any other life issue or struggle you will never know how it feels unless you are going or have been through it. When are we going to stop this negative cycle towards women?

The scary thing is most of these comments come from women. Why is it that we all think that we need to state our opinion, thoughts, or advice to a stranger on social media?

“WHEN ARE WE GOING TO STOP THIS NEGATIVE CYCLE TOWARDS WOMEN?”

I understand everyone wants to have a say in the social abyss. We have created a platform for every person with a keyboard under their fingers to chime in anonymously and give you their opinion about anything and everything.

I am not saying you can’t have a voice, but it seems that most of the nasty negative comments come without education or facts and THAT’S what the issue is especially when dealing with sensitive women issues. If we came together to help and support women when dealing with pregnancy, surrogacy, miscarriage and infertility problems maybe there wouldn’t be such a taboo hush-hush cloud covering these topics.

I thought after writing for three years for Not Just a Beauty Blogger that I wouldn’t really get involved in issues like this anymore, but it just hits a chord with me.

Is one voice enough? This question comes up a lot for me. Somedays when I get bombarded with negative and downright cruel comments about my appearance on YouTube I think why am I even doing this! Why even try and help women with their beauty when I get so much hate from WOMEN.

I then realize that my voice is POWERFUL, BOLD and UNAPOLOGETIC beyond measure. I open the folder I made on my computer for what I like to call my email “love letters’ that I have received from women all over the world. I read through these emails and feel recharged. It gives me hope to hear how much I have impacted their life whether that might be through my IVF blog, Fresh Beauty Studio’s blog or my Beauty YouTube channel.

So I ask myself this again ‘Is one voice enough?’I would say YES! One voice starts the movement of change. Luckily my voice was united with dozens of other women that had or were going through their own fertility journey back in 2014. Together we did and do make an impact on educating the public on infertility and endometriosis.
So ladies, if you are sitting behind your laptop or mobile device today feeling overwhelmed by what strangers have said to you about the color of your hair maybe you are feeling you are too old to date or feel like a big fat failure because you are or have struggled with fertility. Know you are not alone.

We can make a difference and stop this negative cycle of comments by choosing the words we allow out of our mouths. Check in with yourself and open your heart and arms to women just like yourself that are struggling (don’t kid yourself, we are all challenged in some way throughout the years) through this thing we call life.

Jane Your Tartan!

December 13, 2018 ·

I woke up this morning to a comment on my Instagram that went something like this: “Tartan in your knickers doesn’t line up…..not well made.” Hmmm, first I had to stop reading with one eye open and recall what the hell tartan was, Oh, right my underwear. WOW, someone is looking at the seams in my UNDERWEAR noticing they don’t match up? LOL I have made it!

Jane Your Tartan! — Photo Credit: Rick Gomez Photography

I laid in bed looking at the ceiling thinking it’s amazing I am even taking pictures in my underwear at forty-three. It’s ironic because when I was shooting this shot, I would run over to my photographer Rick and say let me see how these are coming out. I then would proceed to tell many insults about my body or how the robe was laying. Rick always rolls his eyes and says something to the effect that I am foolish and not practicing what I preach. It’s the truth, for some reason we women like to beat ourselves up over little imperfections that in reality WE can only see.

I am just like you with not always being positive about my body, hair, skin you name it that is why I am so passionate about writing and speaking about being yourself, embracing your age and finding the silver lining that we all have inside.

It’s not so much about the tartan or my ridiculous thoughts about my body in this photoshoot but how women are so quick to point out the negative, the flaws in each other. Why is that? I know the comment about my dysfunctional seams on my underwear isn’t a huge deal and maybe it’s true that the seams are beyond screwed up, but it’s the underlying energy and example that this statement creates. Perhaps the woman that wrote the comment is very unhappy with her life, maybe she is sad around the holidays, and this made her feel better, or maybe she is coming apart at the seams (pardon the pun) and needed to say something that was just true and obvious? Whatever it was it wasn’t positive no matter how you try and lessen that comment.

So what is the lesson today? What’s your take away? Think about what you are saying first before you say or write it. The holidays are a very highly emotional time for a lot of people. Think about how your comment might make someone else feel. Do you think it will empower that man or woman? Do you think it makes you a better person if you say it? Get real with yourself, find out where your intentions are with the words and comments you say.

Words are powerful make yours be a reflection of who you are.

5 Things To Remember When You Stop Dyeing Your Hair

November 2, 2018 ·

Do you know what to expect when you stop dyeing your hair? I didn’t and I suspect the majority of women don’t either. Let’s keep it, real Ladies, we have dyed our hair for decades why would we think about all the pitfalls when we stop dyeing our hair?

I think it’s essential anytime before you wander in an unchartered territory such as the gray hair transition to get an overview of what to expect. I filmed a video a couple of months ago called What To Expect When Going Gray. I receive dozens of DM’s and emails a week from women telling me they had no clue on what to expect and wished they had some idea before they kicked their dye box to the curb.

I have rounded up five things to remember when you stop dyeing your hair.

Go into this exciting and unique time in your life with the knowledge of where the challenges and emotional pitfalls are, so you are prepared when you hit those rough patches. I feel the more you know, the more successful you will be with your gray hair goals.

