You Only Get Better As You Age: Q&A With Cindy Joseph

With laugh lines, a natural glow and a full head of long silver hair, Cindy Joseph is inspiring women everywhere. The passion that Cindy has for life and embracing her own age is contagious – she truly is an inspirational role model as she reminds us that women (and of course men) only get better as they get older.

Cindy was a makeup artist for 25 years. However at 49 she was discovered on a New York Sidewalk and asked to model for a Dolce and Gabbana ad. Cindy says that the reason she believes she was discovered was because she was genuinely happy with herself and that it was radiating from her – which in turn people were drawn to.

She then went on to be signed up as a Ford Model and was soon gracing the covers and pages of The Oprah Magazine, More, Glamour, Mademoiselle, and Real Simple, to name a few. She's modeled for fashion clients such as Anthropologie, Banana Republic, and J. Crew, and has been the face of Garnier, Olay, Aveda and Nivea beauty campaigns. At 63 she still is an active model.

Cindy is now promoting ageful, natural beauty with her own cosmetics brand, BOOM! By Cindy Joseph, and she was kind enough to answer a few questions for us. We hope you find her as inspiring as we have here at Botanical Trader. Enjoy!

You started modeling at a later age. Can you tell us a little about how that came about?

I was healthier and happier than ever at age 49. I stopped colouring my hair and the day I cut off the last bit of dye in early 1999, I was approached on the street and asked to model for a Dolce and Gabbana world wide advertising campaign. That launched my modeling career that is still going strong today. I am now 63.

What are your thoughts on women and aging and do you have any tips on how women can embrace their own age?

It is a complicated subject. It involves many levels of understanding and awareness; women’s history, sociology, self knowledge, confidence, compassion and honesty. It also takes a very a realistic point of view about life, aging, and beauty. Aging is simply another word for living. I ask women to check what motivates them. Is it fun or fear? When a woman is desperately trying to hang onto what she looked like in her 30s, she will not fool anyone or be any happier. I speak in depth about this subject in my weekly video blog Saturday’s with Cindy.

I am also spearheading what I call the Pro-Age Revolution and the movement is well established and growing daily. We had our first public rally July 2013 in Union Square San Francisco. There will be many more as this year continues!

What is your definition of true beauty?

I believe that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Is there anything in the beauty industry that you would like to see change?

I would like to see more diversity in the models. Then the industry will be representing our population more realistically. I would also like the beauty industry to openly inform the general public that the photos of the models they use are heavily retouched. Fashion and beauty photos are only fantasy images.

If so, why?

#1.Women would like to see models they can identify with and relate to in the catalogs and magazines.

#2. It would be helpful for the young women who are already grappling with their self esteem and confidence to know that models are real girls too.

You have your own beauty brand, BOOM! Why did you create your own beauty line?

It was time to offer a realistic approach to beauty and to tell the truth in regard to skin care and cosmetics. I also wanted to offer a line that did not try to convince women they needed to change, alter, cover and conceal their features which they are told are flaws. I wanted to send the message that every woman has her own unique beauty.

What are your daily rituals to ensure you take care of your overall well being?

Living my life according to what pleasures me. Allowing what feels good to guide me.

You talk about being "pro-age." What is behind this philosophy?

We grow up in an anti-age society. A whole society against age. It is a futile battle. Pro-age is taking the viewpoint that aging is something to be enthusiastic about. Aging is simply living. As we continue life we become more passionate, vital, feeling, thinking creatures with desire, creativity and intelligence. We gain value. You are smarter, wiser, more experienced, have more self knowledge, are more astute and discriminating. The list goes on! There is a lie in our society that after 40 you are a faded version of your former self. That is simply not true. You cannot become less. We become more. When we value ourselves society will follow suit.

We love how you embrace your gray hair and don’t try to hide it. What made you decide to stop colouring your gray?

As I got older I started sharing publicly how I felt about aging. I was getting better. My life was getting better. I was healthier, happier, more fulfilled than ever before. I felt it was hypocritical to be hiding my age as I was telling others how great it was. I also feel that crows feet and silver hair are badges to be worn openly with pride and joy. Age and the beauty that goes along with it is something to celebrate!

What are some of the biggest makeup mistakes you see on older women?

Wearing the make up they did when they were in their 20’s. Using powder. Wearing dark eyeshadows. Heavy foundation. Trying to look younger actually makes older women look worse and unhealthy.

What is the best piece of beauty wisdom you have ever received?

Taking joy in living is a woman’s best cosmetic.” I see it in myself and all other women. A woman in pleasure is beautiful!

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