How I Keep My Gray Hair White

October 31, 2018 ·

I am always getting the question “How do you keep your gray hair so white?” and the simple answer is I am not so sure. Seriously what kind of response is that? Keep on reading.

I feel its a combination of your genetics and what hair products you use. I have used hair products that make my hair look dirty and give it a yellowish cast. When I see my hair looking yellow from hair products it’s almost like kryptonite to me, I will literally do whatever it takes to keep my hair bright white. I have experimented with tons of hair products over that last three years some amazing and some I threw away after using just once.

Let’s first consider the fact that I had a white stripe show up right above my right eyebrow in my twenties but I refused to allow my hair to be grey, so I dyed it for years. Then I noticed that this white stripe would not take the dye and turn a reddish color which looked terrible with my brown hair. I let the white line claim it’s territory on my head at around the age of thirty-four. It was a love-hate relationship going back and forth dyeing it and making it my friend. So I started with a white stripe not yellow or ashy. I equate this to genetics this super white stripe is what color my hair is no matter if I used a purple shampoo or not. My grey roots came in just as white. When I was first transitioning to grey, my hair was white roots and dyed black hair, not the ideal look, but I made it work. I cringe just thinking about that time.

I have seen my white hair turn yellow by using DryBar’s dry shampoo it comes out of the bottle a yellowish/brown color which is the worst product I could have ever used on my hair. A little trick I use if my hair needs to be washed and is looking not bright white, I will spray this dry shampoo into my hair, and it makes my hair fresh, absorbs the oil and super white. I used this trick when I was trying to lessen the demarcation line at the beginning of my grey hair journey. I would spray this dry shampoo in strategic areas to create streaks of white, so my hair looked more even, and my white roots were a little more blended.

I experimented with so many different shampoos and conditioners that were made specifically for grey hair. I was getting frustrated with the lack of improvement that these “grey hair” products were supposed to do to my hair. I didn’t find that they were improving anything from texture, hydration, manageability, so I stopped and saw this shampoo and conditioner that I feel has been the best for cleaning and volumizing my hair and keeping it amazingly white. My hair has more manageability, texture and an overall hydrated fehttp://bit.ly/2EU0Zzoel. I use two products after I shampoo for smoothness and anti-frizz one is a spray oil and the other is a blow dry cream. I have been very happy with the results of these two products. Here is also a fantastic shampoo and conditioner that I love using because it’s an oil shampoo and conditioner a powerhouse of hydration which most gray hair needs but most importantly does not weigh down your hair.

I am always open to trying new products but like the saying goes “If it ain’t broke.” I go into more detail in chapter eight of my new book launching December 1st, 2018 called Beauty Reinvented–How to Embrace Gray Hair, Upgrade your Self-Confidence and Redefine your Beauty. I detail hair products to the best haircuts when going gray.

I think that you should experiment with products and find what works for your hair. Everyone has a different texture, weight, thickness, etc. It’s not a one-size-fits-all when it comes to your hair products. Ask for samples when you are at Sephora, order travel sizes and see how your hair performs with different formulations. It takes time so be patient, but when you do find the perfect combination for your hair, it’s total nirvana.

Silver Sister Spotlight with Marilyn Moles Carlisle

October 28, 2018 ·

Ladies this Silver Sister Spotlight took me months to put together. It’s fascinating how the world works with pairing you up with incredible people. I was introduced to Marilyn by my photographer Rick Gomez he thought Marilyn would be an incredible woman to feature and guess what SHE IS.

Silver Sister Spotlight with Marilyn Moles Carlisle

Photo Credit: Rick Gomez Photography

Marilyn (Moles) Carlisle grew up on the west coast of Florida in Clearwater. Her father, a physician, and her mother’s love for animals inspired her interest in veterinary medicine. She attended college at the University of Florida and graduated from the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine in 1991. She continues to practice medicine part-time in South Florida, and although she loves dogs, her special interest is feline medicine. Although Marilyn continues to practice veterinary medicine part-time, she also has a successful side-career as a classic lifestyle model and actress. She knew that to be a credible (professional) actress she would need to commit to training. She took local classes weekly at night for over a year, attended weekend workshops and recently traveled to Chicago to train at the famous Second City for improv. Her dedication to her work at training has paid off. She has been in numerous commercials (national and local), independent ﬁlms including a Lifetime movie, appeared in tv shows and can be seen in magazines and on billboards. She enjoys balancing both sides of her careers although admittedly the scheduling can be hectic at times. ! Marilyn and her husband (Stephen) of 23 years have two wonderful sons who will be graduating from college and high school respectively. She has been sporting her platinum white hair for over 20 years. Women and men have commented on her hair for years, but now she is excited not to have her hair described as a “beautiful anomaly.” Women would approach me at the grocery store and say “I wish I had the courage to stop coloring my hair.” Marilyn loves traveling, dancing, sunsets, beach walks, and spending time with family and friends. So also enjoys mentoring young potential veterinarians in their exploration of the profession.

Q: When did you first start seeing gray?

At the age of 14, I remember standing in front of my bathroom mirror and ﬁnding my ﬁrst gray hairs. The more I pulled them, the more they seemed to grow.

Q: In your professional world as a veterinarian did you feel pressure to keep your hair dyed?

The only time I have really dyed my hair was during college and my early years of veterinary school. Perms and color were popular during the 1980‘s. When I graduated from the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, I was already transitioning into my natural color by using low lights in my hair to help blend the white and remaining dyed brown. I looked like I had a lot of frosting. Professionally I have been employed at the same animal hospital for the past 25 years. We have all grown up together, so my hair was just part of the package. Stereotypically doctors have that “distinguished” look so maybe that helped me too.

Photo Credit: Rick Gomez Photography

Q: Did your white hair come in all at once? Or did it take years to be this beautiful white color?

It seems that it came in all at once. When I decided to stop the low lights, I was 95% solid white. Only one small brown section in the front and at the ends as the low lights grew out. It looked okay, so I was lucky

Photo Credit: Rick Gomez Photography

Q: How did you feel when you decided to go gray? Was this a scary time for you?

When I wanted to start my family, I decided to totally give up the chemicals. Pregnancy and added chemicals just did not seem to be a healthy choice. My husband was supportive and loved my uniqueness, so he helped make it easy for me. My mother’s side of the family has a lot of beautiful white hair. My hair and my blue eyes deﬁnitely come from mom! Only once do I recall feeling bad about my hair. I took some “me time” and treated myself to a massage. After the massage, the masseuse asked: “Why don’t you color your hair?” “From the back, you look like an old lady, but from the front, you look so young?” That same week I went and added back the low lights. About a week later, a long time client at the animal hospital asked me why I colored my beautiful hair. He was right! That was the last time, and I have never looked back. The low lights just faded away, and thankfully my white hair came right back. To me, it looks glamorous like in the 1960’s just like my namesake Marilyn Monroe.

Q: What advice would you give other professional women when it comes to embracing your gray?

Professional women, and in fact all women should feel conﬁdent. Conﬁdence is strong and sexy all at the same time. Choose what makes you feel conﬁdent and then just run with it. Embrace your look!

Photo Credit: Lynn Parks Photography

Q: How did you get into lifestyle modeling? Are there any jobs that you loved working on as a gray-haired model?

Modeling and acting were never on my radar. However, in a Pilates class, I became friends with a woman who introduced me to an amazing photographer Rick Gomez. Rick took my ﬁrst headshot. The year was 2009, and really very few people had my look. Rick and my friend Patricia helped connect me with a few talent and modeling agencies. I approached my acting with determination to learn. I took acting classes as well as special workshops. Just as in my veterinary practice, I continue to strive to be my best. I have a type “A” personality and am a perfectionist. Modeling and acting are generally fun for me and reﬁlls “my love bank.” It does have a lot of rejection though and honestly; I still struggle with that at times. However, when I am on set, it is fun to step into someone else’s life as a character and the modeling helps me feel pretty. The mid-life career keeps me focused on taking good care of myself by making healthy food choices and exercising, especially loving my dance class. ! I have worked hard and tried to make wise choices. I have great agents who do their best to get me opportunities. A few of my favorite jobs include a Lifetime movie (Girlfriend Killer), and a billboard on I-95 (Seminole Casino). I have had some great commercials such as Prudential Retirement and a Dunkin Donuts where I combined my veterinary and acting worlds. Print jobs for award-winning country clubs (Boca West) are also fun. I also will be on the cover of Jan Rogers second book called “Going Gray Beauty Guide: 40 Gray8 Going Gray Stories” due out 2019 in hardcover and e-book. I am so very thankful and proud to represent our Silver Sisters!

Connect with Marilyn on Instagram: @Marilyn_Carlisle

Book Launch December 1st, 2018

October 18, 2018 ·

I am so excited to announce my first book launch on December 1st, 2018. Writing a book has always been on my radar, I wasn’t sure how my book would take shape would I write on infertility or going gray or both? In January, I made the decision that I would write a book to help women all over the world FINALLY have a Bold, Fierce, and encouraging step-by-step guide on how to embrace their natural gray hair in a modern and empowering manner. Beauty Reinvented encourages women to live authentically with an unapologetic attitude toward society’s view on gray hair and aging.

I had zero help when I started on my gray hair journey; I couldn’t find one woman in her thirties that had a blog or had written a book on how to go gray. I wanted a little insight, guidance, and raw information so I could be prepared but google search after google search I came up with nothing. I felt so alone and unattractive, but I pushed forward and made it to the silver lining two years later. I designed my book to be a workbook format that will help prepare you for all of the ups and downs of going gray. Some of the highlights of Beauty Reinvented include Developing Your Gray Attitude in chapter 4, and down-to-earth informative advice in chapter 5: My 5 Strategies to Going Gray. The book is rich with personal anecdotes and infused with my expert beauty advice on how to upgrade your skincare and makeup routines throughout your gray hair journey.

Beauty Reinvented will be available on Amazon and Kindle December 1st, 2018. Don’t forget to sign up for my Newsletter for exclusive invites, offers and discount codes.